Jane's First Day

Baby Jane

We are so proud to announce the birth of our daughter Jane Iris Crews almost twenty-four hours ago. She was born at 9:54 last night at Providence Hospital via c-section. She weighed 8 lbs 14 oz and all the nurses and doctors immediately remarked how pretty she is. She has dark almost black hair like Michael's, blue-grey eyes, round cheeks, and a cute little prominent chin.

After the surgery, Michael accompanied her to the recovery room where he began bonding with her while I was sewn up. When I was wheeled in, I saw Michael talking to her while she gazed into his face calmly. She is gorgeous! I was exhausted and could barely keep my eyes open in addition to shivering and vomiting from the surgery, but after she had a quick sponge bath, I was able to hold her and breast feed for the first time. My mom Peggy and Michael's mom Brenda joined us in the recovery room, and then Michael's dad George joined us in our postpartum suite, where we have been trying to figure out how to take care of Jane since midnight last night!

I couldn't really move and fell asleep for two hours. Jane also slept from midnight-two but then woke up and Michael was amazing at attending to her throughout the night. From my bed, I listened to him soothing her, talking to her, and trying to figure out how to diaper and swaddle her. We called the nurse for help several times. I think we were all exhausted, but Jane had little intention of sleeping through the night on her first night in the world. I fed her again a few more times and Michael was amazing in his trial by fire as a new dad. She slept more during the day today as we continued to get a handle on some basic routines. Thankfully, my IVs and other wires were removed this morning and I have been able to move around more today. Right now, Michael is holding a sleeping Jane on his shoulder and they look completely at peace.

Last Pregnancy Photo!

She's Almost Here

Tomorrow at 3:45, our induction process begins (unless labor begins before that). It starts with a cervical catheter/balloon and then on Tuesday morning, the induction begins. Please pray it goes well and that labor progresses. Tonight is our last night at home without a baby!

Me on the Due Date

Our Baby's Room!

This week, we had Spring Break and my maternity leave began. I also finished studying and taking my comprehensive/preliminary exams last week, and I was so excited to get to the extreme nesting phase and finishing the baby's room. So here it is!

The pictures show the pink that Michael painted the walls as well as the antique milk glass lamps my mom gave us. The crocheted blanket on the chair was made by Michael's grandmother, before she died, for her future great grandchildren. The colors go perfectly with the room and tie it all together!

I am happy with how the curtains balance the pink of the walls and hopefully they will be dark enough to keep out some of the glaring Waco sun.

The really cool artwork was made by my sister Erin. She framed the covers of four classic children's books and decoupaged a mirror with pages of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? I love the way the colors brighten up the room! They really add a unique touch and are the first thing everyone notices in the room.

Due Date

So our due date has finally arrived, and there is no sign that baby is coming :) We can't believe the day is finally here. I am not having any contractions nor was I dilated or effaced (I think that is what they're checking for) at the doctor's on Wednesday. Apparently, it's normal, especially for a first baby, for her to arrive late, but our doctor thinks she's getting too big and estimated 9 lbs 2 oz from the ultrasound on Wednesday--although there is also a 2 lb margin of error for this estimate. I told her that big babies run in our families and we scheduled an induction for the latest date she would agree to, March 27. We are hoping she comes on her own before that!

After overcoming my fear of technology and finally uploading pictures onto the computer, I thought I would start posting on this blog.

Alternately, I get comments like "do you have twins in there?" and "you must have a while to go," so it must depend on what I am wearing. Last night, Michael and I went to Fuji Japanese Steakhouse and the lady next to us at the hibachi grill was shocked that I was due the next day. I was wearing my one maternity dress, which is black, so maybe it downplayed my belly. There were lots of kids in the restaurant, many of them playing on iPads, and it made us think about our future!

We have been on a "baby-moon wac-ation," which consists of staying in Waco and going out to eat--fun! It has been Spring Break this week and for most of it, Michael has been writing his dissertation prospectus and I have been cleaning, nesting, and grading.

Shower Weekend

Last month (Feb. 4th), my awesome friends (see picture above) threw me and baby a shower, and my awesome mom flew down to surprise me. The shower was amazing--we had a full brunch with three kinds of quiche, cinnamon rolls, a mimosa bar, fruit pizza, and lots of other yummy treats. We also played birth Mad Libs which revealed that our baby will weigh 323 pounds and be delivered by an auto mechanic. We are so grateful for the amazing amount and variety of gifts we got. Before that weekend, we had almost nothing for the baby, and after it we were ready to go! We got registry items, clothes, books, and even homemade crocheted items.

Melissa and Erin also arranged for a long-distance shower and we we received so many goodies in the mail from Holland and family, among them our car seat, which is in the car right now, and a jogging stroller it fits in, both from our friends in Holland. Our parents were kind enough to bless us with our nursery furniture which Michael and his dad put together while the ladies were at the shower--my dad and Bijal sent us a glider and Michael's parents Brenda and George sent us our crib.

My mom took us to my favorite local antique store Junque in the Trunk and got us the above white dresser and black desk, which she and Michael painted together. The dresser is for the baby; the desk is for Michael's new hardcore dissertation-writing office in the dining room. He gave up his manly study and painted pink over the brown walls. My mom motivated us to finally get started on the nursery and helped me pull the trigger on the color. The picture of Michael in drape-hanging action is actually from Spring Break, when we finished the room, but shows how he's been working hard to get the room ready!