welcome to the world

Rewind to last Thursday... Typical day, another typical doctor appointment that went down like all the other ones: waiting room boredom, pee in a cup, finger prick, wait again, get called to a room, and have my doctor tell me to come back in a week. No progress. I asked about scheduling an induction date and he said we couldn't discuss it until next week. My iron was up at least... woo hoo.

Friday. Typical day. I played with the girls at home, cleaned a little, packed a little more, and we went out to eat that night. When we got home I told Brandon he could use my new tote bag to pack a hospital bag since it was so roomy. I snapped a picture of him packing it because it cracked me up. Such a manly bag.

Let me just say, thank goodness he packed because 2 short hours later I woke up to my water breaking. Still in a half-sleep, surreal state, I just finished up packing for us for the next half hour or so before I woke him up. Nothing like waiting until last minute. That's how we roll. I tried waking Brandon up at first by just nudging him, turning on the lights, calling his name a few times... nothing. But when you're 9 months pregnant, nothing wakes your husband up better than, "You need to get up. My water broke." I'm talking about a feet-to-the-floor-in-2-seconds kind of wake up. He called his brother who came to stay overnight so we didn't have to wake the girls. 

We set off to Birmingham. It was game time. 

When we got to the triage room and they began to monitor the baby's heartbeat, we were excited and anxious. Darcy's delivery was nothing short of a nightmare (worst pain of my life) and I was sure I was about to do that all over again. Brandon took my hands and prayed over me and the baby. I felt so much more calm. We were moved to a birth suite and things couldn't have gone any better. Got my IV, pain meds, a NICE epidural (Thank You Jesus), and actually took a nap. I woke up to the nurse telling me it was "time to have a baby". Wow, never took a nap during active labor before, but I was seriously so comfortable. (Again, Thank You Jesus for epidurals!!) 

Baby Lee was born at 10:30 am Saturday morning, May 30th. 9 days early and still weighing in at 7 pounds and 13 ounces. In an effort not to reveal the gender until our parents could see for themselves, this was his first picture we sent to close friends and family. EPIC.

He is perfect. After a day with no name, we finally decided on Lawrence Porter. We will call him Porter. (Or baby, hunny, sweetie, whatever.) I can totally tell he will be is a momma's boy. ;)

Sisters came to see brother the next day, and they LOVED him. Darcy didn't want anyone holding him except her, but look how proud she is. She actually left the hospital kicking and screaming, "MY BABY!!!" Watch out, future girlfriends, you'll have to pass thorugh these two little mommas first. Bless your heart.

Daddy went and picked out his going-home outfit and a sweet quilt. 

We seriously had the best birth experience. Awesome nurses, awesome family and friends who went out of their way to keep Darcy and Addie happy. And aside from being exhausted, I am feeling totally fine, and already *almost* normal again. Porter is adjusting well to (loud and crazy) life here on the farm and we are over the moon. 

Blessed. 

So blessed.