Number Three Has Arrived!

Here we are getting ready to head to the hospital.  I was super excited, super nervous, and not quite as pale as this picture makes me look.  (But close.)

Here I am waiting for the baby to come.  We went in at about 9 and were pretty bored.  You wouldn't think I would be able to be bored when I was in so much pain*, but I was. 

 

*The epidural was actually one of the most painful things I've ever gone through.  A student was doing it (under supervision of course) and she had to try 3 times to get it right.  Don't get me wrong, I understand that's how they learn, but I was in such terrible pain I couldn't help but just sit there quietly and cry.  I have a good pain tolerance, but it was almost more than I could take.  For me, though, epidurals truly are a no pain, no gain kind of thing.  If you don't endure the momentary (usually) pain, it won't benefit you when you're at 10 cm.  It's painful enough with your lower half being numb.  Anyway.

 He's here!  Little Charles Robert was 8 pounds 12 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long.  He's the reigning champion in both height and weight here.  He's a big, tiny guy.  Let's just say he definitely has broad shoulders.

 This picture cracks me up.  He was ticked off.

 

Daddy and our doctor, Dr. Vance.  He was listening to Charlie's heart because the doctor heard a heart murmur.  Luckily, it was just from the increased blood flow from birth, because it's gone now.  We are very grateful his little ticker is working properly.

Mike brought the kids one at a time to visit their little brother.  It was a smart idea because it made the visits much calmer and we were able to get cuter pictures.  Emily loved him, and kept saying, "Hi baby.  Hi baby.  Hi baby." while stroking his little face.

She also felt like she wasn't quite sure about the little guy.  She wasn't a huge fan of him near her.  :)

Just a picture of our newest little sweetheart.

Andrew came to visit and ran right up to the baby and said, "It's Baby Charlie!"  He was so sweet, stroking his cheek and head and smiling at him.

Then he took Charlie for a ride around the room.  That's what big brothers are for.

We are so grateful for our newest little darling.  Charlie is so sweet, so calm, and such a beautiful little man.  We're excited to get him home and are so blessed to have a healthy, wonderful little boy.  We're grateful to Heavenly Father that the delivery went well, that Charlie is here and safe, and that we have such a happy family of 5!  (5!)