Wednesday, March 18, 2009

She's Here!!!!!!!!!!!!











It is with gratitude to the Lord that we welcome our new little daughter, Sierra Bella, to our family.

Sierra was born Monday night (March 16th) at about 11pm via an emergency c-section that was needed due to Cori having preeclampsia (high blood pressure). When we got to the hospital to have Cori checked out (she had a bad tummy ache, headache, felt like her heart was beating really hard, and was having a lot of contractions) her blood pressure was so high and they were concerned with the immediate risk of stroke or seizure. Her doctor made the call that we had to have the c-section right then to make sure Cori was okay.

Sierra came into the world, even though she was 6 weeks premature, kicking and screaming. It was the most beautiful sound you'd ever want to hear. She weighed in at 5.3lbs and 18 inches long. Although she currently lives in the NICU unit at the hospital, she has not needed any medication or breathing assistance. She eats well, breathes well, sleeps wells, and has been pretty good at maintaining her body temperature. They tell us she is doing fantastic and doesn't need much of anything other than time to grow. They expect her to be in the hospital for the next 3-6 weeks. She looks super tiny to us, but the nurses and doctors say she's a great size for being just under 34 weeks along. She has a little bit of dark hair around the crown of her head and her eyes are still too new to tell what the color will be. She coos at her mama when she's being held and sung to and she grasps her daddy's finger as he feds her. She has already brought us so much happiness in these past few days and we are beyond thankful to have her. She instantly became the love of our lives right along with her big sister, Jayda. We are eternally grateful to Heavenly Father for the gift of her life and her good health. She's our little miracle baby and after a rough pregnancy (and a year of trying to get pregnant to bring her here in the first place) we are all on cloud 9...Although Cori may be on cloud 12 now that her pain medication has finally kicked in!!

Jayda Grace hasn't met her little sister yet, nor will she be able to until Sierra can come home because NICU doesn't allow children under 12 into that area, but she is super excited to be a big sister. Jayda has brought such an unbelievable amount of joy to our lives and we can only imagine how much fun it will be to watch her become a sister, mentor, and friend to Sierra.

We can't thank you all enough for your well wishes, prayers, and help during this stressful, yet blissful time. We love you all and can't wait for you to meet little Sierra Bella!

With love and gratitude,
Russ, Cori, Jayda Grace and Sierra Bella

13 comments:

Mandy said...

Welcome little Sierra Bella! Congratulations you guys, we are so happy for you! Let us know if you need ANYTHING, we love you and are just so thrilled for you.

Ben and Alli said...

Oh my goodness, congratulations! She is beautiful! I better get ready, though, because I am due only 1 day after you! Alli

Sarah Larsen said...

So I guess you decided on the name, as you know, I love it!!! She looks great in the pictures, just perfect! I can't wait to see her. I'm also glad to hear that some medication for you is finally on board, it's about time!!

Stephanie Pilling said...

Wow! It was definitely a surprise to hear your news--I'm so glad everything is going well! I'm in Pennsylvania still visiting family but will be home on Sunday. Please give a call/email if I can help out at all with Jayda or anything else. And congratulations! Sierra is beautiful!! I'm so happy she arrived safe and everyone is doing okay--what a blessing!

Angie said...

Congrats to the whole family! I'm sure it's a relief to be into the next stages and to have little Sierra in your arms.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your bity arrival! She is darling - looks like her big sis! So very glad to hear things went well and she is doing so well! We love you guys tons! -Johnson fam

Jillyboo said...

O my gosh you guys. I am so sorry that this all had to be so full of scares. I am so grateful that everything has gone so well, considering. Its amazing that she was so big so early, what a good girl to do all she can to make her Parents rest at ease amidst all of this.
I know how it is to have a baby with any type of concern, I know how you are feeling. But I am so happy that all is looking so well, its amazing!!!
I will be thinking about you all. And I am so glad Cori's medicine kicked in now, she must be happy about that.
All my love to you

Cardon Family said...

Oh my gosh!! Congratulations! I have been thinking about you off and on this last week and I kept meaning to check your blog to see if there was an update and sure enough....there was cute sweet precious little Sierra Bella! That last picture where she is looking up at Russ is so cute and her little face looks just like Jaydas. I am so glad that you are all doing well! We are coming back this summer so we will be there around the 15th of April so if I can help you at all I would love it! See you soon!

Darbee said...

Oh Cori,
I just heard the news last night, and wanted to send my best wishes! I am glad that sweet Sierra Bella is here safe and sound. She is beautiful! Congratulations! Please let me know if there is anything you need. I would love to do anything to help!

Jamie said...

Congratulations! That is a great size/length for being only 34 weeks! We will be praying that she grows big and strong quickly in order to go home and meet her big sister! Oh, hugs and kisses!!!

Anonymous said...

Why is it I always cry when I see little baby girls?? Oh they are so precious!! I never cried with my boys, but show me a new little girl fresh from Heaven and my emotions run away from me. Well done you guys. :-) I'm so happy for you!!!

Erin said...

She's beautiful. Very very cute little nose, too, just like Jayda's.

Debra Porter Dickerson said...

Congratulations! She is beautiful and you are truly blessed.