Jolene Joan-Claire Gough
"Josie" as we like to call her.
Born October 15,2010 6lbs 9ounces 18inches
I already told you about how we decided on her first name HERE
Jolene/Josie which means Jehovah will increase or Jesus will add
but her middle names are
Joan, which means God is gracious and is in honor of her Grandma, Paula Joan. and
Claire, which means radiant light and is of course in honor of, my bff Claire.
We had already been planning to deliver this little bundle at 37.5 weeks to avoid any serious complications with my, ahem, condition and we were thrilled to bits that meant her birthday would be October 20th or 10/20/2010..such a cool day! So when contractions started ramping up on the 14th I sort of just figured I could work through it and make it to the scheduled delivery but was having a hard time resting since all I wanted to do was nest and prepare the house.
We had a family day planned for friday the 15th and I had worked hard to organize a little craft for the boys to make for Josie, to bring to the hospital. We were going to go to a movie and the pumpkin patch and then finish off the day at the boys open house at their school. However when I got up friday morning knew something felt different so I told Chris that we needed to postpone the family day until saturday so that I could do a few more things on my to do list, just in case.
we did end up going to the open house briefly that evening but by then I think in my heart I knew I needed to call the hospital and get checked. contractions were one on top of the other, not too long or painful but just too much laboring for me with my uterus being so risky. Luckily Chris's folks were out our way and we had planned to do pizza with them for dinner. Paula could see it in my face and basically made me call the hospital (thanks Paula!) and when I talked to the on call doctor he told me not to eat anything or do anything but get down there so they could take a look.
to be continued...
in the mean time here are a ton of photos from Josie's first days in the hospital and all the family and friends that visited. thanks everyone for all the prayers and well wishes we are recovering nicely at home and are so blessed by the family of five we have been given!
Simon and Levi meeting their little sister for the first time, they both decided to wave it was so cute.
a personal favorite, daddy holding Josie while big brothers wrestle in the background
Grandpa Gough and Simon
Levi was especially timid that first morning. I think I should have warned the boys more about how I would be in the hospital. they were prepare for the baby but not thrilled that I was stuck in the hospital bed. Simon told me when they picked me up to go home that he "never wanted me to go back to the hospital again"..
wrestle fest with cousins Evan and Miles
Grandma Gough adoring her second granddaughter. Josie makes grand baby number seven for the Gough side - our lucky number!
cousin Miles
Nana meeting her first granddaughter on the Andrew's side!
Auntie Kristen and her beautiful smile. I hope Kristen teaches Josie how to let her joy radiate from the inside out the way that she does so beautifully!
with Uncle Kyle
our family of five..aka me after not sleeping for almost two days straight
making a game of the linen closet
Papa meeting his first Granddaughter
Auntie Jenny with baby Josie. Auntie Jenny brought the most darling outfit and handmade doll for her. I can't wait for Josie to get to spend time with her Auntie, shopping and crafting and doing what Jenny does best!
with Uncle Jeff, pink looks good on you Jeffie! I also must mention that we named Josie, Jolene Joan-Claire with intention that her initials be JJG just like her uncle Jeffrey James aka "JJ" as a kid. Maybe Josie will inherit that nickname too!
I love this picture of Claire soooo much! It shows such pure emotion. Her name means radiant light and this picture reminds me of the reason we wanted to name our little girl for you Claire. You have always been a radiant beam of light in my life, supporting, loving and walking by my side since the moment we met in speech class and I wrote you that note and your wrote back...awesome!
my three kids, man I am lucky!
Katie and Kim, two of my closest Mommy friends. Kim is about to deliver her number three any day too!
Auntie Rachel and her first niece. I am sure that Josie will have a blast over at Auntie Rachel's hanging out with her cousin Amelia, only seven months older!
Uncle Bryan
Great Aunt Rhoda
Great Grandma Velma. Josie makes ten great grandchildren for this amazing woman!
four generations
shenanigans with great uncles Dave and Scott and of course Grandpa Gough
quite possibly the cutest thing ever..Julia and Jon you know you want one :)
the boys were SO excited about the special surprise that they made with Daddy. They each picked out balloon bouquets with princess and dora balloons and daddy bought me a gorgeous bouquet of pink roses. They made a big sign and streamers to welcome us home!
our perfect, gracious, radiant gift from God. Welcome to the world miss Josie Joan, we love you so!
I will be back with the rest of the birth story soon!! xo
so much joy and love and beauty. we love your sweet daughter so much, and feel beyond blessed to welcome her into our big family!
i love the welcome home decorations--what a special surprise! nice work, simon & levi!! josie is so lucky to have you two as her older brothers.
love to all of you,
kristen
Posted by: kristen | October 23, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Oh, she is so beautiful! So happy for you guys! I don't think I ever commented on your post about her being a girl + choosing her name- but I love that story so much. It made me cry, how God just had this amazing plan for her and for your sweet little family!
Praying that this weekend is restful and peaceful for all of you as you are settling back in and getting used to being a family of 5!
xo
Posted by: andi | October 23, 2010 at 01:18 PM
I love you all so much, and I am so honored to share my name with such a precious little girl!!
I am so thankful you wrote me that note in speech class. I love the irony that two of the most timid people on the planet, who dreaded public speaking, should meet in a public speaking class. Beautiful! Thank you for posting all of these pictures--it made my day. ;)
Posted by: Claire | October 23, 2010 at 01:25 PM
She's amazing. It will be so fun to watch her grow up with Simon and Levi as older brothers. We love you guys!
Posted by: Rachel Gough | October 23, 2010 at 02:32 PM
I just have tears Rebekah...so incredibly happy for your family! You are one blessed mamma!! I can't wait to meet Josie and give you the biggest hug ever!!
Posted by: Angela Fontaine | October 23, 2010 at 03:14 PM
Woooooooooo-hoooooooo!!!!!
What a blessing! She's beautiful. Just beautiful. Add to that your beautiful boys, family, friends, and of course, yourself....Awesomeness.
I'm so very happy for you.
Posted by: dani | October 23, 2010 at 08:00 PM
so beautiful! i have been thinking about you a lot...love the song "jolene". what made you decide on jolene as a longer name rather than josie joan-claire? such a beautiful story! xo
Posted by: jen | October 23, 2010 at 09:32 PM
What a sweet little face...I have heard from sources she's a precious little bundle in person too :)
Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Brianne | October 24, 2010 at 12:02 AM
Wow. So much love and life caught in those photos. A great representation of the incredible family you two have built and grown for your three kids! Josie is one lucky gal. I know I'm over the moon about her! Congrats G's on your perfect little lady.
Posted by: Kimberly M | October 24, 2010 at 12:59 AM
Welcome little Josie! So tiny and lovely. Her face so reminds me of Levi's. Loved seeing these photos of your first day of being a family of 5. Congrats Goughs!
Posted by: Casey | October 24, 2010 at 08:30 AM
Completely ecstatic for you and your amazing family! I love all these photos of Josie with her ENORMOUS new family - she is sure to be treasured and loved by many for the rest of her life. Congratulations and welcome Miss Josie! We can't wait to meet you!
Posted by: Lindsay | October 24, 2010 at 09:01 AM
Such sweet pictures!
Congratulations to you all!
Posted by: Aleah | October 25, 2010 at 09:56 AM
love love love love love love her, love you all, love the pictures, love the pink :)
Posted by: stacy bostrom | October 25, 2010 at 11:56 AM
Oh my - tears! This is so beautiful. I know I only know you via Kari an Andi but I still feel so, so happy for you. She is so lovely. Congratulations!
Posted by: Misha@ beauty and joy | October 25, 2010 at 08:16 PM
She's beautiful! Congratulations! I can't wait to hear the rest of the story!
-Melodee
Posted by: Melodee Miller | October 25, 2010 at 09:18 PM