Birthday Party!

On October 28, my 22nd birthday, I woke up feeling extremely uncomfortable, and knew that I was going to meet my daughter that day. My pain was too much to remember to document the labor part of the day, but to make a long story short, we went to the doctor, and were sent home because I wasn't making fast enough progress (was completely effaced, but only dilated to 2 cm).

Alex had scheduled a phone interview for that morning, so after we got back home, he sat with me for a while, then went into the living room to do his interview. I was in extreme pain, and couldn't really concentrate on anything except not screaming and interrupting his phone call. After the interview was complete, I told Alex we were going back to the doctor, even though the doc had said to wait 4 hours or so. However, when we went back in (about 11:30 AM), I had dilated to 5 cm, so the doctor realized how fast labor was going and sent us to the hospital.

Once at the hospital, I got an epidural, which immediately made labor quite enjoyable, and I was able to be excited for the arrival of my sweet little girl. After another 8 hours of labor and 2.5 hours of pushing, Alex and I were able to greet Olivia Rylen Casqueiro. She was born at 10:05 PM, weighed 8 lb, and was 20.5" long.

She was quiet and sweet from the moment she was born (I was actually worried because I couldn't hear her cry, but the nurses ensured me she looked great and was a healthy baby). She also enjoyed the increased space that her new space allowed, as shown by the picture below. She still refuses to be swaddled, and is most comfortable sprawled out, taking up as much room as her little arms and legs can.

I am so happy to share my birthday with Olivia, and was completely enamored with this beautiful girl from the very beginning

Olivia's footprints, take 2, The first attempt showed only 2 toes on the right foot, so they threw that one out and tried again.

After a couple hours of cuddling and meeting our new little girl, Alex and I gave her up to the nurse for her first bath while we got ready to move into our postpartum room.

The next morning, after a few hours of sleep, Alex held Olivia for a bit while we got ready to meet grandparents and other relatives! Unfortunately, I was still getting used to using my camera, and didn't take any pictures of her meeting family for the first time. Visitors included Grandma Terece and Grandpa Gary, Aunt Jenaye, Grandma Mary and Grandpa Gary (yes she has 2 grandpa Garys :) ), Aunt Ashley and Uncle Andy, Great Grandma and Grandpa Romrell, Great Aunt Kathy, Great Uncle Evan and Aunt Charitie, Cousins Max, Danielle and Tiffani, and family friends Hanna, Ashley, and Paul.

Whew! That was a fingerful - kinda like a mouthful except typed - of visitors! I apologize if I forgot anyone, Olivia is a very loved little girl, and she had a lot of loved ones come to meet her during her first few days of life.

Daddy and daughter recovering from a very exciting day meeting family:

I love this last picture of Alex and Olivia. It's not-quite-candid...neither Alex nor I would have been comfortable falling asleep holding her at that point, but Olivia really did fall asleep on her daddy's chest, and it was totally adorable.