Welcome, baby Claire!

 Claire Rebecca Stephens was born on Thursday, August 23rd at 3pm. She weighed 7lbs 5oz (big brother was 7lb 12 oz) and was 19in long.

We are so thankful that this labor and delivery was relatively smooth and uncomplicated and that she's a completely healthy little girl...much different than our whole Avery birth experience. Here's our birth story, mostly so I don't forget it. Feel free to skip to the pictures if you want. ;)  My water broke at home at 11:15pm on the 22nd...a true hollywood beginning. My mom and dad, who got in town the day before, came to the house to watch Avery, and we headed to the hospital 45 min away only to be sent home because they didn't believe me. Sigh. Five hours later we were headed back with strong contractions. They only admitted me the second time because Claire had a few late decelerations, and they wanted to keep an eye on us. Several hours later a different doctor (from the night shift guy) realized that my water did indeed break at home (duh..can't make this stuff up, people), and I was given my epidural. It only took one try this time (unlike the 3 attempts with Avery)! Apparently the anesthesia was the just the right amount/mixture because it dulled the pain, but I definitely still felt the urge the push.  I was ready to push (and soo uncomfortable from all the pressure) but only 6cm dilated, so they gave me a little pitocin to help speed things along. In 15 min, I was at a 10 and ready to go. 30 min of pushing and  she was here! She was an 8 on the APGAR initially and a 9 at 5 min.

We think she looks just like her big brother, but I can't decide who she looks more like, Phil or me. What do you think??

The proud daddy x2. ;)

 Our family of 4!!

Big brother wasn't quite sure what to think about Claire. He gave her a pink bunny as a welcome gift, and she gave him a new backpack with a Cars book, a Thomas dvd, and a few new trains. He wanted her to "get down on floor and play trains" with him right away. :)

Grandpa and Mimi with baby Claire and grandchild #2...

She was born at Naval Hospital Pensacola. The care was very good, overall, but as a government facility we were lucky to have sheets on the bed. :/ Nothing too fancy here. No gift bags from the formula companies, pacifiers, nail files for her long finger nails, etc.

  

Claire with mommy and our midwife Rhonda, who was great.

 I had all my ob appointments with her and was lucky that she was the one on call for Claire's delivery.

Wearing our new hat made by Amanda! Too cute!

 Getting ready to go home...they only kept us 24 hrs!

A few sleepy baby pics...

We are somewhat sleep deprived but surviving over here. Family leaves and Phil goes back to work this week, which will be the true test. Thank you, friends and family, for all your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. We are so blessed and can't wait to introduce to her to everyone!