Ekins Express

He made it!

Everett Matthew was born 8/26/09 at 5:32 a.m., weighing in at 8 lbs. 13 oz. and measuring 21 inches long! He's a healthy, strong little boy with a voice much louder than his sister's! We are all so happy he is finally here!

My water broke at 12:40 a.m. on 8/26. Contractions started within five minutes after that and continued every 2-3 minutes. So we rushed to the hospital after friend and sitter Becky showed up to stay the night with Abby. Contractions were every 2 minutes from the time we got to the hospital until the time the epidural kicked in. Aghh... so glad that part is over. I steadily continued to dilate from a 5 to a 10 and was completely effaced by the time pushing started. The nurses thought he would come much quicker, by the way things were looking. But since he was so big it took a while longer - just three minutes less than one hour!

Matt and I (and the little guy) were exhausted going off of no sleep, but still enjoyed Aunt Natalie stopping by for a visit. She brought little Everett a blanket and just loved holding the newest member of the Ekins family.

Mom got a few hours of sleep the next night (only after finally giving in to using the nursery's services) and Dad went home to welcome Grandma and Grandpa Ekins into town.

Abby's already excited about getting her brother dressed! This was a hat knitted by a group of elderly women in the community.

After finally getting comfortable with the idea of her baby brother being here, Abby can't get enough face-to-face time with him.

Home at last! When I laid him in his bassinet, he just looked all around bright eyed as though he knew he was in his own place.

Lots more pictures to come soon enough! Thank you to everyone for the phone calls, flowers, thoughts and prayers! We are just one little happy family... soaking up every moment for the time being.