
Lera was born on Sunday, October 25 at 9:42 am. She was 20 3/4 inches, and weighed 9 lbs - a whole pound and a half less than Chess! Yay!

My labor this time was an hour less than it was with Chess: only 3 hours. Jared is looking into how to deliver a baby for our next kid, just in case. :)

I was 8 cm dilated when I got to the hospital, just like I was when I had Chess. I don't think the check-in nurse really believed I was in labor till she checked me because my contractions were only 10 minutes apart and not consistently strong.

The main difference with this delivery is just how fast she came out. It took a total of 10 minutes and 2 contractions right on top of each other to push her out.

Talk about intense. I mean, it was fast, but it sure did hurt.

I am so happy I didn't have to be induced or have any medicine. It was an incredible experience.

Lera is such a sweet and pretty baby. All the nurses kept saying how beautiful she is.

She is nursing well and has been happy and alert for good periods of time.

The only time she is not happy is when she's having some gas pains. I feel so bad for her because I can tell how bad it hurts. If any of you moms have any tips for this, please let me know.

We got to come home from the hospital after only one night, which was great, because I was missing my Chess SO much.

There is a new rule at the hospital that no children are allowed under 15 years old. It's because of the flu(s) and lasts until March.

Chess was so excited to meet Lera. More pictures of that event to come.

Thankfully, I have been feeling really good (just tired) and am able to move around pretty well.

I am so thankful for our new, healthy family of four.