My New Niece

This past Monday, the newest addition to our family made her debut. Isabelle Ramsey Hoey (“Baby Izzy”) blessed us with her arrival on October 29, 2012 at 8:34 a.m., weighing in at 7.5 pounds, measuring the tallest of the girls in our family at 19.75 inches long, and absolutely, unbelievably perfect. She is the sweetest, most amazing thing in this whole wide world, and I am so honored to call this little angel my niece.

My sister, who is almost two years younger than me, gave birth to another perfect little girl five years ago, so this wasn’t her first rodeo. After having an emergency c-section last time, she was much more prepared this time and knew what to expect going in. I got to my mom’s house in Richmond Hill Sunday evening, and it was the strangest thing. Sarah and Josh (the daddy) had showered, done laundry, packed bags for themselves and the baby, and were waiting for their early bedtime to arrive. The next morning, they woke up around 4:30 a.m., headed to the hospital, and just after 8:30 a.m. we had a baby. There was no drama, no rushing around, no going into labor … not at all like in the movies!

Good thing, though, because I was able to steal one last picture of Sarah with Baby Izzy still in her tummy.

The next morning, we arrived at the hospital and waited for Izzy’s debut. At first we could only go back one at a time, so after my mom was finished hogging the room, I got to go back. Oh. My. Gosh. She was the most beautiful thing ever!! Seeing my baby sister in that hospital bed, holding her new little miracle with her tiny hand wrapped around her mommy’s finger … it took my breath away and took all I had not to burst out in tears. It was such an unbelievable sight! I don’t know that I’ve ever been more proud of and so happy for my sister.

This was the first picture taken of Isabelle and her mommy together:

And then I got to hold her:

Talk about perfection!!! I didn’t want to put her down. But it was time for them to be moved to their room, and we all had to leave them for a few minutes. So while we waited, we decided to head down to the gift shop to pick up some goodies. When we walked into the hallway, we noticed a group of photographers gathered along the side. I asked a nurse what was going on, and she said Paula Deen had donated furniture to one of the rooms, so she was expected to arrive any minute.

Cool beans!

After purchasing nearly every pink item in the gift shop, my mom, dad, step dad and I headed back to the third floor with our arms full of flowers, balloons, pink ribbon and stuffed animals. The elevator opened and who walked out? Paula Deen! She asked us who had a baby and where she was, congratulated us, and went on her way. I, of course, had to be the paparazzi and snap pictures of her without being too obvious. Izzy will someday be happy to see these, after all!

I just like to say that Paula Deen showed up for the birth of my niece 🙂

Once Sarah was comfortable in her room, we all got to spend some quality time with her and Baby Izzy.

I couldn’t get enough of her!

Her Papa loves her!

My mom (“Nana”) with Isabelle

And my favorite part about new babies, other than that sweet new baby smell … their feet. They are tiny, soft, and so precious.

It goes without saying that Isabelle stole our hearts immediately.

While we were all definitely enjoying the time with Sarah and Isabelle, there was one thing we were all looking forward to the most: Bailey meeting her baby sister for the first time. 4:00 finally came around, and Mom and I headed to pick Bailey up from school. The entire ride to the hospital, all she kept saying was, “How is my baby sister?”, “How much longer until we get to the baby?” and “Is she so cute?” It was so sweet!

Bailey has been my pride and joy, the highlight of every trip home, and my mini-me for the past five years, and she will always be. Seeing her so excited to be a big sister and take care of Isabelle completely melted my heart and made me love her even more, which I didn’t know was possible! Because she was so excited to get inside that hospital and couldn’t get up the “everlater” (aka elevator) fast enough, I knew it was something I was going to want to catch on video. And boy, am I glad I did! I put together this short video of Bailey running through the hospital hallway, reaching the room and meeting her baby sister for the first time, which turned out precious. (I just wish I had an actual video camera and didn’t have to use my phone.)

All Bailey wanted to do was rub her, hold her, and tell her “everything will be okay” when she started crying. She was all smiles the rest of the day!

Bailey helping rub lotion on Izzy’s feet.

So proud to be a big sister!

Holding her little sister for the first time.

Sarah and her two babies.

Not long after, my big brother and his two girls stopped by to meet Isabelle. Gosh, it seems like just yesterday that they were the newborns in the hospital. Where does time go?

My four beautiful nieces 🙂

The day was absolutely amazing, and I am already having Baby Izzy withdrawals. Can’t wait to go back home in a few weeks to see everyone again, and hold my little angel.

You know … It’s moments like this that make me stop and think about how amazing life is and how truly blessed I am. I have a wonderful family and am an aunt of seven. How lucky am I?