Welcome to the World: Georgia Claire Lyles

Georgia Claire Lyles

November 21, 2013

3:41 pm

8 lbs 5 oz 21 inches

She's here, finally! Nearly four years and what felt like a lifetime later, our baby girl made her appearance.  With 10 perfect fingers, 10 perfect toes and a healthy set of lungs, she was an answered prayer. For various reasons, we planned an induction for the day after her due date. Of course I was nervous about it and second guessed our decision right up until the night before her scheduled delivery. But looking back, it was absolutely the right decision. 

I had such a range of emotions: excitement, nervous, joy, fear . . . I remember standing in Finn's room the night before, looking at him and just bawling my eyes out. I was so full of love for him and right in that moment, couldn't imagine loving anyone as much as I loved him. Which is what is so amazing about the human heart. . . its capacity to expand, to love more. 

Once we got to the hospital, everything went pretty smoothly. Having Mark there made me feel calm and at ease. Especially given that we were in his hospital, I knew we would be well taken care of. And we were. Everyone was great--the doctors, nurses, staff and of course, my hero, the anesthesiologist. And once the pitocin started flowing, everything progressed pretty quickly. A little too quickly, in fact. They told me to not so much as sneeze and they had to call my (very pregnant) OB and tell her to get a move on because this baby was coming whether she was here or not. After about an hour of pushing, Georgia Claire Lyles made her entrance. 

I really cannot describe what it felt like to hold her for the very first time. I just felt so relieved that she was healthy and grateful that she was actually in my arms. 

Pretty sure he's already wrapped around her tiny little finger

Going to the hospital

We're getting ready to have us a baby! Note the differences in our faces in the two pictures: 

Exhibit A: Baby #1. We're so excited . . . we have no idea what we are getting ourselves into! Except Lily, it looks like she knows what she's in for

Exhibit B: Baby #2. We are already tired just thinking about all of the sleep we won't be 

getting for the next 3 months. 

Baby Shower

I have amazing friends, both near and far! Some of them came together and threw me a lovely baby shower. The shower was the perfect ending to an amazing girls weekend spent with some dear friends. It was so special being with such an amazing group of women. I feel lucky to be able to call them friends and can only hope that baby girl has some extraordinary friends in her life as well. I got lots of beautiful, sweet, precious PINK gifts. I'm still kind of in shock that I'm having a girl, even though she will be here in a few short months. Thank you to Kim, Marla and Courtney for hosting such a lovely brunch. And thanks to Alisha, Amy and Mara who travelled the long distance to celebrate with me. It was such a special afternoon. 

Babymoon

Mark and I went to Cabo San Lucas for our one last hurrah before Georgia arrives. I figured it was my last chance to stock up on sleep, reading, rest and relaxing oh and alone time with Mark before those things become a way distant memory. It was a lovely vacation . . . and part of being on vacation meant that I did nothing, not even take pictures, so you will just have to take my word for it, I did a whole lot of nothing and it was perfect!

View from our balcony

I spent most of the week in that pool or under an umbrella

Proof that we were there: the taxi is waiting to take us to the airport

Meanwhile, back at the ranch . . .

My mom and dad came to stay with Finn and the puppy dogs. It is so nice to be able to go away and not worry about anything. Finn had just start school so I felt bad about leaving so soon after starting kindergarten . . . but not bad enough to stay home. He was in good hands. My dads good friends, David and Judy Jackson, came for a visit and Judy took some cute pictures while in town. Judy is a photographer and funny enough took my senior portraits when I was in high school. Kind of funny that she is now taking pictures of my son.

How in the world did she get Charlie to sit still?

Oh, there we go . . .

Finally, Charlie being "Charlie"

LOVE this hair

Of course, the requisite "silly face"

 Thanks for manning the fort and letting us get away!

September: Odds and ends

I'm jumping around here, but trying to get caught up. Despite my protests, my dear friends hosted a lovely brunch for me and baby Georgia. It felt a little surreal seeing all of the pink! I am so used to blue. Their generosity and kindness was overwhelming. It was made even more special because my out-of-town friends were able to be there. Thank you to Marla, Courtney and Kim for making me and baby girl feel so special and to all of those who travelled near and far to help celebrate. I hope Georgia is as lucky as I am to have such wonderful friends.

Charlie continues to be herself

Playing hide and seek 

A golf cart full of trouble

Watching the annual fire truck parade

Finn trying on his *coast guard hat. 

Family Photo Shoot:

We squeezed in one last photo session with the wonderfully talented Banner of Banner Photography

These are terrible quality because they are literally iphone pictures of her pictures . . . she would scold me! One of these days I'll post the whole album on here but until then, these will give you an idea. Looking back, it was probably silly to take family photos when I was 7 months pregnant but I really wanted to capture Finn at this stage . . .he is so happy and carefree. If I could somehow bottle his enthusiasm and zest I would. Georgia made the photo shoot . . .barely, but she's there!