Happy 1st Birthday, Ivy Lynnae!

Today is a day to try to set aside our grief and celebrate.  One year ago, this morning at 7:23 am, my second perfect and precious baby Girl was born.  After 5 hours of uneventful laboring, Ivy Lynnae was delivered at home, into water.  I was blessed with a second perfect birth, at home.

I remember that Vienne woke extra early that morning at 5:30, obviously sensing that something exciting was happening.  Mark let her come downstairs to where I was laboring, in a birth tub, in the middle of the living room.  Vienne was as amazing through those last 2 hours of labor as you would expect.  She was so excited and never once scared.  I am not a screamer though:  I labor quite calmly and quietly.  When Ivy arrived, all I remember hearing, amongst the excitement, was Vienne's clapping and laughter.  In every photo that was taken during those first moments of Ivy's arrival, Vienne's little hand is stretched over my shoulder eagerly reaching to touch her sister.  As I've always said, all she ever wanted was to touch her sister...from Ivy's very first moments.  It was all my perfect dream come true:  I had secretly wanted Vienne to wake early and to be able to witness the birth of her new sibling. I had also secretly wished we would have another girl and we did!  (We were surprised with both pregnancies).  

I will keep the intimate details of this beautiful perfect day forever etched in my mind.  I sooo wish I could go back a year.  I would give anything.  

Here are a few glimpses...

(Ivy Lynnae at 9+ mo. in utero and ready to pop!)

(Birth Day! - the birthing tub in our living room, my attentive serving husband, my patient and sweet daughter, and my incredible midwife who also delivered Vienne)

(Vienne was the perfect little "doula".  She stood by my head and stroked my hair off of my forehead, fed me ice chips, and whispered sweet encouragements.)

(this is one of my very favorite pictures of that morning - Ivy is just seconds old and the air was rich with emotion.  My release of sweet uncontrollable tears, Vienne's absolute excitement, my mother's calm observation, and Mark's complete awe and wonder, and Ivy calmly and quietly resting in my arms....beautiful) 

(a beautifully calm water birth baby...no cries or wails, just sweet coos and gurgles just like her big sister was.  Born on 1/12/12 at 7:23 am, 7.4lbs. and 19.5" long)

(Vienne's first hold)

(first hair pulling...and Vienne was patient from the start.  She was in true love)

(proud)

(Ivy Lynnae just hours old.  What a beautiful fresh newborn she was!)

(this is one of my most favorite photos of the two of them.   Vienne's smile melts my heart every time...and look at her hands, showing off her sister.)

(at a few days old, I took these next few photos for our announcement.  I was pretty proud of how they turned out.  I make angel babies.  Oh, and yes, I made this bunting and elfkin hat.)

(*yawn*)

(*stretch*)

(*shucks* ... yes, made this darling puff ball hat too.)

(beautiful sisters)

(my dreams had come true)

(sister and Grammy kisses)

(*pretending* to sleep)

(toesies)

The following are photos of Ivy through her first year...

(Ivy ~ 1+ mo.)

(Ivy ~ 2 mo.)

(Ivy ~ 3 mo.)

(Ivy ~ 4 mo.)

(Ivy ~ 5 mo.)

(Ivy ~ 6 mo.)

(Ivy ~ 7 mo.)

**We do not have photos of Ivy during her 8th month which was when Vienne passed away.**)

(Ivy ~ 9 mo.)

(Ivy ~ 10 mo. with a recovering owie on her forehead)

(Ivy ~ 11 mo.)

(Ivy ~ 1 year old!)

(a few snapshots on her Day in her Birthday dress.  Made her that head band with a touch of green for her namesake as well as for her sister.)

(Vintage Birthday Princess.  Had to show off this ridiculously adorable coat and bonnet she got from Kinsey for Christmas...perfect with her Bday dress!)

(My Baby is 1)

Yes, I certainly do make beautiful angel babies.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY SWEET IVY LYNNAE!

YOU ARE SWEET AND GENTLE AND SO LAID BACK.

YOU ARE CURIOUS YET OBEDIENT.

YOU ARE SOCIAL AND HAPPY AND SO EASILY BROUGHT TO SMILES.

YOU LOVE MUSIC AND STORY BOOKS.

YOU LOVE YOUR BED AND YOUR SLEEP.

YOU LOVE FRIENDS AND PLAY.

AND MOST OF ALL YOU ARE A MOMMY AND DADDY'S GIRL!

WE COULDN'T LOVE YOU MORE!