Introducing...

Raelynn Mary Behrens! Born August 22, 2011 at 6:06 PM. 8 lbs, 21.5 inches long and perfect!

It's probably not news to anyone at this point that she is here, but I still have to brag! It gives me a reason to post her pretty picture!

The labor story is a colorful one. For those of you like me, who like to feel no pain during labor. I guess I'm proud of myself, but I don't think there was much of a choice in the matter. Raelynn was born natural with her mommy screaming the entire time. Poor kid.

My water broke and like usual, my contractions wouldn't start. I don't know what it is, but my body just doesn't go into full labor on it's own. The nurses started me on the pitocin and we were on our way. I was contracting pretty steadily, but not as fast as I had in previous labors. The contractions got intense, but nothing unbearable. Due to my intense fear of needles and catheters, I postponed the epidural until the nurse told me I had about 20 or so minutes left to decide if I wanted it. I wanted it... so I told her, "OK. Call him in then, because I KNOW I want it."

Note the hand holding onto the bed... the contractions hurt, but I was still doing ok. This is right before I told the nurse I wanted the epidural.

I swear Raelynn heard me and thought to herself, "Uh... no. No way are you gonna do this without remembering it Mama!"

I had to push. NOW. The anesthesiologist gave me a syringe full of the epidural after he got done fighting me to hold still for it. I started going numb at my toes and was numb up to my mid-thigh when Raelynn made her debut. Lovely.

Not really.

Kudos to you moms that can do that. On purpose. But you're all freaking crazy! No. Thank. You. The recovery was fantastic, I will admit that. Not worth the delivery in my wimpy opinion. No way.

But I love her. She was definitely worth every second of ear piercing screaming. (Poor husband) She's a good baby with a good set of pipes when she wants to. She cries to eat and when she needs to burp, but that's it. She's bright eyed and she makes me smile. Even when she cries for food. :)

The other kids are great with her. Particularly the boys. Jessah is still waiting for her to talk and crawl and play. Apparently she wants a roommate now. She wasn't anticipating the baby part of her sister... just the playmate part. Oops! Bad preparation by me!

Jessah holding her future roomie for the first time!

Glaiden was really unsure of her while we were in the hospital. I think it was because I couldn't go home with him and it was because I needed to stay with the baby. A jealousy thing. But he's awesome now that we're home. (AND HE'S STARTED POTTY TRAINING!! Because (in his words) "I'm a big brotha now and I need unda-ware like A.J.) YES!!! I am loving it!

Glaiden before his interest in being a "big brotha."

Finally decided he wanted to see her a little closer. Not so much in front of the camera though.

A.J. adores our newest addition. There's no other way to describe it. He loves to hold her and just stare at her. He soothes her if she grunts and moves in her sleep and talks to her when she is awake. He's an awesome older brother.

A.J. and his new pride and joy. I love this picture.

David was a little nervous about another girl but he is in love. She is his "Little Lady" or "sweetheart." And she loves to snuggle on his chest. It soothes her and puts her to sleep if she's upset. I love seeing them together.

There's our little update. Sorry it's late... I'm struggling with a routine still. Ahem. Ok... I'm just lazy and I get distracted super easily. Yeah, this 4 kid thing is going to be an adventure!!!!

I Can't Wait...

The last few weeks of pregnancy are by far the longest. While you're living them of course. As soon as the baby arrives it seems as if it was yesterday you found out you were pregnant. But I'm living them and the weeks seem to be passing quickly, it's the days that drag. It's hot and I'm pretty much stuck in the house when David is at work. Don't get me wrong, the summer has been busy and fun-filled, but the week days seem to be getting longer. I only have about 2 1/2 weeks left of carrying this little bundle inside of me (the Dr. agreed to induce me at 39 weeks due to home life getting extremely hectic the week of our due date) which is awesome! The last couple of days, however, have mysteriously doubled in length and it's got me thinking about things I am excited for. Yes, I wanted to add another [girl] to the family, but I loathe being pregnant this go around. I'm not quite sure why... I've been healthy (minus the first few months of miserable morning sickness), happy, busy, productive and organized... but I was ready to not be pregnant a long time ago. I wanted the stork to bring this baby. I'm done after Raelynn makes her debut, and I've never been more sure of anything. Here are some of the things I can't wait for:

• I can't wait to complete this perfect family of mine... and I mean perfect.



• I can't wait to hold my precious new daughter.



• I can't wait for the other kids to meet and fall in love with their baby sister.



• I can't wait to watch my amazing husband fall in love with her.



• I can't wait to dress her up.



• I can't wait to put her to sleep.



• I can't wait to wake up and feed her when the house is silent.



• I can't wait to snuggle her and see her daddy and siblings snuggle her.



• I can't wait to go back to work just to get a little bit of adult interaction.



• I can't wait to miss my four kids while I'm at work.



• I can't wait to fit into normal clothes again.



• I can't wait to come home to David and Raelynn snuggled up together.



• I can't wait to give ALL of my maternity clothes away. Fooorreeeeveeerr. (In my best Sandlot voice)

I. Can. Not. Wait!