And baby makes 7!

Well...she's finally here!  Actually, she's been here for a week as of 8:14 tonight.  I'm sure you can guess that hopping on the blog wasn't the first thing on my to-do list!

I woke up last Tuesday morning feeling uncertain whether my contractions were feeling more like real contractions or not.  They were so inconsistent throughout the morning, and I just wasn't sure what to think.  They seemed to be getting more painful, but not closer together at all.  I was starting to feel paranoid because I hadn't been feeling Baby Girl move all day, so finally sometime after noon, I told Hubby we should probably go in, just so I could be reassured about how baby was doing.  At this point, my contractions were ranging from 7-12 minutes apart.  I've never gone in with them that far apart before.

To our surprise, when we arrived at the hospital, I was dilated to a 6 and 100% thinned.  Crazy!  My contractions still weren't very close together!  But they hurried the anesthesiologist in so I could have my epidural, because they were sure baby would be here shortly.

But she wasn't done being stubborn.  She kept clear up high, and was in no hurry to move down so she could be delivered.  This was during the 2 o'clock hour.  They started me on Pitocin in hopes that more regular contractions would help push her down.  We sat there waiting until she was finally ready.  She was born at 8:14 p.m., and weighed 8 lbs 11 oz.  She was 20 1/2 inches long.  She is beautiful and perfect and has filled our home with joy.

There's so much more I'd like to say, but it has already taken me many hours to get this post in....I could only work on it here and there in between my "summons" from Baby Girl.  I will just leave you with a few (or more) pictures.

 Just a few minutes old.

Monkey getting to be a big sister for the very first time.

 Cowgirl wanted to fight anyone who tried to take her away.

 Pixie was pretty young when Monkey was born, so it was new all over again to her.

 Bookworm finally getting to meet his baby sister, after all his eagerness and waiting.

Coming home.  1 day old. I really wish my dad could have been here to help welcome her.

5 days old and taking in everything around her.

I will probably not be blogging as regularly as I'd like, and will be visiting even less - but I promise not to totally disappear again! I hope everyone is having a fabulous week.  And getting more sleep than I am!