So a week ago today Aaron and I sent Sullivan off to his favorite babysitter’s house and we went to the hospital and had a baby. Surreal!

I know some of you were wondering — and I honestly haven’t had the energy to reply to all the emails and comments on the blog and on flickr and twitter — the whole experience was really good actually. The c-section wasn’t at all bad. I’ll admit there were moments that I was really afraid; when they brought me into the OR by myself for the spinal anesthesia I was definitely overwhelmed by all the things in there — cutting things and pinching things and machines that go bing! Getting the spinal was probably the most painful part, but the doctor was very competent and reassuring. Because Aaron wasn’t allowed to be in there with me until right before they started, I was super nervous and my teeth were chattering, but the OB was very kind and tried to make me as comfortable as possible. When they finally let Aaron in the room and began, I felt at peace and totally calm. A few minutes later, Freyja was born! She weighed 9lbs 5oz and was 22.75″ long.

Our hospital stay was rather uneventful. I was bed-bound the first day/night. We finally named her some seven or eight hours after she was born. I told Aaron to pick her name since I picked Sullivan’s name. He suggested I pick the middle name and that it could be anything I wanted. So that’s how we came up with Freyja Haiku.

Sullivan came to visit her that afternoon. He was curious but not all that impressed. He’s figured out since that Freyja is here to stay. He’s been really good about it too. He gives her kisses and says “Frey is nice” or “Baby is nice” when we ask whether or not he likes her.

Freyja almost never cries. I could probably count on my hands the number of times she’s cried since I brought her home. She sleeps a lot — most of the day really. She wakes up when she’s hungry and she’s usually awake around seven in the morning. That’s fine with me — I like being awake at that time too.

After Sullivan was born I think Aaron and I spent most of the time with our noses behind a camera — determined to record every precious moment. As new parents we were totally shell-shocked too — frantically running around and completely at the mercy of all of his whims. He was kind of a whiny baby. It actually hasn’t been that way at all this time. I think we’re both just soaking it all up and relaxing this time. I have shamefully few photos of her since we’ve come home (how many pictures of a sleeping baby do you really need?) and she’s just been a breeze to take care of.

I’m recovering really well. I was surprised by how quickly I was able to get out of bed and start moving around after major abdominal surgery. I’ve had moments of very sore-ness (like today, when I think I overworked myself a bit in the garden), but overall I feel really good. I even got out and drove around town for a hot minute yesterday. Aside from the wee bit of gardening, I’ve been reading mostly. And ironing and organizing my fabric. I’m almost ready to get back to work. Not quite yet, but almost!

I’m not sure what my favorite moment of the past week has been. I don’t think I have a favorite yet, but waking up each morning with all my babies and my husband has been really satisfying. I’m really happy. Really!