Welcome, little one

Welcome, Kalina Reese Lumabao Carrington

Arrival: Monday, December 28, 2009 at 8:32 AM

Weight: 7lbs. 13 oz. Length: 20 1/2 inches

Well, our family of three has now become a family of four. The first two and a half weeks have been somewhat of a blur. With Christmas just before Kalina's arrival, it was definitely a whirlwind... but now life is 'slowing' down and our family is adjusting.
Monday morning, Lola & Pocky (Ron and Patti) arrived bright and early to take care of Tatum for us as we were getting ready to head to the hospital. We stopped off at Starbucks along the way... of course for Matt as I was on a no food/drink diet since midnight... and headed downtown to Denver. Things went quickly as they were all ready for our arrival. Our nurse, Jessie, we learned as she was prepping me, that she had lived in Muncie for a while, and of course, Matt knew people that she knew and so it was a very relaxing experience. We also learned, just before going into surgery, that siblings were now allowed to come to the hospital! I definitely got teary eyed... I was a bit anxious, nervous, excited for this day. Honestly, I spent 9 months worrying every day that I may miscarry... sooo... the first good news of the day brought the tears to my eyes. Matt instantly got on the phone with Lola & Pocky and told them to come on down with Tatum. (One of Tatum's 'uncles' (Lifetime Uncle Chad) was going to come over and play with Tatum so Ron & Patti could come down right after Kalina's arrival.)

In we went to surgery... (they started the surgery at 8:28 on 12/28) I was given a Spinal which paralyzes you from the chest down... what a 'weird' experience. I knew what the doctors were getting ready to do and I could actually feel them pulling on muscles/etc... and I braced myself for the 'pain' that should have come, but it didn't come. I could just feel tugging... a very odd feeling! Matt was able to sit near me and kept checking on me... I'm sure I had some weird facial expressions!

"That is not a small child"- Dr. Forschner announces as he first sees our little girl. Once he says this, I feel like I wait a lifetime to hear those first little cries (although from the beginning of surgery to the moment little miss comes out only 4 minutes go by), and as soon as I do, the tears come... What an amazing sound! The first cries of our little girl... I'm getting teary eyed as I write this... I don't know if there is a more precious sound... the first sounds a baby makes as she enters the world. Personally, the first cries of a newborn and the laughter of a child... does it get any better?

They brought her over so I could see her- then started cleaning her up just above my right shoulder, so I was able to turn my head to watch... the nurses bundled her up and brought her over to Matt and I... and together we held her in our arms for the first time.
What a wonderful feeling! We were able to hold her for a while, then Matt went along with the nurses and our little girl to the nursery as they did all of the newborn cleaning and tests. Tatum, Lola, and Pocky were able to watch from the nursery window. (Tatum was not a fan of them making her sister cry!)

Thankfully, Ron & Patti were able to take off a few days from work and be with us at the birth of our beautiful little girl. I don't know what we would have done without them!

That night, Matt and I were trying to decide on a name- Kalina or Reese... we still could not decide, although we were both leaning towards Reese. We called Lola to let her know we were leaning towards Reese and she could tell Tatum, and as she told Tatum- Tatum says "NO, it's KALEEEENA"... After hanging up, Matt asked me, "what do you think about Kalina Reese?" I loved the sound of it and we finally made a decision. Our baby girl- Kalina Reese Lumabao Carrington... how sweetly she lays in my arms and sleeps like an angel.

Auntie Liz was able to fly in the day after Kalina's birth, and was able to hold a newborn for the first time. Liz was able to stay for almost a week and help me out around the house and play with Tatum. I don't know who was more wore out when she left... lol... Honestly, I don't know how I would have held up without her with us as we came home. It was so nice to have her around to keep Tatum busy and to help me get some things done...

A HUGE 'thank you' to Lola & Pocky and to Auntie Liz...