He's Finally Here!

Ronin Benjamin James was finally born on Wednesday September 3rd, at 1:37pm. He weighed 6lbs and 13 oz and was 20 inches long. We got to the hospital and registered at about 5:15am Wednesday morning. Then they broke my water at about 6:45 and started me on pitocin. The contractions started at about 7:15, and continued to increase in intensity until about 10, then I broke down and asked for drugs. I felt really good for about 15 minutes, but then during the contractions it still hurt more than I ever remember it hurting with Marley. Around noon they I was almost at an 8 and I felt serious pressure, like he was coming out. I finally broke down and got the epidural. Luckily the Anesthesiologist actually knew what he was doing, and it only took one try for him to get it in, and it worked this time. About 15 minutes later, I was completely numb from the waist down. I still felt the pressure, but it was totally bearable! The nurse said she'd let me rest for a few minutes and then we'd start pushing. I started pushing at about 1:15. When I had Marley I didn't feel that pressure, even though I could feel everything, it took over an hour to push her out, and the next day it felt like I ran a marathon. This time, it was like my body did all the work on it's own, he literally just worked his way out with very little help from me. It was amazing. At 1:30 I asked the nurse how much longer it would be, I guessed about 20 more minutes, she said, "no, more like five". She paged the doctor, and he made it just in time to catch the baby. It was the most amazing experience of my life. With Marley, I was in so much pain, I had completely checked out mentally. But with him, I was able to enjoy those first moments. It was perfect.
He is such a great baby, he slept through the night last night for the first time since we came home. He's been eating great, I fed him for the first time about an hour after he was born, and he latched right on, like he knew what he was doing.
Marley loves being a big sister, she's been helping me and Ben so much. She can't get enough of him, and loves kissing his little hands.
I also have to mention what a joy it was to have Ben's mom, Annie, staying with us. She went back to Texas on Saturday, and we miss her so much already. She and Marley had a great time while I was in the hospital. Marley misses her SO much. We just hope she can make it up again soon, or we can make it down there. Anyway, thanks to everyone who prayed for us, and have brought us food, and all the wonderful presents. We feel so blessed to have such supportive family and friends.