We had a lot of fears going into Hannah’s birth.  As her birth came later and later, the fears increased. I worked hard to stay healthy, exercising and eating as well as I could, in hopes of ensuring a faster, easier and on time birth.  For some reason Hannah wanted to stay in longer, and we did a lot of natural things to get her labor moving and her on her way. Labor did finally start, and I had her 13 days past her EDD, perfect, pink, crying right away, and NOT 10 lbs.  She was an angel right from the start.  Alert, and awake most of that first day, taking in all around her.

I was a good girl and actually stayed in bed and did not go downstairs for 48 hours after she was born, my pastor and his wife, (who was also one of my Doulas) came later that day with Chick-fil-A. And it was amazing. My husband and mom took care of everything else, and I just got to sit and stare at my little girl all day and night. She slept well through the night since day one.  She wakes, but only to eat, and goes right back to sleep.

Nursing has been a dream this time around.  I used coconut oil on my nipples, which I think made a huge difference in pain. Hannah’s latch has been great since the moment I put her to breast, (about 2 minuets after birth).  I can say that I finally enjoy nursing.  I have never really been able to say that before.  It was always been hard and painful, but I always stuck with it.  Not this time, it has been amazing. My milk came in at record speed at around 36 hours after birth, and although I had a few days of engorgement, it didn’t last long.

My mom stayed for a full week after Hannah was born, and that was awesome, as she and my amazing husband Jason did all the housework and taking care of the other boys. On day 4, I had to go to the ER, because although I was recovering well from birth, I have bad varicose veins in my legs, and they were getting swollen and infected, something that happens after birth sometimes. I was worried about a clot, but all looked fine, and I was told I should expect pain and swelling for 6-8 weeks, but within a week it was much better, and by 2 weeks totally gone.  She is a great eater, and was back to her birth weight in a few days.  She never had a chance to lose much, since my milk came in so fast.

Within a few days, I was back homeschooling again.  Jason wasn’t able to take much work off, so after my mom left, it was all me again.  But, being my fourth time around this new mommy thing, although it was hard, we made it work.

Elijah and Micah are in love, not just in love, infatuated.  They love her so much, and especially Micah stayed close by at all times.  They are so amazing with her. Benjamin, although he didn’t show much interest at first, has warmed up to her very nicely. He seems to really like her, and has made many sweet gestures towards her.

Ben’s seizures have been well under control too, which is a HUGE blessing. That was one of our big fears, dealing with his seizures, and Hannahs birth and newborn phase at the same time. We are praising God, and so thankful for the blessing of less and less seizures.  We have seen this before, so we are not holding our breaths for it to continue, but still, very thankful for the reprieve.

At 6 weeks, we are very much back in the swing of life.  Homeschool is getting easier, and there are many blessings and great things about it, as well as some hard frustrating things. But glad we made the leap, and although my days are more full then ever, they are full of holding, nursing, and cuddling my newborn princess, and spending time with and actually teaching, (they are actually learning stuff) my two younger boys. Still not sure if this will be something we do for only this year, or continue, but for now, it’s working. Yes, I have much less time for me, but I feel so valuable and important in my new role.  There is nothing like putting all your energy into your family that God has blessed you with, it fulfills me in every way.

At 6 weeks, Hannah is still sleeping great though the night.  And for the first time, co-sleeping is working for me.  Which I think is why the nights seem so easy. She wakes to eat, yes, but then once she latches, she’s back out and so am I.  I don’t even feel sleep deprived! How crazy is that? The boys would wake and fuss or having a hard time latching at night. I would have to get up, sit up, and usually rock or nurse them all the way back to sleep, before getting back to sleep myself. She does have a “witching hour” in which she cannot be put down, or have anyone else hold her, in the evenings, which has made making dinner and helping Jason with getting the boys down to sleep harder.  But we were provided a meal every other day for almost a month, which was a HUGE blessing.

The hardest thing about Hannah Joy is that she is very, very attached to me.  She doesn’t settle or sleep well for anyone but me, including daddy.  She’s SUCH a boobie baby.  Which makes us all worry about me going back to teaching a few nights a week come December.  But, like tonight, I went out to workout, (my ME time), and daddy had her with a bottle of pumped milk. It was hard, but they survived, and we know we have to have many practice nights before I leave for 3 plus hours at a time.

Hannah is truly my Joy. The boys say all the time she is the best thing that ever happened to them. She has been smiling since 2 days old, (real, awake, in response to your face smiles) which honestly I never even knew was possible. She is happy and full of  pure Joy.  She might be the most loved baby ever, with not only her family loving her, but so many others who have awaited her arrival and celebrate her life with me.

I have enjoyed dressing her up more then I thought I would, girls clothes are so stinking cute.  It’s almost hard for me to put pants on her….. LOL…. after my three boys.

I want to take the time to tell those of you who have made it to the end of this, thank you.  It brings me joy and fulfills my over active social mind that you have all come on this journey with me. Also, thank you to my husband Jason, who has been along side me for this ride, and will be forever more.   And most thankful to God, my father, my savior, the lover of my soul.  For answering so many prayers, for giving me this gift of motherhood, not only to my awesome three boys, but now, my little princess angel. This “note” is mostly for me, as I am awful at journal writing, and love to document this precious time with my last baby, (unless we foster or adopt in the future).  I am so in love.