Hanging Out in the Crib

My brother and I have a similar picture from when we were little.

Parents

My parents came for three weeks to help us out when Anastasia was born. They are awesome and helped out so much. They played with Elyse, held Anastasia, babysat, went grocery shopping, cooked, washed dishes, provided emotional support, allowed me to sleep in... and the the lists goes on and on. Thank you so much Mom and Dad we miss you!!!

Smile

Happy Father's Day!

Toby you are a wonderful father to our two girls. I hope they grow up to find someone who has the integrity, sense of humor, and kindness (among other things) you have. Have a wonderful Father's Day!

Toby and Elyse:
Toby and Anastasia:

3 Weeks

Anastasia will be 3 weeks tomorrow.

What A Good Mommy

Without any prompting, Elyse asked to have her baby wrapped up and then did this:





Of course it wasn't on video the first time, so I asked her to do it again, but it shows what she has been seeing me and Toby doing a lot of lately. Won't she make a great Mommy some day?

Then and Now

They do grow up don't they...

The Harkless Girls

Knit with Love

Elyse and Anastasia's Great Aunt Pat knit them each a special blanket.

This is Anastasia's:

This is Elyse's (then and now):

Thank you so much Aunt Pat, I know the girls will cherish these throughout their lives.

Answered Prayers

With Anastasia's arrival I have been able to see God work. Here are some prayers that have been recently answered:

• Anastasia's birth went smoothly with no complications
• Anastasia is healthy
• Anastasia has been feeding and sleeping well
• Elyse has been doing great with the transition into Big Sisterhood
• Anastasia waited until my parents were here to make an appearance
• So far there are no signs of Baby Blues (this is HUGE!)
• My recovery has been progressing well

Thank you for praying.

Details

Anastasia's Birth Story (omitting the gory details for your reading pleasure):

So... On May 29th, Anastasia's due date, my mom and I had a great day planned, hoping I would go into labor, but not expecting it. We went to Starbucks, got a pedicure and then went out to lunch. After we got back from lunch, we hung out the rest of the afternoon.

It was around 4 when I began to feel contractions at regular intervals. They began to increase in frequency through dinner. It was after Toby put Elyse to bed around 7 when the contractions were 5 to 7 minutes apart and we began to really prepare to go to the hospital. I couldn't really wrap my head around the fact that I was going to have a baby!

We got to the hospital (NUH) around 8. The ward was full so it took them awhile to check how far I was. Luckily we had a midwife with us, so I felt well looked after- from a medical stand point and a support stand point. I think it was around 10 when I was 4cm.

I was going for a total natural birth (no interventions) so, with Toby's help, I continued my breathing but was having pain in my legs that wouldn't go away. My midwife suggested that I go into the bath tub. She prepared it and I got in, it helped. I also think it help speed things along. In the next hour or so I was at 8cm and then around 10:30 I was at 10 cm. Since I was in the water, I stayed there and Anastasia was born at 11:47 pm, just making it on her due date.

The experience it what I wanted- totally natural. I couldn't have done it without Toby. He kept me focused, hydrated, and positive. He was an awesome coach!!!

I think my natural birth helped with my recovery. Also my doctor listened to what I wanted and helped me get that. I feel so much better mentally and physically than I did after Elyse's birth. Thank you for all the prayers!!!!