Our new baby is home!

Introducing Lexi Michelle Thuet. (My mom is Michelle, and my middle name is Michelle.) Born Saturday morning, March 24th at 4:57am. Weighing 6lb 13 oz. and 19 inches long.

We brought her home Monday afternoon.

We were a little surprised by her early arrival. Friday morning I had a doctor's appointment and was dilated only to a one. "Dave," I said, "Nothing interesting to report. I think we'll be safe going to the 10pm showing of the movie Hunger Games tonight." So we did. I don't know if it was the intense scenes, but halfway through the movie my contractions began.

"Don't worry Dave (hoo-hoo hee-hee). They're not real (hoo-hoo hee-hee). Remember, I'm only dilated to a one."

We finished the movie and sent our babysitter home at 1 am. At 2:30 we finally phoned our on-call sitter to come over so we could go to the hospital. Dave had wanted to go in sooner, but I had been stubborn and refused. My greatest fear was we would call and wake up our babysitters, they'd come over, just for us to return home and say "Sorry. False alarm. I'm still a one."

Finally, when the contractions were between 1 and 4 minutes apart, we went in (almost 3am.) Thankfully I was dilated to a 5. I had an epidural at 3:30 (which only worked on the right side). It takes one hour for an epidural to reach its full efficiency. That means it was fully working by 4:30, and Lexi was born at 4:57am. Again, I felt every contraction on my left side. Oh well.

As far as a "birthing plan" went, I only had one request: hold off on all tests, dry off baby, set on mom's abdomen, and allow baby a chance to initiate self-attach nursing. They honored my request, and it was amazing! It's called the "baby-crawl." It took about 20 minutes of her little face bobbing around missing the nipple, but eventually, and without any assistance, she found the nipple and latched on and began nursing. ALL BY HERSELF!

A baby's neck, shoulder, and hip muscles are strong enough for the subtle "crawling" movements necessary to adjust her position and find the nipple. I really wanted to give her this opportunity. And it worked! Nursing has gone soooo well ever since. This is such a blessing, considering nursing got off to a terrible start with Paige, and was a real struggle for many months after.

Anyway, everything went well. Lexi passed all of her tests, and I guess I did too, even though my ankles look like I have elephantiasis.

She is home now and we are just enjoying her. It's a little difficult for Paige, but Dave is wonderful and really trying to show her extra love. We are so grateful for our little family, and especially for the watchful care of our Heavenly Father whose blessings kept both mother and baby safe for the entire ordeal. We'll post more photos and videos soon. Thank you everyone who has called and written with their congratulations; we truly appreciate you and can't wait for the rest of our family to meet this little girl!