Introducing Rachel Valerie Wilford

Our little girl finally arrived 13 days overdue on March 4th. She was 8 lbs 2 oz and 21 1/4" long. We named her Rachel Valerie Wilford.

She cried bloody murder the first 30 minutes of life. She was closing her eyes so tightly that her eyelids were turning inside out! Jonny and I were both wondering what we'd gotten ourselves into again. Then they brought her back from her bath. She was all wrapped up and warm and we basically haven't heard a peep from her since! She is an absolute angel! None of that crying inconsolably at night for hours and bouncing her in your arms as you dance around the room. She does love to be held but she will just be content to be in your arms as you sit on the couch.

I really enjoyed my stay in the hospital. Jonny took care of Abby and Luke so it was just Rachel and me most of the time. It gave us the perfect chance to bond. We would just lie on the bed together for hours. I would sing her songs or talk to her while she was awake. It is hard to explain but it is just what I needed to help me deal with the fears I had of having three kids. Even before I left the hospital I felt a strong bond, attachment, and connection with Rachel. With the other kids that didn't come as quickly. The "newborn stage" isn't my favorite part of being a mom because all they seem to do is eat, sleep, poop, and cry. But I find myself wanting to hold Rachel even when she'd be content to be in her swing or bouncer. That is so not like me! Maybe it is because I don't have to hold her in the middle of the night so I can actually enjoy doing it during the day! But whatever it is, I enjoy just having her in my arms. She really is a sweetheart.

Abby loves Rachel. When she hears Rachel waking up from a nap, she'll run into the room saying, "Its ok sweetheart" in the cutest little voice. Then she'll stroke her cheek and keep her happy until I can get there. She loves picking out Rachel's clothes for the day. And yes, she'll choose a dress most of the time!

Luke is so cute with Rachel. He tackles most kids but he tries to be very soft with Rachel. Well, as soft as a 34 lb two year old can boy can be! (As a side note to my son's weight, I can't tell you how grateful I am that I didn't need a C-section.) He enjoys giving her head-butting kisses, giving her full-body-weight snuggles, getting on top of her and saying "horsey ride", and sticking his pointer finger in her mouth for her to suck on. All of which make her cry except the finger sucking. That she enjoys. Mama is the one who has the problem with that.

For all my worrying about having three kids, it really hasn't been too bad. I've purposely not left the house with all three of them for the first few weeks because I didn't think I could handle it. But we had our first adventure last Thursday and it went quite well. I was pleasantly surprised and completely happy! Abby was very obedient and Rachel was asleep strapped to my body the whole time so I really only had to deal with Luke. It was a great beginning!

It has been a joy having Rachel in our home and we are all completely in love with her!