m+b+c+??=love

On April 10th, 2014, we added a new member to the family!!! She is beautiful, sweet and just the most perfect little blessing a parent could ask for. She didn't come easily. After staying in her mommies tummy for an extra week she finally decided she wanted to come out. Cannon didn't come out naturally resulting in a c-section. Brit wanted to do her best for a natural birth with this one regardless of her previous surgery. We did everything we could for a successful VBAC. However this little one wanted to be just like her brother, and despite over 2 hours of intense pushing she didn't want to budge. Brit was seriously amazing. I couldn't be more proud of her. Words could never express the love I have for my wife. She is my hero. She went with no drugs all the way to an 8 1/2 which took several hours of very intense labor. Then once she reached a 10, she had 2+ hours of the most intense pushing I've ever seen (seriously, she could have popped out 10 babies with how hard and long she worked). Thank you Brit for being so incredible.

The end result was the most precious little girl you have ever seen. I can't wait to hear what Brit writes cause it will certainly be better than what I can muster... We don't have a name yet but that will be coming very soon. In the meantime, here are some pics...

Isn't she just the cutest!

Here is mom, after 12 hours of labor

And after 2+ hours of pushing we finally decided it was time for a c-section

Look at my lovely wife, she is so amazing!

This is our little girl taking her first breath!

She is perfect and healthy!

Mom's first kiss!

Dad's first kiss (don't worry, I went home and shaved, she doesn't like daddy's whiskers)

Some quiet daddy time

8lbs 11ozs, 22 inches long. 

2ozs lighter and .5 inches longer than her brother

Look at that beautiful dark hair!

Isn't she just precious!

Mommy time

ohh those rolls!

Cannon got to meet his little sister today. He has been a perfect brother so far. He just loves her already. He's so nice to her. His "Th-Ith-Ster"

He was more than happy to help giver her her "bobber"

"Geemaw" (as Cannon calls her) has been such a support for Brit. So glad she could be here for her and to help with Cannon. Grandparents are the best!!

To maximize our chances of a vaginal birth, we hired a doula to help us. Though we weren't successful in a natural birth, Angel was the best thing we could have done. Her moral support and her efforts to help the baby come really gave Brit and I the confidence that we had done everything we could. In the end, this little one never rotated her head properly, so she could not get through Brit's hip bones (which is exactly what had happened with Cannon). During this c-section, doctor's had to spend extra time reconstructing Brit's uterus because she had been pushing so hard it had stretched and lacerated. I'm so grateful for all the support we had and for modern science to allow for both of our babies (and my wife) to be happy and healthy.

Our very first family photo.

Brit will be in the hospital with our little girl for the next few days recovering. She seems to be doing well. Please keep her in your prayers. Thank you all for your wonderful support.