God has been exceedingly gracious to us! I keep saying to Scott and Cole I believe I am the happiest woman alive! I am so grateful to God!! Our new daughter, Annika Faith, arrived safely at 8:34pm on June 22, 2012 weighing 7lbs. 2 oz. and measuring 20" long.
Annika means God's grace and favor.
Her scriptural blessing given to her by her father, Scott and me is Ephesians 2:8-10 "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - Not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
This first picture shows our last minute preparations the day before baby's arrival - Leah and Mommy watered the roses in the backyard on June 21,2012.
Active Labor began about 5:30pm and by 7:30pm I was in so much pain that Scott said he heard me saying under my breath, "I should've had an epidural." And I remember asking God to forgive me and Adam and Eve for our sins and to please not make me have to push because I just can't".
At 8:30 I was complete (ten centimeters) and at 8:34 I sat down on the bed (had been standing during most of labor to utilize gravity) I gave one big push and the baby came forth. I had to tell the midwife to please come and help because the baby was coming forth out onto the bed. Apparently, this kind of thing is far more common for woman who have had a number of previous full-term deliveries (this was my fifth).
This picture was taken immediately post-delivery of baby - Still recovering from pain....
OK - So all the pain was worth it!! What a miracle!
She finished eating, was cleaned up and placed under the warmer. Scott and I are in awe of God's workmanship!
Baby Annika meets her siblings (Cole was our first visitor)
Maya, Leah, Nanna and Pop were close behind
Morning after delivery - Annika is wide awake and ready to go!
Leah has clocked more time holding Annika than anyone else, including me (Mom). All day long we hear "Hold It, Baby"! Then, when she has the baby in her arms she will sit for as long as a hour (possibly more on occasion) and gently love on her new baby sister and while making it clear that she does not want anyone to take her baby from her.
Precious Annika and her adoring Daddy!