Hello friends! Thank you all so much for the warm congratulations, welcoming newborn Sarah into the world! I’m so thankful for each one of you, for kindly praying for us during this exciting time.
I thought I would sit and type a little while, as Sarah naps peacefully by me in her playpen, and Rich has all the children outside with him, working and playing together in the garage.
Sarah was born on Sunday morning, after an easy labor. I went into the hospital at about 1:30, after waking up at home feeling sick and starting to have contractions.
I requested an epidural as soon as the doctor would let me have one, and it was put in place and working before the labor pains had gotten too intense. Actually, the roughest part of the whole labor was when the first epidural was placed wrong and my pulse rate increased so much that it made me feel faint and scared. The second one went in just fine, to my relief.
Rich was his typical quiet, supportive self during everything. He does such a good job at keeping me calm, just by staying by my side and being there. I’m so thankful for my husband.
We were both so excited when, in time, the nurses said we were ready to deliver, and the doctor came in. All the baby-delivery things were brought out, the doctor put his scrubs on, the nurses were buzzing about getting the bed adjusted, all of which are such exciting moments, when you realize you are about to see your new baby. The moment had finally arrived!
What a thrill it was to see Sarah’s little face as she was being born. When I first saw her, I could not believe how much she looked like her brother Seth, and I wondered, just for a moment, if she was a boy! The doctor delivered her so gently and as soon as she was born I looked and saw that she was for sure a girl. Rich and I were so full of joy, I looked at him often, to see his smile and happy eyes. After three(of the most wonderful) boys in a row, the joy was even greater, to have a daughter.
My sister and her husband watched the children for us on Sunday (and part of Monday, too), and they brought the kids all over to the hospital so they could meet their new sister. Of course it was a very happy moment, when Grace met Sarah for the first time……….
Now we are nine…………
(the day she was born)
The hospital stay went well. The nurses were so nice and thoughtful. Rich went home to the children, to sleep at night, and during both of those nights, I had the nurses care for Sarah in the nursery so I could have a sleeping pill and try to sleep for a few hours at least. As it was, I was very restless and didn’t get much sleep. Sarah had to have one bottle, but it all worked out so that we only missed that one feeding together, during the night.
During the days, she was with me every moment, and I held her as much as I could.
On Monday morning, when Rich came back to the hospital to us, he brought one of Sarah’s special blankets. I didn’t tell him to do it, and I thought it was especially sweet that he thought of her. This blanket was made by one of my friends that I met here on xanga, my dear friend Angie.
Rich left the hospital on Monday afternoon to go home to the children. He ended up taking them out to dinner that night and I called him, lonely and crying a little, to ask him to please please stop by to see me. I’ll tell you, it only took about 20 minutes of having all those busy children of mine around me before I was feeling back to normal again, and ready for them to leave. Seth was running amuck, opening and shutting things, David was getting his sneakers all over my bed, etc, etc….it was so funny to send them away again, with a cheerful “Good luck!” to my slightly frazzled husband.
I did get this cute picture of Sethie, though. He was impressed with his sister:
So, I got home Tuesday morning. Today is Friday. It’s been a pretty good couple of days. Sarah’s first night was rough, I was up every hour of the night with her, she wasn’t crying a lot, but the two of us just couldn’t settle down. I am having trouble sleeping, but I’m always like this with a new-newborn, the first weeks/month are somewhat nervewracking, especially the night hours.
Rich took this next picture. I love how he adores her.
He also took this one:
I took this one Tuesday afternoon, right before I snipped off her arm band:
Did you notice the picture in the beginning of this post? I love peonies, and that picture was the last one I took before having Sarah. I had wondered this springtime, as I watched the flowers growing, if the peonies would be in bloom when she was born, and they were. They are such big, feminine pink blooms and will always always remind me of the time she was born to us.
Yesterday afternoon (Thursday), Rich and I took Sarah to her first check up at the pediatrician’s office. Everyone there was so encouraging and happy to see our new baby. Doc said Rich and I were a winning combination of genetics, to have yet another healthy baby. God gets the glory for all good things and I can’t express how humbled I feel, when I think of how GREAT God has been, so merciful and gentle with me, His daughter, and how He has blessed our family.
Sarah is 6 lbs, 9 oz, and she is actually measuring 19 1/2 inches, rather than the 21 inches. I thought that was pretty interesting. Apparently the hospital uses a tape measure and runs it down the back of the baby, curling it along…..the office uses a straight ruler type.
After the appointment, we came home just in time for an edible bouquet delivery, from Rich’s workplace. We took this picture, to send along in a thank you email.
It sure hit the spot!
Rich has been home this whole week and it has been such a relief to let him take care of everything while I rest and concentrate on the baby. Sarah has been eating and sleeping wonderfully, and the times we share, snuggled together, are precious and never to be forgotten. There is something so tender and sweet about caring for a newborn. I look at her….her tiny hands, ears, feet, and marvel. I kiss her and feel her softness. I smile at her little noises and savor the times when she is alert and trying to make her blinky little eyes work.
The rest of the children have been a delight. They make me laugh; the laughter is healing, and feels so good. Jacob, Ethan, and Grace get to go to a friend’s house today and I’m so happy for them. It’s been such an exciting week for us all, and the older children have been especially helpful. It will be fun for them to get out of the house for a while.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope each one of you has a wonderful day, and a happy weekend.
Much much love~ Shanda
Good to be Home 
She is beautiful,I am glad Grace has a sister! I love seeing your family through the years, so glad that you are here and post.
This was such a LOVELY post!! I love the peonies!! When you posted the first picture of her I kept thinking just HOW MUCH she does look like SETH! lol I am so so happy you were able to get the epidural this time. I went through the same thing with Emma as you went through with Seth, I wasn’t able to get it in time and it was excruciating 😦 Glad all are well and Sarah is just as PERFECT as can be!
ok,i think i am more excited now rather then nervous of whats to come for me! Sarah does look allot like Seth! I can’t wait to see her in that outfit you made for her and had seth try it to see how it is supposed to fit,It would be neat to see the pictures side by side when she gets the same age Seth was in that pic! I can’t wait for that newborn sweetness you talk about here. I always found it interesting that at my babies first doc appts,they seem to shrink,i know why now! Your entire family looks so happy to have Sarah here finally!And you look AMAZING!(you have that new mom glow!)
These were such happy pictures! She *does* look a lot like Seth, but, in some ways, I also see Grace. Take it easy, my friend! I’m so happy for you!
*BEAUTIFUL* Glad to hear all went well and you are recovering nicely. The kids were looking at the pix with me and David said “oh she is so cute.” 😉 Thanks for sharing! Happy for you friend! Love ya-B
I want to say…..HOW DO YOU DO IT?….which is a silly question because I know….you just do, right? One day at a time… So many little needs, So many opinions, so much energy running in different directions!Blessing to you as you begin another journey with another unique little person!
Oh Shanda,How precious little Sarah Joy is! I’m so thankful everything went so well for Momma too! I didn’t send my congrats on the announcement post because there were just so many, I thought I would save it – now seems to be the right time! I just love coming to your blog and reading about your family and the life you live. You are so incredibly Blessed and to God be the glory for that! I’m not blogging here on Xanga anymore, but I sure do come by here often to sneak a peak ;o) Enjoy your littles (especially the newest one right now) and make LOTS of memories!With much Love!Lori
Peonies are 1 of my favorite flowers to! I have some in almost every room of my house. I am so glad that all went well for you. I am also glad that you are resting and enjoying your precious baby!
sweet congratulations to you all – she is beautiful … you’re right, a pretty little version of seth & you look lovely, too.
Congratulations Shanda! Sarah is precious.So glad you are doing well.
I loved all these photo’s! Thanks for sharing! She is so beautiful. Does Grace feel so happy to have a sister? I know she loves her brothers but it must be so special for her! Praying your family through. Love you, Lish
This post was a feast! Thanks for all the pictures, I looked and looked at her sweet little face! I enjoyed your description of her blinking eyes and the quiet times with her. I also love Gee’s smile in the photo where she is meeting Sarah! Sethy looks HUGE!!!!
Congratulations,she is beautiful!
You are right ~ she looks soooo much like Seth! Blessings and hugs to you ~ she is absolutely beautiful ~
She does look like Seth on most pictures. Congratulations and blessings.
She’s perfect…just perfect. My eyes are all teary reading this update. God bless you Shanda!!
Shanda, she is just gorgeous. I love what you have written here to preserve these sweet, first moments. I burn with desire for a baby – soon, soon enough.
WHAT A TREAT to read this update and see all the precious pictures; thank you so much for sharing, Shanda! My favorite picture is the one of Sarah with the hands of both her parents – so sweet to see your hand and Rich’s next to the face of your newborn daughter. Also, I loved seeing Sarah with her pink blankets! You have a glow in the pictures and look beautiful. I pray the Lord will quiet you in body and spirit at night, so you can rest. Reading this post reminded me of how very exhausted I was in those early days (and weeks and months) with Lee, and how important it is to prepare as best I can before Will is born; however, it also got me excited and looking forward to the sweetness of holding a little baby again. How blessed we are to experience this gift of motherhood.
Glad all is well.Our peonies are blooming…as you can see on my blog header.Not sure how long it will be in place. My daughter says I change the header like underwear.:)Beautiful blankie…what a hubs…knowing you would want it with you..for nice photos, of course.Cherish the moments…even the crazy ones. They will be gone before you know it. Sooner than you think, you will be an old mama like me. I always say that. Tis true, my friend.Hugs all around,D xo♥
she is SO PRECIOUS!! blessings to you in the coming days…rest lots and I pray you will have lots of help and that the children will adjust well to the new little one.
I’m so glad to hear things are going well with everyone home. You have some wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing with all of us! Your family is beautiful.
Beautiful, Beautiful Baby!!! The pink blanket adorable too…and the edible bouquet was such a neat idea…something the whole family could enjoy! Blessings to all the rest of this week!
Oh Shanda! Thank you so much for posting this! I still can’t see a majority of your pictures, including the ones from your previous post, but I did get to see a few in this post. Sarah is so precious! I am sitting here crying selfish tears because my surgery made me unable to finish Sarah’s gift in time for her birth. I will finish it someday, I promise! My heart is full of love for you and your family. Enjoy these sweet newborn moments, because they pass so quickly! Love, Hannah
hi shanda…….thanks so much for sharing all those beautiful photos. i just love the one with sarah and the peony – all that pink! and she has that newborn smile in the next one! love it!
the Lord has surely blessed you and your family. praying for rest and peace and lots of love in your home!!
What a yummy bouquet and special treat! And a yummy little girl too. Oh Shanda, enjoy her.
Congratualtions and May he condtinue to Bless you.
Thanksso much for sharing this wonderful blog. It has jsut cheered me up looking at yourbeautiful girl!Congratulations!
Shanda,Congratulations! She is so beautiful in all of her pink glory. What a blessing….another beautiful baby and another girl! I’m praying for a smooth recovery, adequate rest & lots of snuggle time for you! (((Hugs)))
Beautiful. I hope you feel well.
She is so beautiful Shanda! I’m so glad to read that you had an easy labor, because I know you were feeling a bit anxious about that. xoxo
She is super adorable. I think she looks so much like Seth too! How great to have two flowers in your garden of boys! Rest, rest, rest, and ask for help if you need it!!!
love her. congrats
Congratulations on a seventh! healthy babe, and another precious daughter. Three women in the family! I am esp. happy for Grace. I was the only girl in a family of seven, and I did so long for a sister. I bet Seth and Sarah will be very close friends…after possibly passing through a stage where they compete…sarah
I’m a little behind in reading Xanga posts and now you have another daughter!! Congratulations!! She’s beautiful! What a lovely family.Ruby and Mommy have been here the past 10 days and I’m beat!!
Oh my goodness Shanda, she is absolutely beautiful!! Just breathtaking. I can’t express enough how happy I am for you and your family. Such a precious gift. Take care of yourself and your little one. 🙂 Much love. I will be in touch.
Shanda, my computer is letting me see more photos today so I am very happy about that! She is just so pretty. You are all so blessed and loved. What a great life you have together. Enjoy!
You reminded me to go over to the side yard, where I rarely go, to see if our peonies were in bloom. Sure enough, they’re in a vase now with some deep purple iris’. I swear Shanda, if anyone is going to talk me into an epidural, it’s you. Even with the first one not taking this time. Sarah is absolutely beautiful. She looks very content and aware that she is in the right family who will love her and raise her to be beautiful like her mamma.
Oh, Shanda, she is sooooooooo beautiful!!!! God is so good. I was thankful to hear how well everything went. I had you on my mind last weekend, and was praying for you on and off as I went about my days. I am sorry this is my first chance to congratulate you all. Life is full! 🙂 Praising the Lord with you on how great His gifts are. As I looked at the picture of your entire family together tears fill my eyes. You have a beautiful family, and it warms my heart to see God’s blessings in your life. Praying for strength for you as I know your days and nights are full. May the Lord strengthen you, and His peace fill your home. Many blessings to you dear sister-in-Christ. ~ Deborah
Congratulations! She is adorable!
Sarah is just absolutely ADORABLE!!!!!!!! And the edible bouquet is soo neat!!! May you have a restful weekend!!!
Wonderful! Wonderful! Little Sarah does look like Sethie! I am glad he is loving his little sister. I’m so blessed and happy for all of you. I loved the pics, although Xanga is not loading pics well, and I couldn’t see them all. Little Sarah is so precious!
Hello Shanda, I am so happy for you that you are back at home and healing well. Your children all look so proud for joy . It is so nice for Grace to have a sister too, I think.Now you take it more than slowly, because before you know it you are doing too much and that is no good for you, nor the little ones.One happy and relieved daddy, I inmage…Be well and enjoy.Lieve groeten Godeliva
We are away on vacation with the family and I just had to come by to have a visit with you! So so happy to see you all enjoying Sarah. She is so sweet and adorable. I too thought she looked a lot like Seth. He, in turn, looks huge! Isn’t that funny? What sweet days with your new little love. They had pink peonies at the store the other day and I thought of you. I stuck my nose in them and smelled their sweet fragrance. Love the pictures of YOU with Sarah, and the B&W of Rich and her. The kids eating the fruit…what a great gift!! Praying for God’s strength for your body, and His rest too. So glad you have had this week with Rich home, and the laid back days of summer ahead. I am thankful with you for a good delivery and a healthy Sarah!! Enjoying staying with my son and his wife. We are off to Yosemite tomorrow…should be beautiful…we get to experience spring over again up in the mountains. It said on the info that the Dogwood trees are blooming and the wildflowers are in the meadows. I am excited to see those and the waterfalls!! Love and hugs, Jenny
You’re amazing….to think that you have time to post a long blog! Just goes to show how God knows who needs to be the mommy of numerous children…yours are all so blessed!
What a pretty little girl! Enjoy this time with her, it is so special. Glad everything went well for you both. That fruit bouquet looks so good.
She’s absolutely beautiful! I love the symbolic picture of her with the peonies. That will always be such a precious memory for you. Thank you for sharing with us. I’m so happy for you all!
Oh Shanda… what a precious, precious little girl you have. I smiled through your entire post and am so blessed to hear and see that you all are doing so well. I hope the kids had a great time at their friends house and that the weekend has continued to be restful for you. I’ll be praying for you while you transition when Rich goes back to work. (((HUGS)))!!!
What a beautiful baby girl…. a beautiful family. You inspire me… to be more thankful for the ability to conceive than to think of it as tying me down, holding me back… Idk. I am just very touched to have read your story and I think it was meant for me to read it. Congratulations on everything. I look forward to reading more about your journey. I love the pink blanket your friend made for you, beautiful. xoxo
AWW!! Congratulations!!! 😀 She is so precious!!! i’m so happy for y’all that things went well. PTL!! God is good 🙂
Congratulations to you, your husband and the kids…but especially to Grace! Having a sister is great, she is going to love it!I was amazed by the fact that all of your children look alike. Little Sarah looks a lot like Seth, you are right. You guys have very good looking kids. Congratulations again.IGabriela B