I guess I can send the doppler back now...

because my dear sweet girl is here with us.

Juliana made her way into this world at 4:41 p.m. on 6/18/05. She weighed in at 5 lbs., 13 0z., and was 17 1/2 inches long.

My OB visit this past Friday afternoon found my BP elevated so I was sent to the hopsital to have my labs drawn. Results showed an elevated uric acid level indicating true pregnancy-induced hypertension and after speaking with our doc, the decision was made to admit me and induce me on Saturday morning. After about 9-10 hours of labor, an episiotomy, a 2nd degree tear despite the epi, a failed vacuum extraction and then finally a forceps extraction, our bundle of love joined us (and man, does my cootch hurt!!)

I don't have a lot of time to post right now as I'm dying for a shower--I haven't had one since Sunday--but oh, the love. If I thought I was in love before she got here, well now I'm a goner.

I wish I was savvy enough to post some pictures. Hopefully I can figure it out and share soon (proud, sweet Daddy's thinking about putting together a Web site for all the pics) but in the meantime, know that we're doing well and settling in. Just as we were discharged yesterday, we had a brief scare where Juliana's bilirubin level was elevated and she became jaundiced so she had to be admitted and stay last night under the bili-lights--which about broke my heart. But the hospital let us 'room in' with her instead of going home. Thankfully, her levels came down today and our pediatrician discharged her.

I'm thinking of each of you and thank you for your love, support, and guidance through these past 37 weeks (and even before that). I look forward to sharing more as we go forward. And now, I've got to go see a man about a baby (hubby needs to use the restroom and he's been watching her while I had a go at the computer).

:-)