Anya Joanne

My little girl was 1 month old last Tuesday. It's hard to believe that 1 month ago we were meeting her for the first time. Her due date was April 1, but just like her brother she arrived two days early. We felt sure she would come early, but just not sure how early. In the weeks leading up to her birth, my Braxton-Hicks contractions had become more and more frequent to the point that at times they seemed to be constant. And there had been one afternoon about two weeks prior to her due date that I definitely had real contractions. But they passed after I was able to lie down for awhile.
 
On Saturday, March 30 I began having real contractions at about 7 am. They weren't very strong and I didn't time them, but they were steady and didn't stop. Vipul had planned to take Anlon to the Florida Aquarium that morning (his favorite place to go with Daddy) and I really wanted them to have this special time together, especially since the aquarium had some fun Easter activities scheduled that weekend. At this point I thought that if I did go into labor that day, it wouldn't be until late in the evening. But around 10:30 am my contractions were about 7 minutes apart and had become quite a bit stronger. And by the time Vipul and Anlon came home around 12:30 pm, they were 4-5 minutes apart and very strong. I was definitely in pretty severe pain at this point and knew it was likely time to go to the hospital. But I never would have guessed that I was already 8 cm dilated when we arrived at 1:50 pm. I had planned to have an epidural as I did with Anlon, and my doctor said there was still time to get one, but encouraged me to consider going ahead without one since I was so far along and had done so well. So although I was tempted to get the epidural, I decided to go for it without one! I'm really glad I did and also thankful I now have both experiences - with an epidural and without. I can definitely say there's benefit to both, but if we're blessed with another biological child, I'd try again without one.

Anya Joanne Shah arrived at 3:16 pm and she is just wonderful. The Sanskrit meaning of Anya is "inexhaustible" and the Russian meaning is "grace". God has definitely shown us His inexhaustible grace through her life thus far. Joanne was my grandmother's name (spelled Jo Ann) and it was actually Vipul's idea to give her this name. Grandmom was the most Christ-centered person I've ever known. Her heart to truly love and serve others unconditionally was a blessing to everyone who knew her. I pray Anya's life leaves a legacy of the saving grace of Jesus as Grandmom's did.

These were taken by the hospital photographer the day after her birth.

We were really eager to see how Anlon would react to his new sister, and he was so loving towards her. He's going to be a wonderful big brother.

Our hospital stay was brief - we were given the option to leave early since Anya and I were doing so well. So we headed home just a little over 24 hours after her birth.

It was really nice to be home. Anlon was eagerly waiting for us when we arrived and so excited to see his new best friend. He calls her "baby Anya" and now I find myself calling her this too.

 Our families have been a lot of help and gave Anlon and Anya lots of love.

Vipul's sister Amoli and her fiance' Pratik were able to visit too, and we were able to meet Pratik's parents. We had a wonderful time with them.

My favorite time since Anya's birth was the second week Vipul was off from work. It was just the 4 of us and we had such a special time as a family. Vipul has been absolutely incredible, always looking for ways to serve and help lessen my load.

Anya's 2 week appointment - all is well

She really enjoyed her first bath at home.

I'm so in love with my little french fry. She is a cuddle bug just like her brother. In fact, she would love nothing more than to be held all day long (very thankful for my Ergo carrier). And she is very strong. We were still in the hospital when she first lifted her head up high while laying on my chest. I have a feeling she's going to be quite a spirited little girl (like me as my mom says). She is very vocal and has no hesitation making her feelings known. For example, she strongly dislikes diaper changes and cries the entire time, before becoming calm as soon as the horrific procedure is over. And her expressions keep us smiling.

As sweet as these weeks have been, they've also had their challenges - in part because she's been colicky, especially in the evenings. We have found some relief in a homeopathic gripe water called Colic Calm. It usually helps quite a bit, although the evening of her 1 month birthday she was quite unhappy and nothing seemed to help. I tried taking this picture the next morning to get a happier shot, and the result was the same.

She gave us a couple of 4 hour stretches of sleep during the first week, but since then she's been waking up every 2 hours (sometimes every hour if she falls asleep after nursing and I can't wake her) at night. She sleeps in a beautiful bassinet by our bed that we borrowed from our friends the Whites, and this swing we borrowed from our friends the Cullum's has been so helpful when she's had trouble going back to sleep. It has also been wonderful as I know she will be content in it while I put Anlon down for his nap each day.

 

At the end of our first day without Daddy - we survived :)

 But tougher days were ahead :(

 

But the next time this happened (after Anlon woke up too early from his nap and needed to rock for awhile), I just rocked them both together and everyone was happy.

 

I'm little by little, moment by moment, becoming more comfortable as a mother of 2. 

God is pouring His grace and mercy over me as I learn how to be the best mama I can be. I'm so grateful for the incredible gift Anya is to our family.