Introducing Olivia Ryan Forsythe

Dear Diary,

Where in the world do I begin? Prepare for the longest post of all time because I have a feeling it will be near impossible to wrap my feelings in just a short, few paragraphs.

SHE'S HERE!!

Olivia Ryan Forsythe

March 22, 2011

7 lbs 3 oz 19 in.

Here I sit, with a napping toddler, a snuggly sleeping newborn and a relaxing husband. Tomorrow will mark Olivia's first full week of life, and I can hardly believe it has been a week already. This is probably signs for how ridiculously fast the second child grows up, as if the first didn't go fast enough!

Olivia's arrival went exactly as planned. I got some sleep, but not much, as I woke up at 3:45am to take my shower and get ready to head to the hospital. I think Addy knew something was up, and she definitely wanted to be part of it as she woke up around 4:00 and insisted on hanging out with Mommy and Daddy while we were getting ready to go. She couldn't have been cuter, sitting on our bed, all smiles, just watching us gather our things for the hospital. We gave her kisses goodbye as she snuggled with Aunt Chelsea and Granna to try and get some rest in before meeting her new baby sister in just a few hours.

We got to the hospital, got checked in, met the nurse who gave me my awesome hospital gown and support socks, hooked me up to my IV, and got baby girl on the monitor to make sure she was doing okay. Then it was the waiting game. A few people were in and out to ask questions and talk to me. I couldn't believe how familiar everything was. I had just been through all this with Addy 18 months ago, but I didn't think things would come back to me as much as they did. Everyone was ready to go, just waiting on Doctor to show up. As soon as she came in and said it was "go time" the nerves started. I walked myself into the cold, operating room and hopped onto the table (a little different than being wheeled in, and in a hurry, like last time). They got me prepped for surgery, put the blue curtain up, and let Garrett come in. IT WAS TIME!

Some tugging, pulling and a few minutes later I heard the best sound in the world, my little lady crying! They lifted her up and let me take a look and sure enough, I saw Addy all over again. They got her cleaned up and we couldn't believe how light her hair seemed. Her nose and mouth were identical to Addalyn's as a baby, but she had her own little look as well! We were in love, again! And just like before, her and Daddy were off to the nursery while Mommy got the pleasure of getting put back together!

Addalyn in the hospital

Olivia in the hospital

We spent the day just as I wanted it, with family. Everyone made a visit, including Big Sister Addalyn. It broke my heart that I couldn't pick her up and give her a gigantic hug, but all the little kisses and hugs she gave Little Sister made it all worth it. I think she was pretty impressed. With every trip she made to see us in the hospital, we asked her to give Olivia a hug and a kiss and baby sister got about 20 instead! Priceless!

I can't believe how much better my recovery has been this time around. The difference between this delivery and last is like night and day. With Addy, standing up for the first time on my own was unbearable, and with Olivia I hopped right up, got showered, and walked around my room for a few minutes without any one's help. I thought it would surely catch up to me and I'd be hurting but here we are, day 6, and I am doing great. The worst pain I had was while watching Conan one night in the hospital. Something made Garrett and I crack up and let's just say laughing that hard after a C-Section is not enjoyable. I had tears running down my face from laughter and pain and I had to make him turn the channel =)

And now we are home. adjusting to life with two! So far, so good. Garrett has this entire week off work and thank goodness. He has been on Addy duty and while she can been somewhat exhausting, I think they are loving all this time together. Olivia couldn't be a better baby. I was sure God wouldn't give me two good babies but so far, she's been perfect! I hope she keeps it up!

Once again, God has blessed our family. I have said it a million times - I have no idea why God has given me the life he has, but I cannot be more thankful.

A HUGE Thanks to the following: To Dr. Holmes and to the Shawnee Mission Medical Center nursing staff for taking such good care of me and Olivia. To everyone who said a prayer, a kind word, or wished us well. I cannot tell you all how much that means to us. To our family for being by our side and welcoming Baby Olivia with open arms. To my Mom and Sister for taking such great care of my first baby at home. I knew we would miss her the days we had to be in the hospital, but knowing she was with you made it much easier on us! And a special thanks to Mom for all the frozen dinners, delicious desserts, and a clean house to come home to! To Addalyn for being the best Big Sister in the world. To my awesome, amazing and perfect husband for being by my side and going through all of this again together. I couldn't imagine my life with anybody else and I am so excited to watch another perfect little girl fall in love with her Daddy! And finally, to Olivia, for letting this Mommy be a Mommy again. LOVE YOU ALL!

I hope I will be able to write often, but keep in mind I will soon be out numbered around here! Dad can't stay home from work forever =) Here's to hoping you see another blog post before 2012!

Sincerely Yours,