The picture that didn't make the cut for Christmas cards due to "Someone's" lack of interest in the importance of spreading Christmas Cheer! 

Look how well she can hold her head up!! 

Getting dressed! 

Sophie getting kisses from Mommy. 

Our new home security system!! 

Sophie's first time in the bathtub! She wasn't too sure what to think about that experience!! 

Our First Week

We made it through the first week with no major problems!! Woo-Hoo!! Where's our awards?? So far we LOVE being parents and I don't think that is going to change at all! Sophie has been wonderful. She only cries when she's hungry so that has made the "guess-work" really easy! As far as sleep goes we're getting less than we're used to, but it's not so bad that we want to trade the little one in!!

The hospital put a picture of her on their website if you would like to see it you just have to go to www.meritcare.com and click on Bassinet on the left hand side of the screen. Then it asks you to either enter her name or birthdate.

This is her favorite face to make!! 

Sophie's least favorite thing to do is have a bath!! 

She's finally here!!

We are pleased to announce the birth of our daughter Sophie Nichole Richard. She was two days early which pleased mom!! Sophie was born at 6:14 am. She weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. and measured 19 1/2 inches long.

Labor started at exactly midnight on December 1st with contractions and mom's water breaking. We made it to the hospital by 1:00 am and labor progressed much quicker than anticipated. The epidural turned out to be the best part of labor and I don't know that I would have been able to make it through the whole process without it!! When the nurse told me that I had progressed far enough to start pushing I thought she was kidding!! I couldn't believe how quickly things went along!

Sophie is a very healthy and quiet baby. She hasn't really cried yet, but each time she needs to she just lets out one scream and that's it. She has a full head of hair and big blue eyes. Ben's already changed about three poopy diapers! We think she's the most beautiful little girl in the world. Everyone is more than welcome to come and visit anytime.

Sophie's First Bath

 

Daddy's Little Girl

 

Sophie Nichole Richard about 5 minutes old!!