Ethan has arrived!

Ethan decided he was ready to join us on Tuesday. My contractions started around 4 am. We went to the doctors office 3 times before I was far enough along to be admitted to the hospital around 5 pm. That was a LONG day. By the time I got to the hospital contractions were only about a minute apart and were very intense. It took a while for the anesthesiologist to be available and get my epidural hooked up, but once he did it was amazing. The epidural really didn't hurt at all. The IV was way worse. They actually let Eric stay in the room for the whole thing so he saw it and said it was crazy to see that huge needle. I don't know what I would have done without the epidural. I actually got a few naps in after I had that done. It's a beautiful thing. After having gone 17 hrs with no pain relief it was some much needed rest.

I was finally ready to start pushing around 5 am on Wednesday. This continued for 3 hours. I'll spare you the details, but it was rough. We found out why when he came out and weighed in at 8 lbs 9 oz and was 21 inches long at 7:45 am on 10/12/11. Hearing his cry and seeing his beautiful little face was the most amazing thing I've ever seen after 28 long hours of labor.

They gave him right to me immediately after he was born. I'd never seen such a cute little boy before.

In the warmer getting checked up on. Poor guy had quite the cone head from the long labor.

Getting weighed. I love how he's hanging on to the scale. Note the weight on the scale.

All warmed up and looking at Daddy.

Snuggling with Daddy. Eric is absolutely enamored with him. He can hardly stand to put him down.

We had some mommy and me time while Eric went home to shower. Yes I dressed him in little outfits in the hospital. The nurses loved it.

Exhausted but very happy mommy.

The hospital gives us a "celebratory meal" after he's born. I thought that was really nice. You just get a fancier menu to choose from and they make it look all pretty. Note the flower.

We were hoping to be home on Friday by the time Gram arrived, but unfortunately the circumcision took a long time to get in for so we didn't get home till 4:30. He loves snuggling his Gram.

All dressed and ready to go home!

First car ride!