Though everything indicates that Baby Boo was right on time, it's hard on the psyche when you think you are going to have a baby around the 11th of October and then he doesn't actually show up until the 22nd. But he is here! He was born Friday morning at 10:18 a.m. (my dad wonders why I couldn't hold off for 4 minutes so he could have been born at 10:22 on 10/22). The home birth was a wonderful experience. I woke up at 3:00 and counted contractions until 4. Then I woke up Adam and we came downstairs and got everything ready. The boys got up at 7 and when Adam told them I was going to have the baby, Phin gave me the thumbs up and said, "Good job, Mom." I stayed pretty still while Adam got the kids breakfast and off to friends who took them to school and into their homes. My midwives came, enjoyed breakfast and got everything else ready. It was pretty nice to just relax (between contractions) and watch everyone else running around. I started to walk around about 8:30 and less than two hours later there he was. It was perfect and went faster than I thought it would. Here is the first picture of him. Still getting his color, but very healthy.
The new family photo. The boys were excited to see their new baby brother. We were still calling him Boo until Friday night, when Adam and I agreed upon Colin Adam Gaul. We still have to remind each other not to call him Boo. All three of them love to hold the baby and can't wait for him to wake up. I tried to tell them that new babies sleep a lot, but they still insist on placing cars and trains on him when he's fast asleep hoping he'll wake up and play.
Spencer seems to be adjusting fairly well to not being the baby. He always asks about the "bee bee" and wants to hold him and share his drinks and food with Colin. What a cutie!
What a blessing each of our children has been to our lives. I feel so grateful to have four healthy, happy boys. I marvel at the things they do and teach me everyday. I am also grateful to know that they are mine for eternity, if I live worthy of it. I can't think of anyone I'd like to spend eternity with more than this wonderful little family that Adam and I have created. Adam is wonderful, coaching me through the labor, helping me to keep confidence in myself that I could do it. He's taken over Mom duties for the week and does it better than I do. I love him so much. Thanks, Ad, for being my strength and example always.