We're Home ...

(ABOVE: Introducing Charlotte Jo Clark - born 12/29/08 @ 5:19pm, 7#'s and 19.5" long)

(ABOVE: Jaden with her new Baby Sister - taken December 31, 2008)

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE Everyone! Be safe and warm!

Hey Everyone in Blog Land ... Thank You all for your kind messages and well wishes! You guys are amazing! Thanks to my sister in law Adrienne for updating the website for a few days. I am happy to report that we are home and happy and aside from FREEZING here in Minnesota we are warm and happy and finally a Family of Four. Jaden is doing amazing - she is already an amazing Big Sister and I am looking forward to the future with these two. Jason is seasoned already and for the both of us the baby 'stuff' has flooded back. As for Charlotte she is doing as good as she can. She is a sleepy baby so far and wants to eat but her tummy doesn't like it much - it is hard for her to eat large amounts but se is finally keeping it down. She left the hospital at 6 pounds 9 ounces so she hasn't lost too much. She has a Dr's appointment on Wednesday to have her billirubin checked - it was 5.7 when she was discharged so that level is pretty acceptable. As for the delivery all went well. I went to my Dr's appointment and my blood pressure was 172/104 - which meant I was heading right in to the Hospital to be induced. We got to the hospital at 11:00 and they hooked me up to pitocin and some antibiotics for Group B Strep+ and let the fun begin. I was starting to think nothing would happen until midnight (even though the Dr said he thought by 5:00). Well once my water was broken at 2:30 the pitocin really kicked in and I could feel contractions. I worked around them until 4:00 when I threw in the towel and asked for an epidural. I wanted to be checked before and when she did I was shocked to be dilated to 6cm. The nurse suggested I get an ITN vs. an epidural because it acts almost right away - even though it wears off in 2 hours. Well by 5:00 I had pressure and my Dr. showed up - he said let's have a baby - by 5:20 ... laughed but who'd have thought that Charlotte would arrive at 5:19 pm and be 'only' 7 pounds ... she is a tiny thing and it feel so strange to be a mom to a baby again ... it should be a fun ride and iteresting to boot. Me - I feel fine ... almost too fine 'down below' ... my neck and back on the other hand hurt like hell and I have a headache that is about to knock me off my feet but I will manage ... and being at home with Jason and FINALLY my two girls makes all the pain WONDERFUL. So welcome Charlotte Jo - here are some photos the Hospital Photographer took today ... and THANK you to my mother in law for all she's done for us since Sunday - not sure how we'd managed the trek without you ... Love you all!

Love ~ The Clark Family ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Charlotte too!