The Johnson family visits

We celebrated Ben's 60th birthday this weekend. He was surprised by visits from his boys from Texas (Brian) and Washington (Ben). Cousin Sage, came with her dad Benji and the boys thoroughly enjoyed spending the weekend playing and laughing with her.

What's happening at 3 weeks old?

We had a playdate with friends today. My friend, Julie, came with her twins (3 months old). Although Elise is holding her own at over 9 pounds (about the same as baby Elle next to her), there is a big difference in development. She still is very newborn looking compared to the older twins! Chunky Will (over 12 pounds) laid next to Elle on the right.

More pictures

So many outfits, so little time....

One week old

Has it been just a week? After many sleepless nights, Elise has blessed us with two good nights of 5 hours of sleep at a time. She really is an easy baby so far, sleeping and nursing well.

The boys reaction

Tanner and Alex took an active role in measuring Elise, and listening to her heartbeat. Matt weighed her using a sling and weight system.

She was 21 inches long, 8 pounds, 2 ounces. Her head was 14 inches.

The water birth

Matt and I decided early on that we wanted to go a different route with this last child of ours. Instead of having her in a hospital, we went with "The Baby Place" birthing center. We saw two main midwives/nurses for our 9 month pregnancy and received top of the line care. Where they really shined was during the labor and delivery. We decided to try a water birth where I was immersed in the jacuzzi tub and baby Elise would be born in a gentle environment.

On April 1st, my contractions were about 6 minutes apart early in the morning. We took the boys to my mom's house and stopped by the birthing center to be checked. I was dialated to a 3-4 cm, and our midwife told us to go out of a walk and come back in a few hours. We did just that, but as the contractions got worse, I voted to go home and relax until I couldn't take it any longer. We came home and within 3 hours, Matt was hurrying me back to the baby place. Now, from 1pm to 4pm, I had dialated to an 8 and was completely ready for birth. I jumped in the tub, and with full attention from our two midwives and one doella, we labored for a little over an hour. The tub helped slightly with the contractions, but they were coming hard and fast. The instruction and direction from the midwives was so helpful to keep me from hyperventilating and from other physical injury that often comes with birthing. Elise's head came first, but her shoulders got stuck. Matt had been ready to catch her, but the midwife swiftly took over, positioning me so that she could get Elise out quickly and safely. It was fantastic! As they put her on my chest, my sweet husband cried for his newest child, his first daughter. It was overwhelming, loving, encouraging and an amazing moment with her. After delivering her, the placenta was delivered and we were both taken out of the bath and put in a queen sized cushy bed to bond with her. No measurements were taken, and the midwives slipped out of the room quietly to leave us alone for a time.

We had no name and no stats to report, but we called our families with our joyous news anyway. By the time many arrived, we had decided on Elise. The other two names were Cecilia or Macy.

Elise's big day!

Our due date was March 23rd. We thought she would come early, as our boys had, so on March 15th, we were ready and showing signs. Alas, she did not come, and she did not come for another two weeks! On April Fools Day, the first of the month, she decided that her day had come.