Saturday, February 19, 2011

Sloane Marie

Sloane Marie Ferrell arrived on Thursday, January 13 at 8:42 pm, weighing 9lbs. 4oz., measuring 20 inches long and perfect in every way!

The birth story:

I went to work on Thursday the 13th, determined to wrap up a few last minute details at work before leaving for my scheduled induction that would begin late that night. Around nine o’clock, I started thinking that maybe my water had broken, but I wasn’t really sure. I knew it was pretty rare for someone’s water to break, and there was no big gush like you see in the movies, so I decided to keep working. Eventually I started feeling a few pains and many calls and texts from my family telling me to “GO HOME!” Around 12:15 I decided to leave school. David met me at the house and we debated about whether or not we should go up to the hospital. Our appointment was at 5:00pm and at this point my contractions were still not very painful. I thought maybe we should just relax and head up there at our scheduled time. All of our birthing classes had taught us how slow the labor process was, especially the first time around, so I thought we had plenty of time. David, however, didn’t want to risk delivering this baby by himself at home and convinced me that we should go ahead and drive to the hospital. Smart man! We arrived at the hospital around 4:00 and walked up to the front desk to let them know we were early and suspected that maybe my water had broken. They quickly ushered us back to a room. Once we were situated, they checked me and I was dilated to a 4 and my water was definitely broken. Since I was already at a four I was able to go ahead and get my epidural! YEA! Once the epidural had set in they checked me again and I was dilated to a 9! They said we would start pushing in just a little bit and called the doctor because she had gone home thinking it would be a while. Everything was moving much more quickly than David and I or even the nurses thought. We started pushing before the doctor arrived and had to stop because Sloane was coming too fast. Dr. Bullock arrived and I pushed 2 more times for a grand total of 4 pushes and at 8:42 pm she was out! Those first cries were the greatest sounds I had ever heard! Everything seemed so surreal. I couldn’t believe she had actually arrived and holding her for the first time was a life-changing moment. We are so in love and we feel blessed that everything went so smoothly and that everyone was happy and healthy.

On the way to the hospital! We looked so calm :) Getting closer!
Everyone was so excited!
Love at first sight!
The proud daddy!
Our big girl!
First family photo
G-Mi G-Pa Granny & Grandpa
Great Aunt Sharon
Great Uncle Ricky

We left the hospital late Saturday afternoon and Sloane arrived home to a house full of welcoming family and friends!

Going home!
All of the KD girls & their legacies!
Great friends!
Papa
All of the cousins
Granny & Grandpa
Four generations!
Aunt Sally & Uncle Josh

Sloane’s first doctor’s appointment was that following Monday. She was 21 inches long and had lost a little bit of weight, but since then, she has been growing like a weed! At her two-week checkup her weight was greater than the 75th percentile and her height was in the 95th percentile at 22 inches long. She is a happy healthy girl!
On the way to her first doctor's appointment. It was so cold we had her budndled up pretty good and protected from all of the germs!


We have enjoyed capturing many of Sloane's first experiences!

First Bath
1 week old
First snow! We are so in love!
Happy girl!
All dressed up for Mama's birthday!
She loves her daddy!
Papa & Talana
G-Mi & G-Pa First Valentines



Sloane is now five weeks old weighing around 11lbs. 3 oz. and measuring about 23 inches long. She is sleeping really well at night and she is really alert during the day. She loves tummy time, baths and eating!

A few of our favorite things right now:
When she gears up to sneeze, and then doesn’t need to, she makes an adorable sighing sound that sounds like “aaaauhhhhaaaahhh.”
She likes to “sing” when she eats, she makes all sorts of squeaking and grunting sounds.
She likes to smile in her sleep.
She loves to snuggle her head right under your neck.
She is good at giving cheek smooches.
She has beautiful blue eyes.
She loves studying herself in the mirror.

5 weeks old
We owe a big thank you to all of our friends and family who have helped us along the way! We are so fortunate to have such wonderful people in our lives to offer such wonderful support. A special thank you to my mom for all of her help. I will never be able to thank her enough for everything she has done for us.