Welcome Baby Girl!!

Nick and I are proud to introduce our daughter, Rachel Leone Held.

Rachel was born on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 4:39pm. She was 8 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches long and we couldn't have created anything more perfect if we tried! The chubby cheeks I loved so much in her ultrasound pictures are even more fun to kiss than they are to look at! And her black hair will be ready for ribbons and bows in no time!!

All I'll say about the labor is that pitocin is the work of the devil and epidurals are a gift from God for women in back labor everywhere. I'm a huge supporter of the epidural. I'd venture a guess that Nick is too. We ended up with a c-section because her little head wasn't quite so little... but it was all worth it.

Our first two weeks have had their ups and downs. What I've learned about motherhood so far is you can plan all you want, but that isn't always how things are going to go. That has been a tough lesson for me...since I don't handle it well when things don't go according to plan.

So far in her short two weeks, we've found out that just because God gave mommy's milk ducts, it doesn't mean they are going to work like they are supposed to... pinkeye can appear mysteriously...formula can give us gas... bombastic diapers do happen...and keeping track of dirty diapers can cause mommy stress when there aren't enough of them.

Rachel's main activities are eating, sleeping, and messing in her diaper... pretty much like all babies. She does have high expectations when it comes to her dinner. When she decides she's hungry...she's hungry NOW...and you better get on it. She has a very healthy set of lungs and isn't afraid to use them to remind you that she's WAITING not so patiently for her dinner.

Even though we've had a lot of changes in the last two weeks and things haven't gone according to plan... I wouldn't trade these past two weeks for anything. I used to wonder who I would marry...and if we would have kids... and what they would look like. Both Nick and Rachel are even more wonderful than I ever imagined and I am so blessed to have them both.

Most of all, I can't wait to watch my precious little girl grow. I can't wait to see the person she will become and all the things she will accomplish.

Welcome to the world, little Miss Rachel. You are so very loved.

(If you need further proof, just look in your closet at all the pretty clothes you have to wear! And Mommy hasn't even been able to go shopping herself yet!)