Mike, Colden and I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Karl Clan:
Reese Sephora Karl
(formerly known as "Tot")
Reese Sephora is named after my two late great grandmothers: "Reese" is after my maternal great grandmother, Rose; and "Sephora" is after my paternal great grandmother, Shoshana.
Before we get to pictures of my beautiful daughter, let me just tell you briefly about the mayhem leading up to her birth...
Reese was due on November 7th, but I started getting signs that she was not going to wait that long. No big deal, she was full term and everything checked out fine at my doctor appointment, so knock off a week of my uncomfortable and physically draining pregnancy? Sure!! The problem: Hurricane Sandy (aka: Frankenstorm) was quickly approaching - with expected rain accumulations of around 8 inches and wind gusts of over 80 mph. President Obama declared Pennsylvania to be in a state of emergency - this was going to be one of the worst storms to ever hit our area.
Oh yeah, AND there was a full moon the night the hurricane was going to hit.
I started getting more frequent Braxton Hicks.
Scared that I was going to deliver during the hurricane, I put myself on bed-rest for two days. Laying on the couch was not the most fun thing to do, but having Colden there keeping me company definitely made me feel better. Especially when he took it upon himself to rub my feet. (Thanks Colden!)
The hurricane hit our area Monday night into Tuesday morning. I went into labor Tuesday night. Reese managed to hold off just long enough to avoid the storm. Our area was devastated by the storm, but we were one of the few houses that never lost power (thank goodness!)
Contractions started around 6:00pm on Tuesday evening. We brought Colden over to his classmate's house for a sleepover around 7:00pm (when contractions were 20 minutes apart). Mike wheeled me into the hospital (with smiles on our faces) at around 11:00pm, when contractions were 5 minutes apart.
Four hours of labor and literally 2 pushes later (the doctor almost didn't make it into the room in time to deliver the baby)...I met my beautiful baby girl.
Reese was born on October 31, 2012 at 2:15am
7 pounds, 7 ounces
20 inches long
In the weeks leading up to Reese's birth, Colden kept asking to have a birthday party for her. As the nurse wheeled Reese into my room to meet Colden, Colden led the group in a wonderful rendition of "Happy Birthday". He then exercised his right as the older brother and blew out the candle on Reese's birthday cupcake:
I'm not sure if Colden was more excited to have a birthday party or to see that his baby sister bought him a present for being a big brother:
His very own camera. Smile!
I knew Colden was going to be a wonderful big brother - and he took to his sister right away.
He is so loving and gentle. Seeing them together just melts my heart. Watch this video to see Colden meeting Reese at the hospital:
Reese Sephora Karl
(formerly known as "Tot")
Reese Sephora is named after my two late great grandmothers: "Reese" is after my maternal great grandmother, Rose; and "Sephora" is after my paternal great grandmother, Shoshana.
Before we get to pictures of my beautiful daughter, let me just tell you briefly about the mayhem leading up to her birth...
Reese was due on November 7th, but I started getting signs that she was not going to wait that long. No big deal, she was full term and everything checked out fine at my doctor appointment, so knock off a week of my uncomfortable and physically draining pregnancy? Sure!! The problem: Hurricane Sandy (aka: Frankenstorm) was quickly approaching - with expected rain accumulations of around 8 inches and wind gusts of over 80 mph. President Obama declared Pennsylvania to be in a state of emergency - this was going to be one of the worst storms to ever hit our area.
Oh yeah, AND there was a full moon the night the hurricane was going to hit.
I started getting more frequent Braxton Hicks.
Scared that I was going to deliver during the hurricane, I put myself on bed-rest for two days. Laying on the couch was not the most fun thing to do, but having Colden there keeping me company definitely made me feel better. Especially when he took it upon himself to rub my feet. (Thanks Colden!)
The hurricane hit our area Monday night into Tuesday morning. I went into labor Tuesday night. Reese managed to hold off just long enough to avoid the storm. Our area was devastated by the storm, but we were one of the few houses that never lost power (thank goodness!)
Contractions started around 6:00pm on Tuesday evening. We brought Colden over to his classmate's house for a sleepover around 7:00pm (when contractions were 20 minutes apart). Mike wheeled me into the hospital (with smiles on our faces) at around 11:00pm, when contractions were 5 minutes apart.
Four hours of labor and literally 2 pushes later (the doctor almost didn't make it into the room in time to deliver the baby)...I met my beautiful baby girl.
7 pounds, 7 ounces
20 inches long
In the weeks leading up to Reese's birth, Colden kept asking to have a birthday party for her. As the nurse wheeled Reese into my room to meet Colden, Colden led the group in a wonderful rendition of "Happy Birthday". He then exercised his right as the older brother and blew out the candle on Reese's birthday cupcake:
I'm not sure if Colden was more excited to have a birthday party or to see that his baby sister bought him a present for being a big brother:
I knew Colden was going to be a wonderful big brother - and he took to his sister right away.
He is so loving and gentle. Seeing them together just melts my heart. Watch this video to see Colden meeting Reese at the hospital:
Here are a few photos that capture Colden's love and adoration of his baby sister:
My mom and dad stayed with Colden at the house during my stay at the hospital. With their help, Colden made two signs to welcome Reese home:
Coming home...
Home. And enjoying time together as a family of four!
