Precious River ~ 5 days old

Little Brother

First Bath

Riv hated his first sponge bath at home!

Welcome Home River

On River's 2nd day we were able to bring him home! We both handled labor well and he is the picture of health......nursing great and doing all of the things that he should!

While We Were Out

I found these adorable pictures of Laken on my mom's camera. They are from the time that she spent with her Grandma Ivy and Grandpa Rod while we were at the hospital! Special moments for the three of them I am sure:) We are so blessed to have them near and Laken is loving her adventures with them!

Welcome River Austin Simpson!

On September 5th, 2011 "Labor Day" at 3:57 pm, River Austin Simpson joined our family! He is absolutely perfect at 6 lbs, 12 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. His soft hair is brown and as far as we can tell he has dark blue eyes. He is very calm and spent his first hour of life on Mom's chest and was able to nurse right away. Dad cut his chord and was able to snuggle with him as well. River hardly cried and was very alert right from birth. It was very peaceful after he was born and we will always cherish how surreal those first precious moments were. He has very long fingers and toes, and the sweetest little face. He seems like a very mellow little guy so far. Shortly after he was able to meet his big sister, and grandparents. Laken just wanted to get a close look at him too! I just love the pictures of there first moments together and think that this was the beginning of their very special relationship as brother and sister so close in age! Welcome to the world precious River, we are so glad that you have come!

Laboring River

I was literally in labor with River for 6 days! Contractions came on strong and steady and at other times slowed down. I was admitted and released from the hospital three times during those 6 long days and I don't believe that I slept even a wink during the last three. At the beginning River had a hand in the way so it would have been risky to progress labor unnaturally. So yes this unhappy momma had no pain meds on the long journey from 3 centimeters to 7-8 centimeters over a period of 5 days. The whole time River was a champ and withstood labor very well! It felt like we were never going to meet him, and it was heart breaking each time we left the hospital without him in his car seat! Finally at exactly 37 weeks pregnant, having no sleep for 3 days, and 7-8 centimeters dilated they broke my water and let me have an epidural. And then it was a short few hours until we were ready to push! During this long almost week of labor, Laken hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Breen at our house. Here are a few pictures of us leaving the house for one of our many hospital stays that week;) The last pictures of River in the womb!