Sept 12 (the original due date)

9.12.08

Brenna wasn't supposed to arrive until today but she's already settling in and as you can see, she fits right in with us!

From Brenna - September 2008

From Brenna - September 2008

09.10.08

What time is it? Eat, Sleep, or Poop?

From Brenna - September 2008

From Brenna - September 2008

Brenna's First Week Video Montage

09.05.08 - Brenna is one week old! Time really does go by fast. We are settling in and so in love with her. Here is a video of her first week! Music is "To Make You Feel My Love" by Adele

Brenna's Birth Story

I went for my 37 week checkup on Wednesday, Aug 27. I was feeling pretty good (better than the previous few weeks) and the doctor said I was 2 cm and slightly effaced. I always thought that I would be overdue, I'm not sure why I just always figured that was what would happen. On Thursday night, I was having a harder time sleeping than normal. Instead of my normal 2 or 3 trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I think I probably got up 4 or 5 times. About the fifth time I got up (around 5am) I felt some water trickle down. I though "uh oh, I didn't make it to the bathroom in time, how embarrassing!" I waddled to the bathroom and more and more water kept coming out. I got to the bathroom and that's when I started to realize "Oh my gosh, I think my water broke" I called Brett over and told him what happened. He was really excited. I was in disbelief. No way was this it. I was two weeks early!!! I wasn't having any contractions at all so I waited until 7am to call the doctor. I figured he would want me to come into the office so that he could check to make sure it was really my water that broke but when Dr. Poncy called me back, she said "nope, head right to the hospital" Ok, this was it I guess.

At 7:30am, Brett and I head to the hospital. First we stop at Einstein's bagels so Brett can get some coffee and a bagel. He ran into his boss and a couple other people he knew who I think gave him a hard time when he told them his wife was in labor in the car. haha We arrived to the hosptial shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, water keeps leaking out so I know that my water did indeed break.

Things happened pretty quickly from there. I got checked into the hospital and put on pitocin. I called mom to tell her the news and she headed up right away to wait it out. In a few hours, at 4 cm, I got an epidural before the contractions got too intense. Then I was able to rest for a little while. Then the pushing started around 3:30pm. The pushing was the worst part because it took a lot longer than I was expecting. I was sooooooo tired from the pushing. I'm exhausted just thinking about it again. But it was all worth it when at 4:49pm, you arrived!

Happy Birthday Brenna Bloom Epstein!!!!!!

08.29.08

Happy Birthday Brenna Bloom Epstein!!! She arrived at 4:49 pm weighing 6 lb 1 oz and measuring 18.5 inches. Here is a few of our favorite pictures from the first few days.

Making phone calls and updating facebook telling everyone that I'm officially in labor!

Check out the beautiful birthing suites at Jupiter Medical Center.

Schecky was in town for Labor Day weekend and jokingly said the night before "why don't you go ahead and have the baby since I'll be in town this weekend." We were supposed to have lunch the afternoon I checked into the hospital. It was fun to call her and tell her I had to cancel lunch since I was busy having a baby. :-)

After a relatively smooth labor, here she is! The first thing I noticed was the full head of hair. I always pictured my baby with hair.

Finally I get to hold you.

Such a small baby. The first words out of my mouth when they told me how much she weighed was "God bless women who have 8 and 9 pound babies" because that was TOUGH.

Mom (Grammy) was in the waiting room anxious to come in and meet Brenna.

Such a proud Daddy.

Still can't believe you're here.


Soooo happy.

One of our first family moments.

Grammy and Grandpa Les. Grandpa Les was scared to hold you because you were so small.

Grandma and Grandpa

Somehow I think you'll always have a special relationship with your daddy.


I hope you'll have great friends like Schecky and Colleen.


This is the pic we used for your birth announcement.

Soooo tired.

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Jackie visit.

You arrived early because you didn't want to miss the first game of the 2008 Gators! You saw them take it all the way to the BCS Championship :-)

Great-grandma Ruth

Your coming home outfit that your Great-Grandma Doe made for me to wear home 26 years ago.

Here I am April 9, 1982 wearing the same outfit from Grandma Doe.

Our nurse, Dawn, getting ready to wheel us out of there.

OMG, look how small you were in the car seat!!!!

Welcome home!!!

First bath!

You're not liking it so much. :-(

So sleepy.

Bonding with daddy.

Baby Shower!

08.09.08 - Baby Shower!!!

Thank you to my BFF Schecky for throwing me a BEAUTIFUL baby shower this weekend. This is one lucky baby already! Pictures below. Mom and Joann provided the food and Schecky and her mom decorated and did the games and prizes. It was soooo much fun. Thanks to everyone who came! XOXO 1 month to go. OMG!

Jill (and Molly), Michelle, Jess, Lauren, Ayrial, Colleen, Schecky, Jenn, Kristen, Gina, and Shari. Love these girls!