This Time it's for REAL! Welcome Josie Mae!

Josie Mae Farr

Born July 31 at about 11:15 am

5 pounds 10 ounces

18.5 inches long

35 weeks gestation

She is really here! In the midst of being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, Amy's water broke at about 5:15 am on Thursday morning. We took advantage of some great friends from church who watched our kids and Amy and I headed into the hospital. Amy's blood pressures were elevated and she had a lot of protein in her urine, nailing down the pre-eclampsia diagnosis. I gave Amy a blessing and we both felt very much at peace. Somebody must have told Josie that the treatment for pre-eclampsia is delivery, because she was quickly on her way. Amy had an epidural placed and dilated very quickly and Josie arrived! She did well, with APGAR's of 8 and 9, but was still taken to the newborn intensive care unit for close monitoring due to her prematurity. Amy was placed on magnesium for 24 hours after delivery, which makes you feel pretty crumby, but she was strong through it and started nursing Josie, who has done great at eating. She is a beautiful little girl and we already feel so close to her, and are so grateful for her safe arrival, straight from heaven. Amy is recovering very well, and will be able to come home from the hospital tomorrow. Josie has her IV out, is eating like a champ, and breathing perfectly, but she will be staying in the NICU for 2 more days or so (at least at this point) for some elevated bilirubin levels (jaundice).

Noah and Micah both adore their little sister and were so excited to get to hold her, and were fascinated by the NICU environment. Unfortunately, Deeken is too little to go inot the NICU, but we are hopeful he will be able to meet his sister very soon.

We have felt very blessed throughout this process! Amy's mom flew in from Utah and has been such a great help and support. Our friends from our ward and the hospital have also been wonderful. We wish more of our family could be here to see her, but we will try to get some pictures posted soon. (If I had been the one who delivered the baby and Amy was in my shoes, you all know there would already be 20 pictures posted!) Thank you for your love, support and prayers! She was unexpected this early, but we are so grateful she is here!