A.M.J. 1.0

Welcome to the world. Amelia Mae, you joined us at 6:01am and are the size of a healthy baby girl. But for the record you are a healthy big baby: 9 lbs 12 oz and 22 1/8 inches tall. On the day you were born, Mommy and Daddy had been at the hospital for almost 9 hours. We came in the night before, first stopping at Krispy Kreme to get donuts for the nurses. Mommy didn't sleep very well in the hospital bed. Daddy had a cot. Aubrey slept at home with our great friends T&T. A week ahead of your due date, Mommy was ready to meet you and her doctor agreed so the plan was to come into the hospital Monday night, start induction slowly then deliver you into the world Tuesday morning when Mommy's doctor arrived. Things moved faster than planned and by the time Mommy's doctor came into the room Tuesday morning, you were already creating smiles for everyone in the room and beyond the walls of the hospital. Here is a timeline of events leading up to your birth:

• 2002: Mommy and Daddy met
• 2008: Mommy and Daddy married
• 5:00 pm September 16th, 2013: Mommy called the hospital to see if they had room for us. They didn't and told us to call back later. 
• 7:30 pm: We called back and they told us to get something good to eat then come to the hospital. Daddy gave your sister a bath and MiMi and Grandaddy helped Mommy get things together. 
• 8:30 pm: We left for the hospital, Aunt Jessica followed us. We stopped at Krispy Kreme to get some donuts for the nurses. Our friends T &T came to the house to spend the night with Aubrey. 
• 9ish pm: We checked into room 211 and Mommy had to answer a lot of questions. Daddy called Grandpa, Grammy and Aunt Kate. We had the nicest nurse. 
• 10:00 pm:  Mommy's contractions had already started but she was only 2.5 cm dilated. The plan was to start Mommy on some induction medicine (along with some Tylenol and Tums), get a good night's sleep then bring you into the world in the morning. The nurse offered some medicine to Mommy to help her sleep and rest up for the big day ahead of us, but she declined. 
• 10:30 pm: Neither of us could really sleep. The nurse gave daddy a cot to sleep on, Mommy's bed was really uncomfortable. At this point, recall that we didn't know if you were a boy or a girl and we still hadn't decided on your name. We talked about name ideas more. Mommy watched a movie on the iPad and Daddy worked on updating this blog. 
• 3:00 am: Mommy was having heavy contractions and was now 5cm dilated and 80% effaced. Those are doctor words for "you were moving ahead of schedule."
• 3:30 am: Because things were moving fast, they decided to give Mommy pain medicine, before it was too late. The only thing that didn't move fast was the doctor giving the epidural to Mommy. He wasn't very nice but we remembered him from Aubrey's birth so were prepared. 
• 4:20 am: The nurse broke Mommy's water, which are doctor words for "you were ready to go." Dr. Rowland measured Mommy at 6 or 7 cm dilated. She also delivered Aubrey but didn't remember us, as Daddy half joked/implied that she should. Daddy wakes up Mimi and Grandaddy and Jessica who have been sleeping in their car. 
• 4:30 am: Mommy got a Pepcid IV to help with heartburn. We are all but certain that you'll have a nice full head of hair. 
• 4:40 am: Mommy's epidural finally starts working. She has been very uncomfortable throughout the night and the pressure has been painful. Mommy's friend Amanda texted her back, telling her not to take the Ambien to help her sleep. Good call Mommy. 
• 4:50 am: 8 cm dilated
• 4:55 am: Our friend Julia arrived to take pictures of your arrival. 
• 5:30 am: The nurse proclaims that we're "ready to have a baby." I think Mommy has actually been ready for a couple weeks now.
• 5:40 am: Mommy starts pushing and the nurse confirms you have a full head of hair. 
• Tuesday, September 17th, 2013 6:01 am: Weighing 9 lbs. 11 oz., 22 1/2 inches long, you are born. Daddy quickly alerts the room that you are a girl and that you look just like your sister. 
• 6 something am: Mommy and Daddy have to quietly converse to decide on your name. We have a few strong options and decide upon Amelia Mae, a name just as beautiful as our new baby girl. 
• 6:58 am: You start breastfeeding with Mommy, your first meal was 10 minutes long. 

"For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done." Psalm 92:4

Later than morning, Mommy and Daddy had breakfast while the nurses gave you a bath. You later met your sister Aubrey. She wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation at first, she was curious about you but hesitant to get too close. Don't worry, she warmed up quickly and at 6:36 pm, she called you "sister." While we took turns holding you, the nurse checked on Mommy. Her hemoglobin was down and she almost passed out so they had to check up on her a lot. You ate again from 11:30 am to 11:50 then had your first poop at 12:02 pm. Our friend Lindsay, a nurse at the hospital checked your blood sugar. It was good, which we could have all told her based on how sweet you already are. It was a calm afternoon, you pooped again and then ate from 1:30 pm to 1:45 and again at 4:15 pm. We moved rooms and our friends T &T visited. Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle P visited shortly after your 6:38 pm feeding. They brought you a stuffed bunny rabbit. We sent pictures of you to Aunt Becky in Nashville. We also skyped with Grammy, Gramps and Aunt Kate in Florida. Later that night, Mommy's blood still wasn't where it should be so she had a blood transfusion. You went to the nursery for hearing and other check-ups so Mommy and Daddy slept. Before we knew it, it was 6:01 am on Wednesday and you were officially 1 day old. We are blessed to have you in our lives and look forward to loving you and watching you grow for all the days to come.