Bringing Ariyana Home!

We are so thrilled that our little Ariyana - lovingly we call 'Peanut', was able to come home after only a short stay with me in the hospital. Although I'm sure she's seeing the world as if through a glass an inch thick, we really think that she loves her nursery that Arfan and I put together for her. She will just stare at the brightly colored walls. It is so amazing and surreal that this is our little girl. Daddy and I are completely exhausted, and I still have a lot of healing to do. I'm running on about 20% right now. I wouldn't trade anything for our little girl though. She brings us such joy and happiness. Such a content and wonderful baby. 

Ariyana on her changing pad. 4 DAYS OLD!!! She is such a tiny little girl. She swims in all her newborn outfits! She'll be able to wear them so much longer! I hope to always remember her this little!

Just got changed into a new outfit! Her first real scream. It was so funny because it was the first time we really heard her make much of a fuss and it wasn't for any real reason. It lasted only about 10 seconds, which is why it was so cute to us!

Ariyana newly-arrived!

After a very long and hard labor, Ariyana is finally here. Although I already posted some 'already-cleaned-up' photos, I think I should also capture a little bit of the first moments our sweet daughter gave us!

First getting checked out by the NICU team. Since she was early, they gave her a good look. They said she looked great with APGARS of 8 & 8!

Checking my weight!

I've got quite the cone head! It went down before I went home though!

I'm still adorable even covered in gunk!

Proudest mommy in the world!

Sweet Ariyana is here!

I'm the proudest mommy in the world right now. After nearly 40 hours of labor, I gave birth to our sweet daughter Ariyana. She was 36 weeks in gestation but she came out healthy and happy. She made it known that she was done cooking - she wanted to meet her mommy and daddy! We couldn't be happier!

Ariyana spent some time under bili lights to correct some newborn jaundice. Aside from that she came home with us! We couldn't wait to show her new room to her. I think that the butterflies all over her room suits her well. She's such a beautiful little spirit with endless possibilities that we can't wait to provide for her. We hope that she will have the courage to reach for any dream and to never doubt herself with whatever she wants to do. We are so lucky and blessed!

A quick look at the hospital photo that was taken

Our sweet and content little girl all bundled up

She's so tiny. Born at 6 pounds and 3 ounces 19.5 inches long

Time to go home! She was all dressed in her going home outfit!

Daddy's little princess on her little onesie. All of her clothes are going to be super big on her!

Happy Halloween & a sweet surprise!

Today we finished up decorating for Halloween. Daddy painted my Ariyana belly as a pumpkin and left his artistic hands. Also, mommy had a fabulous day! After raking up some leaves Arfan officially proposed with a gorgeous ring! Life is so good and we can't wait to meet our sweet little daughter!

Ariyana's belly!

My beautiful engagement ring! I can't wait to be his bride!

OUR PROPOSAL STORY

Arfan had taken me ring shopping several times before, so when he took me ring shopping again, I hadn't thought much of it. That 'shopping' day, we found a beautiful ring. It was sooo perfect. I tried not to think about it too much though. After all, with the up and coming birth of our little one, we had other things to think about. 

A few days later, thanks to my 'nesting' instincts, I was out in our backyard raking a ton of New Yorks fall leaves. Arfan came out and noted that I was not wearing a coat so he went back in and gave me one of his and joined me in raking. I continued to rake and Arfan suggested that my hands were cold. They really weren't but he was pretty  insistent that they were so I put my hands in the jacket pocket. There was the box that held the ring that we had picked out together. It was gorgeous and THERE IT WAS. I was so excited and everything else seemed to be  a blur. I'm certain he got on one knee and asked me to marry him, but aliens could have landed and I wouldn't have noticed, my mind raced so fast because I knew that I was going to be his bride and I could finally start planning our wedding!  It wasn't an elaborate proposal, but it was just us, at home, and it was perfect in our own way. 

Ariyana's first Halloween in my belly. Our little pumpkin

Our front porch. A pumpkin for all of us. Daddy, Mommy and Ariyana

Our furballs also have a pumpkin on the hay stacks. 

Closing one chapter

Today was my last day in the Army. Although I left active duty two years ago, I just finished my reserve duty with the unit that Arfan is still in. It is bittersweet I think. The Army was a big part of my life, and now that it is completely over, I realize that there is a whole new life that I'm transitioning to. I'll be a mommy very soon to a sweet baby girl, and as I continue to finish up my degree, I realize, life really is good. I've gained so much from the Army but it is really time to move on, not that the Army wasn't bad, but I've got so much to look forward to!

Ariyana's Nursery is Finished!

Okay, okay I know, I'm a super anxious mommy-to-be. Ariyana is not scheduled to be here until December 15th, but my nesting was in super over-drive and we finished her nursery already! It is so beautiful and I'm so lucky that Arfan has put up with all my fussing over getting it done! Together, we made our little girl's nursery perfect and I look forward to putting her in it for the first time. I can't wait till her eyes start to develop and she can really see all the beautiful colors and butterflies. Life is good!

Her Love you forever book. Her first Teddy

Bibs and daddy found her lots of cute socks

A look at her crib. Her name and butterfly mirrors above

Her butterfly bedding! 

Clothes!!!

Little Reading Lamp

Her rug that we found at Pottery Barn Kids

Ariyana's first Build-a-Bear Bunny from Mommy and Daddy

Her reading and nursing corner! I love her tree!

Her quote reads: I'll Love You Forever

I'll Like you for Always

As long as I'm living

My Baby You'll Be

We've already been shopping! Between Mommy and Daddy, she will have so many cute clothes!

Chamber's Wedding & Camping!

We just returned from upstate New York after attending Mike & Daisy Chamber's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and we were happy to have been able to be there! Daisy was beautiful in her gown and we're pretty sure that Mike had shed a couple of tears!

After the wedding, we had an Army weekend camping at Higley Flow State Park. It was a beautiful campground and it was nice to get away. Nice trails to hike on, but the fishing didn't prove to be very good. Not a thing caught. Over all it was a blast and we plan to return next spring when Ariyana is here (this time with a pop-up camper!). 

Before the wedding. All done up. I'm looking pretty large with Ariyana in my belly!

At the Catholic Church

At the reception dinner

 

Along the trail at Higley Flow State Park

Proud parents to be

Enjoying the lake view

Proudest mommy to be in the world!