Home as a family of 5

We headed home on Saturday after lunch.  Of course it wasn't uneventful.  Audrey had a slight temperature, had lost a bit more weight than they like, and was starting to look a little jaundice.  So after we were released we had to wait for the pediatrician to "ok" us leaving knowing all those things.  She did with the promise of us bringing her her in the next day to be looked at.   

All ready to go. 

When we got home Emmerson and Bella were waiting at the front door for us.  (Claire was napping)

Meeting her dog. 

Emme wanted to hold her right away.

We went up to wake Claire to tell her we were home.  She was so excited.  She got Audrey "all cozy" in her bed.  

Claire wanted to hold her first... 

and then try out the swing!  (as you can see by her excitement this has been something she has been waiting on for weeks)

Waking Claire up.

They decorated the door to welcome us home.

More from the hospital

We love the time in the hospital.  The nurses do all the work and we just get to enjoy the new baby, they feed us 3 meals a day, and clean up after us. We just relax and enjoy the down time!  We never rush out!

Aunt Brigee came to meet Audrey right away!

Just hanging out...the 3 of us! 

A happy mommy with her 3 little girls. 

Martha came to meet Audrey too.

Rough life!

Serious conversation with her sister.

Claire really likes the idea of her using a passie.  She literally shoves it in her mouth every chance she gets.  

Audrey's Big Sisters

We were so excited for the big girls to meet Audrey.  We called home Thursday morning and talked to them before they went to school.  We told them it was a girl and that we named her Audrey.  They were so excited!  They came up to meet her after school.  

Claire came running in the room and went right up to her!  She was all smiles and squeals!  

Emmerson was pretty excited too.  

They wanted to hold her right away.  Neil and I could hardly stand it!  It literally melted us to watch their excitement and how gentle they were with her.  

Emmerson made her a picture so they had to show her that right away too. 

Nothing sweeter than this!

Happy sisters!

Claire will now correct you if you try to call her Baby.  She says, "I'm am not a baby I am a big sister!" 

She was amazed by her "new baby".

First family picture of all of 5 of us!  

The girls wanted to come back to visit the next day.  They packed some toys from home to bring for Audrey...

Emmerson would hold her all day.  She is so sweet.  She just talks to her and loves on her. 

Claire sings her songs and pets her!

Emme decided she was big enough she didn't need to hold her on the pillow and just picked her up.  

Audrey is a lucky girl to have these two as sisters. 

It's a GIRL

Audrey Mae Bloede was born on Thursday September 5, 2013 at 4:10 am.  Weighing in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces and 20 inches long.  

The quick version of the the delivery goes like this:  Once I admitted to Neil that I knew I was in labor he spent the next hour packing the car, trying to make me realize I had to go to the hospital to have this baby like it or not, trying to make me call the doctor, and trying to get me to call Marcy to come over so we could leave.  It always takes me awhile to wrap my mind around what is ahead of me...Thankfully Neil stays SO calm even though I am nothing short of irrational!  By the time we finally left for the hospital my contractions were very close together and Neil was running red lights in fear of having to deliver this baby on the way.  The rest of the story pretty much plays out that we got there in plenty of time, I once again turned down the epidural like a crazy person, and then I had a HUGE baby.  Somehow with all of this Neil handles me and the situation perfectly!

Not knowing the gender was really fun (if you can use the word fun while talking about delivering a baby).  I had decided I wanted Neil to tell me the gender instead of the doctor.  Neil saw her face first and said he knew she was a girl!  Of course as soon as they put her up on me so Neil could confirm what he thought I went ahead and told him....It's another GIRL:)  so much for sticking to our plan!  

Proud Daddy holding his newest little girl for the first time. 

The doctor that delivered Audrey.  (not our doctor) She was our favorite that has delivered one of our babies.  She was very calm...which is MUCH needed when you are having a BIG baby without an epidural! 

Mommy and Daddy getting their first real look at her once the room cleared out! 

Since both of our big girls required the NICU we never got to see the first bath, or all the "checking" of them.  With Audrey being full term we got to be part of all of it.  

As soon as she was born we called Nana and Pop Pop and they headed to the hospital right away. I didn't let Neil tell them if she was a boy or a girl when he called so I am guessing they were driving very fast! 

Grandma and Grandpa came up after breakfast to meet her too.  

Daddy takes full advantage of cuddling his new babies when all is quiet in the hospital. 

Since we have had all three girls in the middle of the night by the time it is all over everyone is VERY tired!