The Day We Brought You Home

Dear Shep,
Tonight I'm writing my first post since you were born. I could not be more in love. You are the sweetest baby. I am soaking in every minute with you and enjoying you as much as I can. You are a mix of Emma Cate and Holden and since everyone says they look like your Daddy and me, you must be a perfect blend of the two of us. Your eyes are just like Emma Cate's and your cheeks and mouth are the same as Holden's. Your nose is new to us, something all your own. As are your LONG, seriously long, fingers and toes. You have nail beds that make your mama envious. You have the best color blond hair. It's not white like Holden's but more of a sandy blond and I can't wait to see how it turns out. Your eyes are a deep navy blue with gorgeous gold flecks. You are a bigger baby weighing in a 7lbs 15oz (although your crib cart has your official weight at 8lbs). You are 20.5 inches long. You don't seem that different than your tinier siblings except for your little rolls on your arm and neck. You have a laid back personality, which we thought you would. You only really cry when it's time to eat. You love to snuggle and your favorite place is laying on mommy or daddy's chest.

We spent a lovely 3 days in the hospital getting to know you. You were born on a Wednesday afternoon at 3:27pm. You met your brother and sister on Thursday and got to hang out with them each day you were there except for today. Today we spent time with just you before we brought you home to our crazy world! Your Dad and I took turns cuddling you and laying with you in bed. We knew once we brought you home, those moments would happen as often or as easily.

Your Gigi and Pop Po came to the hospital to help us pack up our belongings (my-oh-my why do we collect so much stuff!?) and your Gran kept your brother and sister at home and prepared to welcome you to your new house. We spent a few weeks before you were due preparing for your arrival. Your Dad made you the BEST nursery and I spent time nesting to get rid of anything that would clutter up your home. The day before you came home we had the house thoroughly cleaned to prepare for your arrival. We even spruced up Boomer and Sophie. Gigi and Pop Po bought you a stork that proudly displayed your name, birthday, weight, etc. to announce to all the neighbors that you had arrived.

We rushed you into the house to avoid getting you wet from all the rain we received. I immediately went to hug and kiss your brother and sister to let them know that our hearts had grown to accommodate our growing family. They were so curious about you. We brought you back to our bedroom to nurse and Emma Cate followed behind. She kissed you over and over again and is so gentle with you. Holden is a little rougher and can't wait for his football buddy. We've got to keep an eye on that one! Shortly after we all took naps and you did great in your crib! We all woke up and you hung out with your brother for a bit while your sister slept. We laid in bed while Daddy unpacked and caught a few episodes of Chuggington in between the NBA playoffs... my life with boys.

Your Gigi and Pop Po and Aunt Allie brought us dinner and we all stood around and ate as a family. Everyone is so excited that you are here! Mommy's hormones are still a little crazy and I'm wavering between locking myself in a room with you and soaking up all of your new-ness and wanting to share you with everyone. I know now how fleeting these newborn moments are and I want to protect them as much as I can. I'm learning to balance taking care of three. Having children at different ages is much different than having twins. It is difficult to accommodate everyone's needs and be the mama that I'd like to be to all of you! I vividly remember this night with the twins. I was overwhelmed with love and emotion and tears. I feel the same tonight.

Luckily, you slept during the twin's bed time and I was able to put them to bed like I always have and we said our prayers and thanked God for bringing us a happy and healthy baby Shep. We've been praying for you since we learned we were pregnant with you in July! It was no nice to come full circle and be able to praise God for delivering you safely to our family.

Currently, you're laying between your Daddy and I in our bed just snoozing away. I need to wake you up soon to feed you before putting you down for the night (you love your sleep!). Nursing has been tough for us both and I'm looking forward to meeting with our lactation consultant to get some help this week. My body still thinks it needs to make enough milk for 6 babies and you are happy just to drink enough for one :) You get a little shower every time we try to nurse. Luckily, you've been able to take a bottle from both your Dad and Gigi without any problem.

Arthur Shepherd Carroll, we are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents. You are such a blessing to us that it brings me to tears just looking at what a miracle you truly are. I am so grateful to be your mama and cannot wait to see you become the man that God has intended but for right now, I am happy to cuddle my little guy for a few more years. I love you so much.

Love,
Your Mama