Violet Has Arrived!!

At 5:29 pm on May 31st, (Memorial Day and my Mom's birthday), my niece Violet Kara Wallstrom was born! She was 8 lbs., 4 oz. and 20 inches long. And she's the spitting image of her mother!

Isn't she perfect? I just adore her beautiful dark hair! I actually thought Jack and Cullen would have lots of hair too and I was surprised when they came out with hardly any - I'm even more surprised now that it's turning blonde, but that's another story. I am just in love with Violet's hair, perfect to put lots of bows and ribbons in!!

My poor sister had a pretty rough labor and delivery though. Thankfully, it's over now and Violet was born safely! God is good! And the best part (although many of you might find this creepy) is that I got to watch the whole thing!! How did I watch it while 3000 miles away? On Skype of course! Violet was born at 8:30 my time on Memorial Day so Brandon was at home. He took care of the boys for a few hours while I locked myself up in the bedroom and talked with my family and supported Renee through her labor.

And it was the most incredible thing I have ever witnessed! Renee was so brave, she persevered through an incredibly long, drawn-out and painful labor. I don't know how she did it, she's an inspiration to me! I burst into tears the moment Violet finally came out, more tears than I cried when my own boys were born actually! It was because after watching my sister endure over 30 hours of labor, 2+ hours of pushing, and so much pain and exhaustion and then finally RELIEF - Violet's here!!! It was just overwhelming!

This probably sounds crazy, but it made me really sad that I missed out on the whole labor and delivery process. I have often felt this way, but most intensely after seeing my niece born. I never got to feel the excitement of those first contractions, wondering "if this is really it," the build-up, the incredible experience of actually birthing a baby. Of course I was excited on the way to the hospital and during the operation and when I finally saw my precious babies, but it's different. I don't really know how to explain why I feel it's different, I just do. I'm excited for my next pregnancy (a few years down the road) and I hope and pray that I can deliver without a c-section. I can hardly imagine a more precious or rewarding experience than laboring and bringing a baby into the world! (Note: I know I'm probably making a fool of myself here. Just watch, I will write a post 3 years from now, after having a regular delivery, and will be wishing I had just had another scheduled c-section.) Anyways, the whole point of this was just to say that I am so so SO proud of my sister. You did an awesome job Renee, I love you!!

And here are a few more pictures of my darling niece:

This is right after they had cleaned her up

I just can't get over how much she looks like Renee!!

Well done, Ne! Don't they both look beautiful?

One last sweet story about Violet's name: Jon and Renee had told us a while ago that they planned to name her Violet May. So I was shocked when they told me right after her birth that her name was Violet Kara. Wanna know why they chose Kara as the middle name? After all of her aunties and her Nana!
Kimberlee, Anna, Rachel, Anne (my Mom's middle name). Isn't that special? So I now officially have 1/4 of a niece named after me! Haha, just kidding- I truly do feel honored! I think it's a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl!

My arms are literally aching to hold her! Soon, little Violet, soon! Just know for now that your Auntie Kim loves you very much! (And I hope you snuggle with your quilt and feel the intense love it was made with every night!)