Our little miracle, Aurelia Rose, was born Tuesday, September 15 at 7:57 AM weighing a healthy 9 lbs. 7 oz!

Aurelia is the name of a Catholic Saint - an Austrian princess who gave up her crown to escape an arranged marriage. She lived the remainder of her life in the mountains as a recluse devoted to God. Aurelia is also a derivative of the Latin word "aurelius" which means "gold" or "golden." So Aurelia is our Golden Rose.

One last photo before we meet baby! 39 weeks!

Daddy shot - waiting to come and join Mommy in the operating room.

Welcome little one!

It didn't take long for the doctors to realize something wasn't right with Aurelia. They whisked her out of the operating room before they had finished putting me back together again and took her to the NICU. Aurelia had aspirated a bunch of liquid on her way into the world, which we learned is a 10% probability with c-section deliveries. When a mother goes into labor her contractions send a message to her baby that his/her time in there is coming to an end, to stop "practice breathing" amniotic fluid and to prepare to meet the world. Then when the baby passes through the birth canal any liquid still in the lungs is squeezed out by the time they take their first breath. Well, with a c-section there is no "warning" - the baby is just sort of yanked out of the womb and then doesn't pass through any tight passage to help rid his/her lungs of fluid.

Once in the NICU Aurelia had two catheters inserted through her umbilical cord, which delivered antibiotics and other essential drugs. The doctors also placed a tube down her throat that reached into stomach in order to keep air out and then put her on 100% oxygen.

I wasn't able to visit Aurelia for 24 hours since I wasn't allowed out of my bed. Jason would go down to her room and take pictures and video of her and then bring it back to my room so I could feel a little connected to our daughter. It was really tough on both of us - but I married an amazing man and he did everything in his power to help alleviate my sorrow. Jason wasn't able to hold Aurelia any of the times he saw her and he had to make those difficult visits by himself... but no matter how hard it was on him - he always came back to me with a smile and a positive outlook - just for my sake.

The wonderful NICU nurses made this pretty sign for our little princess. Every one we dealt with down there was absolutely incredible and as difficult as a situation as this was - it was comforting to know our little girl was being well looked after by decent, loving people.

Evelyn met her sister for the first time and I missed it...but Mom and Jason took some great pictures for me. When Evelyn saw Aurelia for the first time she kept saying, "Aaby! Aaabby!" She was so eager to give her sister hugs and kisses and was a little upset she couldn't get closer.

Jason told me when Aurelia started crying Evelyn shook her head and said, "Nooo...nooo!" Then she started whimpering too. What a sweet older sister!

Early the next morning they removed Aurelia's catheters and feeding tube. The only thing she was still on was oxygen but they had reduced it from 100% to 30%.

She was now sleeping in this little incubator to help keep her warm.

Day two in the hospital - Evelyn, Poppa and Gram come back for a visit and we ALL head down to see Aurelia! Jason was terrified I wasn't going to make it down to NICU or back on my own so he made my dad bring this wheelchair - just in case. I was able to walk both ways but as you can see the chair did get some use - Evelyn thought it was a great ride!

"That's MY sissy Mommy!"

"It's OK Sissy...you'll be out of there soon."

This was an emotional moment - holding my daughter for the first time - more than 24 hours after her birth. What a wonderful feeling!

And little miss Evelyn was even there! She thought it was pretty neat her sissy was out of that box and she could get a good look at her!

My sweet, sweet little girl - in my arms at long last.

Hello there little princess.

Daddy holding Aurelia for the first time! What a joyful day!

Evelyn finally able to give her Sissy a hug!

We would go back to Aurelia's room for every feeding. I would nurse her and then Jason would give her supplemental milk in order to make sure she maintained her weight so we could take her home. On her third day in NICU they released her! Doctors said it was nothing short of a miracle! They had NEVER seen a baby with as much liquid in her lungs as Aurelia had. When she first arrived in NICU they were confident she would be on a respirator for at least 6-10 days. They were AMAZED at the rate of her recovery and the fact that she NEVER had to be on a respirator! THANK YOU, GOD and thank you to everyone who prayed for our little girl!

Getting a print of Aurelia's tiny little feet.

Jason brought the same shirt he was given when Evelyn was born so he now has both girls' prints on the same shirt. Evelyn's are on the right and Aurelia's are on the left. What a proud and handsome Daddy.

All clean and tube free and finally sleeping in our room!

Gram and her newest grandchild - number 7!

So happy to be out of NICU and with the rest of the family!

"Hey there Sissy! Would you like some of my cracker? It's delicious!"

Our pretty little golden rose.

Heading home! Hooray!

Daddy and both his little girls - home at last!

Poppa and the Shephard girls.

Evelyn enjoying some delicious chocolate covered pineapple that Plastic Kara sent us this morning - it's our FAVORITE!

It wouldn't be a family blog if we didn't post a picture of the chocolate child. Truman is adjusting well - this isn't his first rodeo after all. :)

Aurelia enjoying a food coma.

As pathetic as this is - I just realized this is the only photo of the four of us! Mom caught us all in bed this morning. I promise to post some better ones soon!