It's A Girl!!

Early Sunday morning we got "the call."

"You may not want to go to church this morning," says my brother.

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!

Today was the day!

And to think that this baby was going to be kind enough to come on my day off...

I should've known better.

After a very long day of waiting for the phone to ring that my brother and sister-in-law were on their way to the hospital, I FINALLY got the go ahead...at 8:30pm.

Oh boy. I was in for a LONG night.

I called into work that I would not be there the next day, packed my things, and off I went.

Prepared this time!

(With Harley's birth, we were there all night and I was freezing most of it. I also longed for a pillow!)

I approached Room 5...

And set my things, blanket and pillow included, next to Scott's...

Scott came prepared as well...cooler...candles...snacks...and computer for Shawna's favorite Pandora channel.

It was so nice in that room...dim lighting, relaxing music...I almost wanted to crawl into bed with her;)

Look familiar to any of you mom's?...

Shawna got her epidural about 9:45 and Scott got a little nap in.

After 15 minutes of pushing, my rockstar sister pushed out another big baby!!

Scott got to "catch" the baby and announce that it was a "Girl!"

Abigail Rae was born at 12:24am, March 26.

Weighing 9 lb, 9oz...21 inches long.

PERFECTION!



Very shortly after, my parents were called in to meet their new granddaughter.

They were smitten at first sight:)

And how could you not be?!?!

Apparantly I'm smitten too, because the next day I couldn't wait to get out, do a little shopping, and get back to the hospital!

It was a LONG night with only 3 hours sleep, and I needed some rest! Fortunately the boys went to school as usual, and my MIL took Emma Kate as planned for a typical working Monday.

So after a few of my errands I was able to get home for some sleep before picking everyone up.

Let me tell you a little something about myself...I have longed for a niece almost as much as I have always longed for a daughter.

And my nephews are pretty darn awesome!

But something sparked in me when that little girl was born the other night.

As I watched her come into the world, I had visions of all the girly things to come in our future!

Visions of Emma having a girl cousin to play tea party and dolls with.

(Even though she usually can con one of the boys into doing so!)

Visions of mani/pedi's and shopping.

And I haven't stop smiling since.

Mostly I praise God, of course, for a healthy baby.

And for the bonding my sister-in-law and I have done these past 9 months.

And for the fact that they live so close.

Welcome Baby Abby!

And thank you, Scott and Shawna for allowing me to be a part of such a special moment.