Our Sweet Anna

Just some cute pictures of our sweet little Anna! She really is such a good baby. I am really enjoying her and love being a mommy to two girls! Anna made our family complete! We love you so much Anna!

A picture of me, Ben and Anna right after her birth!

Look how wide awake Anna is in these pictures. This is the day she was born! She has always been so alert and looks around all the time. She also smiles a ton. I have never seen a newborn smile so much... and it isn't gas!!!

More Family!

Here are some more of the pictures of our family with Anna! Anna was the best Christmas gift we gave our family this Christmas. Ben & I both agreed there was nothing we have ever gotten for Christmas that compares to Anna! What more could we ask for?

Grammy & Papa with their girls!!

Two cute pictures of Nuna & Papa with little Anna!

Uncle Brad meets his newest niece for the first time!

Ben's best friend Phil was in town from Seattle for Christmas and was able to visit us and meet Anna!

Aunt Heather & Uncle Scott (holding Anna). They announced on Christmas they are expecting their second bundle of joy in August! CONGRATULATIONS! We are so happy for you and can't wait to meet the newest member of our expanding family!

A picture of pure contentment for Grammy & Anna!

Grandma McDowell & Anna (Anna's Great Grandmother!)

Cousin Jillian holding Anna.

Aunt Kristen & Anna

Cousin Connor... he is so good with all of his little girl cousins. They adore him!!!

Claire meets her little sister!

I really had no expectations regarding Claire meeting Anna for the first time. She really is intrigued with babies so I thought she would be interested, but I definitely didn't expect the reaction we received when she saw Anna for the first time. I was holding Anna in one arm and Claire climbed up in my bed and I held her in my other arm and she stayed there for almost a half hour talking sweetly to Anna and touching her face gently. It was the most precious moment I have ever experienced as a mother. It is a moment in time I will never forget! Claire continues to be a great big sister. She absolutely adores Anna and talks baby talk to her all the time. Ben and I always laugh and say Claire is talking in her "Anna voice". She calls her "baby" most of the time, but also tries to say her name which comes out "Nanna". It's so cute! I already love the relationship between my girls and can't wait to see this relationship blossom!

Claire meets Anna for the very first time!

How sweet is this picture! Claire caressed Anna and talked softly to her for the longest time. I was in heaven watching their interaction!

Our new family of FOUR!

I love this picture with Claire touching my face! She missed me and I missed her. I had never been away from Claire overnight. I only spent one night in the hospital because I wanted to get home to Claire.

Does it get any sweeter than this????

Our Family Meets Anna

We are fortunate to have most of our family close by. Because of the Holidays my brother Shawn and his family, and Ben's brother Brad, were in town so they were able to see Anna soon after her birth. My mom and Ben's mom came in right after I delivered Anna and the Grandpa's came in once I was decent! It was wonderful having our family with us to share in the birth of our daughter! More family pictures will be posted!

Uncle Shawn all the way from Illinois!

Anna's cousin Lauren

Cousin Connor... the lone boy! Anna makes the 5th granddaughter for my parents and Connor is the only grandson! Sorry Con Man!

Cousin Jillian!

My Grandpa Stephens... Anna's Great Grandfather!

Grammy & Anna

A very proud Grandpa!

Nuna and her girl!

Grandpa giving Anna one of her first kisses!

Aunt Beth & Anna

Anna Christine has Arrived!

I am so sorry I haven't blogged in over a month. Soon after my last post I fell on my way into church and fractured my right arm at the elbow. HORRIBLE timing, huh! Thankfully I healed within 3 weeks so I only had my splint and sling on for a week after Anna was born.
Our little girl came into the world on December 21 at 9:47 am, a perfect early Christmas gift! Anna Christine Cutting weighed in at 7 lbs 3 oz and 20.5 inches long. She is absolutely beautiful with a head full of jet black hair! Anna is very sweet and quiet. She just doesn't make much noise for a baby!! We rarely hear her cry and she is already sleeping 4-5 hours in between nursing! What a good girl!

I had a very uneventful labor and delivery and was able to get by with just a little smidge of Nubain (just like my labor with Claire). Ben was an excellent coach and support to me and I definitely wouldn't have been able to do it without an epidural if weren't for Ben and his encouragement. I also had AWESOME L&D nurses!! I am so thankful for a healthy baby and pray for her continued health and happiness. The Lord is SO good!

Mommy & Anna

Daddy & Anna

Right after Anna's birth when they laid her on my chest! Nothing else in the world compares to the moment you meet your child for the first time! AMAZING!!

More pictures of Anna soon after delivery.

Anna on the scale. I really thought I was having a big baby so I was shocked she only weighed just over 7 pounds. She actually got under 7 lbs before we left the hospital. She just seemed so small to me!

Isn't she adorable!!

I love this picture of Ben holding Anna! So sweet... such a proud Papa!

I was so thankful Dr. Kilian was able to deliver Anna. He left the next day for vacation and was gone over a week. Good timing Anna!