Baby Claire is here!

Claire Sophia Ekins was born November 30^th at 6:37 a.m.. She weighed in at 9 lbs. 14 oz.! Wow. And measured 20 ½ inches in length. She had a full head of curly dark hair. And yes, she could scream. J Louder than Abby was for sure, but not quite as loud as Rett was and still is. I think he will forever have his sisters beat in magnitude of scream. We are so grateful she made it here healthy and normal. What a blessing she has been in her six week life so far! We are ALL in love and can’t get enough of her. Especially Abby. She LOVES having a little sister… her greatest wish was granted. And Rett, well, he’s cool with whatever. I think he’s totally okay with being the only boy in this family, as long as Mama is always near. He will ask to hold Claire and then 20 seconds later say, “Okay, I’m all done.” And he will kiss her every chance he gets! Abby has amazed me at how well she can hold Claire. It is very natural for her and already I know that she will make a great mother someday.

Claire's Birth Story

(taken from my journal)

My contractions began at 8:00 p.m. the night before and were five to seven minutes apart. They lasted until 9:30 p.m. I went to bed and awoke at 1:30 a.m. on the 30^th to contractions every three minutes. We called our dear friend Sue Schmidt and she got to the house 10 minutes later to stay with Abby and Rett. They were excited to spend time with Sue. Matt and I even had them pack their bags the night before just in case we needed to take them to her house. We arrived at the hospital at 2:15 and I was dilated to a six-plus. Contractions were then every two to three minutes apart. Since I was Strep B positive, they gave me an IV at 2:45 and hoped I would make it until 6:45 before my second dose. My water had not broken yet so I knew the contractions were eventually going to get even more painful. I had the doctor give me an epidural to make those four hours bearable. It was wonderful.  In those early morning hours in my hospital room, I enjoyed watching most of White Christmas while Matt slept on the couch. My water started to slowly leak at about 5:30 and pushing began just a few minutes later. The baby’s head was pushing against a nerve on my right side so the pain increased quite a bit. The anesthesiologist came back to my room to increase my medicine, but it only lasted for so long. The last 15 minutes of pushing were the most painful minutes of my life! Her head was crowning and I could feel everything. I now understand the phrase, “Ring of Fire.” Wow, words cannot explain. (Looking back now in hindsight, I’m actually kind of glad the epidural wore off so that I could truly experience what child birth felt like. I could literally feel her coming out of my body. Something else that cannot be explained with words).

Without saying anything, the doctor lifted her up. I saw her tiny little toes and her bum and I knew we had ourselves another little girl! We knew all along, even though we were trying to stay open-minded that this might be a boy. Before they cleaned her off, they put her on my chest and I just held her close wondering “is this for real?” “Did I really just push a little girl out of my body?” The last 15 months of my life finally came down to this one moment I’d been waiting for. “Who was Heavenly Father going to send to me?” And just like that, there she was. Her breathing was so calm and steady. She looked at me and I looked at her. It’s like we already knew each other. All of my questioning and doubting came to an abrupt end. This now all made complete and beautiful sense. The missing piece to my puzzle fit so perfectly in my arms. And I just laid there and stared, trying to take it all in.

I’m still trying to take it all in. I could not have asked for a more perfect little person than the one sent to us. Already I know that Claire is a kind and gentle spirit. She is strong and yet resonates such a peace about her. Every time I am reminded of what we went through to get her here, I just think, “So that’s why I felt so strongly about all of this.” I can’t imagine life without her. And to think we’re just getting to know her!

The kids got their bags packed the night before when my contractions first started just in case. :)

Before...

and after... 

Grandma and Grandpa Ekins were Claire's first visitors. 

Abby and Rett had fun putting gifts together to bring to Claire in the hospital.

In Rett's gift bag, he brought his doctor kit. He wanted to make sure Mom was doing okay.

Checking my ears!

Drinking the celebratory drink... Guarana! Thanks Abby for the picture.

Claire's first ride in the new mini van!

When we arrived home, we found baby girl decorations outside the house. Our dear friend Sue once again made sure we were taken care of. Thanks Sue!

Gr. and Gr. Ekins came back to the house for a few hours before they had to head back home.

The next few pics I took of Rett. Little guy needed some camera attention too!