Clara Breaghan

Clara Breaghan ("BREE-in") was born on Thursday, April 29 at 5:14pm. She weighed 9lbs, 9oz and was 21" long.

She was 9 days late, and I had to be induced twice before she decided to join our family. However, the labor, once it began was an amazing experience. Yes, I had an epidural, but it was still completely different from the violent experience I had with Gracie at Fairfax hospital. Everything/one was calm, patient, and so wonderful. I can't say enough good things about Loudoun Community Midwives or Inova Loudoun Hospital (labor and delivery nurses were so great, post-pardum nurses were mediocre).

Clara is a true joy. She is such a calm baby. She only cries when she is hungry or has a belly ache, and sleeps 95% of the time. She is eating very well, and already established her own schedule. Gracie has been so great with Clara. She is very concerned about her when Clara cries. Gracie also loves to give her kisses, and she is quickly learning the meaning of the word "GENTLE!" She did pop Clara one in the face tonight when "helping" to give her a sponge bath, but I'm sure those little incidents will happen. Hopefully strong disapproval and a little extra attention will help make the urge to act out not so tempting.

I already feel so differently about this experience. I was very pessimistic about the whole situation until recently, afraid of not being able to give the same kind of time and energy to Gracie and also that I couldn't handle two kids. But so far, so good. I really feel like we've gone from juggling a kid to working together as a family. It's weird that it has happened so quickly, and may be partly in response to trying so hard to make it a positive family experience for Grace. But it has been great for me too. I love being a mommy!