MEET MISS EVERLEY ROSE DAVIS!!

Everley arrived on Saturday February 27th at 12:51 pm, 6lb3oz, 19.25".  We are so in love with our family of four and have to pinch ourselves to be reminded that this is our life.  

This time around was a little different than Eli's birth.  I was induced Saturday morning around 6:30am.  I had a wonderful team with me to get me through the labor process drug free, and in about 6 1/2 hours she was here.  We are so blessed to have such a better experience this go around with a healthy baby and mom to prove it.  God is good, and we are just in a HUGE state of praise and thanksgiving!!

 Last pregnant picture.  On our way to the hospital.

She's here!!  Literally 2 seconds old ... I was still in shock and couldn't believe I was holding my baby girl.

  

 So tiny, so sweet.  

  

  

The top picture is Eli - 5/30/2014, the bottom picture is Evi 2/27/2016.  Turns out we like to get the same shot :)

Sweet middle of the night baby snuggles when everybody else is sleeping.

 This picture makes me laugh!  I remember Derek with Eli and how he was a deer in headlights at first and was very calculated with every move he made with him.  To be fair, he had to learn how to take care of a newborn all by himself while I couldn't move in bed.  However, for example I specifically remember asking him to turn on the fan while he was holding Eli and he looked at me like that was absolutely impossible while holding his child.
Now look at him ... holding Everley, reading his phone, and eating fruit and yogurt with a fork no less.  If this doesn't scream "Second time Dad", I don't know what does.  I just had to capture this moment!

Bath time in the nursery.

My Amazing Birthing Team

Meet my team that helped make everything happen.  We had a much smoother labor process than with Eli.  As a quick reminder, I had complications with the epidural during and post partum, leaving me in and out of the hospital for 2 weeks after giving birth.  Therefore, we eliminated that all together and went all natural.  YES, WE DID IT!!!!  I am still amazed, but I could not have done this without my team.  

The Key Players:

1) AMANDA!  Praise the Lord for Amanda.   She is one of the nurses at my doctors office that also happens to be a Douala.  A Douala is essentially a birthing coach to help you through the labor process. She has had 2 natural childbirths, so I thought it was only fitting, plus she already knew my background story and how important all natural was to me and my health.  Her knowledge and encouraging words were huge, and she helped me through all of the tough contractions.

2) DEREK! Derek was absolutely amazing.  He was ready to go the first hour, so much that I had to tell him to just hang out for a bit until things got "real".  So instead, he turned the room into a karaoke bar, jamming out to my playlist and singing to every word ... out loud.  Hilarious at first, but there was one moment in the tough hour where I think I told him to be quite - politely of course :).  Derek was in charge of squeezing my hips and massaging my lower back during each contraction.  The counteractive pressure on my back during my contractions made all the difference.  Towards the end his poor arms were shaking, but he never stopped.  My hero!!

3) MOM! I don't have any pictures of mom in the room, because she was the behind the scenes specialist that made the environment comfortable and encouraging.  She took the pictures, kept the essential oils going in my room and on my pillows/bed, music was key (so I could keep a steady beat moving during the contractions - yes, musicians are weird :).  Without these essential elements, I would have had a totally different experience.  Thanks mom, love you!!!

 Derek and Amanda - the calm before the storm.

 This picture cracks me up.  This was just the start of it.  It felt better to be sitting and leaning over the bed, but my leg was falling asleep and I needed Derek to massage it while having a contraction, and poor Amanda was on the ground making sure the monitor on Everley was properly positioned so we could monitor her heart rate.  Like I said ... #myteam #ittakesavillage

 Derek's massages!!

 Poor Derek was shaking at this point, but we were almost finished.

The first picture of mom with Everley, just minutes old.

Eli is a BIG BROTHER!!

Eli has been absolutely great with Evi! I was a little nervous at first, but all he does is want to be with her.  We are still working on gentle touches, but you can already tell he loves her very much and is excited to introduce her to everybody.  I cannot wait to watch these two grow up together.  AND, I cannot believe we are blessed with two beautiful children.  Our hearts are full right now, and we are just trying to enjoy every moment as they come.

 Watching Evi through the nursery window getting her bath.  When she cried, he would knock on the window and say "It's OK Evi"

 Meeting Everley for the first time

 My whole heart is in this picture.

 I wanted to make Eli feel special, so every time he came to visit the hospital, we made sure to have some great family time with him and give him "Big Brother" gifts.  Turns out maybe you should get a quieter toy for the hospital, and not one with sirens.  However, he loved it!

It Takes a Village

The saying "It Takes a Village" could not be more accurate.  Thank you to my entire family for everybody's help.  We had plan A,B, and C mapped out and everybody came through.  I know Eli had a blast with all sets of grandparents in town.  Y'all are the best, and thank you so very very much!!  We love you!!

Eli's new love for nature walks on a trail behind our house.  Glad Mimi and Pa could experience this with him

 Eli now always has to take his Davy Crockett hat with him on our walks, not because it represents being adventurous, but because he wants to hang out with our cat Sienna.  Yes, he named the hat Sienna and pets it, takes it with him, and holds it like he would our cat - if she would let him :)

 Getting Sienna prepared for a new baby but putting hospital blankets in her favorite spots.

Poppi and Grammi snuggles in between playing with big brother

 Some Mimi Time.

   

 What do big brothers get to eat??  A whole pizza to himself ... yes, this boy can chow down, and just like his father, he loves him some PIZZA.  Dinner with the grandparents are the best!

 My sister and brother drove down on Sunday for a few hours to hang out.  It was great to have them, especially since they have a lot going on right now.  I love that Everley was able to meet their Aunt and Uncle almost immediately.  Love them so much, and thank you for making the day trip.

 So, does anybody see anything odd about this?!?!  My sister hates to be touched.  I can't hug her, touch her, in fact it's become a running joke as who can give her the most awkward hugs when we leave.  However, seems like all you need to do is have a baby and she shoves you over to get in the same bed as you so she can hold her new niece.  :)

 Gisters

Gibling ("Gist" Siblings) Love -- Uncle Kygoo and Aunt Ali.