Well, What do you know, Patience IS a virtue.

tangled feet. long toes.

new born

proud daddy

shocked mommy

eternal friends

loves to look around!

first diaper

(do you see him looking at me? loves me already!!)

first scrunchy pose

full lenth

first name plaque

So, WOW we have had a long (two) day(s). We haven't slept since we woke up Monday morning for work (MDS is actually snoozing right now but i HAD to write to my people! :) he he). Here's a run down...

Hannah called Monday to say Courtney's been contracting all weekend and she was going to get to the bottom of it.

(i KNEW i needed to pack Evan's bag, of which I have nothing of course (it was pitiful)! so we packed the onesies and blankets that I have bought. lol)

H called back, around midnight to say, she really is contracting and i'm gonna take her to the hospital to make sure she isn't have false labor. I asked her to call me back if the hospital admits her and we would leave THEN. I start to nest and get ready, packing etc. MDS is NOT convinced at this point and is REALLY tired (= cranky) and wanted to go to bed. I begged him to please trust me and help get things ready so at least when H called to say it's for real, we'd have the car packed up for Evan and would just need to add ours. eventually i talked him into helping me till 130am, then i promised he could go to bed.

130am: H calls and says, THIS IS IT! We are now both tired and cranky and prepare to pack for up to 2 weeks away from home and at 330am leave for Atlanta.

H calls periodically to give updates that sound like she's progressing fast and It seems we wont make it in time for the birth! yikes!

We get there around 820am (eastern time)! Poor C is exhausted and even seems a little dilerious from pain meds (NO EPIDURAL!) and quickly progresses from there.

At one point the pain is really bad for her and she agrees to the epidural only to be at 10 and 100%! The nurse said, I think you can handle it courtney, you wanna go for it? YES! so it seems like only 10-15min later while i am at her left side, holding her foot back and encouraging her breathing, HIS Head was crowning! (sorry for the visual but this is the circle of life for goodness sakes!;)) Within 2min, his head was out! I couldn't believe it! I have never watched a birth in real life before and never of my own child obviously but I was overcome with emotion (fear and excitement) and tears flowed. Courtney was watching me intently. When Evan was fully delivered, she was so excited, she pulled me in with her eyes and exclaimed, "Your Son! Here is your son!" Having just been in searing pain, she was now motioning for Michael to come closer to see him. She was so happy for us and didn't want us to miss a thing. (thankfully, cause i wasn't in scrubs) they didn't hand him to us but quickly, C made sure to direct what was, next, that Mike and I would cut the cord, Michael did the major severance, I did the section closest to his belly button. it was a wonderful experience! we were whisked away to a room alone with Evan and told to try to feed him a bottle, (this was wierd to me) and after courtney was 'cleaned' up and about to finally rest, she requested the 3 of us. we gladly returned to her side as we love her company and wanted her to see and hold him, this beautiful perfect Child of God. She cried and said, "Can you believe I made this miracle?" She continued to inquire of our feelings about being parents finally (a whole 20 min at this point. we were/are clueless) and hung on every word. finally our wonderful visit with her was over and we had to take Evan to the Nursary. He was soooo good the whole time. He doesn't cry yet, just sleeps. This evening we went back after checking into our lodgings (THANK YOU TARA!) and brought Evan to Courtneys new room to meet her new boyfriend, her friend that introduced her to our agency and her boyfriend (also another caseworker assistant to mediate?). we took pictures and visited and as usual we always especially love when it's just us and Courtney. It's like hanging out with family after a party, basking in the glow of the celebration with someone you trust. Tomorrow morning we will sign our paperwork so we can be on our way back to Tennessee. Hopefully by Monday night or Tuesday morning. We can't wait for Smokey and Oliver to see him and see how they react to a baby. Anyway, despite our exhaustion, we are happy and glowing. Each moment we spent with Evan, the more we love him and feel comfortable with the idea that we are now parents finally. We logged on tonight and had something like 80 well wishes and congratulations. We know this has been a ride for you too and thank you for the prayers and love. Courtney thanks you too, honestly. We cannot wait for you to meet Evan.

We are lovin' life. Amen.