Ridenour Ranch: Introducing Cora Clare

We welcomed Cora Clare into the world at 6:48 am on Sunday morning, May 22, 2011. She weighed 7 lb 11 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. Cora means "maiden" and is a name Gil and I both liked (there aren't many due to Gil's dislike of all names I think!), plus it is his great-grandma's name and the name of one of his aunts (although she went by Charlotte). Clare means "illuminate" or "light", and is for St. Clare, a Fransiscan, so has a Briar Cliff relation. My due date was the 23rd and my choice date was the 21st, so the 22nd ended up being perfect! (in fact Jude was also born the day before his due date, so I guess I know just what to expect for next time!). The labor/delivery went very well (despite the fact that the epidural barely had an effect) and very fast! We got to the hospital at 4:20 am and she arrived a little over 2 hours later. It was nice that it happened quickly, but not so nice that labor was all during the night and then visitors came all during the day. Well, I said that wrong, visitors were very nice, but it was also a very exhausting day! Thank goodness for the first two nights of having the nursery so that we could get a little shut eye in between feedings and blood pressure takings and all the other interruptions you get with a hospital stay. We ended up delivering at St. Luke's and overall had a very good experience. The other bad part about delivering in the morning though is that you need to stay two whole days and part of another. We were SO ready to come home!

Now that we are at home we have been able to get a little more rested. She has done quite well at night. Actually, she is a very content and pleasant baby so far. Eats great, poops great, sleeps great (despite waking every two hours), what more could you ask for?! Jude LOVES his "sisser." He often looks at her and says, "So cute!" He loves to point out her body parts, give her her binker, and play the music on her swing. He has even been willing to share toys (not that she is the least bit interested!). But he has also shown a few signs of jealousy and being uncomfortable not getting all the attention he demands. It was great the day of her birth though. He was on cloud 9 with the baby, both grandparents there, and especially the presence of cousin "Ashy."

It is amazing that even though Jude is only 2, I have already forgotten so many things about newborns. Like the startling reflex, falling asleep while eating, all the guesses of feedings and diapers, and how EASY they are compared to a two-year-old (except at 2 am). It is also amazing how it has all come back to me. Definitely easier for me the second time having a little experience to draw on.

Cora had her first well baby check yesterday. She has NO jaundice (something we were very concerned about since Jude had such a rough start with it. so that means no supplementing or bilirubin lights!). Plus she is at 7 lb 8 oz already. We are just so thankful and feel so blessed! We have been given a very healthy baby girl and have a very healthy and energetic big brother for her:)