Sophia Corinne has arrived!!!

The newest Freeman addition is finally here!  Sophia Corinne was born on April 2, 2012, at 12:13 pm weighing 7lbs 15 oz and was 20 inches long.  Carl was able to skype both the birth as well as the first meeting between the siblings.  

For those of you wanting some more birth details...my water was broken at 8:45 am (3 cm dilated), by 9:50 am I was 4 cm dilated and given pitocin, and by 11:45 am I was ready to go.  The nurses were shocked at how quickly it progressed, and had to scramble to get the room ready for her arrival.  After waiting for the doctor to finish up with another delivery, five pushes later and Sophia was here!!!

Sophia was much bigger than I expected her to be.  She was almost a pound heavier than her older brother, and was delivered a week earlier than him.  Carl and I have been blessed with two perfect babies.  Although we are only a week and a half in, she is a super sweet girl.  She loves to be cuddled, and only cries when she is hungry.  She sleeps almost all of the time, and smiles in her sleep:)

Carl was able to interact with us throughout the whole process, and talked directly to the obstetrician and nurses.  The whole hospital was very accommodating, and eager to help make sure that Carl was part of the delivery.

Mommy and Sophia talking to Dad

To help get us through this crazy time, I had the best helpers in the world.  My sister in law, Jessica, and my best friend and college roommate, Margo, traveled to be here and help us take care of Jack and be there for the delivery.  I don't know if they expected to each hold a leg while I pushed but they got serious training in delivering babies.

Aunt Jess holding Sophia 

The night before I was induced, Margo, Jessica, Jack and I spent the afternoon together at Elle's 3rd birthday party and had dinner at Biscotti's.  Afterwards, we came home and spent some time relaxing outside.

Soon to be "Big Brother Jack"

"Big" Mom and Jack

Jack and Margo playing outside

Our last night before Sophia

Once Sophia was born, we gave word that Jack could come to the hospital.  Jack came to the hospital that afternoon to bring Sophia and me a card.  Lara, his new sitter, was so kind to help Jack make the card.  Sophia had gifts for Jack as well.  Jack got a big brother shirt, and also a new toy.

Jack reading me his card

Jack playing with his new toy and showing it to Daddy

The first meeting of the siblings

Jack showing Daddy his trucks and the ramp. If you look closely, you can see Carl on the screen:)

Aunt Jess picked up Jack and showed him Sophia.  It was really cute how he kept wanting to get down, and then as soon as she would move or make noise he would ask to get back up.

Jack trying to use the hospital remote as a phone

Jack liked his little sister from the start!

Margo and Sophia having a girl talk

Sophia all dressed up for her first pictures

The thought of labor and delivering a new human being can be a stressful event for even the most seasoned veterans who have given birth before and have a spouse to help.  Add a kid who has been without his mom for only one night in his entire life, a deployed spouse and a new city to the mix and it could be a recipe for disaster.  My three hour labor and smiling face is due to only two people in this world...Jessica and Margo. I could not have done what I did that day without them.  They are truly two remarkable women that I will be forever indebted to.  My fears of Jack being scared vanished as I watched how Jessica made him laugh, and knowing Margo had her bag packed for weeks to come help at a moments notice reduced my stress significantly.  

There were moments when I was stressed and scared, and they made me laugh and gave me so much support.  I hope both Sophia and I can help them one day like they have helped us. There is such a thing as girl power, and we honestly showed that hospital how gracefully a delivery could go!  

My rocks 

Jack and Jess

To relieve Jess and Margo, my mom came to take the next shift.  I quickly put her to work, and Sophia was given her first bath by her grandmother.  

Sophia liking her bath

My mom knows the way to my son's heart, chocolate and bubbles.  She bought Jack these awesome bubble toys which has made him oblivious to the amount of time that I hold and feed his sister.  We had a great visit with my mom.  We had lots of fun foods, and a great Easter!  More Easter pictures on the next blog entry...

Sophia and Jack are growing and changing so much.  We have been blessed to skype with Carl throughout the last few months, and he gets to see how they change each week.  

Sophia-Day 3 of life

Very relaxed

Jack watching over his sleeping sister

By the way, I know I need to change the name of our blog....any ideas?!?!