Our baby girl arrived Friday March 14th!
Introducing Jaimee Grace Summers:
Friday was an incredible day. I got up at 6:15am to head to the store because Drew reminded me the night before that he needed 24 filled plastic eggs for his class Easter party as well as 12 dinner rolls for their feast. So off I went (it was still dark outside – I hate that) to WalMart. I was having some contractions, but I’d been having some good ones for the past couple weeks, but what felt different this morning was that I was also feeling really crampy. I wondered if something was starting to happen, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
Got back home and told Ron how I was feeling and he got really excited and was convinced today was the day. I started my work day but had a feeling I wouldn’t last the whole day so I spent the time tying up any loose ends. By the time Ron left to take the kids to school around 8:15am, we were pretty convinced this was it. So I finished up packing for the hospital, made a few calls, tried to keep working, and started timing contractions.
The contractions started getting beyond uncomfortable and were coming regularly so we left the house around 10:30am and my sisters (who were both able to come and drove together!) came out from the Bay Area to meet us at the hospital. By the time we got there, I was having very painful contractions, some of them coming every two minutes. In between contractions, we took a picture where we parked the car:
(notice I’m still in my jammie pants – I didn’t have it in me to get fully dressed, lol)
Usually when you go in to the hospital to have a baby, they put you in triage to see if you’re truly in labor before they’ll admit you. But the nurse at the check in area said to another nurse “this one’s in real labor – she’s an admit”. She could tell by looking! So I got to skip triage and get right into a room. Around 11am I was 3cm but 100% effaced and having serious contractions. This is in between contractions:
I opted for an epidural (have done one labor with and one without and already knew I was going to go for the epi this time). By noon the epi was in place and I was 4cm. My sisters showed up around 12:30p I think. I was soooooo glad they made it, it was so exciting for all of us!!
By 1pm I was at 9cm! So they started getting all the birthing stuff set up in the room while my Dr (yay, he was there too!) kept a close eye. By 1:20p I was at 10cm and it was time to push. Four sets of pushes later she arrived at 1:35pm! It all went so fast, we couldn’t believe it! She was 7lbs 15oz (just 1oz shy of 8lbs, but she looked SOOOOOOO tiny to me!) and 19 1/2 in long. I can’t tell you how amazing it was.
Ron’s parents arrived at around 2:30p and got to visit and then Ron & his dad went to pick up Drew & Holly from school since they get out at 3pm. Talk about perfect timing!! Drew and Holly were so excited to meet their new baby sister:
I can’t believe we’re now a family of FIVE!!
We went home from the hospital on Sunday afternoon. And at this point we still HAD NO NAME for our baby!! So we left the hospital with “Girl Summers” lol.
(in her car seat before we clicked her in)
The journey of giving birth and bringing baby home has been amazing, I can’t even describe it. Of course, there are some things I’ve forgotten since I had my last baby 8 1/2 years ago:
1. How tiny newborns are. Really, you’d think after my 3rd that this wouldn’t surprise me so much, but I can’t get over how tiny she is. She’s just. so. tiny.
2. How cute the newborn noises and facial expressions are. Yep, forgot that too. The little faces she makes just kill me. Yawns are the best. And the coos and sweet little noises… oh my gosh, I’m dying, she’s so cute.
3. How painful it is when the milk comes in. Um ya, forgot some of the bad stuff too. In all the years Ron has known me, he’d have to think really hard to think of the times I’ve cried from being in pain, even throughout my sternum surgery ordeal several years ago. Wowie, Monday was a killer. The worst out of the three times I’ve been a mommy.
4. How I can stare at her by the hour. I can’t get over it – she’s just so unvelievably beautiful and perfect and yummy.
5. The indescribable joy and contentment of having your newborn baby sleep on your chest. That’s about the best I’m going to be able to translate that into words.
After we got home we were trying different names on her. We didn’t decide until Monday night late that Jaimee was it. P.S. Ron was the one who wanted that name spelling. It was really important to him so I let him have it. And he let me have Grace (he wasn’t a big fan of that name). So Jaimee Grace it is and we both really love it! We’re still working on the whole breastfeeding journey – it’s been a rocky ride. But hey, she’s less than a week old so we’ve got time. Looking forward to that being normalized though.
And of course, we’ve taken tons of pics of her. Here are a couple cute ones from yesterday:
(ok, just looking at this right now is making me want to run over to the bassinet and give her a big kiss on the cheek)
(we call this pose “Touchdown!”)
Well, it’s time to feed her so I gotta run. Then we’ll probably nap together. How blessed am I?
oh kathleen she’s beautiful! and i love the name too. jamiee has always been a fave of mine too. bravo!
and i’m still mad because you look fantastic in that birthing bed. woman, don’t you ever look bad??? it’s just not fair. LOL
hugs all around at the summers household! 🙂
Kathleen! She is absolutely beautiful! congrats to you and the family! Glad you are all doing well.
Oh she is just beautiful!! Congrats again! You broght back lots of memories from about 9 months ago – some I miss and others I’m glad we’re past. She’s the same size my baby K was and YES – they seem so TINY! Too bad she’s a big 24 lb lug now. Enjoy that tinyness while it lasts. 🙂 Oh, and dang you look good!
My goodness, I just give up on you ever looking even slighly not beautiful. Good grief – even in labor! Seriously, newborns are pretty because they are babies, but she is really really pretty! no wonder you want to stare at her all the time. She already has that little girl look too. Her name is perfect and I am so glad you kept Grace. I love the name and dh’s favorite Aunt was Grace so he says you did very well.
Love the photo with the sign – too cute.
Kathleen,
She is absolutely beautiful!! Takes after her mommy for sure. I’m so glad you are home (and hopefully resting). My thoughts are with your sweet family as you enjoy your Little Miss.
Big hugs!!
Yeah for Grace! I put that in the text message! LOL! That is my daughter’s middle name & yes, it is a constant reminder that grace is what God has given and grace is what we should give to others. 🙂
Congrats!! She is just beautiful – so jealous 🙂
OHHHHHHHHHH!! Look at her! She’s beautiful!
And you…how is it possible to look THAT GOOD in labor and immediately afterward? I give up. You rock.
She’s the exact size & weight that Ella was! Congratulations!!
What a gorgeous baby girl (did we expect anything less?)! Come On Kathleen, you are not allowed to look that good in labor and delivery pictures. Momma and baby are beauties, and I love the joy in the family photo…everyone looks so thrilled to welcome her. She is an amazing blessing. Just loved your 5 reflections on motherhood the 3rd time around. Best Wishes to all!
Hugs!
Kathleen, she’s just beautiful! Kimberley shared pics the other day after her visit, but it’s so great to see more!
Congratulations on this wonderful blessing to your family! I love the family of five! 😀
And yeah, she does look sooo tiny! 😉
Congrats, Kathleen!!!! She’s just beautiful — and holy cow, woman! How can you look that gorgeous in the middle of BIRTHING. A. BABY?!?!?!?!?! It is just NOT fair. I repeat. NOT. FAIR. 😉
I love the “touchdown” pose. Isn’t is so funny how newborns sleep with those arms just thrown up over their heads like that? Both my girls actually still sleep like that more often than not. Makes us chuckle still…
Congrats again — I’ll be checking in often for updates!
Love you,
Aud
Oh Kathleen she is seriously beautiful! I just keep staring at her pictures 😀 She is soooo pretty! Congratulations on her safe and healthy arrival and best wishes to you and your family as you enjoy being a family of five 😀 .
awww, she is absolutely gorgeous Kathleen!
You look amazzzing 🙂
congratulations
awwwwww. she’s beautiful! congratulations on your new family of FIVE!
She’s adorable. Congratulations!
Ohh wow! She’s so pink and pretty! What a complete sweetheart she is… and you are so beautiful, Kathleen, even while in labor and birth! Not fair! I think her name is cute and fits her well!
Congratulations to you and your family!
I am totally teary-eyed because she’s so beautiful and the journey went SO well for you. I’m so beyond thrilled for you all. (((HUGS)))
CONGRATULATIONS!!! She is beautiful!!! And you look FABULOUS!!! Even in labor you look better than I do after spending the morning “getting ready”!!!! =) Hope the breastfeeding gets better soon!
CONGRATULATIONS!! She is SO beautiful. And you look wonderful; before, during AND after!
How wonderful!
I’m expecting a baby girl (Hannah Grace) in June and have an (almost) 4 year old little boy now.
Enjoy your new family member and God bless your entire family! Thanks for sharing some adorable shots of her!
She IS. so.beautiful. CONGRATULATIONS! What a wonderful, wonderful blessing. ADORABLE! I can’t tell you how happy I am for you… I’m tearing up as I type this. Amazingly beautiful “birth” day. Seems like things went so smoothly for you. And you look amazing. She takes after her mom. What a blessed family!
OMG – How did I not even know you were pregnant – guess I’m really more out of the loop than I thought. I am sooo tickled for you – & am just awed at how beautiful she is – wow. I can really relate to your revisited journey to “new” motherhood, too. You put it so well. Hugs all around, & again, big congratulations.
Cindy Caudle
Kathleen, she is simply beautiful.
Congrats on your new baby girl.
Just amazing! How adorable to think to take that last minute photo by that parking sign! Way cute!
I never get over how tiny a newborn looks. It is always beyond words!
Oh Kathleen! she is so beautiful and loved reading the whole story which was amazing! Another stunning child to add to the best looking family ever!
Congratulations my friend! Who would have guessed from the Days of Crossed Paths, where we would all end up…and be doing just these few short years later! Simply simply amazing….
Oh Kathleen!!! She is just so wonderful I could just eat her up! She is so precious that it makes my uterus hurt!!! Ya know the happy pains you feel when something is just so beautiful? Well, I am having those right now. hehehe!!! Unbelievably happy for you and your family! And I agree with everyone else- it is sickening how beautiful you look while in labor!! Her name is perfect! Goog job mom AND dad!
Big (((hugs))) to you all!
Kathleen she is beautiful! Congratulations sweetie!!!
She is absolutely gorgeous, a perfect little bundle of joy!! You look amazing from start to finish and I just love the family photo.. you’re all glowing. So excited for you, your story brought back many memories. ((hugs)) and big congrats!!
Wow…I totally predicted Friday would be the day! Yeah for you. You have got a beautiful baby that completes your beautiful family. And I must say…..you looked awesome through it all. Wow…I always looked like I got hit by a truck..LOL. Thanks for sharing this special moment with us. Congratulations!
Congratulations on your absolutely gorgeous baby girl! I’m so happy for you!
Ang
Congratulations – she’s beautiful! And you look fantastic too!
Congratulations, Kathleen!!!! She is absolutely gorgeous. I can see why you’re such a proud mama. And, yes, you look AMAZING in every one of those photos. You’d die if you saw me right after I gave birth!!! Enjoy every second of it all!
Congratulations to all of you!! She is BEAUTIFUL!!
Awesome! What a little cutie. Congrats to you and the whole family!
-R
Oh Kath!! This email brought me to tears……..so beautiful!! Congratulations to all of you!! We especially LOVED
Your email brought me to tears. Congratulations to all of you. We especially loved the picture with Jaimee Grace, Ron, Holly, Drew, and YOU!! So glad Julie and Melissa made it “in time”……………..
Adirondack Bear Hugs to all of you,
Mike and Sandi Raymond
OH Kathleen!!! She is PRECIOUS!!! Only you could look that stinking good, even in labor!! lol She is adorable , as well at your other kiddos. Blessed you are my friend!
Congrats to all of you!!!
Huge congrats! She’s gorgeous!
Kathleen she is so beautiful!!! Congratulations to you all on your awesome family of FIVE!!! 🙂 I hope you have good luck with your nursing! (And, hey, I was a breastfeeding counselor for a couple of years. If you wanna call me, I’d be delighted to give any encouragement I can to ya!! 🙂 )
I am so happy that Miss Wonderful is here and all is well with Mommy and Baby. She is just so………beautiful. Both Bill and I wish Jaimee all the love, health and happiness this world can offer her. We are anxioius to see all 5 of you.
She is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations on becoming a family of 5…we sure do love it! :o)
Congratulations Kathleen!!! She is just georgous. I love your story from beginning to end. Snuggle her tight for me.
OH Kathleen, she is just beauuuutiful!! I can’t wait to see her in person. (you up for a visitor..haha) Love the name too…hey, both of us have girls with “ee”…love it!! Congrats to the both of you! 🙂 Hugs!
What a treasure little Jaimee Grace is! May the Lord bless you and your family as you enjoy getting to know your baby girl!
love, Julia
I’ve been checking your blog every day for a week now – didn’t want to hound you with emails…and the wait was so worth it…she’s simply gorgeous, Kathleen! Congrats to you and Ron on your newest little princess! Big HugZ!
Kathleen,
Your baby is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations!
Congratulations Kathleen and family! She’s beautiful! I love her name, especially Grace. Welcome Jaimee Grace!
What a gorgeously beautiful baby. My two year old little boy came into the room as I was looking at the pictures, and even he had to ooh and aww over them a little bit. I can’t believe how beautiful you look through the whole process of having a baby.
Congratulations!!!
She is gorgeous Kat 🙂 Congratulations! (May I pipe in, I cannot get over how big Holly and Drew have gotten! omgosh!)
Congrats Kathleen and Ron. She is just a doll! What a beautiful sweet little baby girl. And I thought the same thing as Jill when I saw the pic with Drew and Holly… they are getting so big!
Okay, your whole family is just too stinkin’ cute! And your new addition is beautiful! Congratulations! And am I psychic or what…didn’t I say Friday would be the day…lol.
Hope you and baby are doing well. Take care!
Jen
your baby is so cute!! my mommy thinks shes cute too!! 🙂
love jade!
congratulations kathleen, she is beautiful! it was nice to meet you at cha 🙂
Congrats Kathleen!!!! She is beautiful and such a cutie!!! 🙂
May your family enjoy all the new little blessings!
Congrats, Kathleen! She’s so beautiful and sweet! 🙂
Very sweet! You look WONDERFUL too. Congratulations to the Summers family of 5! More pink layouts to come, I’m sure. :o)
What a gorgeous baby girl! Congratulations to you!
She’s soooo beautiful, can’t wait to hold her, I guess I have to wait till tomorrow to see her .
Love,
your sis
Congrats!!! I forgot all of those things too…and my oldest is only just to turn 3! Great name by the way. Not to many Jaimee’s out there anymore 😀
congrats kathleen!! SO beautiful 🙂 I’m so happy for you 🙂
Oh Kathleen she is a perfect doll!! Congratulations to you all. And I must add, you look beautiful, as always.
Kathleen, she is gorgeous! I loved reading your post…you are right, we forget all the little things about newborns that really aren’t “little” are they? Congrats on the addition to your already beautiful family. I never looked as good as you moments after childbirth 🙂
Congrats! Jaimee Grace is beautiful! I had to laugh at the photo of you next to the expectant mothers parking sign – that’s a sign of a true scrapbooker there. LOL 😀
What a beautiful family! Congrat’s to you… she is SOOO sweet. ((HUGS!)) Happy Easter!
I honestly cannot express adequately how beautiful you both look. You were positively glowing and Jamie is simply beautiful. You are all one very attractive family of 5!! Give her some kisses and cudles for me.
oh she is just beautiful!!!! and you look so beautiful, too!! love the belly pic, just perfect!!! makes me want another one!! super congratulations! may your days together always be blessed.
janet
Oh look at those tiny fingers! I’m always amazed by their little parts as well. Congratulations on your new little girl!
Kathleen Congratulations! She is beautiful! And you look great! BEYOND great! I am so happy everything went well for you……
Kathy, congrats and my goodness, Jaimee Grace is just beautiful and how perfect, and what a wonderful journey and lovely documentation!! Five, a loving family. Barbara Loveless shared the scrapbook with me, and I am so happy she did. Lots of wonderful luck with your new wee one. My prayers are for your whole family, of course Mary and George. You done good, kid!!!
She’s gorgeous! Congratulations!
What a lovely addition to an already beautiful family, Kathleen.
In [czarist] Russia during Easter, it was said, “The gift of an egg is very special.”… Your ‘hatchling’ is a wonderful example of that ‘truth’.
Thank you for sharing your celebration with us, my friend.
Congratulations Kathleen! Wishing you and your family all the best with your beautiful baby girl.
So very happy for you and your family. You look so happy and glowing I am so amazed at how great you look after giving birth. She is absolutely beautiful and you have every right to be a proud mommy. I am so jealous.
oh, congrats! What a precious darling she is–wonderful pictures!
Oh I am so happy for you and your entire family! I wish you much joy… and tons of energy!
Martha
Beautiful baby girl !!! Congratulations. Reading your post brings back wonderful memories of my little baby Alex who was born January 15.
Hi Kathy and Ron, We are so thrilled!! We can’t wait to see her. She is so beautiful, what a gift from God. We love you and pray that every day will be a blessing and that at an early age Jaimee will accept Jesus into her heart and serve Him all her life. Frank and I love these pictures, we couldn’t stop smiling and thanking God. ALL OUR LOVE, HILL & FRANK
I love my new baby cousin
Wow just have to say…she is soo pretty! AND..our daughters share the same b-day! Only mine was turning 8 😦
Time goes so fast! Truly stop and enjoy every second.
Congratulations!
She is the most adorable little girl!!! Oh my goodness! I hope you are able to take time to relax and enjoy these first weeks. Even so, I can’t wait to see you start scrapping the babe. 🙂 Ohhhhhhhh…I am so excited for you and your family. She is such a beautiful little addition.
Kathleen
Thanks for sending the beautiful pictures. What a cutie!!!
Sorry it has taken so long for me to get back to you – Hopefully we can get the kids together soon.
I would love to see little Jaimee Grace in person.
Take care,
Mary
hoooooooooo! she’s soooo cute!!! A family of 5 is great (we are 5 too). When i see your sweet little Jaimee Grace i want an other one. Enjoy your time together.
Josée From canada
So glad to hear your birth went so well!! We are still waiting for our little girl to arrive… possibly this week…We’ll let you know when she arrives!
Candi
Kathleen she’s beautiful. I’m glad it went so well for you and I can so relate to all that you are saying in this post. Babies are so perfect…just tiny little blessings!
Love to you and yours,
Erin
She is absolutely beautiful!! You’ve taken “enabler” to a whole new level for me!!! LOL What a great post, I love everything you shared. I could just squeeze Jaimee myself. So stinkin’ adorable! Sigh…I’m soooo happy for you! And it is NO surprise she is so beautiful. Not at all. 🙂
((HUGS))
She is absolutely beautiful, beautiful name. Glad the whole family is well.
Congratulations! Your observations jogged my memories of when my son was born. TFS! Love the pictures of your precious Jamiee Grace! Aloha!
Congrats. Your baby is so beautiful. Cherish these moments they away so fast.
She’s adorable; Congratulations!
Oh my she is absolutely gorgeous!! And from one Jamie to another..you couldnt have picked a better name if I say so myself!! lol! I have four sons..and if I could have had a baby girl I would want her to be as Beautiful as yours!! You have such a beautiful family. And you looked just too darn good for a gal who JUST had a baby!!! 🙂
Take care and Congrats. to you and your husband!!
Jamie
Congrats to the sweet baby-girl! The name is so beautiful.
My baby comes in June and it´s a girl too.
Hugs,Andrea
She is beautiful! Thanks for sharing your story and you looked way too comfortable in labor 🙂 and incredibly gorgeous when she was born.
[…] around 10:30am to go do that. We took a photo in the parking lot by the sign (same thing we did last time when Jaimee was born): I just love the trees in the background. It was a gorgeous fall […]