A Piece of Heaven

Hallee McKenna Loosli joined our family on July 19, 2012 at 1:15 PM. She was 8lbs 8ozs and 20 1/2 inches long.  It is so hard to describe how amazing it is to see your baby for the first time.  I am immediately overcome with an unconditional love for each of my children when I lay eyes on them.  Hallee was no different, I was immediately smitten. 

Keith experiences the same thing and can't wait until the nurses hand the baby over to him.  He came right over to show me how beautiful Hallee was while the doctors were stitching me up.  I was scheduled for a 12:00 PM C-section, which worked out well because we were able to drop the kids off at my mom's in the morning before heading up to the hospital.  The doctor was behind, but we ending up going in for surgery a little less than an hour late. 

I opted for no morphine again, which means I'm very awake and alert during the procedure.  It is great, but a little nerve racking.  Luckily my anesthesiologist was much better this time and that helped me stay calm.  He adjusted the drape so that I could see Hallee coming out in the mirror to the side of me.  I thought she was breech for the last few months and I was right.  The first thing I saw was her cute little legs when the doctor pulled her out.  It is so amazing to see your child actually coming out of your body.  She looks so small until I remember that she was just inside of me.  I couldn't hold back the tears, I was so grateful she was finally here.

I love this picture.  I loved that I could get Hallee to calm down when no one else could.  I was so excited to get to the recovery room so I could hold her. We had a little bit of time alone with her before my mom brought the kids up to see her.  Caitlyn and Jonah were so excited to see her.

I can't believe I have four kids now. 

They all loved looking at her and wanted to take turns holding her. 

 

Even Wyatt wanted to hold her.  He would say, "please baby, wash hands." Then he would get some hand sanitizer and hold out his arms.  He liked it for a minute and then he was more interested in going for a walk.  He wanted Keith to take him for walks in the hall over and over. 

Caitlyn is in love with Hallee.  She begs to hold her all the time and seems to be attached to my hip. She wants to be with me and Hallee all the time.

 Jonah went on and on telling my dad how cute Hallee was.  He liked holding her, but was happy to play on the Ipad as well.

It was fun to have the kids there, but a little stressful as well.  After my mom left Keith's parents came to meet Hallee.  Later the kids came back so grandpa could meet Hallee.  My sisters also came and so did Keith's sister.  It was fun to show her off to everyone.  Keith and I love the time that we get with the baby in the hospital.  Keith stays the whole time and we just enjoy our alone time with our new baby.  My mom was so great to keep the kids and all of my family was offering and willing to take them as well.  I appreciate that so much. I love to know that my kids are taken care of and having fun while I focus on the baby.

Hallee was making a grunting noise the whole first day.  Caitlyn did the same thing.  It could be a sign that they are having trouble breathing, but the nurses said Hallee was fine.  The first night we didn't get hardly any sleep.  I hate hospitals for that reason.  Someone was always coming in our room.  Friday the nurse put a do not disturb sign on our room and we all took a good nap.  Friday night Hallee screamed for over an hour.  We finally took her to the nursery to see if they could figure out if there was something wrong with her.  They said she spit up for hours.  I had nothing to feed her yet so we had given her some formula.  The nurse thought the formula had upset her stomach.  Luckily the next day I had enough to feed her and she has been doing so much better since then.

I loved the one on one time we had with Hallee in the hospital, but I am always ready to go home.  Saturday morning we waited for our doctors to release us and then we were on our way home.  She looked so cute dressed and ready to come home.

I love this little girl so much.  I'm so grateful she made it safely to our family.  It was a long, hard pregnancy, but worth every ache and pain.  It is funny how you can't picture having another child before they are here and then once they are here you can't imagine life without them.  She fits right in and we are so grateful to have her home with us.