The first of many memories.

She's here! She. My goodness, I didn't think we knew how to make girls. Wanna hear the story? (NOT about us making her. The other story.)

She's having her hearing tested right now so I keep glancing at the door, waiting for the nurse to bring her back. Wow, it's making me anxious!

Anyway, we came to the hospital at 7:00 am to be induced and it took a bit to get all the monitors set and paperwork filled out, so the actual induction started after 8:00 with the manual breaking of my water. I was dilated to a two. From there I labored pretty naturally with a tiny drip of pitocin. At 10:30 am it was getting pretty painful so I was administered an epidural. Right after the epidural I was checked and dilated to a four.

Where is that nurse with my baby? I don't like when they take my babies.

Back to the story. The epidural only worked on one side, my right. It was to be expected since that has happened with each of my labors because I have spini bifida occulta (which basically means that my spine's anatomy is a little abnormal). So, I figured I would have time to lay on my left side and let gravity fix the problem like I have with each of my labors. I was wrong.

By 11:00 am I was sort-of freaking out and asking for the epidural guy because I could feel EVERYTHING on the left side of my body. He was so busy, and I had only been dilated to a four, so it took him a while to come. It took him too long. Shortly after he came in I was yelling, "pressure! PRESSURE! The baby is coming!" It was the weirdest, most incredibly painful experience having a natural childbirth on one side and not being able to feel the other.

I tried my hardest not to push as the nurse checked me- AWE, my nurse just brought her back, hooray! I feel better now- So the former mentioned nurse checked me and said, "whoa, you're fully ready. Baby's at a +1!" Whatever that means. She told me not to push because my doctor had to run over from the office. Thankfully he came fast because I was whimpering like a puppy. Duke held my hand and brought me back from that dark, scary pain. "Look at me," he said, and I opened my clenched eyes to feel such great peace at the sight of his face.

Sweet joy when they told me to go ahead and push! One contraction and applause from the peanut gallery. Two contractions. I could feel the baby leaving. I'd never felt that before. Not that way. This part is a blur. I saw... Duke with scissors. My body shaking uncontrollably. Pink baby. Girl anatomy. What? Girl? They flopped her on my chest and I tried to control my chattering teeth. I couldn't.

I said, "I feel useless, I can't control my shaking body!" The nurses calmed me by telling me that what she needed from me now was the warmth and that I was providing abundantly. I couldn't even look at her, I was shaking so badly. My chattering teeth impaired my vision. Duke comforted me and assured me she was perfect and lovely, and that I would see her soon.

Now I can see her. She is beautiful. She kind-of looks like our oldest son. She kind-of looks like her cousin, Ella. She mostly looks like her own person. I love her. I want her to awake so I can feed her and snuggle her and fall even more in love with her.

She nursed almost immediately. This is a baby who knows what she is doing. I can't help thinking about the special relationship we will have through our lives together. I think she is going to teach me a whole lot.

Duke took her from my quaking arms when I pleaded with him. I needed to compose myself. I needed the nurses to move my nearly useless, but delightfully warm body for me so that I could see her. I looked over to see a thoroughly enchanted father doting on his new daughter. Lucky lady.

He cradled her in his strong arms and I know she felt safe and happy. Her eyes opened wide and she took him in. I caught him quietly telling her, "you can have anything you want." This is a man who is completely wrapped around a tiny finger.

Since her birth we have had an adventure of a day. Visitors galore. Grandma Re, Aunt Katie, and Papa via skype. Great-grandpa. Grandma and Grandpa. Aunties Tamsin and Emily. Uncle Brenny. Uncle Joey, Aunt Brie, and Cousin Ella.

And the rowdiest crew of older brothers you've ever seen. My goodness, their visit was almost more tiring than giving birth! Those boys loved her. And they loved all the cupboards and outlets and cords. And they loved climbing all over my tender self.

Daddy took them home for the night, and as much as I miss my males, I'm thoroughly enjoying my equivalent to a spa retreat with my new best girl.

She must be so very tired. I think I will take advantage of her sleepiness and get in a little nap of my own.

Could there be any greater blessing on this earth than a family?

I am endlessly thankful for our own growing family and the sweet spirits that have come to us. Baby girl, your sweet daddy and I feel honored, privileged, and humbled to be your parents. the last 10 hours with you in our world have been marvelous, and we're simply ecstatic to share forever more.