The Malones: Full Circle

We spent Tuesday and Wednesday in the hospital after Jane Claire was born. Crosby bought a special bunny for Jane Claire before she was born! What a sweet big brother. My kids sure know how to win each other over! ;-) Crosby came in the room on Tuesday with a gift bag in tow. Of course he had to open it for her...

Crosby and Jane Claire with her new bunny! I think we will be seeing lots of this bunny in our future...

Bitty Girl and her bunny up close...

It is hard to tell with the swaddle but Jane Claire and her bunny are about the same length!

Both girls showered and dressed in REAL clothes! One of us is happier about this than the other...

Tuesday was busy with family and friends in and out. I had the bright idea to send Blake home Tuesday night to stay with Crosby. Worried about him feeling tossed around while we were at hospital, I wanted to keep his routine as normal as possible before we brought his sister home. That was kind of a mistake on my part! I didn't realize how exhausted and emotional I was at that point. Little Miss let me hear her lungs for about an hour and I started to panic a bit...literally!!! Woah!! That came out of no where and was totally unexpected. Luckily, we made it through the night without Blake. My poor nurse thought I was losing it until I explained the situation...

I woke up on Wednesday morning with a great view of the sun rising over the city. Of course the this picture and the blinds do it no justice. You will just have to trust me. It was the perfect way to wake up. Thankfully I was feeling much better!

Sweet Dr. B came by, on his off day, to discharge me. He apologized for being "late". His wife was at the mechanic dealing with car problems. Seriously? He apologized to me when he didn't have to be there?!? What a precious man. I am so thankful I was given his name 6 years ago. How blessed we have been to have this man deliver all of our children. What a gift...

Getting ready to leave!!! Our attempts at a family picture...

Somebody is just to silly these days!

Crosby needed one last cuddle before we strapped her in the seat!

All strapped in!

Signing Jane Claire's paperwork. Guess that really makes her ours!! ;-)

The nurse cutting the security band off her ankle...

Officially ready to go!

Leaving Baptist as a family of 4...

Such a bittersweet moment. There is something about bringing a baby into the world that makes you want to do it over and over again. I can't believe this is the last time we will be walking these halls as the proud, new parents...

Loaded the new baby in the new car!

Until now, giving birth in the Spring has been full of heartache and sorrow. During my pregnancy, I wondered how I would feel if this baby were to be born on Caroline's birthday, February 28th, or Finley's birthday, April 4th. I wanted Jane Claire's birthday to be full of happiness and joy with no trace of sadness or grief. As He has proven time and time again, God's ways are perfect. His timing, no coincidence. On April 4th we came full circle. It was on Finley's 5th birthday that we took her sister, Jane Claire, home with us. What a amazing gift. Both times we left the hospital without our girls, the weather was overcast, dreary and raining. Not this time! The weather could not have been more perfect. It only seemed appropriate to take Crosby and Jane Claire to the place their sisters' resting place...