Pretty in pink

Hanging out on the couch

Brooke has already taken over the remote control.

Swinging the day away

We got this swing at the baby shower from Miguel and Jessie. Brooke has been enjoying it more and more each day.

100% Huggable

We had another photo shoot and here are some of the pictures. We think they are very cute.

Daddy's Favorite Outfit

This is the outfit that I was so excited to put on our baby. We got it early in the pregnancy and from the moment I saw it I have been looking forward to seeing our baby in it. I told Chessie that it doesn't matter that it is blue because even if we have a girl she will be going in it. The outfit is still a little to big but I could not wait any longer.

Brooke's First Video and Pictures in Formal Wear

This the first video we took of Brooke. It was towards the end of her photo shoot and she was beginning to get a little upset, or it could have been the bonnet. She doesn't like hats as they usually end up being a mistake. Mother still dresses her though, so she has a good excuse. She did sit there for about 30 minutes without making a peep and we got a bunch of great pictures, which we have uploaded to her web album.

Feeling Just Ducky!!!!

Check out these adorable photos of Brooke's second bath. What a snuggle bug. Rubber ducky-you're the one. You make bath time so much fun!

Brooke's first bath

Brooke did not much like the water from her bath. She has a hammock that she sits in while we give her a sponge bath. We don't want to get her belly button wet yet. She got chilly during this part. She had some really nice Shaklee soap and bedtime lotion. She did love the attention she got after the bath. The massage really soothed her for bedtime and we loved snuggling with our soft clean baby. She was so much fun in the hooded bath towels and adorable night gown. Bath time is one of our favorite times.

Getting cozy at home

Brooke is getting settled in nicely. She gets lots of attention from friends and family. Her grandparents have helped out so much with taking care of her so mom and dad can rest. They have brought food and love to hold the baby to free up mom and dad for administrative work and a few extra Zzzzzs. Also Whitney and Steve came to visit following their trip to Europe. The neighbors have been by to visit with banana bread and other gifts. Brooke even got to meet a likely future classmate, Charles from across the street. He is an adorable 3 month old boy who might be the first of many daddy has to keep an eye on :-)

Homeward bound

On Thursday the 30th of August, we were cleared for discharge from the hospital. Above is a picture of Brooke in her carseat and also pictures of the surprise decorations waiting for us in the yard.

Visitors

We had lots of visitors to the hospital including all the grandparents, Cousins Victoria and Shelby, Uncle Mark and Aunt Beth, Nu pham, Mrs. Hedgecoe, Sandy Saunders, Robby Byrd, and we ran into Katherine Armstrong who delivered their new baby girl Anna. We also talked to so many people on the phone. It was really nice of everyone to share in our joy and welcome baby to the world so warmly. 28 years ago when I was born, Mom and dad got an azalea from Sandra Basinger, a family friend, which they planted and is now a huge beautiful bush. I got the azalea from my parents to continue the tradition. I can only hope that azaleas do well in our yard. It was a very special gesture.

Getting to know Brooke

Later that evening we were reunited with our baby girl. It was love at first sight. I had no idea I could love someone so much that I had only just met face to face. Jason and I were overwhelmed with joy that she was so healthy and beautiful. I couldn't believe how nice her skin tone was and she didn't even have a cone shaped head (seeing as how she was only millimeters from being a vaginal delivery for close to 2 hours). It was so nice to bond with what we claim is the cutest baby in the world. The first pic is of our crib note I made for the nursery so that we can learn to breast feed.

SHE is here

These are the first pictures of Brooke taken with Jason's cell phone in the operating room right before she is wheeled out to the nursery.

Baby is on the way

On the evening of July 26th, I was having some sharp abdominal pains. They were sporadic and didn't last very long. By the morning of July 27th however, they were 5 min apart and had increased in intensity enough to make me want to go see the doctor. I woke up early with all this discomfort and got cleaned up. At 8 am I woke up Jason and he started to get ready for the possible trip to the hospital. He loaded the car with our suitcase and car seat, and fed all the wildlife in our home to prepare for the days ahead. We drove over to Dr. Meeks' office and confirmed that I was in early labor - 3 cm dilated. We were given the paperwork to be admitted to the hospital and were on our way.

We checked in at around 10 am and reviewed my medical history. Everyone kept asking if I was a natural red head, apparently red heads are at higher risk of bleeding. I am a natural brunette, for anyone that didn't know. They hooked me up to the IV, monitors, and started me on the epidural and potosin once I reached 4 cm.

At 5pm I was 9.5 cm dilated with little to no discomfort. Dr. Meeks showed up to deliver the baby and I could start pushing right away. Everything was going really well until the baby didn't quite turn the way we needed. I pushed for 2 hrs longer, completely exhausted myself, and wore out the epidural. This was the most pain I have ever experienced. A decision was made that it would be best to do a cesarean section.

I was wheeled back, given additional meds, and in no time was hearing the sound of my baby's cry. The doctor knew we were waiting to find out the sex of the baby and asked Jason to tell us all what it was. I was so happy to hear we had a baby girl. The nurse brought the baby to my cheek and we nuzzled for a moment before she and Jason went to the nursery and to see the visitors. Jason was at my side the whole time although it was tough for him to see me work so hard and go through so much. Our excited family members were waiting in the waiting room all the while with Jason and Dr. Meeks conveying updates.

After I was put back together, I was taken to the recovery room and later to our final rooms where we stayed for the next 3 days. Baby Brooke Ashley Logue was born at 8:51pm on July 27th weighing 8 lbs and 3 oz. She was a very long baby at 22 inches- she is going to be tall like daddy. Below are some photos of our predelivery setup. We look so happy and unsuspecting. We were joking around. I was putting rabbit ears on Jason and the photo with the red light on my finger was suppose to be like ET phone home.