Madeline!

Well, she's here!  And we love her so much!

Madeline Elizabeth Peterson arrived last week.  She weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces and was 21 inches long.

Preparing for Madeline's arrival was much different than Kahn and Olivia's big days.  I can't really explain why it was so different, but it just was.  Honestly, nothing is quite like having your first child.  It is just so exciting!  And you are completely blindsided by the love it brings into your life.  When we were waiting for Olivia's arrival, I was super excited especially since it was a little girl, but at the same time I had this anxiety and fear that there was no possible way I could ever love anything as much as little Kahn.  I honestly didn't think it was possible to love anymore...my heart was stretched as far as it could go.  Or at least that's what I thought.  About a minute after Olivia arrived, I realized that that fear was just stupid.  I loved her just as much as I loved Kahn.

With Madeline, I was excited, obviously, but it wasn't this over the top excitement that we had with Kahn.  I didn't have any fears or anxiety that I had with Olivia that we weren't going to be able to love her like we did the other two since that was obviously a stupid fear.  I really didn't have any emotion that consumed me with Madeline.  While I was pregnant this worried me...why weren't we crazy excited? Why did we not have any crazy fears (besides the normal 'wanting a healthy baby' fears)?  Why did the whole pregnancy and impending baby #3 seem like such a non-event?  Was there something wrong with me?  I still don't know why we weren't consumed with one emotion or the other, but I just attributed it to been-there-done-that and just being busy with life with two toddlers.

And then she arrived at 7:29am on July 6th and I was overcome with emotion.  In an instance, I was in love.  I was excited. I was beyond happy.  I couldn't imagine life without her in it.  And even though I had no fear about loving her as much as the others, I was still blown away with the amount of love I had for her and my heart's ability to embrace her and love her INSTANTLY!  It still amazes me that I could go from one minute to not even knowing this little human and in the very next moment being completely sick in love. But somehow, it just happens and it's amazing.

There is truly no love like the love you have for your children.  It is true love.

And I am blessed to be able to be truly in love with three of the most amazing miracles in the entire world.

Madeline is perfect.  She is the perfect addition to our family.  And we love her like she's been here all along.

 

I am truly blessed.  I love you, Madeline.