Alexa Louise

It's been a week now that our hearts have doubled in size!  On Monday morning at 2:25am we welcomed our sweet girl, Alexa.  Everyone told me that the 2nd baby always comes faster, but I guess I didn't think she would ever come as fast as she did!!!!  I had a 32 hour labor (induction) with Quinn so I was thinking maybe several hours of labor in the hospital, not several minutes!

Friday night I started having contractions that were timed out pretty consistently.  After 3 hours, they went away.  Same thing happened Saturday night and again Sunday afternoon.  They progressively got worse on Sunday afternoon, so Tony & I decided to go in and see where I was progressing to, only to be sent home 2 hours later. We had a typical night at home, I went to bed at 8pm that night (thankfully) only to wake with very intense contractions at 12:15am.  I waited an hour or so and when it was unbearable we decided to head to the hospital.  Thankfully it was 1:15am and traffic was slim to none.  We ran every red light on the way to the hospital.  I was proud of Tony for breaking the rules.  He had no choice, but still.  Earlier that day when we went to the hospital it took us about 45 minutes to get there when it should take about 20-25.  It was Golden Week in Japan which is a week that they celebrate children with tons of events.  Traffic was horrible.  So again, SO glad I went into labor when I did!  We finally arrived to the hospital with a wheel chair waiting at 1:40am, 45 minutes later we were holding Alexa in our arms!!!  My doctor was great, although I had no idea who she was.  There were so many nurses doing so many things to prep me that I didn't even know who the doctor was until I asked.  They had to use the vacuum on Lex since her heart rate and oxygen were dropping fairly fast.  Poor girl had quite the bruise the first few days, but it's cleared up now.

Things at home have been going pretty well.  Quinn was great the first few days, but now has been having some behavior issues we'd rather do without.  I think it's a cumulation of everything going on. I stay patient and just pray it's a short phase ;)  Overall, she's a great big sis.  She's very gentle with Alexa and takes her anger out on her dad.  Rather that I guess :)

We are set to leave island in just 25 more days.  I can't believe it.

Here are a few pictures of our girls!

7lbs 7oz & 20inches of sweetness!

VISITORS! 

Jen and her son, Lukas

 Avi & Alexa.  

This was the view from our room.  It was SO peaceful.  Even in the thick of things, it was so pleasant to look out the huge window and see this view.  My aunt Mary told me how much she enjoyed having her daughter Kelsey in the wee hours of the night and now I know why.  It was cozy. After having Alexa, there was something so special about knowing everyone else in the city was sleeping and we just had our baby girl.  The lights were dim, the sound of Lex breathing, and just having that over with was a feeling I'll never forget.  

Heading home!