Sunday, July 31, 2011

Way overdue.

Yes, I know, I have not posted in over 2 months.  You have every right to be mad!  haha  Life has been really busy preparing for our little Jelly Bean, keeping up with Grayson's activities and mostly, taking LOTS of photos!  It seems that once I announced I'd be going on 'maternity leave' July 1, clients came out of the woodwork asking for sessions!  Not that I'm complaining, because I LOVE my clients and I LOVE the job that allows me to stay home with my bab(ies) and still earn a little money to help out.  I had over 20 sessions between the end of June and July--about 2-3 times my normal amount!  THAT was a lot of editing!  My computer time was pretty limited to checking my email and editing.  I went on 'maternity leave' July 1, and then still had 3 sessions after that date!  Thankfully, Jelly Bean waited until I was finished to make an appearance.

Speaking of Jelly Bean...

On Friday, July 29, Jelly Bean arrived after 20 hours of labor at 2:59 p.m.  She (yes, SHE!) has a head full of inch-long, THICK brunette hair, just like her Daddy!  Her eyes have already turned brown too!  It's so funny to have one VERY blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby and one brunette, dark-eyed baby!  People are going to doubt they're from the same parents (Trust me, they are!).  She is absolutely beautiful and we got to come home Saturday, when she was barely a day old. 

Lilah Adelaide Gupton became the first female "Gupton" to arrive in over 60 years!  She was born at 7 lbs, 3 oz and 19.5 inches long (exactly her Mama's measurements).  Amazingly enough, she looks exactly like her brother did, only with dark hair and eyes!  It's uncanny the resemblance.  I wonder what she'll look like as she grows.  So far, she's making up for all the havoc she created in my belly and she's been even more laid back than her brother was.  She rarely cries and has a very gentle spirit.  She's had a bit of trouble latching to nurse, but we're getting the job done because she only lost a single ounce in the hospital!  She's also having a bit of trouble with reflux, but hopefully we'll figure out a remedy for that tomorrow at her first Ped check-up with Dr. Laughlin.  She's a very healthy baby though, and we are extremely blessed.

Grayson is doing pretty well with the situation so far.  At first, he wanted nothing to do with her... wouldn't even go over to Brandon when he was holding her.  Within a couple of hours though, he was blowing her kisses and waving hello and loves touching her hair (so do I!).  He has his moments now, but mostly he has been the same boy as before she arrived.  Every now and then he'll just come over and look at her for a while and just smile at you.  He can already say her name too, and it's SOOOOO cute to hear him say it! 

My best friend, Alyssa, was able to be at the hospital with us throughout the delivery and everything because our dear friend, Molly came up from KY to watch Grayson for us.  As excited as we were/are to have a baby girl in our lives, we will always be reminded of Alyssa's sweet baby girl Morgan that we lost in the spring.  Our girls were destined to be best friends, and instead Lilah's bestie Morgan is in Heaven waiting for us.  What a bittersweet birth it was for all of us.  Brandon and I both agreed that that was the hardest thing about the whole delivery (even worse than the horrendous back labor I endured).  I am so thankful for Alyssa's friendship and for God giving her enough peace to endure labor with me and be happy for us.  I know it wasn't easy, but I am eternally grateful to her for being there with me. 

Well, both of our babies are already in bed, so I'm going to enjoy my freedom for a little bit and then head to bed.  Sorry for the delay in posting..  Hopefully I'll get time to post some pics of our sweet girl soon.  Until then, check my facebook page for a couple!