A New Little One

For the last 6 days I have been enjoying the sounds, smells and joys of having a brand new tiny little life to take care of. Belén Joy joined our family Tuesday August 16th. She was healthy and beautiful at 7 lbs. 13 oz and 19 1/2 inches tall.

I was induced being 6 days over due, and everything went well and smoothly. After weeks of on and off labor, we found out that I just had so much fluid in me that she could never really drop low enough to engage in full blown labor. When I walked around, gravity would help out and we'd have labor and be miserable. As soon as I laid down at night or any other time, she would float away and labor would stop. It wasn't until they broke the water that she finally came quickly.

It's always amazing to me what an incredible thing it is to give birth and to create a new life. To be amazed at her tiny little perfect body that has all the amazing, miraculous systems and functions. To me there is no greater truth and testimony of a supreme being and creator than to see a brand new baby laid on my stomach and to sit in wonder over the next week at how truly amazing creation is. There truly is a God, and I'm always humbled at every birth, that I get to be a part of his amazing work.

Since then I have enjoyed her newness. Her fresh smells, her jerky movements, her open bird mouth, her desire to suck on everything, her hours and hours of sleeping. She has been perfect. She's only cried 3 times that I can count in the last 6 days. Right when she was born, once while changing a diaper, and the other day when they poked her foot for the 3rd jaundice test. Even at night when it's time to eat she just makes little noises trying to search for her food. We will see how long that lasts.

The kids can literally not get enough of her. They are constantly battling for "their" time to hold her. She didn't get much sleep the first day, because they kept waking her, wanting to hold her, touching her, and just being smitten with her. Isaac has been the most smitten. Savannah, just wants to be a little mother to her, which I happy about. She'll be a great help to me. The last 4 days they went home to Star Valley with Beau, to see his brother who just arrived home from his mission. So she's been able to have at least 4 days of peace, quiet and rest, before they return once again to smother her with love.

It was also a unique time, as Beau and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary in the hospital. (Keep in mind the circumstances of this picture and why we look so amazing. :)) Time has flown so fast, as we looked back at all that has happened in 9 years. We realize how truly blessed we have been. We have been taken care of so well, and have had so many wonderful opportunities and experiences. The greatest one being our 5 wonderful children. Families are really what is all about and I am so thankful for mine. I am always amazed at how I could not have picked a more perfect man to marry and have be a part of my life. He is amazing in every way, and every day I love him more. I can say that the last 9 years have been the happiest of my life, and I know we only have many more amazing ones to come and that makes me so excited.

Life is good. It is beautiful and there is so much to enjoy and look forward to. I hope to slow down, and fully enjoy each of these moments, and those things that really matter the most.