Welcome Elliana!!!

She is here. At 1:12 am, Elliana made her way into the world, all 7lbs 11oz and 20 1/4 inches. Both mom and baby are doing well and all of us are extremely tired and extremely excited.

She received her first bath and tried to get her first meal. Now, mom is trying to get some food in her. I think we all will need our rest, but now after all the excitement, we don't want to go to sleep. I think we are all tired, but no one is too tired to get some photos.

We thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers today and we look forward to when she can meet you. And, since I'm the daddy now, I say, how about one more picture.

Epi - Miracle

Ashley has received her epidural and boy that stuff works great. Spirits are high and we are just trying to relax. We seem to be moving along quite well. It is getting late, so it might be a January 3rd instead of January 2nd baby. Only time will tell, and when it does (or shortly after), I'll tell you.

Enough Contractions for Everyone

Things are progressing. This is the machine that tells the story. It has two lines, one for the baby's heart rate and the other for Ashley's contractions. That second line is getting higher and higher and more and more regular. Looking at Ashley, I think she would agree with the machine.

Ready, set . . . Wait!

We are at the hospital. Our day started bright and early, 4:15am to be exact. The appointment was for 6:30am. We arrived on time, got right to our room and the room was prepared. By 7:15 Ashley was hooked up to an IV ( fluids only for now). Now, at 9:00, we are waiting for something.

It is all pretty exciting: I might get to see my daughter today. I'll try to keep updates coming when something is happening.

And the Stockings Were Hung

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care and they are all ready for the baby to be there.

Ready we certainly are, well as ready as we can be I guess. My daddy
senses are telling me it will be happening really soon and just that thought brings a smile to my face.

With all the different emotions I've felt since we found out we had a little one on the way, the feeling I have right now is the best yet. I guess l finally feel ready and excited at the same time.

I can't wait to welcome her into the world, but realize I am going to have to, but just like the monkey said when his tail got cut off. . . It won't be long now!