"Everleigh's Baby Story"

As many of you know, I was scheduled for an induction on May 7th. As difficult as it was to believe, I had made it to 39 weeks and was feeling great! I'd been contracting for days, but nothing that stayed regular. However, when we arrived at the hospital on that Friday morning, I was 4-5cm and contracting every 5min. Dr. Crowe broke my water and full-on labor quickly started without any need to start the pitocin or really 'induce' labor at all. It was nice to know that my body was ready and that I probably would have gone into labo that day with or without the induction. I didn't think that a labor could be any easier than it was with Brody. I was wrong. By 11:30 I was completely dilated. At 11:40, Dr. Crowe was gowned up and ready to go. At 11:43 Everleigh Maye made her presence known with some very loud screams, looking very pink and very perfect. She was 7lb 12.5oz and 19 inches long. Our nurse, Julie, was amazing and everything about the experience was wonderful. The only thing that made it difficult was that I wasn't delivering with my friends at WMC :( Sure wish Dr. Crowe would have made an exception for me :) Here are some pics from right after she was born. Her face was a little bruised from her quick exit, so ignore the purple face in the first few pics....

We love Dr. Crowe! She is amazing. She's delivered all three of my little ones, my niece, and countless of our little friends. You couldn't ask for a better doctor!

Everleigh's first pic with Mommy and Daddy...

The boys were so excited to meet her! Brax has been especially smitten with his little sister. Momo and Grandpa took them to Build A Bear that morning to make a bear for themselves and a sweet little bunny to give Everleigh.

Cousin Trevi got to come meet her partner in crime....

And, of course, Mimi and Papa were here to meet their fifth grandchild! Having the induction scheduled was nice because everyone got to be in town! Unfortunately, Uncle Bobber, Aunt KK and their kiddos were sick, so we didn't get to see them until a few days after we got home.

I have so many pictures of these boys loving on their little sister. It melts me to see how much they love her. I could not be more proud of their tender hearts and could not love them more than when I see them being such good big brothers. They are amazing boys and I am so proud that God chose me to be their mommy. So... if the next three pictures are any indication, do you think that Everleigh will be able to date much??

Momo and Grandpa took such great care of the boys while we were at the hospital! Mimi and Papa tag-teamed too, so that no one got too worn out. I think that the boys soaked up the extra attention. Here is a pic of Momo and Grandpa with all of their grandbabies!

And just a few last pics of our little girl.... She's just the sweetest thing and has been such a good baby so far. I didn't think I would be a "bow mom" at all. However, she looks so much like the boys did as babies that I think she looks like a boy when she's not wearing a bow. And, I must confess, I'm having much more fun than I anticipated dressing her up in her little outfits.

What a sweet Mother's Day I had this year, getting to spend it with my two precious boys and my sweet new daughter, as well as with my own mother and mother-in-law. When I look at our little family of five, it truly brings tears to my eyes. I don't think that it gets any better than this. We have been so amazingly blessed. I love these children, and I love the man that they call 'Daddy.' God has been good to us! Stay tuned for more pics from our first weeks at home!