We hired a photographer and met with her on Oct. 22nd to take some maternity photos. She was great! Here are a few of our favorites. (Please note that all these photos are copyright Stephanie Shirley Photography - please do not copy.)
Many thanks to Stephanie!
After the pictures, we continued to get things ready for the baby's arrival. My due date was Nov. 23rd, but I was convinced that we wouldn't have a baby until after Thanksgiving. Lesson #1 of Parenthood: things don't always work out the way you plan. :)
We had a regularly scheduled weekly doctor's appointment on Tuesday, Nov. 8th (37 weeks, 5 days), and during the ultrasound the doctor discovered that the amniotic fluid was low. She recommended that we induce that very day. Needless to say, we were a little unprepared for that news! She told us to go home and get our hospital bag (not yet packed!), eat lunch, and check into the hospital.
Dan and I were both a little shocked. We each called work to let them know that we would not be back for a while! :)
We were all checked in and settled in our room by 1:30 pm that afternoon. Things progressed very slowly until about 5 am the next morning when the baby decided he was ready to be born! The doctor just barely made it in time to deliver at 7:03 AM on Wednesday, November 9th (exactly 2 weeks early).
We are happy introduce Harper Tritz Hollingsworth! He weighed 6 lbs 2oz and was 18 3/4" long.
The following 3 photos are again copyright Stephanie Shirley Photography.
The next couple of days were a whirlwind. We checked out of the hospital on Friday afternoon. Harper and I were both healthy and happy to go home! We've spent the last week enjoying our new little family member. Here are some highlights from Harper's first week of life.
Sleeping at the hospital.
getting ready to go home...
all set in the car seat. I think he looks like he's ready for a roller coaster ride.
Hanging out with Dad at home.
After his first sponge bath. He didn't really love it. :)
Monday (5 days old) - first doctor's appointment. He was a champ and already regained his birth weight!
These last two are my favorites. He loves to make little faces! I could watch him all day long.
We'd like to thank all of our friends and family who have sent us messages of congratulations, flowers, gifts and meals this past week. We absolutely love our little Harper!
