The first few days... of a new life.

It's about time I posted about the most exciting news yet. I have been a little busy caring for and loving our baby girl.

This is what I looked like right before we went in to the hospital. I was due April 15th, and had gone overdue 6 days.

We were tired and excited at 4:00 AM before we left for the hospital.

Here she is! I love this picture.

A proud new daddy. Doesn't Luke just look so handsome holding her? He was so excited. Luke was worried he wouldn't be a good birthing coach, but he did an excellent job. He was supportive and helpful, and let me figure out what I needed as I labored.

A tired mommy. Jessica found out how hard labor really is. Going on a night with no sleep and working through hours of contractions is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. (Mom Pechin reminded me, that's why it's called "labor.") I eventually had a blissful epidural so I could sleep before pushing.

Introducing...

Jane Reita

Born: Tuesday, April 21, 2009.

7 pounds 1 ounce, 21 inches long

We think she's pretty much the prettiest baby in the world. Don't you agree?

The first couple days of breastfeeding were a challenge. I don't think anyone really told me that. Maybe they did and I didn't believe them. It is something I had to learn and the baby has to learn. It is so hard to be SO tired and recovering from giving birth and to have a crying baby who doesn't know how to eat. Thanks to a couple of lactation consultants, I felt much more confident in feeding her before I left the hospital.

We feel so lucky to have her. It took me a while to really understand that she was my child. I felt like I needed to get to know her first. It's been nice to do that. I was really worried about leaving my teaching, but I had a surprising level of attachment to my baby I had never felt before. One week after she was born, Luke and I decided I should go to book club with a group of ladies from my church. I love book club. I love reading and the deep discussions of the books and I love all the ladies I get to know there. I read the unabridged version of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and I needed to get out of the house. Luke was with Jane with some pumped breastmilk, she took a bottle fine, and I knew she was taken care of. When I left I was so sad. I kept touching my stomach and looking around and just missing her. I didn't contribute much to the book discussion that night because I was so out of sorts. I have missed my kids at school, but I know they are taken care of. My first responsibility and where I want to be is with Jane, and I love it.

I love this little baby. I am excited when she goes down for a nap, but I am really excited to see her again when she wakes up.

It is so special to have her in our family. I love to learn to be a mom to her and I absolutely love watching Luke be a dad. He does a great job. He is so protective and gentle with her, and she looks so small in his arms.

This is her first time in the car on the way home from the hospital. We are so happy to have our little Sweets.

Luke's bringing her home for the first time. I felt much safer with him holding her than with me holding her. I was still really tired and recovering.

Luke and I took our first outing with Jane to Walden Pond. She was only four days old and Luke kept her in his Daddy sling I made for him. What a handsome dad and beautiful baby. We could only walk the trail for about 20 minutes, but we loved being outside together with our baby!