Visitors

We had several visitors at the hospital to meet Sloane. My friend Dayna was in town from Virginia Beach and she came to see Sloane a few hours after she was born. I was so happy she would delay her trip home long enough to see my sweet baby babe. She was the first friend I told that I was pregnant and as a mom of four boys, she has always been a strong example to me of how to be a great mom to a growing family. When they moved in June I was pretty crushed and when I thought that she would not get to see my newborn, I was even more sad. Happily, she did get to see freshly born Sloane!

Jamie's mom and sisters also made the long trip from Tennessee and Bristol to hold Sloane for a few hours. They didn't get to stay long but I am so happy they were there to celebrate with us. It's a big deal adding a person to the family so it was wonderful to be surrounded by loving and supportive relatives. They came bearing gifts and energy and good times. I only wish they could have stayed longer.

My friend Sarah also came for a visit and once again brought flowers and a treat. Her visit after Maeve's birth was one of the highlights of that experience for me. It's just so rewarding to see family and friends hold and love your children. There is just no other time like it and I"m so happy we could share the emotion and thrill of Sloane's existence with our loved ones.

Above all, I'm so grateful my mom was here for Sloane's birth. She is always so good to me and so charismatically cares for my older children. I don't know how we would survive these times without her.

C-Sections

A few hours after Sloane was born I closed my eyes and could not believe the pain that was swirling in my abdomen. It was in that moment that I knew why I so badly wanted a VBAC! Recovery from a c-section is brutal--the pain and discomfort are immediate. How much I wanted to just leap out of that bed and take care of my baby babe! Jamie was a champ and changed all of her diapers in the hospital and was really great with her. I was too weak or in pain to even sit up enough to lift her out of the bassinet. I was hopeful that my emotions would be more solid after Sloane's birth but it wasn't long into my recovery that I recognized the symptoms and emotions familiar to Maeve's birth. Post Partum depression was once again filling the space in my already tender heart and mind. PPD makes everything more dramatic and to be honest, difficult. Fortunately, my PPD does not interfere with my absolute adoration and obsession with my newborns. Sloane was just the tiniest, sweetest little baby girl. Those first few hours with her are such a sacred time--holding her and breathing in her new scent and gazing at her beautiful features were all moments I cherished. She had her own look and didn't immediately look like her siblings. Familiarizing myself with a new child is one of my favorite experiences in life and one that makes me so grateful for life--even in the midst of PPD.

Celebrating Sloane

"Welcome to the New World Baby Girl!" Asher's drawing included planets, Utah, Hawaii, Virginia and the Wild West, which are a few places Sloane can look forward to discovering in life.

About a month before Sloane was born I made a birthday sign to hang in the hospital room. I thought it would be cool to do a honeycomb shaped sign! It was a little tricky connecting the letters but I was happy with the way it looked and I LOVED having it hang in the hospital room. The color and declaration just made our room a little cozier and personal. 

Asher brought a drawing for Sloane when he first came to the hospital. It was so adorable of him! He's such a thoughtful kid. 

Four Sibs

My mom brought the kids to see Sloane several hours after she was born. They were SO excited! Jamie was changing Sloane's diaper when they walked in and Maeve declared, "She has one like me!" Ahh, the benefits of sisterhood. 

Asher jumped up and down and shouted, "She's sooo cute!" Asher was almost the most excited about Sloane of all the kids and it really showed in the hospital room. I was happy to see them and wished that I could have more easily shown them affection and communicate my love for them but the first several hours post c-section are pretty rough.

Still, watching Asher, Soren and Maeve take turns holding their new sister was just beautiful. They were giddy about her and it was so cute. After a while they got pretty rowdy--because that's what twin six-year-olds and a single three-year old do. My mom took them home and a little part of my heart left with them. 

Sloane Charlotte Davis

Sloane Charlotte Davis was born on Monday, July 21st (day before her due date), at 8:17 am and weighed 7lbs and was 20 inches long. 

Hearing her first cry was beautiful--as if I were hearing for the first time and was so delighted with what I heard.

I watched the nurses take her to the examination table and just marveled at her and was so grateful she was finally with us.

She was quiet with furrowed brows and didn't bother to open her eyes. Another healthy, wonderful baby.

Even though we'd been through two previous c-sections, Jamie and I were both nervous. It's major surgery!

Jamie was a champ and so gloriously proud of his baby Sloane.

Jamie and I wept at the birth of Sloane. We were so relieved and happy that she was finally with us. Seeing her for the first time was one of those unforgettable moments and one that I will bundle with those of her siblings--Asher, Soren and Maeve. Truly three of the most exciting and wonderful times of my life. Even though Asher and Soren were preemies and weighed just four pounds--Sloane still seemed like such a tiny little baby babe. I love tiny and I ADORE her.