Hannah is Here!

We are so excited to announce that Hannah Marie Winder arrived on Monday, December 8, 2008 at 3:30 pm! She weighed 7 lbs 15 oz and was 22 inches long (much bigger than we or my doctor anticipated!).

I woke up in labor at 2:00 am, woke James up at 4:45 when the contractions were harder, and then we timed the contractions until we thought we wouldn't be sent home from the hospital. We arrived at the Intermountain Medical Center at 7:30, were admitted, and I received an epidural shortly thereafter (which was a lifesaver!). I dilated quickly but my water never broke on my own, so my doctor broke it about 12:00 when I had received two doses of antibiotics that I needed. At 2:45, I started pushing, which was a lot of work, but thanks to the epidural it wasn't painful (and James was a huge help as well!). Hannah was born at 3:30, and James cut her cord as I held her for the first time. The whole experience was incredible!

Here is our gorgeous newborn:

She was awake and taking everything in (not even crying!) for about 3 1/2 hours. We just couldn't get enough of her--I think it is the happiest I have ever felt! I have absolutely loved being a mom from the very first second!

We spent two days in the hospital, and here are some of the fun pictures of Hannah's first few days:

With Grandma and Grandpa Winder
With Grandma and Grandpa McNutt
Our little family!
James gave Hannah her first bath--she LOVED it!
Dressed up for birth announcement photos
James introducing her to cheese (he didn't let her have any!)
Wearing her BYU socks (she's learning early!)
We headed home at about noon on Wednesday, December 10th
So we have lots of fun pictures of Hannah's homecoming and the last two wonderful days that we've spent with her, but that's all the time I have for now (and this is long enough already!). I'll post more soon.