Arden Lily Arrives!

Arden Lily Tabony was born on March 14 at 5:29 in the morning, after a couple of sleepless nights of hard work.... but boy was it worth it! Arden is so sweet. She's having a milky meal as I write this now.
Arden already knows to stay close to the food source. She started out at 7lbs 10oz, but by Wednesday was down to 6lbs 15oz. Thank goodness the milk has come in now, and we're back up to almost where we started!
We're already preparing Arden for study at Hogwarts. "Stupify!"


She is such a snuggler. I remember Carter just being unable to be still on my chest. He would always kick his legs and drive himself up past my head. She just wriggles in close and sleeps.
Carter is doing so well with his baby sister. He can already say her name "Ahh-den" and he stroked her head today and pointed out her facial features for us. Although he obviously can't do much with her yet, he's given me big smiles when I bring her in the same room and show off to him how I care for her. He seems proud to be a big brother.

Cierra's parents, Greg and Deann got to be the first of family to visit! They love their granddaughter too and think she's just perfect. Well of course she is! Cierra read all the books on pregnancy and birthing to make sure.

This time around we decided to forego the hospital experience for a birthing center that's opened nearby with midwives running the place instead of doctors. Wow, what a change for the better. Much more personal experience this time, care that focused on support and not intervention. I wish more women could have this experience. And I would say that we had a great hospital experience with CMC and Carter's birth. Their staff and care was great, but with the proper preparation and a low-risk mother, the hospital is just not the most comfortable place to give birth. This time, Cierra was happy to labor in the tub for more than 4 hours. Plus, we had mom and baby at home and resting up in just over 4 1/2 hours after Arden was born.

Arden and her wizardly hat take a tour of the property, properly shaded under an umbrella from the sun's deadly rays. If babies under 6 months can't get any sunlight, how did the human race survive to produce physicians in the first place?

We jest, we jest... but better safe than sorry. Obviously, there's so much more to tell... but we're tired, people! Next up: an account of Carter's 2nd birthday and other stuff about Arden coming soon too. But first: Sleep.