Just thought I’d leave you all a picture of my new addition, though most of you have probably already seen her in my Flickr page :). There’s so many more I need to add, but I’ll leave you with those for now.

OH MY GOSH!!! Just right now, at 10:09pm, Alaethia laughed in her sleep for the first time! It was the cutest thing, a little chuckle, and her eyes rolled for a split second. Aww…and now she’s smiling!

Thank you all so much for the comments, e-mails, Flickr comments and all other words of support and love you’ve sent us the past few days and weeks. It means a lot to all of us and I’m thrilled to share this new chapter of our lives with you :).

I’m so in love, guys. Everyone’s in love! The boys love her. Jaylen especially loves to help, but the poor things are both sick right now so they’re keeping their distance. Eenan almost cried today because he couldn’t hold her :(. Mario’s been the most awesome dad, ever! He seriously deserves the Dad (and Husband!) of the Year Award–no kidding.

It’s so hard for me to not hold and kiss her silky-soft cheeks all day long. It’s such a blessing and so wonderful to have her in our lives. She’s a happy baby and only fusses when she’s hungry or, like the past two days, has had a hard time doing #2. Poor baby. I was up with her from 1am to 5:30am, crying along with her because her tummy hurt and I had no idea what to do but hold her gently against my chest, rock her and rub her back. She eventually felt better (but still didn’t have a bowel movement), had a bottle and fell asleep on my chest. Even though I wanted to get her used to sleeping in her bassinet I have to admit that I love holding her while I sleep. If anything she’ll be just like her brothers and will hate to sleep alone. She loves to be in her bassinet during the day but not during the night.

I wanted to update on our last couple of days and I totally want to sit down and write my labor story but that’ll have to wait for now. Hopefully I’ll remember everything; if I don’t, I’ll poke Mario for details :P. Mario’s finally home and I fully intend on cuddling for a few minutes before I try and get some rest with Alaethia. Hopefully tonight will be better than last night!

P.S. I currently weigh 122.5–1 1/2 lbs. heavier than when I started the pregnancy! I hope, hope, hope I can lose the weight I need to before Noelia’s wedding in June!

Alaethia Rose was born at 2:36pm yesterday, Wednesday, January 24th, 2007. She weighs 6 lbs. 10 oz. and is 19 inches long. I went into labor at 6:45am and am so happy to say this is the fastest and probably the most painless labor I’ve ever had. I was falling asleep during delivery and my legs fell asleep because of the epidural for about 4-5 hours, but that’s another story. She’s such a good baby and looks a lot like Jaylen and has my ears and nose and Mario’s long fingers. Mario’s comletely in love; he’d be falling asleep and still didn’t want to give her to me LOL. We’re waiting for Alaethia to be discharged. Hopefully, in the next hour or so. I can’t wait to go home (and sleep!).

Either the doctor’s office or hospital. Well, we have to go to the doctor anyway, since I’m going to ask WHAT DO I DO?? Contractions are 2-3 minutes apart (they were 2-6 minutes about an hour ago) so I’m pretty sure I’m going to be admitted today. I’m so excited! And nervous! I can’t wait!