Kate's First Week

Kate Elizabeth, 1 day old

On Friday, Kate turned one week old! I've been trying to sit down and do a post but it just hasn't happened ;) She is the most wonderful, lovable baby and is the best thing that has ever happened to me and Brett. We just stare at her, taking in every little detail. She makes so many funny faces - she smiles after every nursing and sometimes has Daddy's scowl when she's annoyed! She's eating and sleeping well, just a little stubborn to burp but that just means more time for Mommy to hold her tight :) Today was a big milestone for me - I left the house for about an hour while NannyKiki babysat (and Daddy and PopPop were building a fence) to go buy a "Sleep Sheep," which plays a heartbeat sound that she loves. Here are some pictures of her first week...

 1 day old. She is very tactile and loves her hands. She always holds them together or by her face, and when we swaddle her, we have to leave at least one arm out for a happy Kate :)

Patti came to meet Kate in the hospital, and I was SO excited I cried! 

Patti, Kristen & Courtney meeting 1 day old Kate!

We are so in love with her

 Getting ready to leave the hospital! She cried most of the time in her carseat until we started driving, then she calmed right down.

 July 23, going home from the hospital!

 HOME with our sweet baby girl!

Introducing the dogs... This is Maggie, who was so curious and very protective of Kate at first. She even attacked Gus (who wasn't really concerned with the baby) when he walked in the room where I was feeding Kate. Now, they've adjusted and love her :)

The day we came home from the hospital, while Kate and Mommy napped

 She LOVES to be outside....it stops any crying instantly!

 Austin came down to meet her the day we came home from the hospital

 1st sponge bath! She actually did really well and hardly cried

 2 days old

 Meeting Mrs. Hooks

With Pawpaw before he had to go back home to Louisiana :(

 Snuggling with Jane & Matt

 First time at NannyKiki's & PopPop's (across the street)!

Taylor family portrait with our newest addition!

 She loves snuggling with Daddy in the mornings and is sad he had to go back to work this week :(

 Our beautiful blessing!

1st checkup (perfectly healthy!) at my office with Dr. Ali, who will be a mommy at the end of August!

After having her newborn portraits done at the photographer's. She did great and we can't wait to see them! I had changed at home before this picture because naked Kate for 2 hours for pictures = poop and pee everywhere...

 Loving on my baby while Mom was taking some beautiful pictures of Kate outside at our house

Hopefully this will be the last huge unorganized post ;) but I just wanted to get some more pictures up! We have over 900 pictures already, so I'm working on organizing them. I actually started this post 2 days ago, but such is the life with a newborn :) We are all still doing really well and are so blessed to have such loving family and friends. Kate has completely stolen our hearts and I don't want her to ever grow up!

The BEST day of my life

Kate Elizabeth arrived July 22 at 8:19 a.m. and it was, by far, without a doubt, the best day of my entire life! She was 7 pounds, 20 inches and the most beautiful, perfect baby.

Words can't even begin to describe our happiness and LOVE for our sweet angel. We have hundreds and hundreds of pictures, so here are a few (OK, a lot, I just love them all!) from her birth day. I'll try my hardest to keep adding more from the past few days, but any free time I have is spent snuggling with my precious Kate, so hang in there :)

 This was the night before baby! (7/21) Lots and lots of walking on Mom and Dad's dock, contractions became more painful and regular. 

My birth story in a nutshell: went to the hospital about 12:30 am July 22, in early labor but still 3 cm and no beds available at that time. They sent me home to labor a little more because of the bed shortage at about 2:30. Went back at about 4:45 am (7/22) in PAIN and vomiting, sat in a wheelchair in the hallway for about 30 minutes while they ran around crazy moving patients to get me a room. Got my IV in the hallway, then they checked me once I got a room, was 8 cm so no epidural! About 15 minutes later I was 10 cm, and started pushing at about 7 am. It was the most exhilarating, painful and rewarding morning with the most wonderful end result, my screaming baby girl!

 Brett was AMAZING. I couldn't have done it au natural without him. He was so excited, proud and the  best husband in the world!

My mom was in the room with us taking these awesome pictures 

I've waited my entire life for her, and this love is like nothing I've ever felt before. 

 My healthy baby girl! My mom said I just kept saying "This is my baby, I love you, I love you, this is my baby girl"

  After her first bath, right in my room...she never had to leave us  

With my Dad soon after delivery

 The day Pawpaw became a great grandfather :)

 Mom with baby Kate

 Brett's mom meeting her granddaughter

 Our perfect family of THREE :) We have a daughter!

 I love her SO, so much

 Meeting Aunt Kacey

 Later that morning, we moved up to the postpartum floor with a fresh room and river view :)

 With the best Mom and best baby in the world

 Loving on their sweet granddaugther

 Meeting Uncle Jeremy, who was so in awe!

Uncle Scotty is completely in love too!

 Dr. Pare was SO wonderful and came back by that afternoon to check on us :)

 Alert and wide-eyed at just a few hours old

See, I told you this was a long post! I'd love to put them all, but I realize that may be a bit much ;) Thank you for all of your sweet thoughts and calls/texts/messages. I can't wait for her to meet our friends and family!

Kate Elizabeth has been the most beautiful blessing for me and Brett and we are soaking up every second with her. Good thing you can't spoil a newborn!