Lil’ J’s Birth Story: The Preface
In the hours and days before the birth of my daughter I envisioned what our first moments together would be like—What I’d think when I first saw her. Would she be like a stranger to me, or would it feel like I had known her my whole life? That moment was finally staring me in the face.
First I heard her cry, a good sign since NICU nurses were on standby in case she didn’t. There was meconium—lots of it—in my amniotic fluid and they wanted to be sure she hadn’t inhaled any of it.
When I saw my baby’s face for the first time, and got to hold her in my arms, all of my stresses, my worries, my anxiety about how she would arrive not only went out the window–They became insignificant.
My daughter was here. She was a healthy 9 pounds 9 ounces, 20-and-a-half inches long. And I was a healthy mom. Everything didn’t go exactly as I imagined, but in many ways it was better than I could have hoped.
Breastfeeder/formula feeder. Cosleeper/ separate sleeper. Natural birth/ epidurals. Vaginal birth/ cesarean sections. None of those terms really matter to anyone other than the mother and her child. I think we sometimes we put too much emphasis on labels and automatically judge a person based on a word as simple as “Cosleeper.”
Really, the most important part of my birth story is described in the first few paragraphs of this post. The other details—Preferences I had and choices I made may matter more or less to others but it’s all a part of my beautiful story of bring my baby into the world.
I felt a sense of accomplishment. We did it! I incubated and birthed a baby and officially became a mommy.
More of the details of our story coming tomorrow.
Photo from Forever Bliss Photography.
Um – no one – not baby or mom should look that pretty after creating a human!!!
You’re both beautiful! Congrats!! I know it was worth the wait! I can’t wait to craft with you boty!!
Congrats! I’ve been following your story along time and am thrilled at the happy ending!
Yeah I’m with Lydia…you look too pretty in that picture. It’s really unfair. I can see the HOSPITAL BED in the background..You could at least FAKE the black circles under your eye!
On a serious note, congratulations. Your little girl is absolutely perfect! I can’t wait to read the rest of her story.
Congratulations on your daughter!
Jenn, I can’t relate to your sentiments enough – I went through the exact same scenario with the birth of my daughter and at the end of it all, all the preferences and plans we make in our heads and the fact that they don’t become reality are totally insignificant when you have that precious little baby in your arms and you are both healthy and well. Congratulations again!
Hey girl! Long time no see…been out of the blog world for almost a year but I’m extremely happy to see all your baby makin practice paid off!! Lil J is gorgeous (like her mama!) Congrats hunnie, now welcome to the club! xoxo
Congratulations!!! I can’t wait to hear the rest of your story.
I can’t believe that you looked so good right after having a baby. Congrats! She is beautiful
Congrats, what a nice picture and a beautiful baby!
How exciting!!! So glad Mommy and Baby are healthy! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!! She’s adorable!!!
Congratulations!!
Your experience for this birth will likely shape your expectations and wishes for the next one. I’ve had two children and my hopes for the (hopefully!) third are drastically different than my first!!
I can’t wait to read more! She is beautiful!
I fully agree. Your birth and motherhood experience is what you make of it, not how others stereotype it.
Can’t wait to hear the rest.
Beautiful post. Beautiful baby. and Beautiful you!
SO glad everything went well for you.
she is totally a darling! Can’t wait to hear the rest of your story…makes me wanna go out and get pregnant again lol
Congrats…to the new mommy!
aww, jen congrats again! u and ur daughter look so comfortable and beautiful together. excited to read the birth story!
What a BEAUTIFUL picture of you and lil J! So excited for you 🙂
Woohooooooooooooo! She’s here and you both look beautiful. What an incredible journey you have gone though 🙂
your so happy its contageous!!
🙂 glad it was love at first sight. definitely wasn’t for me with my first… i was terrified by her. the brittle, fragile body, crepe-paper skin, squawking stranger… but now, i can’t imagine life without her.
i saw your tweet on the eating issue – sounds like your baby has refux. try keeping her propped up after each feed for 30 minutes. even if she isn’t spitting up/vomiting, she can still have reflux issues – this is called ‘silent reflux’ and google can tell you lots lots more 😉
Congratulations! That is one beautiful shot of you & lil J! Looking forward to reading more about your mommyhood adventures! 🙂
( I’m a full-time mummy )
So nice! The cry and the look of the baby on the face of the mother take away all worries that might have passed in your mind over the nine months of wait.
I will experience this one day but I thought about this when I assisted my sis-in-law give birth to her first daughter. The moment was magical for me so I can only imagine how it is for the mother. But I believe is super wonderful.
Picture perfect :)!
I love your attitude!
You both are beautiful! Congratulations!
Congrats!
You look so beautiful in that picture, as does Little J, and it was so much fun to read about the last few months of your pregnancy. I wish I had found you earlier!
Caroline
All I can say is congrats on a that gorgeous little girl of yours! I don’t care how she came into the world, how you sleep, as long as you are all happy and healthy!
Congrats again my friend!!!
Congrats! So glad everything went well.
Future Mama, you look amazing! Congrats again, she is so beautiful! I hope you are doing well.
If that’s all you wanted to post, this is perfect! I never though of not posting my birth story but if I ever felt uncomfortable, this would be what I’d do. Can’t wait to read more of what you want to reveal.
She’s a cute cubby chic! Congradulations!
I’m so happy for you! And what a gorgeous picture of you and your little piece of heaven. Hope you’re doing well, recovering quickly and enjoying time with your sweet family.
OOOh, the SUSPENSE!! You have much to be proud of, I mean, you BIRTHED A BABY!! Can’t wait to hear more!!
Forget the vaginal versus c-section…why the heck do you look so damn good? Sorry Lord.
You may just be the best looking post-partum mama I have ever seen!! Our birth stories just don’t go the way we plan or imagine but holding those babies becomes what’s important.
She is so adorable and you look fantastic!
Can’t wait to read more of your birth story. And again, welcome to motherhood.
You both look beautiful! Congrats again, Jenn!!! (((hugs)))
~Yakini @ ThePrissyMommy
What a beautiful baby and mommy. 🙂 Congratulations, you did it! So happy for you!
(You need to change your signature now! hehe)
You are just soooo beautiful! Congrats!! She’s an absolute doll.
Your beautiful little girl has arrived! How wonderful! Congratulations!!! Wow you look so beautiful! And your daughter is soooo cute! I am very happy for you. Glad you and your Baby are fine.
Hug´s,
Verena
Congrats… she is such a super cutie and don’t you look fabulous! Make sure you get her Presdential Baby Welcome with signatures from Barack and Michelle Obama!
Do not tell me that was your after birth picture. please do not. lol