Photographed

Here's our beauty!

May 20, 2011 - 5am

4lbs, 4oz / 14.1 inches

Ali did a stellar job...au naturel. So well in fact, that they released her and Allegra to come home at 11am. Hospice visited our house at 1pm and our oxygen tanks just arrived. Now we just enjoy every minute we get with her!

Arrived

Our precious Allegra has arrived. Our beautiful girl was born this morning at 5am. Mom and baby are doing well. We're savoring every second with her.

More to come...

Delayed

Dear Baby Allegra,

It's late and your mother, brothers and sister are upstairs sleeping. I've been thinking about you all day. Even though your due date just passed, you've decided to stay put. I think that's smart...don't rush things. The greatest moments in life are often the anticipation preceding an event. Take your time.

Love,
Dad

Celebrated

Dear Baby Allegra:

You are 40 weeks along today.  I've loved every minute of you growing inside me, but daily mourn the fact we won't have you for long.  My wondering if I want this pregnancy to end has now been replaced with excitement to meet you.  We will adore you.  I hope your little life is comfortable for however long it lasts.

Love,
Your Mom

Checked

Visited the midwife today (at 39 weeks)...

Baby's heartbeat: 140s (normal)

Baby's position: Head down & low (baby remains small and amniotic fluid plentiful making shifting still possible)

Fundal (belly) measurement: 36 weeks (No change since 37 weeks)
Midwife's size prediction: 4 lb. baby

When she comes, we'll post regular updates on this blog.

Celebrated

Dear Baby Allegra:

You're 39 weeks along today.  I dreamt of you.  Despite all the talk of mental and physical abnormalities, you had the full pink lips of my other babies.  You were so still in my arms.

Love,
Your Mom

Asked

On the way home from preschool yesterday Cameron asked,

"Mommy, can I please eat lunch outside with some of those red chips [Doritos] and look at clouds?  I'm gonna try to find a cloud that looks like Baby Allegra."

Checked

Visited the midwife today...

Baby's heartbeat: 140s (normal)

Baby's position: Head down & low (baby remains small and amniotic fluid plentiful making shifting still possible)

Fundal (belly) measurement: Forgot to measure

We're hopeful Baby Allegra will come on her own.  If she doesn't though, we've scheduled an induction after her due date.

When she comes, we'll post regular updates on this blog.

Celebrated

Dear Baby Allegra:

You're 38 weeks along today.

Your siblings love to run and play.  Cairo easily swings across the monkey bars.  Levi can dance like Michael Jackson.  Cameron loves swatting balls with a tennis racquet.  And Klein wants to ride his motorcycle all day.

I wish I could've given you a healthy body too.

Love,
Your Mom

Wondered

Tonight while waiting for Levi to finish soccer practice, Cairo kicked a ball around with Cameron and Klein.  At one point Klein fell and needed comfort.  I watched as Cairo carried her little brother up the hill, set him on my lap, pulled out the wet wipes and then placed them on a small scrape on Klein's leg.  She lovingly cares for her brothers, but has mentioned she's tired of being the only sister in the family.

We all adore Cairo.  She works to be good and is inherently kind and sensitive to others' needs.  Like last Friday she was annoyed news coverage focused on the royal wedding instead of the tornado damage in Alabama.  She reads to her brothers, tackles homework without complaint, responds immediately to anyone's request for help, likes multiple good night kisses, and often leaves sweet notes on our nightstands.

I wonder if Allegra would be the same.