Our family grew today from three to four (not including the dog).  This is a very good thing and everyone I know would agree.  This was initially very easy for me to accept and it wasn't until the birth of my second daughter did I realize something very hard for me to digest.  After hours of home labor and a quick rush to the hospital followed by an "active labor" any woman would envy, Piper was born.  Katie held her for most of the first couple hours due to skin to skin and feeding followed by pricks and measures and such.  It wasn't until she started to show some slight distress w/ a cough did I pick her up and hold her for a good 40 minutes.  She laid there with her right ear pressed against my chest and eyes closed finally comfortable and "at home".  I prayed for her.  I told Katie about it and it was good.  

Thus entered my emotional meltdown.  For two days my first born, Avery, had barely seen Katie and I. With inconsistent contractions and a need for a rush to the hospital at any time we kept her with our most trusted friends and family for longer than Katie and I are used to.  Today,  Avery arrived to the hospital with Grandma Viv and Grandpa Jay.  She saw me and screamed.  She took a good twenty seconds to cover a rather length hall and then stopped short to observe Piper's footprints on my right forearm.  She then said, "Baby Piper".  She let me pick her up and take her into our room.

I held back tears as I saw first hand her trying to put together the pieces.  She said, "Baby Piper" and then "hug".  

The rest of the afternoon Avery was off.  She was ornery.  She was whiny.  She took her toddler stage to a new level.  

We drove home, Avery and I tonight.  Katie and I agreed that with nursing and Katie being Katie I would not be of great need at the hospital so Avery got the comfort of her own bed.  Now she is asleep and I see toys, Avery's toys.  Some two years old and some received last weekend from her birthday party.  But I also see infant diapers, a swing, rockers and pacifiers.  Avery sees those things too and I know that she is only a two year old but she knows that