Well, I'm finally getting on here to make the big announcement...
McKinley Rae was born at 8:09pm on December 1st. She weighed 7lbs 9.6oz and was 20" long. We are so in love with our new daughter!
I ended up being induced because she was not coming on her own. I got to the hospital at 8am and my doctor started the pitocin at 10am. I was 1cm dialated when we started and by 2pm, I was only at 2-3cm, so she broke my water. I got the epidural around 3:45pm because I knew if I was like my mom, my labor would go fast once my water was broke. Pushing started shortly after 7pm and McKinley came into the world with her eyes wide open and looking all around at 8:09pm. So, I consider that all in all, I was only in labor 6 hours because I really didn't start to feel any contractions or anything until my water was broken at 2pm.
McKinley passed all her tests with flying colors...not a hint of jaundice or a funny shaped head from being born vaginally. I know I'm biased because I'm her mommy, but she is one of the most beautiful babies I've ever seen.
The hopsital has quite a money maker going on with the first photos of baby. Gone are the days of the baby with the hospital beanie hat and swaddling blanket. Instead, they have a professional photographer come in and take about 30 different pictures with all sorts of props at no cost. You're under no obligation to buy, but what parent is going to resist buying photos of their darling newborn baby?!
Here are McKinley's first photos from when she was less than a day old:
Her daddy has been AMAZING with her! The man who told me we could have kids as soon as I promise he'll never have to change a diaper completely took diaper and bathing duty upon himself after seeing all I went through during labor and delivery. I've changed maybe 10 diapers in her 1 week of life. He is completely wrapped around her little finger all ready. Guess it makes sense seeing how she is totally his mini-me.
We have been so blessed with McKinley. She has such a sweet and gentle spirit. She hardly cries...only when she's hungry. She sleeps a lot, even at night, and is a fabulous eater. So fabulous in fact that I've already lost 20 of the 30 pounds I gained during my pregnancy. God totally answered our prayers for our daughter.
And, for those who are wondering about her name...
We wanted to name our children after historical American figures, thus she's named after President McKinley and we'll call her Kinley for short. Her middle name is my middle name.
I'll probably be MIA again for a little bit as we're heading to Pigeon Forge on Friday for a week to celebrate an early Christmas with my family. To say that they're all a little eager to met her is an understatement!
And question for all you ladies out there...how come you're quick to tell us all about what labor is like yet you forget to mention the awful pain you'll be in for the following week. Ouch! Thankfully I only had a small tear...couldn't imagine what it'd be like if I had a large tear or episiotomy!
