October 30, 2006

Welcome to the world, Zoe Brook Herring!

She's here!! I was so sure that she wouldn't come early....ha-ha! We had a scheduled c-section for October 27th, but on the 21st, which was my first Saturday off in about 2 months, she decided that she was out of room and she wanted out. We had a lot planned for that day ( of course ) ...Madison had a soccer game at 11, which was to be the first one I could attend since I didn't have a wedding, we had 3 people coming to look at the house at random times, and lots of other things to catch up on before she came. NOTHING LIKE CANCELLING AN ENTIRE DAY ON A MOMENTS NOTICE. I drove myself to the Dr. office to see if my water had broke, ( sounds funny, but I wasn't sure ) while Madison got ready for the game and Steve met with a family. I told them I would be right back but while I was at the Dr.'s, it became really obvious, really fast, that it had broke. ( Funny story in itself but probably not appropriate to tell the general public ) He told me to go straight to the hospital so I did, which was about 10:30 am, my family came about 11, and she was born by c-section at 2:26 pm weighing 8 pounds, 15 ounces. The whole experience was a trip, numb from the waist down, totally alert, talking to the Dr. as he and 2 nurses cut, pushed, pulled and lifted her out of her former home of 37 weeks. I think I heard the word "big" about 10 times within the first 5 seconds.
It is so crazy to think that I was in Chatanooga 7 days before, shooting a wedding for 10 hours while carrying this precious child around inside my body. I just can't get over the awe of the fact that she fit in there, and here she is, complete, perfect, color-corrected and fully processed.
My wonderful sister, who is 20 months older than me, changed her flights and arrived the day after she was born. What a huge help. She is having fun taking over things for me because everyone says we look like twins but she has brown eyes and dark brown hair so people freak out when they see her because they think it's me, and that I am instantly skinny and I've dyed my hair. It's a good laugh and she enjoys the shock of it.

We are all in a sort of baby-time-warp. Everything revolves around this little girl..we take numbers on who's turn it is to hold her, ( my number always prevails :) and I am thanking God every minute for her. Here are a few photos.

My sister Jody took this one, we were all being goofy, Madison is my 9 year old who loves, loves, loves being a big sister. My husband was pointing to the monkey on Zoe's shirt because everyone affectionately calls him a monkey, and he's proud of his new little baby monkey. I told Madison that I loved her so much I could just eat her up.
Zoe sleeps about 23 hours a day, she wakes up long enough to check us all out, eat, poop, yawn 15 times, and then she goes back to sleep. Me and Zoe
Bundle of joy. Having a baby just puts you in a totally different state of mind. I look at her and instantly feel like things that were important before she came, just aren't as important any more. And vice-versa. It's amazing how much a newborn baby can totally snap you out of being selfish and change your priorities in such a major way.
Is there anything more beautiful? I'm so in love.

My friend Chris gave me this blanket for Zoe, it is the softest thing I have ever felt in my life. It's like pure silk fur. I wish they had one in my size. I would probably carry it around with me all the time.
I love her feet. They are so small and I can now see what it was that occasionaly took my breath away as she stretched them up under my ribs.
Madison is reading fun facts about animals as my sister ( aka nanny, waitress, housekeeper, personal assistant ) tries to get a burp out of Zoe. She doesn't know it, but I'm not letting her go home this weekend. I'm keeping her here with me. Shhhhhh,..

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

She really is one beautiful baby, Shawna. You're so right about how a new baby just changing your focus. They really do. I think everytime I have freaked when I was about to have one of my kiddos, it was b/c I was losing some of my freedom. It's so worth it, though.

Those are some great shots! I especially love the one where she looks like she is smiling and has the bracelet on. Yummy!

Love you,
Lori

Amanda Phillips said...

Yea!!!!! Congratulations on your new little Zoe. She is precious and I am so glad you are both doing well. I will be thinking about the you all. God Bless...

Anonymous said...

WELCOME BABY ZOE BROOK!!! She is so adorable. Shawna, we love you, we love you and we are so happy for you and your family! Please give your girls a big hug and kiss from us.

Love,
Sean and Monique

Anonymous said...

WELCOME BABY ZOE BROOK!! She is so adorable. Shawna, congratulations to you and your family. We love you, we love you. Please give your girls a big hug and kiss from us.

Love,
Sean and Monique
(I tried leaving a comment before but it did not seem to post - so if this comes up twice - sorry)

Emery Jo said...

yay zoe!! Congratulations to all of you... she's absolutely GORGEOUS!! :)

Excellent Parent said...

wow, how beautiful! Congradulations!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Shawna! Zoe is absolutely beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Well, of course she's beautiful... the apple didn't fall far from the tree. :) I was so happy to share in your special day. There is nothing like watching a baby be born. eeeee!! I can't wait til April!! Can I play with Zoe until then? hee hee

Anonymous said...

YAY! YAY! YAY! God bless ya'll and welcome Zoe!
God is so good! Look, look, look! YAY!! :)

Anonymous said...

hey shawna,
congratulations! wow, she's absolutely gorgeous.
yeonjoo & daniel