If you’ve been following along on Instagram or read my blog post sharing that it was baby day here, then you probably know that our sweet Jane Evelyn was born on Thursday, August 6th. Just like with her sister, not a day has gone by that we have not felt grateful for her life and humbled to be her parents. What a precious, precious gift and constant reminder of God’s goodness in our family story. Today I wanted to take a moment to share her birth story with you.
Planned C-Section
We knew I was having a planned c-section due to having an emergency one at 34 weeks with Ivy Jean (read her birth story here). It was so interesting leading up to the date knowing the exact date and time we would meet our daughter. Honestly, I really liked that part of the c-section because it made planning for Ivy Jean’s care during COVID much easier. It also allowed us to know our last days as a family of three and do some special things with Ivy Jean before her sister arrived. I was also able to pack and plan more easily. I shared what to pack in your hospital bag for a c-section here. Since a c-section isn’t ideal, I tried to find all the positives!
Jane Evelyn’s Arrival
We had the best anesthesiologist. He stayed right by me, updating me as things were happening. After feeling some tugging and pulling, we heard the sweetest cry and tears instantly filled my eyes. Our precious Jane Evelyn was here arriving at 7:57 am weighing 6 pounds and 5 ounces. She is literally perfect. Truly an angel baby in all ways. We are praising God for her life and health. I was able to do skin to skin right after delivery while they were stitching me up which is something that I had really hoped for leading up to her birth. After being wheeled into post-op, I got to nurse her for the first time which was also really special.
Hospital Stay
We stayed two nights in the hospital before being discharged to come home on Saturday. I think we could have stayed longer if we wanted, but I kind of asked to go home as I was anxious for Ivy Jean and Jane Evelyn to meet and thought we would be more comfortable there. We had excellent care, but it’s honestly just not that fun to wear your mask all the time. I am so grateful for our doctors, nurses, all other medical professionals, and hospital workers who are front line workers during this pandemic!
Jane Evelyn
Jane Evelyn is truly an angel baby! She is nursing so well, sleeping in between feedings, and is just so sweet and happy all the time. After the way her sister came into the world, our subsequent NICU stay, her preemie status and health issues, this entire experience has just been so different. For example, we never got to have Ivy Jean in our room at the hospital, take photos without cords, IVs, etc. I was discharged before her, so we went home without our firstborn. We didn’t get to dress her for weeks since the clothing interfered with her cords. Looking back, Ivy Jean’s start to life shaped me so much as a mother and parent. I’m grateful for what God did in my heart through our entire experience. Though I would probably still change it so she was born full term, I see so many positives and it is her story authored by Him.
All that being said, much of Jane Evelyn’s birth was redemptive in many ways simply for the normalcy of it all. From being awake during her c-section, immediate skin to skin and nursing, and more. More than anything, we are grateful for TWO precious, healthy girls and to be a family of four. God is so good.
Jane Evelyn and Ivy Jean
Probably one of my favorite things about having Jane has been seeing Ivy Jean respond to her. There have been moments of jealousy for sure that we have had to talk through, but overall she has been the sweetest, most loving big sister. She wants to help with everything and gives hugs and kisses any chance she gets. My heart has been truly overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord for granting me the privilege of being the mother of two girls.
C-Section Recovery
C-section recovery is no joke! I am now almost 2 weeks postpartum, and each day is a little better. It’s definitely major surgery. One of the hardest parts for me has been feeling the limitations of my body in mothering. I keep having to say, “Mommy can’t do that right now” to Ivy Jean, and it literally breaks my heart. I am just not to the place where I can easily get down on the floor with her, bend over, climb our full flight of stairs, etc. I’ve given her my everything for almost 4 years, and it’s hard not to be physically able to right now while also needing to devote a lot of time to her sister. As I share in this Instagram post, I am trying my best to cultivate an attitude of grace towards my body and this season of life in general. Soaking up the newborn snuggles, not worrying about my hair or makeup, and letting my body recover in time. I know it will come.
26 Comments
Congratulations!! She is so beautiful. Wishing you all the best with your recovery!
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com
What sweet pics! Good luck with your recovery from surgery – it must be so hard not being able to take care of your oldest like you usually would, hopefully once you heal the jealousy goes away! My eldest loved his little brother instantly, I was glad there was no jealousy, I think you’ll find once you are back moving around like normal it will go as that might have helped in my case – i didn’t need to rest up and recover after the birth much so I could still cuddle and play with and carry my eldest π
Thanks for the link up π
Hope that your week is going well π
I can’t imagine how difficult recovery from a C-section must be! You did do a wonderful job of looking at the silver lining though! She is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations to you all!
Congrats on Jane Eveyln and your beautiful family of four! She is truly an angel baby!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
Oh my cuteness Amy! Jane Evelyn is beautiful and I am so glad that everything went well during her birth. Yay! I am also happy to hear that Ivy Jean is being the best sister. Thatβs such an amazing experience to see and truly very happy for your family. Welcome to the world, Jane Evelyn! Looking forward to seeing more of you!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
What a wonderful story and you always make the best out of everything. Such blessings all around.
XOOX
Jodie
Jane Evelyn is just beautiful. I’m so glad you had a great experience this time around! Postpartum healing is very tough and I’m wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery! xo
Meagan
http://www.meagansmoda.com
Hi Amy!
Congratulations to you and your family! She is so precious and I love the name. Enjoyed the story and take care!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
I’m so happy that you had a great delivery for Jane Evelyn! She is an absolute doll and I hope the baby snuggles are everything you remember them to be! xo, Biana BlovedBoston
Congratulations!! She is so precious! I’m happy all went well and that the nursing is going well. Sending you lots of blessings!! xx
Congratulations to you! She is so beautiful. You look amazing too. Thank you
for sharing this lovely post. All the very best xx
Oh congratulations to you! What a darling little girl and what a delightful name. You look amazing, how do you do it.
Thanks for sharing this lovely post. Good luck with everything. Jacqui x
She’s perfect! And you are so right – C-sections are NO joke! Hang in there as you recover, and enjoy all the newborn and toddler snuggles <3
Green Fashionista
What a sweet story! Jane Evelyn is beautiful! I’m glad your recovery is going well! Ivy Jean is going to be the best big sister!
Jill – Doused in Pink
What a sweet story–she is just so precious! Congratulations to you guys!!
Rosy OutlookΒ
Amy Ann, Congratulations to you and your family! Jane Evelyn is absolutely beautiful! I am glad that you are recovering well even though the process from a c-section can be a long one. I wish you all the happiness and joy and lots of decent sleep in the days ahead!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
What a sweet story, thank you for sharing it with us Amy Ann! I’m so glad you’re all doing well. I totally get how hard it is to not be able to give Ivy Jean what she wants while you’re recovering and trying to take care of Jane Evelyn–I remember thinking that it was harder parenting my 3 year old than it was my newborn! But you will get into a good routine I’m sure, and I hope your recovery continues to go well! Congratulations to you and your family!
She looks so precious! A big congratulations to everyone! Xx
Huge congratulations to you all! She is beautiful xx
Congratulations! Jane Evelyn is precious. Thank you for sharing her birth story and the beautiful photos!
xo,
Kellyann