An early Christmas gift

Our little Seely decided to come 2 weeks early on Dec. 23rd. I got out of bed to go to the bathroom at 3:30 in the morning, and when I stood up my water broke (it wasn't just a trickle). This being my first time I wasn't quite sure If my water did just really break or I just peed my pants. So I let Aaron continue sleeping and grabbed the pregnancy bible ('What to expect..) to do a little reading. My contractions were pretty regular right after my water broke and I called my doctor at 5:00, and he said congrats and to head to the hospital and that he would find someone to deliver the baby (he was having his shoulder operated on that day). So we headed to the hospital, I got an epidural shortly after arriving and then we just waited. Doctor G.J. Willden was the doctor on duty, and I had some fabulous nurses. I pushed for about 10 minutes and our little girl was born at 2:26 p.m. The whole thing went really well and was an amazing experience. It is a special moment to hold your child for the first time. Seely weighed 6 lbs 9 oz and was 19 in long. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending us such a beautiful little girl. I am grateful that she is heathy and strong. I pray that I will be a good mother like my own mother and grandmothers have been. I have had wonderful examples to follow.

Seely is a month old now and just gets cuter every day. Aaron laughed at me a few days ago because I had my own little photo shoot. From day one Seely has been a noisy little baby. She whimpers, grunts, and baa s like a sheep. She is so much fun to hold and to cuddle. So far she is really good tempered. I think we have adjusted pretty well to the lack of sleep; at least Aaron has, he usually sleeps through it all.

Christmas was great as usual, and was of course made special by Seely's arrival. I couldn't help but think of Mary carrying Jesus, her circumstances, and all she would have gone through. While I meanwhile sat with my epidural in a clean hospital, feeling only a little pressure. How grateful I am to live in this day with all the blessings of knowledge and medicine. To bring in the new year we headed to Mike and Emily's for dinner and games. And may I say the shrimp (which I usually don't like) was fabulous. So keep up those trips to Alaska!

Last thing to note is the status of our house. We hope to be moved in by next week. They were putting in the carpet today, so not much more to do. We are thrilled.