Olivia JulieAnn Graf- July 21, 2008

Monday, July 21st was a beautiful day for our family as we welcomed in our new little girl! She was born at 3:01 on her daddy's birthday!!! Weighing 7 lbs. 2 oz. and measuring 20 inches long. She is a sweet little baby who loves to cuddle! We've already nicknamed her "snork" because she makes funny little snorting noises! What a blessing it is to have her as part of our growing family!

Our birth experience: I had to be induced with Olivia as I was a week and a day overdue. It ended up being such a blessing that I am so grateful for because I was GroupB Strep positive and needed to have intravenous antibiotics for at least 4 hours before having her. After the broke my water at 1:30 p.m. I went right into hard labor and had her within an hour and a half! So if I had gone into labor on my own I wouldn't have been given enough antibiotics and Olivia could have been a very sick little girl! I thank a wise Father in Heaven for protecting our little girl!!!

Olivia was born very fast! My nurse went to go get my doctor when she was having a hard time keeping track of Olivia's heartbeat. I had just asked for an epidural because I was having hard, fast contractions and back labor. When my nurse came back with my doctor a few minutes later my doctor said, "Wow, Hannah! Are you feeling like you need to push?! " I said, "YES!!!" She checked me and said, "You're ready, let's push with the next contractions!"

It was that fast! I had my mom and Chris there helping me and encouraging me while pushing and we all experienced Olivia's natural birth together! They immediately laid her on my chest and I fell in love with my sweet little girl!

Isn't it amazing that we brought this beautiful girl into the world? What a miracle!!!

Daddy's- they think they have it hard! Chris fell right asleep after he met and held Olivia! We woke him up so he could see her being washed and weighed though!

She didn't like being all naked and cold!

First bath- she loved having her hair washed and brushed by my mom!

All snug as a bug in a rug! Now Daddy gets to hold her and tell her he loves her!

My mom- Grammie Morgan, who was able to be there for the birth! She was a wonderful help. I love you mom! It's so special and bonding to share something like this with the woman who gave birth to you and brought you so humbly into the world.

After a few hours my Dad and Andrew came up to see us. Andrew had watched Brady for us and Grandpa brought Brady to the store to buy some balloons- one for him and one for Olivia! He walked in so happy and proud with the baloons clipped to his waistband!

We had talked so much about Olivia coming into our family so Brady came right up to the bed and crawled up to see her! I asked him what he thought and he said, "She's good!" Then, without skipping a beat, he said, "I'm soooo excited that Olivia is born because now I can open my present!!!"

Brady and I had gone shopping to pick out some special things that he could give to her and he chose a ladybug blanket and stuffed animal for her. We'd had it on the kitchen counter ready to bring to the hospital for weeks and we also had a gift bag for him, so that's why he was so excited! He had been a VERY patient big brother so we took the time to open some gifts to him from mommy and daddy and some from Grandpa and Grammie. He got lots of special things to play with down at Grammie and Grandpa's house and was so excited!

Then he opened Olivia's gifts and "showed" her what he got for her! It was a great way to make him feel special and connected to the experience. He wanted to hold her and kiss her and has done a very good job of playing quietly and listening to mommy and daddy!

Our little family!!!

"Good job Mommy!!!"

One proud Grandpa! My dad- Grandpa Morgan

My little brother, "Uncle Andrew"

The next day my mom came over with Brady to visit us. The hospital gave him a little cake so he could wish Olivia a happy birthday! We all shared the cake and then he had some time playing games and taking a walk with daddy.

The hopspital treated Chris and I to a candlelight dinner on our last night. It was lovely and gave us a chance to be alone together. Chris had steak and I had salmon and it was topped off with THE MOST SCRUMDIDILYUMPTIOUS CHOCOLATE CAKE I've ever had!

Today Chris had to go back to work and I got to come home with Olivia!

She is now three days old.