Annie's Newborn Photoshoot

Our sweet little baby had her newborn photoshoot. Take a gander at some of the pictures!

Baby Annie Joyce Jensen

She's here! Our sweet little Annie has finally arrived, and we are beyond happy to finally have her here! She arrived on March 14 at 2:42pm. She was 8lbs, 12 oz and 21 1/4 inches long.

(Warning: Labor Story Details Below!)
I had been 40 weeks and 5 days pregnant, and little Annie was making no effort to leave her little home in my belly. Our amazing doctor scheduled us to go in for an induction on Sunday night, with the plan of delivery happening on Monday.

Last (legit) Preggo Photo

Checking into the Hospital - Finally! 

Paperwork Time!

I started off with some medicine that would prep my body to dilate, and then after 12 hours of being on that, they would give me pitocin. That's the drug that causes contractions and labor to take place. After a few hours being on the preparatory drug, my body went into labor on it's own. I began to feel contractions for the first time, and boy, people aren't kidding about those being painful! The nurse gave me some medicine to help with the pain, but after my water broke the medicine just became a joke. All I can say is that I am beyond grateful that someone invented epidurals. Having that was a game changer! After receiving the epidural, I was able to get some sleep and slept through most of my contractions. Once I hit a 10, I spent about 4 hours actively pushing to get her out. She was definitely taking her time. Towards the end I got a little sick, and then she finally arrived. It took me a second to realize that she was actually out, and then next thing I know the doctor is placing her on my chest, Tyler is crying happy tears and the nurse is handing Tyler scissors to cut the cord. Once I saw Tyler teary eyed, it hit me all that was going on, and I couldn't help but cry too.

Everyone always told me that seeing my husband love our child would make me love him so much more. I always believed them, but never thought much about it. All I can say now is that everyone that told me that was so right. Seeing the love of my life love the new love of my life fills my heart more than I could have imagined.

 Life is good. :)

With Love,
The Jensen's

Mushy Gushy Valentines

Happy Valentines Day!

I hope it's been a good weekend for everyone!

Things over here have been hectic and slow all at the same time. I'm 36 weeks pregnant, and I'm ready for this baby to make her debut! I had a doctor's appointment this past week and it turns out that I'm 1cm dilated, which doesn't really mean much. He said that could mean she could arrive in 3 days, or 3 weeks. Every pregnancy is different. I'm just hoping she won't try to overstay her 40 week welcome in my belly. As good as this pregnancy has been, I completely understand now why women are just done by the end of the pregnancy. It's hard! Poor Tyler probably thinks I have turned into a old woman with all the sounds I make when I try to roll over, stand up or just exist. Sorry, Ty!

36 Weeks Prego Selfie! 

We are mostly ready for this little girl! We have pretty much all the necessities. I have completely gone into nesting mode with every room in the house (except for the garage - that's next...), and my body feels like it has reached it's limit. The only thing that makes me hesitate about her arrival would be that that means I have a baby! It's scary to think of the life change that is going to come with her. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited! However, I'm also nervous about all of the dynamic changes that are coming too/ These are the last few days/weeks of just me and Tyler. After this our dynamic will forever be different, which of course is scary. I'm also nervous about being a mommy and having responsibility over another little Spirit! Eek! It will be okay, but I still feel nervous, which I think is normal - well, at least just tell me that it is if you see me. :)

Tyler and Max helping organize the baby's room... by reading a baby book together ;) ha! 

Here are some pictures of the baby's room. I have changed the rooms around in the house twice since the beginning of this pregnancy, trying to decide where to put her. I also have rearranged this room at least 5 times. Who knows if it will still be this way in a week. Nesting is a blessing and a curse, people. It never ends!

As far as our Valentines weekend goes, sweet Tyler came home for lunch on Friday with all of this fancy get up (pictured below in the middle)! I have been sick all weekend (and overly pregnant), so I think he went a little more out this Valentines day as far as pampering me. So sweet! Not to mention, my adorable dad sent a Valentines card in the mail as well. I feel so loved! All of those surprises definitely made my day! :)

For Friday night we had a mini date night and then a netflix cuddle sesh. Saturday we had a homework day and then dinner at Bonefish Grill (YUMMMMM!). Then today we made some homemade Olive Garden recipes for dinner: Salad (complete with peppercinis - legit!) and Zuppa Tuscana. It was surprisingly easy and so delicious! We ate our yummy dinner and then watched the 20th Season Bachelor celebration on TV. We're pretty cool, and yes, we both are totally into the Bachelor. Don't judge. ;)

Mushy gushy paragraph alert: I love this guy! Four years ago we went on our first non-official date on Valentines Day. Tyler and two of his roommates, along with myself and  two of my friends, went out as a group to dinner, since none of us had dates or Valentines Day plans. That was one of the beginning events of Tyler and I really hitting it off and pursuing each other. Since then I have had the best and happiest years of my life. He has been a rockstar husband and best friend. Throughout this entire pregnancy he has been supportive and uplifting, not to mention extremely considerate and patient. None of which has been outside the norm from how he has been our entire marriage. I lucked out with this guy. Often I will catch myself feeling in disbelief that we have the love that we have. I really am so happy and I can't believe that I have the type of relationship that I was dreaming of as a little girl and as a  teenager. I could go on and on, so I'll spare it. But, truly, I am so happy and genuinely feel so so so blessed.

Thanks for reading our updates. I really do hope that next time I write on this blog, I have a baby to announce! Otherwise, I'm going to go crazy! :)

With love,

Rifka Jensen