The BEST Christmas present we could have ever asked for

December 7th is a special day for us. No, not because of Pearl Harbor (although that is an important event too). Officially our family grew from two to three on December 7th at 11:18am. And here she is...Meritt Ellie Conder 6lbs. 7oz. and 18 1/2 inches long. Yes, she is a little thing. Once we left the hospital, she was down to 6lbs.

Our precious daughter. I don't think either one of us knew how easily we could completely love this little girl

Her birth was a planned cesarean and Nate did an amazing job. He was in the room with me the entire time, and saw the whole thing. This nice thing about this type of birth is that I wasn't in any pain, and didn't have to do much, so I remember everything. She cried right away, which was an amazing sound. I didn't get to hold her until I was in recovery, but Nate brought her over to me so I could see the little angel.

We spent the next 5 days in the hospital recovering and using all the help from the wonderful nurses and hospital staff while we were there. I have to say Huntington Memorial is a great hospital. Through this entire pregnancy and delivery I had the best doctors and nurses take care of me and our daughter.

We made it home on December 11th and have been working to adjust to our new schedule. Little Meritt has her days and nights mixed, so she sleeps great during the day and pretty bad at night. Hopefully,this will work itself out.

Nate has been such a HUGE help through it all. He actually gets up with her at night and lets me sleep, then I get up with her in the mornings and let him sleep. He is an amazing dad and has fallen so naturally and comfortably into the role. I am so proud of him. It's amazing how she already has him wrapped around her little finger.

 

First bath at home. She hates the soap, but loves the warm water rinse

She loves cuddling with her daddy

 

 Yes, the BEST Christmas present

Some other pictures...

I look like I've already been given some medication, but I think I was just a little sleepy...and nervous.

Nate ready to go

 Daddy and daughter

First family picture. We will take a better one now that we are home

So cute, but I hope this isn't going to be a habit.

My parents cleaned our apartment while I was in the hospital, and left this for us

and this!

Now we are just adjusting to being parents and not sleeping much. I'm really lucky because Nate gets to stay home with us until January 9th, when he starts his new EMT job. It will be interesting to see what happens then...and how I handle her alone for part of the day. Stay tuned for more...