So I guess I was right when I said he might be on his way...

... because just a few hours after that post [38 weeks] I started having contractions. Around 10pm they were getting pretty consistent and after 3 hours of laboring at home they were coming about every 3-4 minutes and were getting stronger. So after convincing Tom this was really it [he didn't believe it was really happening so soon], we decided it was time to head to the hospital. Luckily Eliza was working close by and could come over at 1am to stay with Hazel [thanks Liza!]. By the time I got all settled in at the hospital, I was at 7cm and the contractions were coming about every 2-3 minutes. I kept saying I felt like I needed to push and she said the only thing keeping the baby in was that my water hadn't broken yet. I seriously thought I was going to have the baby right then. My contractions were unbearable and I can honestly say it is the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life. I guarantee I at least sprained a couple of Tom's fingers and I'm pretty sure the nurse thought I was a drug addict with how desperately I was begging for the epidural. I have never loved someone as quickly as I did when that anesthesiologist walked through the door. Bless him. We barely got the epidural in in time because 15 minutes later they broke my water and 15 minutes after that I was at a 10 and ready to go. It was all so perfect after that. My doctor made it so comfortable, we just talked and laughed and after only 3 big pushes the little guy was here. No complications, no problems, only 3 hours in the hospital and baby and mom were totally healthy. Tom and I just looked at each other in disbelief that it really all went that well. We were so traumatized from Hazel's delivery that this was seriously such a relief and a huge blessing to have everything go so well. We looked at our little angel and fell in love immediately. I never thought I could love another child the way I love Hazel but the minute I saw him I was overwhelmed with the very same love. It's the most incredible, most powerful thing, a mother's love. The rest of the hospital stay was great, my recovery was fast and little Drew has been such a good boy right from the start. The biggest problem we had in the whole process was choosing a name...it came down to the last 5 minutes before we left and we just narrowed it down one by one and circled the last one. But I love it. It was the only name I liked all along. Tom's still getting used to it, but I think it's growing on him. Anyway, we are all so happy that little Drew is here now and here are some photos of this big adventure...

in his first few minutes
my cute dad and sister came out in the middle of the night to be there when he was born

hazel was SO EXCITED when she first saw him...she was screaming and laughing- I couldn't believe it! and she loved putting his binki in and out [she still does]my sister Britt flew in that morning from Chicago to be here...thanks B!

with our little babe

the little guy
our little family
with dad

our naming strategy