New Addition

So our new little one has arrived, Lydia Grace Clark.  Lydia was born on Dec 17th weighing 8'6 and 20 inches long.  I had to have another c-section due to the health problems that happened last time and some new additional health concerns.  I was really nervous and felt guilty for having to have another csection, but all went well. I have to say getting an epidural without having the pains of contractions to distract is really painful.  The recovery went smoother this go round.  It was difficult though because I could pick up Leah at all.  This was hard because that meant I have to have someone with me pretty much everyday for two weeks.  I didn't think about all the little times I pick her up like putting her in and out of her crib, changing her diaper/clothes, putting her in the chair to eat and etc. 

So having another child brought on a ton of emotions for me.  I felt guilty that I wasn't able to show the one on one time to Leah. I was upset that the newborn needed me so much and I couldn't spend more time with Leah.  When Leah came to the hospital to see the baby and me I had a mini breakdown.  I felt bad that I couldn't go home with her and that her life was changing so much. After she left the waterworks came on, I missed her, and the nurses and the cleaning lady saw me craying in my room and all came to make sure I was okay. Needless to say I have adjusted and now life is wonderful.  Leah adjusted so well to having a baby in the home and sharing the attention.  We do watch alot of Elmo DVD's while I nurse.  Speaking of nursing, I forgot how time consuming breast feeding is and how needy infants are.  I'm already ready for the newborn to  be sleeping through the night and be on the same schedule as Leah.  It's amazing that sometimes I am so busy tending to the children that I don't even have to time to eat or clean.  I feel like my whole day is taken up with feeding the kids, changing diapers/clothes, and putting them to sleep. Having two young children this close in age is very difficult. 

Kevin has been so helpful during this whole process it has been great to have such a wonderful husband.  He helps to keep me calm if I am starting to feel overwhelmed and really helped out with my recovery process. My sisters and mom also helped alot.  I don't know what I would have done if my family hadn't been there. My older sister, Holly, who has two children of her own came and stayed in the hospital with me for two nights so I didn't have to be alone. My mom has came and cleaned my house several times while she was also recovering from a surgery.  Then my younger sister who is in her last month of pregnancy came over to help take care of Leah for me.  

Lydia has had super bad acid reflux, we have already had to increase her medication and she is scheduled to see a stomach specialist. I can tell she doesn't feel well, I hope we can figure out what is going on and get her feeling good. 

I am enjoying my maternity leave, but I feel that it is going  by to fast. Kevin has started school again and is working so hard at that, it takes up most of his free time.

                                              us getting ready to go into the operating room

                                                              baby Lydia

 first time Leah saw me at the hospital, it was a very emotional moment for both of us

                                          Leah bowling and she knocked down some pins!!

                                              Gran-daddy helping the sisters meet

                                                                   Leah bowling

 Leah's Christmas present, there are no ball pits to play in these days, so we got her one for the house

 Leah and Briggs eating at the new "kid's" table