Pre-baby beach trip

Darn, no pictures of me as a huge 37 week pregnant whale.  Just kids at the beach. We went to North Topsail (pronounced Tops'l) beach and it couldn't have been more perfect.  It wasn't too hot, not too many people, and no traffic.  I was even toying around with another trip this weekend before soccer games start, but it looks like Irene thwarted those ideas.

Firsts for Rosemary

First bath yesterday (check out her syndactyly on just on her left foot).  And first time to church today.  The girls and I were half an hour late.  8:30 church is tough enough, but add a newborn and we have serious issues.  

Carolina is seriously in love with her little sister.  Really super sweet.

Introducing...Rosemary

Day 1:

Don't let those round cheeks fool you.  She's our littlest yet, weighing only 6 pounds 14 ounces and just 19 inches.  I elected to be induced four days before my due date. The birth was amazing.  I asked for my epidural about twenty minutes too late.  Two or three contractions after I was hooked up, she was ready to come.  In just a few pushes she was out.  Seriously intense pain, but very, very quick.

Tim held for a few moments so we could snap a picture.  Carolina held on tight and cried when she had to leave for home.  Joe had nothing to do with her.  I still don't have a picture of the two of them together.

Day 2:

Some of the worst pictures ever of me are in the hospital following a delivery.  I don't love this picture, but it's the best of all four deliveries, so I can actually post it.  I'd really like to permanently delete all the rest from my computer.

Day 3:

Day 4:

Day 18:

I totally know that newborns can't smile, but this one smiles A LOT.  It's rare for a newborn to cry real tears, but she had a couple of crocodile tears the other day when she woke up hungry and I was outside for a few minutes.  Way to make your mama tear up, girl!

I had a moment of enlightenment today.  Every one of the girl names in our little family comes from Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I knew I was a big fan as a girl, but this is ridiculous.
Our names:
Laura Elizabeth
Carolina Grace
Rosemary Elizabeth

Her names:
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder
mother and sister: Caroline
sister: Mary
sister: Grace
daughter: Rose

Ben said that it sure was a coincidence.  I'm not so sure...