::one week::

::these first few days::

have been beautiful...

your first birthday cake

so happy to go home

finn wrapped his prized possessions for you as a homecoming gift

adoration

is there anything better than a new baby to love?

::beauty::

della may smith

5 june 2013

7:59 am

8 lbs 

19 1/2 inches

oh miss della.

we are absolutely in love with you.

you are such a gift and blessing to our family already.  your birthday was the perfect perfect day.

my water broke around 1:30 am on wednesday morning.  i tried to rest until 2:30 when the contractions started.  once they started, they were about every 3-4 minutes.

once i realized you were going to make your entrance, my mind started spinning with things i wanted to take care of.  i told your daddy that we were going to have a baby soon and i got up to do laundry and clean and do dishes.  i showered around 3:30 and the contractions became much closer together. 

 i was hoping labor would last a while so that lily, finn and crosby could sleep longer and we would not have to wake the kovacs  up early to help us watch them.  but, by 4:30, i realized you were going to make an entrance sooner than i realized!  ryan got up to get ready and i was still determined not to wake anyone up before 6.  but, by 5:30, he had the wisdom to tell me we needed to start moving toward the hospital.  i am so thankful that he knows me so well to know that we should not wait much longer!  he swiftly got lily, finn and crosby up and dressed.  finn was so excited for you to come that he could not stop smiling and patting my back.  and lily was so excited and nervous for your entrance!

pam was amazing and got to our house swiftly to pick them up for the morning.  we could not be more thankful for their generosity in watching your siblings for those very early morning hours and providing our kids with such a sense of security during such an exciting time!

we made it to the hospital at 6:45 and got checked in.  i was 6-7 cm and i could tell that you were going to come soon!  they had to start antibiotics, but otherwise let me labor on my own.  after we were there for about 30 minutes, i felt like i was getting close, and i was told i was at 8 cm.  after about 10 more minutes, i told them that i thought it was time and i was at 10 cm and ready to push!

you were so ready to make your entrance!  you came out in such a hurry with only two pushes and they kept telling me to slow down!  but, you had plans of your own!  you were ready to meet the world!

when you were born, the doctor announced that you were a girl.  your daddy and i were absolutely shocked and tears of joy and adoration just streamed down my face.  you are such a perfect gift from the Lord to our family!  we truly could not believe we were blessed with another sweet, perfect daughter.  lily and finn were positive the entire pregnancy that you were going to be a girl -- and they were beside themselves to meet you yesterday.

as i look at you today, i am absolutely overwhelmed by the Lord's goodness--

i never would have thought we would be able to get pregnant naturally.  

i had so much trepidation about being pregnant after crosby's tumultuous pregnancy. 

and i never thought that our family would be blessed with another little girl.

God is so good. 

and so very faithful.

you are amazing, della may.

we adore you. 

hapy birthday!

::kindergarten thankfulness::

i can hardly believe my sweet girl is becoming a 1st grader.  where did the time go?  how is it possible she could be this big?  

as she completes kindergarten, i am so proud of her.  it has been so beautiful to see her grow this year - physically, socially, academically.  the year has had it's ups and downs, but she has worked so hard to be brave in difficult situations, to stretch past old boundaries, to try new things.  i think back on the first week of school and the things that terrified her and my heart overflows to think of how far she has come.  

we have loved mark twain elementary.  it will hold a very dear place in my heart forever.  her teacher, ms. fromen, is absolutely amazing.  at least once a week, lily would tell me that she is "the best teacher in the world."  i will forever be abundantly thankful that lily was placed in her class this year and that the start of our family's school journey began on the most positive note.

congratulations, my sweet nin!  we love you so very much!

end of the year party with sweet friends.

first day of kindergarten.

last day of kindergarten.  photo compliments of duke - since we were otherwise detained. :)

sorry we weren't there for your last day, big girl1  but so excited you are a big sister again!

::my little gymnasts::

lily and finn had their end of the year gymnastics performance last week.  

they cracked me up.  

they both got medals that they wore for two days straight (to the pool, to church, to trader joe's...)

they have both loved their teachers and the experience and have gained a ton of confidence.  we are so very thankful for coach kevin and miss piri.  they are amazing and we will miss them very much!

notice how she can't keep her hands out of her hair.  she was so very nervous.  but, so proud of herself!