Our perfect little baby girl was born at 6:46 on the morning of Sunday, December 30… officially making me by far the happiest and most content I’ve ever been in my life!
I went into labor early Saturday morning and spent the day laboring at home until it was time to head to the hospital that night. John and I drove to the hospital amidst a snowstorm that transformed Eastern Massachusetts into a winter wonderland – what I’m sure was a gorgeous sight, but which I couldn’t fully appreciate between my increasingly intense contractions. I labored for the remainder of Saturday night, John by my side the entire time, before pushing for nearly two hours in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
As soon as my warm, wriggling, cooing baby was placed on my chest and she looked up at me with her big blue eyes, I knew that my natural labor and delivery were worth every single moment of discomfort and pain. My body had naturally done what it was designed to do, and the amazing result was what is now the most important thing in my life: my sweet daughter :).
John and I have been spending the past few days getting to know – and falling deeply in love with – Lily, and day-by-day we’re learning how this whole parenting thing works. Nights have been mostly sleepless thus far, but my maternal instinct is in overdrive and adrenaline + pure bliss is fueling me through the numerous nightly feedings and diaper changes.
I can’t seem to pry my eyes away from Lily’s cute little button nose, pouty rosebud mouth, kissable rosy cheeks and deep blue eyes. I’m constantly breathing in the warm scent of her full head of downy soft hair and kissing her slightly wrinkled, long-fingered hands. I love to snuggle with her after breastfeeding (which is a work in progress – ouch! – but still wonderful) and carry her around the house in the Moby wrap.
Shelby and Roxie have been acclimating to the new addition better than we anticipated, and I’ve been sure to give them each a few daily doses of my undivided attention while Lily naps.
Sometimes we all cuddle together ;).
I don’t have any new recipes to share with you quite yet, but I can tell you I’ve had a blast indulging in some of the foods & beverages I couldn’t consume over the past nine months. Since Lily’s birth I’ve enjoyed fresh raw salmon sushi, a few sips of both earthy red wine and bubbly champagne, a taste of beer, a few eggs with molten runny yolks, and a gloriously delicious bottle of Kombucha (what I missed most during pregnancy!).
Rest assured that I will resume with recipe posting soon. We just have to figure out our routine, and I’ll be right back in the kitchen!
Congrats! She’s beautiful! Glad to hear you are all doing well and settling in to your new adventure :)
Congrats, Lauren!! I am so happy for you and John. Lily is beautiful!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet recently posted..The Top Keep It Sweet Desserts of 2012
Congratulations, Lauren! She is so adorable!
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Congratulations!! Love your blog and so happy to hear everything went well – God Bless you and your family. Enjoy every moment with your precious daughter!! They grow up way too quickly!
Congratulations!
What a beauitiful name to match your adorable daughter. Enjoy these exciting and chaotic first few days!
Luv What You Do recently posted..Healthy New Year Soup
Congrats! I’ve been waiting to hear the news! We just had our second daughter 10 weeks ago…such a blessing! 1st time pushed for just under 2 hours, second time was 2 minutes! You probably have a gazillion people to recommend things to you, but Happiest Baby on the Block and Becoming Babywise have worked great for us. Sleeping 9 hours straight at 9 weeks thanks to these books :-) Most libraries have them. Enjoy your sweetie!
Congrats, Lauren, she is so beautiful! And such a sweet pic of you and all your babies :)
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She’s beautiful!!! Congrats Lauren! I hope you have a fast recovery and are feeling well too. We must get the girls together for a play date in a few months after she’s sleeping more and you’ve settled into a routine :)
Kerstin recently posted..Merry Christmas!
She is so precious! Congrats, all the best!!
Congrats on the new addition to your family. She’s perfect!
Michelle recently posted..Coconut Custard Pie
Congratulations she’s beautiful! Can’t think of a better way to start the year :)
Heather recently posted..New Year, New Granola Bars
She’s beautiful! Congratulations, I am so happy for you!!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers recently posted..Tomato and Wild Blue Shrimp Pasta for Two
What a beatiful blessing! Take your time in recovery, we will wait for you!
What a beautiful blessing! Take your time in recovery, we will wait for you!
Congrats! She is beautiful!
Lauren @ Powered by Oatmeal recently posted..The OFFICIAL resolutions list!
aww, precious!! so glad to hear you’re doing well, good luck getting to know lilly and settling into a routine :)
Shannon recently posted..Kale & Brussels Salad
Oh Lauren she is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations! :-)
Alaina recently posted..2013: A Year of Challenges
What a cute picture! She’s adorable. :)
Congratulations! And I can’t believe you’re already thinking of going back to the kitchen. I could never handle all that! We’re not going anywhere so I hope you take your time with getting back to blogging (that sounds bossy but it’s most definitely not meant that way!)
Congratulations again!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking recently posted..Whole Wheat Lemon Garlic Spaghetti
Congratulations Lauren! Lily is just precious! I’m so happy for you and your husband! :-D Eee!
Congrats Lauren! Babies are the best!!! And double congrats on a natural birth- I know how hard that is so GO YOU! And trust me, breastfeeding gets SO MUCH easier after the first month and then you will absolutely love it. The bond cannot be described, it’s amazing!!! Hope everything is going fabulous and ask me anything if you want !!!
Congrats! She is beautiful!
Congratulations and welcome to the mommy club :-) She is beautiful. She just made it right on time for the new year!! and I am so glad you intend to breast feed. Artificial milk will never compare to the amazing nourishment your daughter will get from you. Nutrients that will never be able to be provided by artificial milk like a fat component they have just discovered essential for brain development to newborns. I did breastfeed my two kids for two years each. A lot of work but worth every minute of it!! You just need to really do for a year but I went a bit overboard :-) Congratulations to you both, what a pretty name.
Eat Good 4 Life recently posted..Sugared cranberries
Congratulations Lauren! She’s beautiful! I just had my baby on 11/10 and it’s been a joy. Enjoy your girl!
yay! congrats, lauren! i LOVE the name ya’ll chose and she’s positively adorable. happy new year indeed. :)
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Awww, congratulations! What a beautiful baby!
And I have to say I love that you love your Moby! I couldn’t have lived without mine :D
Congrats to you and John!! Lily is absolutely beautiful and I love her name. You are both so blessed. Best of luck getting some rest! Sooo happy for you guys :)
Maria recently posted..Berry Almond Chicken Salad
Congrats on your beautiful family!! And jeeze, way to make my baby alarm go off. I turned to my boyfriend all “omg! Look at this baby.. LOOK AT IT!” Adorable
Stephanie recently posted..Happy New Year! {2013}
Congratulations Lauren! Your baby girl is beautiful! Wishing you and your family good health & happiness in 2013!
Oooh, congratulations, Lauren! Lily Isabelle is sooo adorable and certainly takes priority over anything else. Don’t feel stressed to get back to posting recipes :).
Congratulations, Lauren! I am looking forward to hearing about your daughter as she grows. My first was a girl and she’s 23 now and on her own, but it doesn’t seem that long ago. What a sweet name you’ve given her.
Congrats Lauren! Lily looks precious and she is going to be an amazing addition to your family!
Congratulations, Lauren! What wonderful news! Little girls are so much fun! :-)
Congrats again Lauren, Lily is beautiful! I am so happy to hear that your plans for natural childbirth worked out. That is my goal too and I feel very excited and empowered by all that I am learning.
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Congrats Lauren. I seriously didn’t think a baby could look that pretty when born.. Lily is gorgeous! Such a precious little girl. Knock on wood… I hope one day I will find myself okay with the idea of having kids, not yet, but maybe someday. :-)
honeywhatscooking recently posted..De Santos | New York City (west village)
You, and Lily, look beautiful! Congratulations and so nice to hear the birth went as you had hoped! There is nothing quite like those first few weeks of your baby’s life – who knew you could be so busy staring at someone?! Have fun :) xoxo
Awww! Perfect date for a baby…my first-born also arrived on December 30…but it was 25 years ago! Enjoy every moment…because honestly, 25 years will literally fly by.