Lana Brooke Rein - future couch potato! We missed taking photos in the last few days since Lana has unfortunately gotten her days and nights reversed. We are trying a new approach though and luckily last night we had a picture perfect night. She ate well, slept well and Mom and Dad got multiple hours of sleep. Keep your fingers crossed that she keeps it up!

This afternoon she decided that her new favorite place is the crease in the sofa cushions. It cradles her perfectly so she can lay on her side and stare at her surroundings. I tried to move her back on her blanket but wouldn't you know that girl swung her legs over and inched herself right back into the crease! She was so content I decided not to worry about it and use it as a cute photo opportunity instead!

Lana taking a nap at MaMa and PaPa's house. The first of many Sunday lunches! Hopefully she will not always be sleeping through them in the future! She was awake during the important parts though. She stayed up and watched the Ravens first football game (and victory) of the season. I guess the Ravens are just more interesting than that Steelers game she slept through Thursday night...

Lana's first Saturday Night Dinner! Here she is with her cousins Kaitlyn and Dylan. They are going to have so much fun together when they are older and able to run around the farm and play (and of course her BFF Elise will be there too)! Josh and I really look forward to being able to have Lana grow up with her cousins and we hope that they all become as close as their parents were growing up.

PS ~ Lana turned one week old today!

Lana in the family cradle. We had been putting her in her crib to sleep at nights but she has been waking up more often during the night and we felt more secure having her in our room with us. Not to mention the fact it is a little easier on Mom's surgery incision to have Lana closer by. All the up-down-out of bed action can sometimes be a chore in itself!

This picture wasn't supposed to turn out artsy but since it was taken during one of our night-time feedings it turned out that way! Lana is doing pretty well with her schedule. She sleeps for most of the night (but not always!) and Mom and Dad are feeling reasonable rested during the days. We would stay up all night if we had too though just to enjoy our time together - we know that these days will be gone before we realize it!

Lana spending some quality snooze time with her Daddy. Josh was fortunate enough to use his week of vacation as paternity leave so he could spend Lana's first week home with her and Mom. It seems to be going by too fast. They are getting as many cuddles in as possible while it lasts!

Lana in her nursery for the first time. We were discharged from the hospital this morning and were able to bring our daughter home. It is so nice to be home with the baby and be able to introduce her to her new life at the Rein home. My wonderful sister-in-law even decorated the house as a welcome home surprise!

Lana doing her best Rocky impression. It's amazing how expressive a tiny newborn can be. Most of the time when you think of babies you just think of this little person who lives to eat, sleep and go to the bathroom. But once you actually bring one of these treasures into the world and become a parent, you realize every expression and every gurgle have a deeper meaning. We love her so much!

Our beautiful bright-eyed daughter. Josh and I are just amazed at how alert Lana is already! It is awesome just to hold her in your arms and stare at each other. We keep guessing as to whether her dark blue-gray eyes will turn hazel or brown. She will remain beautiful no matter which color they turn!

She's finally here! Lana Brooke arrived on September 5th at 6:41 in the morning. She weighed 6 lbs. 10.5 oz. and measured 20 3/4 in. She decided she wanted to enter this world looking at it so she was delivered via c-section. We love her so much and can't wait to share all her precious moments with our family and friends!

So good news at my doctor's appointment and hospital visit yesterday - my blood pressure was completely normal! In the words of my mother-in-law "Not working is working!"

Josh and I are becoming very anxious for our baby's debut. I'm actually more nervous about the hospital having an available bed for me rather than the actual labor and delivery part! Not to mention the fact that I may end up wasting up to four weeks of my maternity leave for her to actually arrive. Talk about frustrating!

Of course it will all be forgotten the first moment we hold her in our arms. It's amazing how much love we have for this tiny being we haven't even met yet. The crib sheet says it all.

The time has finally come. The official countdown has begun. Baby Girl Rein is due to make her arrival any day now! The nursery is finished, the last piece of baby clothing has been washed and put away. All that's left is to wait for her to make her debut! Until that time I have been ordered by the doctor to stop working and become a couch potato in order to try to help my high blood pressure that has developed in the last weeks of my pregnancy. I started my bedrest yesterday and am headed back to the doctor's today. Hope to hear good news!