The Front Porch Swing: Anna Elizabeth is Here!

On Saturday, September 29th, 2012, we welcomed our sweet baby girl, Anna Elizabeth, into this world.

Her due date was the 28th, so the night before she was born we took this last picture of Anna in Mama’s belly.

But, truth be told I was in labor and this is how I really felt. Ha! I really was excited about meeting our daughter, but I also knew the task ahead of me and was praying things would go quickly and smoothly.

She was born at 1:03pm at 6 pounds 10 ounces, 19 and a half inches long.

The first “daddy daughter” moment.

James’ first time meeting his baby sister just a few hours after she arrived. He did so well with her. Gave gentle kisses and hugs and even wanted to see her feet!

The kids exchanged gifts with one another. James gave Anna a stuffed animal Giraffe he had picked out at the zoo a few weeks before. And Anna gave her big brother a toy car with Curious George as the driver. But beyond these simple gifts, I pray they will spend lifetimes blessing one another as siblings.

He loves to hold his sister. Then after a minute he says “she’s kinda a little bit heavy, Mama. Here.”

After our stay at the hospital and tons of help and support from our families, we were ready to bring our baby girl home!

She was so teeny that everything I had for her was too big! But, I still think she looked sweet in this dress and knit hat made by her Mimi.

We left the hospital in a huge rain storm and felt like rookies trying to figure out how to keep us all dry. We did manage one family photo though.

We headed straight to pick up James from school and then went home as a family of four for the very first time!

Hanging out in the nursery.

James holding Anna.

Baby sister also gave her big brother a new toy kitchen to play with. He was SO EXCITED! We told him it was from Anna and he said “Thank you baby Anna!” Later he asked, “how did this get here?” We told him it was from Anna. He says, “but, she can’t walk, who put it here?” Too smart, that boy.