Our sweet little Clara was born on March 18 at 7:56 am. She ended up making it to her scheduled c-section date. She weighed in at 6 lbs 12 oz which was my smallest of my full term babies. I was measuring really small at my appointments so they had me do an ultrasound at 36 weeks to make sure it was ok, and of course she was measuring right on. It's just the way I carry them! My doctor thought she was going to be really tiny, but she was a decent size. It is funny because he has delivered the last three and every time he pulls them out he says, that's a big baby! I think because of the way I carry he thinks they will be smaller than they are.
The delivery was probably my worst other than Nellies. It started off with 4 attempts to get the IV in which may not sound like a big deal but it was seriously horrible. I was in tears. I wanted Kevy to come and hold my hand after the first failed attempt because it really hurt, but then he had to leave and sit down because HE was going to pass out! I have really great veins so that's what made it so surprising that they weren't working out! I remember almost having a panic attack with the fourth attempt thinking if this doesn't work I'm going to melt down. Thankfully it did though. On the operating table I was in so much pain. Partially from an air bubble that went in under my diaphragm. The same thing happened when I had Jane. It seriously is one of the worst things to experience! It feels like your heart is being crushed! I don't know why it was so painful but I just remember thinking " please be over! I don't know if I'm going to make it!" They had to end up giving me morphine on the operating table, which is not good becuase I don't do well with morphine and sure enough I was throwing up all afternoon.
This was the day before I went in, and the last day I will ever be pregnant for my whole life, which is so great but it also is the tiniest bit sad to know I am at the end of my child bearing. It is one of the biggest parts of my whole life and to know it is over brings the tiniest pang of sadness. But I am also looking forward to the next chapter in our family's life!
I remember when I looked over and saw her I almost thought "that's not my baby she has black hair!" Lizzy, Jane and Anne were born with dark hair but not this dark! I honestly thought Clara would be another blond since it went every other, but I love her dark hair!
It is always such a special couple of days in the hospital where we get to just be Kevy and I and our new little one. Then I end up going crazy becuase I hate the hospital environment and I just need to get home where I feel nice and cozy. But there is nothing like the first day of a child's life, it is so incredible!
The kids loved coming to visit. They were all so very excited to meet their new sister.
This was heading home. You can't tell from this picture, but she is just so tiny in her seat!
Russy is just over the moon out his baby sister, he loves her so much!!
She has her own look that is very different than the other kids, but I'll bet she will start looking like the rest as she gets older.
Clara has ended up being a colicky baby and it has been a really difficult adjustment for all of us. There have been some pretty hard evenings and many breakdowns on my part, but I am still so grateful that we dared to have our final baby that was waiting to come to our family! We all love her so much! And that feeling like someone is missing is now gone! Now that we have our sweet darling Clara!!
