39 Weeks....Just Kidding!

Today I would be 39 weeks and 1 day pregnant, eagerly anticipating our induction date on Thursday. Our little girl had other ideas, and after my testing appointment on May 22, I was admitted to the hospital for induction. My fluid levels had just gotten too low, which one of the doctors later explained was a sign that the placenta was just sort of giving up the ghost.

Maybe one day I'll write about my induction, labor, and eventual C-section (pushing caused her heart rate to drop, so we did the safest thing for her), but maybe I won't and just show pictures of my sweet girl instead?

Marina was born on May 23 at 3:56 am at 37 weeks and 5 days. We both came through well and I cannot even begin to explain the love I have for my daughter.  All three of us, plus my incredible team of doctors, worked so hard to get her here safely. Diabetes complicated some things, but it also allowed us to see her more frequently and ensure her safe growth and development along the way. 

We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary in the hospital when she was one day old. Funnily enough, my sister's first baby was also born the day before her wedding anniversary!

A family portrait at 8 days old

And can we talk for a second about how much I adore Marina's father? And how much she adores him?? She's a smart cookie, dazzled by him every time he holds her. It's incredible to see their bond emerge so quickly and makes my heart grow three sizes every time I think about how incredible my husband is.

I love our little family and am thrilled for the adventures to come, to see what she will love and who she will become. Our girl is so perfect to us, no matter the efforts of being pregnant with diabetes, being far from family, and being significantly sleep deprived. I never knew how much I could love and am so grateful for being where we are right now.