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June 30, 2015

The baby has arrived!



Hey ya'll! 

Sooooo.....
Our baby girl has arrived!!!!!!!












We welcomed our little Ava June into the world at 7:58 am on Tuesday, June 23rd.
And we've never been so in love.
And it definitely took me an entire week before I was able to regain some sense of normalcy and find the time to blog about it. So sorry. :)




My water broke at 4:30 am (I was scheduled for an induction the following morning due to low amniotic fluid and I was already at the hospital being monitored.), and within a couple hours she was born!

It was truly a perfect birth in almost every sense. Quick, peaceful, and empowering. Thankfully, I was already at the hospital because it all happened SO fast. Perhaps after such a stressful pregnancy, our little girl decided to make things easy on me. I'm so thankful for that.

Jesse got to witness the entire thing (and boy did he get an eyeful). He was absolutely amazed and in awe of the entire process, and we both cried tears of joy when she was placed on my chest. 



I've been with this man for nearly 13 years, but my love for him grew exponentially as I watched him become a devoted papa.
There are truly just no words to describe that feeling.


Our stay in the hospital was relatively short, and I will be forever grateful for the amazing nurses and staff that cared for us while we were there. We took advantage of the full 3 days, even though we were told we could leave after 2. 

I pretty much spent the entire time staring at this little face, feeling thankful, and trying to wrap my brain around the fact that I am now a mom. It's all very surreal.




So, we've been home since Thursday and adjusting to life as a family of three. It's been the absolute happiest week of my life (and also the most exhausting, as we figure out the whole sleep thing). 

I wouldn't trade a second of it, and I'm so excited for what's to come.



Jesse has been absolutely amazing this week, helping out in any way possible and allowing me to recuperate from the 'joys' of birth (OUCH). 
He's already become a true diaper master. A poop detective, if you will.



Meanwhile, Ava just wants to eat all day, and I'm feeling a bit like a Golden Corral. Breastfeeding did not come easy to me and Ava, but I was determined to make it work, and it's getting a little easier every day. Still not easy, but easier.
I call the below photo 'Milk drunk on a Saturday night'. 




So, that's the story!
Thank you guys for being here and for being so supportive throughout such a difficult pregnancy. I'm so happy and so relieved to have Ava here and healthy and thriving. I'm barely able to find a second to shower, much less blog, so for the next month, I plan to take a little time off. I will be updating my Instagram regularly, and will be back here, blogging regularly, in just a little while. Thank you for allowing me a little time to focus on loving our little girl. 
It's the best feeling in the world.


Already practicing that 'duck face'. :)


Love ya'll!
Til next time!








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81 comments:

  1. Congrats to you and Jesse! Ava is beautiful! Enjoy your new little family xoxo

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  2. Congratulations!!!!! She is gorgeous!! I'm so happy for you both :)))))

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  3. Congratulations! It's wonderful to hear that she is healthy after such a tough pregnancy. Good luck to the both of you on nursing.

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  4. Congratulations! She is a beautiful baby!

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  5. Congratulations Ava's mommie and daddy. She is beautiful in every way. <3
    --Sara
    p.s. Even her duck face is beautiful. ;)

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  6. Huge congratulations!!! She is so precious. Thank God the delivery was smooth. Blessings to you and your family.

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  7. Congratulations! Your little girl is precious! <3 <3 <3

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  8. Thanks for sharing one of the best things in the world. She is fabulous and I wish you all the very best. As a mother of 5 girls, I know how much joy she will bring.

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  9. Congratulations! She's beautiful! So glad to hear that her birth was easier than the pregnancy and that all is well!

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  10. Congratulations!! She is soooo unbelievably adorable, so glad to hear she's perfectly healthy!

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  11. That last picture though! So adorable. Congratulations to you & Jesse--you will be great parents to this precious little girl! Thanks for sharing her birth story with us but take your time recuperating and getting used to your new normal!
    Visiting from LorimerLiving.Com
    XO, Jaclyn

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  12. Congratulations!! She's darling. :)

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  13. Huge congrats!!! Thank you so much for including us on this, it's been amazing watching you make your house into a home, and now have a family. (:

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  14. Sending big hugs and kisses and congratulations to the whole beautiful family! Such an adorable sweetie. So very happy for you. You're only a first-time mother once, but you can blog anytime. Enjoy this time.

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  15. Congratulations! She is beautiful! I am glad you are all doing well.

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  16. So sweet! She is perfect! Congratulations!

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  17. Congratulations and much happiness to all of you!

    Cielo

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  18. Congratulations on your lovely family. Ava is absolutely beautiful. Take your time getting to know her; we all understand and approve!

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  19. Congratulations guys, she's beautiful.

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  20. Glad the ending went smoothly and you didn't have to do anything TWICE. She is as beautiful as you, no wonder hubby is proud!

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  21. Congratulations! Enjoy these precious days with your newborn!
    Be sure to rest when you can, and drink plenty of liquids , especially when you sit down to nurse.

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  22. She is so adorable. I think she looks like she's puckering up for a kiss. :)

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  23. Congratulations to you both! She is beautiful!

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  24. What a beautiful little angel. Her little head is so perfect and her color was perfect from the first moment! I could just kiss those little lips. I want to share something with you. My daughter-in-law tried to breastfeed, it did not come easy for her. She became so consumed with it, she was doubting herself about being a good mother because she couldn't "feed" her baby. We had a long talk and I told her that single aspect had nothing to do with being a good mother or how much she loved and cared about her new baby son. I asked if she thought she wasn't able to raise a perfect child. She looked at me in shock and said, "Oh no, I love him so much." I told her she had just proven to herself that she was not a "less than" mother. She gave him his first formula bottle when he was about 3 weeks old. He drank it dry in seconds. My son was overjoyed and amazed how much he loved rocking and feeding Landry. Bonus: he did all of the middle of the night feedings! Landry will be 2 yrs. old next month and he is a perfect "little buster" and has yet to have a doctor visit for anything except his check-ups. Your little Ava June (love her name) is so loved by her Mama and Daddy, YOU are the MOST important thing to her. Congratulations! Be blessed!

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  25. The best bliss in the world. She is beautiful. Congratulations to you and Jesse. And thanks for letting us share in your story.

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  26. She is beautiful! Congratulations! She has the same birthday as me :)

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  27. Beautiful, loving pictures! So happy for you all. Enjoy this special time.

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  28. All three of you are lucky and blessed to have one another. Take the time you need to become a family and enjoy your daughter and husband...we can wait! It's not about US! But we HAVE been looking forward to meeting your little one. Now starts the adventure of learning who she is! Enjoy every moment!

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  29. Thank you for sharing your precious one with all of us. Congratulations and enjoy every minute. They grow up sooooo fast! Rebecca

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  30. Congratulations!!! She is simply beautiful and oh so sweet!!!!

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  31. Congrats all around! Best feeling in the world . . .sending lots of love to you all! XO

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  32. She is perfect! Congratulations to you!

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  33. That's lovely news. She is beautiful. xx

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  34. She is such a doll! Enjoy your family time, & we'll read you when we can!

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  35. Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. Enjoy your baby girl!

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  36. She is beautiful, take care & enjoy her, and your family's time together.

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  37. Congratulations!!! Daughters are a beautiful gift, I was blessed with two. Enjoy your bonding time, hang in there breast feeding it gets easier.

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  38. She is one of the cutest most prettiest babies I've ever seen. Congrats on bringing her into the world and enjoy every coo and smile and cuddle. Hope you can get some sleep and enjoy your break from blogging!

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  39. As soon as I saw the email I thought, "gasp! OOH!BABY!" Hahaha! I'm so happy for you guys.... She is juat beautifully perfect. What a journey you have been on. It truly makes one appreciate the gift of life. Thanks for sharing... Rest up!

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  40. Oh my god congratulations!! She's gorgeous xx

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  41. I have been hovering round your blog for at least a week, and here is the lovely news!! Ava - sweetie - pleased to meet you. And my very best wishes to you all. xx

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  42. Congratulations!! I have many photos that are reminiscent of "Milk Drunk on a Saturday Night." Every time they smile in their sleep, it's too cute not to take a picture! :)

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  43. Welcome to Mommyhood!
    I am so happy for y'all! Youand Jesse are doing great! And just remember, when things get tough (as they will do, sometimes), Just Keep wimming!

    Candice

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  44. Congrats! So happy you had a great birth. She is just gorgeous!

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  45. WOW !!! She is so gorgeous!! Congrats to you and your wonderful little family!! :)

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  46. Congratulations! She is so beautiful and I am so pleased for you all :) Wishing you a happy healthy family always!

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  47. Congratulations! Glad she's here, rest and enjoy!

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  48. I can't say how happy I am for all of you. Enjoy this time as it goes so fast. Congratulations!!!!

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  49. Congratulations!!! She is beautiful and I am so happy for you!!!

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  50. Congrats!!! What an absolutely beautiful princess!

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  51. She is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations to you both on your arrival, and take your time enjoying her sweetness. Glad it was a smooth birth!!

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  52. She is beautiful! I'm so glad you didn't have to be induced as it's not fun. Enjoy your time with your little family. We will be here waiting for you to return.

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  53. She's absolutely perfect! Isn't it crazy?! You guys created her together. Not to mention you think you really know how much you love your husband until you see him look into the eyes of his daughter, then this over whelming sense of love you didn't even know existed floods your emotions. I wish the best for your family. (:

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  54. I've never commented on your blog before but just wanted to say congratulations on your little one! She's absolutely perfect.

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  55. Congratulations!...she is a beauty! Such a precious little face!

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  56. Congratulations! Glad to hear y'all are happy and healthy! P.S: I am loving the name. Sounds like a sweet little Southern Belle. :)

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  57. Congratulations!! She is perfect!! As a new mom myself my best advice is to enjoy these first few weeks - they will go by so quickly! Don't worry about the blog, we will all be back to read when you are ready to return!

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  58. Congratulations and God bless <3

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  59. Congratulations! She is absolutely precious and beautiful! Thanks so much for posting the adorable pictures and a bit about your experience. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!
    Leslee in Sevierville...

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  60. Congratulations! She is absolutely adorable and so beautiful! :)

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  61. Congratulations to you both. Ava is absolutley precious and yummy. Enjoy the rewards from your 9 months of hard work. We will all still be here looking forward to your next post when you can bare to tear yourself away from baby gazing. Take your time, enjoy. As another blogger once said "The Days are Long. The Years Are Short". Congratulations again, sending much love to you and your little family xxx

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  62. Congratulations, Virginia & Jesse! Ava is perfectly adorable! Her name is a favorite of mine - love it! Enjoy each other. :)

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  63. Congratulations! She's beautiful!

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  64. Kisses from Portugal! I've been following your blog for about 2 years. I love your posts and ideas. Iam also a midwife. Congratulations!

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  65. Congrats! She is perfect! So glad the birth went well and you are both home doing great :)

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  66. Congratulations!! Enjoy this precious time. She is beautiful.

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  67. Oh congrats on your beautiful Ava June!! She is gorgeous. Why am I not surprised that your hubby would already be an amazing father!! Take good care of yourself. Yes there is definitely a learning curve with breastfeeding but it is such a wonderful bonding experience. Why do the books make it sound so easy?? God bless all!

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  68. Congratulations! She is perfect! So happy for your family. :)

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  69. So happy for you both! She's so pretty! Congrats :-)

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  70. Contrats! Beautiful girl! Hang on to breastfeeding for me It was hard at first but after the first month It gets easier already breastfeeded 2 awesome girls

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  71. Ava is just perfect. You must be over the moon! Savor these days, hours, seconds, because the old cliche' is true: this time of your life absolutely flies and before you know it, she's half-grown. I speak from experience in raising one daughter and three sons. I look back and think, "Where did the time go?" So enjoy!

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  72. Beautiful baby girl ! Congratulations mommy and daddy !

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  73. Beautiful baby, beautiful family, Congratulations but most of all enjoy the journey...it's going to be amazing. Xx

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  74. Congratulations! She's beautiful and her nursery is amazing! Im new to your blog and I love it so far. I've been trying to start one up for a while and you've given me inspiration! Good luck with mommy hood and keep the posts coming 😊

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  75. What a precious little girl! Such a beauty, like her mama. I know all three of you are enjoying this special time. Welcome to the world, Ava June!

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  76. She is just gorgeous. Enjoy every second; even the No-Sleep-In-Forever times. It always helped me get through difficult days just knowing that each day is a new adventure and can never be recaptured. Each day is a blessing. Congratulations

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  77. She's so cute! I love that picture that you called milk drunk haha she seems to be dreaming about something beautiful haha Congratulations on your new addition to the family! (if you see a "stalker" on your stats, it was me trying to see all the tips on decoration and diy haha). Enjoy your "maternity leave"!

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