Annie's First Day of Life...

We quickly settled into our new room at the hospital.

After giving birth at 2:12 a.m. you'd have thought we would want to go right to bed

but we just couldn't!

It was better than Christmas morning.

My adrenaline was going and we inspected every inch of our baby girl.

James had to run to the car to get our stuff.

He had left it in the drive-thru at the hospital 

and I progressed so quickly that he never had time to move it.

Luckily no one minded.

We talked with the Barkers and told them the whole story.

They could hardly believe it.

We had talked to them just before they went to bed...

and before they had woken up we had a baby!

Lizzie was graduating that same day and we are sure glad she shared her big day with our little girl.

After a few hours, James started to fade and so did Annie.

We snuggled in as a new family.

I am still sad those moments are over.

I'd do anything to have them back.

They were heavenly.

Our new nurse Beth got us all set up.

We adored her.

She took Annie's footprints and started our checklist.

She offered me pain meds and I hadn't even thought about pain until that moment.

I took some Motrin but that was about all I needed.

I couldn't believe how great I felt.

I am sure it was just the mother bliss.

I could not get over her wrinkly little skin.

Oh it was precious.

Looking at these pictures now, I can't believe how much she has changed.

I didn't realize how swollen she was.

 Just as James was zoning out, our first visitors showed up.

Nana and Papa Staples.

They were on speaker when Annie was born 

and apparently the adrenaline pushed them to drive through the night to see her.

They arrived around 8:30 a.m.

I was thrilled to have one of the Grandma Ann's there to meet her on day one.

Since it was the weekend my Dad unexpectedly got to come down.

I am quite a Daddy's girl so I was over the moon about this.

It was love at first sight for them too.

I shed a few tears to have everyone together.

We talked about how everything was meant to be with this labor.

They gushed over her little body.

The pediatrician came in shortly after and gave us the thumbs up.

All was well with her health.

What a relief.

My favorite part was seeing James try to wake up for all the commotion.

He had fallen into the deepest sleep on that hard hospital bed.

That poor boy was exhausted after coaching me through the night.

He is certain the doctor thought he was a dud of a Dad.

I assure you it was not that bad, but funny nonetheless.

Then it was bath time.

James was all hands on deck.

Beth taught him how to bathe her until her chord fully detached.

She was not fond of her first bath and was sure happy to get all bundled up and handed over to mom.

I already loved that feeling.

I comforted her.

I didn't understand it.

Why me? 

No one else could soothe her like I could.

That was something I didn't anticipate.

The instant connection was powerful beyond belief.

I was a mom in a split second.

She knew me and I knew her.

It was a mutual love.

I'll for sure remind her of this when she is 15.

A few hours later the nurse returned to do her hearing test.

What a crack up that was.

She didn't even mind her first set of headphones.

Aunt Allison was on FaceTime to witness the whole thing.

It was fun to have her be there via technology.

My parents came and went throughout the day and it was wonderful to have them there.

I felt so at home in that hospital.

I get choked up every time I pass it now.

It was definitely a special day.

As the evening came to a close we had one last visit.

Some of our California "family" popped on in.

The Garcia's and Attig's were out on a double date 

{plus babes of course} 

and stopped by to meet he newest member of the baby crew.

The night we went to meet little Vera 

was shortly after we found out we were pregnant.

Seeing that newborn made us giddy for our own.

Will was born just a few months later, and now Annie!

It was hysterical to have all these babies and parents crammed in one room.

Our sweet young nurse brought everyone spritzers.

Hoag Hospital is known for these tasty drinks they bring to all the new mommies.

I must have drank 20 while I was there.

The girls were dying to taste them again.

Everyone was so excited to meet Annie.

We are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful and fun parents.

Can't wait for what is ahead with all of these little babies.

Soon it was time for our first night.

Our doctor had told us that we would wonder what happened to our sweet angel baby at 10 p.m.

Sure enough.

It had been about 48-hours since we had gotten any real sleep

and Annie was ready to party.

Needless to say we entered the no-sleep-ring-of-fire of parenting 

and haven't looked back since.