Bella Behind Bars

My dad took this picture of Bella.  He told me that it looked like Bella was in jail.  People were laughing at us that we were a little premature at getting a baby gate, but little did they know it was for Bella.

Mommy & Brylie

I love my little girl!!!

First Few Days Home

We left the hospital on Wednesday September 8th and headed home.  Nick made sure to drive very carefully, and I sat in the back admiring our daughter.  Dad and Barbara were nice enough to pick up some food from Corner Bakery and bring it to us.  Over the next few days we had many family members come by to meet Brylie.  We were also lucky enough to get a visit from Auntie Ally who came all the way from New York to see her little niece.

 Our first night at home.  Snuggling with my baby.

 Brylie in her Moses basket and swaddled tight by her daddy.

 Daddy feeding Brylie.

 Aunt Becky and Aunt Amber meeting Brylie for the first time :)

 Mom and Brylie.  She broke her foot and was sporting a cute pink cast.

Grandma Bonnie meeting Brylie for the first time.

 Brylie all buckled up in her car seat with her soothie pacifier.

Ally's first introduction to Brylie.

 Auntie ally cuddling with Brylie

 Mymouse and her great granddaughter.

 Grandpa Tom and Grandma Bonnie

Granbrad holding his granddaughter.

 Tummy time

One happy great grandmother :)

I am so incredibly lucky to have this woman as my sister 

Last Day in the Hospital

Wednesday September 8th was our last day in the hospital.  We had professional pictures of Brylie taken, signed her birth certificate and got ready to embark on the journey of parenthood without the nurses present in the comfort of our home.

She scratched her little face with her nails

Sleeping baby

This photo shoot took many attempts.  She cried and was not in the mood to get her pictures taken.

Her little outfit was too big for her.

 Daddy's little girl

Signing Brylie's birth certificate.

So proud to give our daughter her name... Brylie Allyson Pappas.

 Nick checking on Brylie before we get ready to leave the hospital.

Day 2 with our little Brylie

After having Brylie at 3:20 in the morning we were taken to our room.  The nurse came to introduce herself and check on Brylie.  By 6am we were then told that we should get our rest.  It was only an hour later before someone was knocking on our door asking us if we wanted breakfast.  We didn't realize how much activity there was in a hospital.  Brylie had a busy day she had many visitors and her first bath.

Nick took Brylie to get her first bath. She looks as if she is thinking "What is going on here???"

Still calm...

Not happy :(

Our clean baby.  The nurses thought with all the hair she had it would be fun to put it into a mohawk.

Our precious girl with her little pink bow.

 Brylie and Mymouse meeting for the first time.  Her first great granddaughter.  Brylie is so lucky to have  Mymouse in her life.

Aunt Kathy and Amber who came to visit Brylie from Texas.

 Aunt Kathy spending some time with Brylie

 Amber so excited to be able to hold Brylie

 Mom and Brylie.  Too cute.

 Darryl and Brylie

Travis made a trip to come visit Brylie in the hospital.

Our happy family

Mommy and Brylie are tired and decided it was time a little nap

Brylie's Birthday

After being in labor for all of September 6th the Labor Day holiday will take on a totally different meaning in my eyes.  I tried to get some sleep from 12am- 2am, as I was unsure when the baby would come.  Finally the nurse said I was getting close and suggested that I lay on my side to speed up the delivery process.  She had me lay on my side for 30-45 min and then switch sides.  Finally about the 4th time I told her that the pressure had gotten very strong and I thought it was time.  She suggested that I try pushing.  After 2 pushes the nurse told me to stop.  She still had to call the doctor, so she told me to focus on my breathing.  The nurse called in back up and seemed concerned that the baby may come before the doctor. It was difficult waiting for the doctor to arrive. It seemed like an eternity.  After a full day of labor I was ready to have the baby.  The doctor finally arrived just in time to deliver our beautiful baby girl, Brylie Allyson Pappas, who was born at 3:20 am after 23 hours of labor.  She was worth every second.  Such a miracle and joy to have her in our life.  Brylie weighed 8 lbs 2 oz and was 20 inches of perfection.

Checking to make sure that she is healthy

Getting weighed for the first time

One of our first family pictures with our baby girl.  I was beyond tired, but so happy and thrilled for her to be a part of our lives.

Proud Daddy and Brylie

Mom holding her first grandchild for the first time. This was a very special moment

 Darryl and Brylie

Uncle Ryan holding his first niece

Shelden and Brylie meeting for the first time

We are so thankful to have Brylie in our lives!!!

Labor Day

After timing my contractions which started at about 4:30 pm Sunday until 4:30 am Monday morning we decided it was time to head to the hospital.

When we arrived at the hospital we were sent to an exam room.  Not knowing exactly what to expect I didn't know if I was really in labor or if I was going to be sent home.  The nurse checked me and said I was dialated to a 3-4 and was going to be admitted to the hospital.  The anticipation of knowing that we would soon be meeting our baby was beyond exciting.  I started making phone calls at about 5:30 am informing family members that the baby was on her way.

We got moved into the room that would be the room I would deliver our baby.  The contractions were not too painful at this point.  I was under the impression that the delivery would go pretty quickly since I was already dilated, but boy was I wrong.  At around 10:30 my doctor came into to examine me and told me she was going to break my water.  It was after this that my contractions seemed to come on much stronger. I didn't last too long after this before I decided it was time for an epidural.  Then came the waiting.  The doctors and nurses would continue to tell us that it was only a matter of hours until the baby was to come.  We waited for the rest of Labor day- September 6th, but our little bundle of joy was not ready to make her entrance in to the world.

I was beyond touched by the number of family members and loved ones who came to the hospital awaiting her arrival.  The majority of them waited in the hospital for over 23 hours to see the newest member of our family.  It is such an incredible blessing to have such a huge support system, and to know that our baby is going to be so loved.

The beginning of my labor.

Nick and I in our hospital room waiting for baby.

   

Mom, Shel and I in the hospital room

My tearful conversation with my sister over Skype.  She was devastated that she was unable to be there, and had been crying since I told her the previous evening that I was having contractions.  It was so wonderful to be able to see her though over the computer, but so tough to see her in pain. I love my sister so very much.

Ally, John and I talking via Skype.

Dad and Ryan playing with their phones while in the hospital waiting room

Kathy, Mymouse and Austin

Shel, Mckenen and Brian

Brian and Mymouse taking a little rest after an already long day.  Mymouse has her thumb up letting you know that she is still awake.

My mom who was such an incredible help during labor and Aunt Kathy.  I am a lucky girl to have these two fabulous women in my life.

Austin, Ryan, Brian, and Mckenen laughing at funny videos on Youtube 

Amber and Aunt Kathy.  It is now evening time on September 6th.

Darryl with the group in the waiting room

Dad took this picture to motivate me.  I had told him that I wanted In-N-Out after I had the baby.

Ryan, Ally over Skype and Shel in the waiting room

Nick, Shel and Ryan in the hospital room

Enjoying my ice chips.  I was trying to imagine it was a cheeseburger, but it didn't work.

I am trying to focus through a contraction.  I am holding the Dumbo that Nick gave me on our first Christmas together.  It has given me a sense of security over the last almost 5 years. 

Nick was an incredible source of support.  His love, patience, and encouragement helped me through my labor. I am so lucky to have him as my husband and the father of our child.