We have a baby girl!

Charolette Joyce – “Charlie”

7# 3 oz 19.5″

We are so excited that she is finally here- 39 weeks and 4 days.

Last Day of pregnancy

We did not know the sex of the baby until she was born. I initially talked about her like she was going to be a girl, but then later I started thinking boy. Matt, Madelyn, and my Mom were adamant about the baby being a girl all along.

Out of respect for my daughter, I don’t want to put all the details of labor and delivery out there. But, I will say that Matt was very supportive throughout her contractions and her nurse, Julie, was simply awesome! And me?? Well, not my area of expertise, but I was willing to do what I could. At one point, we thought it was going to be a few hours before she delivered so around 3:30 a.m. I decided to go to her house (12 minutes away) and take a nap. Exhausted and in so much pain, Sonja had reluctantly decided to get an epidural. Best thing she could have done. That baby was OP! Why suffer!

So, at about 6:20 a.m, Matt text me to say that she was 9.5 cm dilated. And at 6:46 he called to say that she was complete and they were going to do “trial” pushing. I thought, okay, I need to go, but I didn’t feel like I had to rush. Wrong! When I got to her room, there were a lot of people in there and everybody was rushing around or at least that is what it appeared to be. I thought, alright, looks like we are going to have a baby. Wrong again! I walked over to Sonja to see how she was doing and she had the baby in her arms!!!! I was freaking out! How did this happen??? I missed it!! Matt’s last call was at 6:46 and she delivered at 7:06. I thought she would be pushing a little longer than that.

To my beautiful and loving daughter:

I am so sorry I didn’t make it in time!!

I love you!!

So, that was a bummer, but I am so thankful that we now have a beautiful and healthy baby girl. So perfect. And Sonja is now home recovering. She did awesome. She is such a trooper and an awesome Mother.

Madelyn was very excited to see the baby. She sat down on the couch and told her Dad at one point to bring her the baby. And she held little Charlie for a really long time. She would rub her head and give her kisses…and Charlie was so calm. She just laid there soaking up the sisterly love.

Tylor didn’t get to see the baby until the next day because he was staying with a friend in Palmer. He was a little awkward around her, so cute. But I could see him watching over her. I think he will be the protective big brother like he is with Madelyn.

Matt spending time with little miss Charlie while Madelyn watches over her baby sister.

I spent several hours at the hospital today before Sonja and Charlie were discharged, and I got to spend a little more time holding and just staring at her. Love her! I could have brought her home with me.