She's Here!

Our baby girl, Saeyer Essx, was born on February 26th! After six years of trying to conceive, you could say we are over the moon and tremendously grateful to begin this next chapter of our lives. Our IVF journey was long and challenging, and truly, we didn’t know if we would ever get this far, so to be here feels nothing short of a surreal reality. We are in awe of her and the fact that we are parents!! OMG!

Her name, Saeyer, came about when we were searching for names that symbolized water. Even though this name doesn’t directly connect to water, we loved it so much that it stuck! Her middle name, Essx, is inspired by a place in New York where Matt and I have many fond memories from the first year we started dating.

I had to have a C-section because of previous surgeries on my uterus, and I have to say, although being awake during surgery is a very strange experience, it could not have gone any smoother—or more, shall I say, zen?? My most vivid and joyous moment of the birth was, of course, seeing our girl for the first time. She was crying and screaming, but the moment her skin touched mine, she immediately calmed down—I was amazed, and I will NEVER forget that moment. Tied with that moment was the look Matt and I exchanged, both of us in tears as we gazed at her. It was such a profoundly moving moment that it swept us away.

We were lucky enough to get a harbor- and ocean-view room at the hospital for three nights. I kept calling it the "Hoag Hotel" because the views were so idyllic. How perfect to bring our California girl into the world with her first room having a view of the ocean. I could go on and on, but I have to get back to our new life—a mix of baby bliss and, well, a lot of work that we are happy to be blessed with.