Happy Birthday Elizabeth Katherine!

We prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted what we asked of him.
1 Samuel 1:27

Today we welcomed our little baby girl into the world. Elizabeth Katherine "Ellie Kate" was born at 12:53am. She weighs 8lbs. 8.5oz and is 19.5 in. long. We are praising God for answering our prayers and giving us an easy delivery and most importantly a healthy baby.

We went to the hospital around 7:00pm Friday, after having contractions 3 minutes apart all day. They admitted us and broke my water. Within a few hours I was ready to push. That lasted about one minute and our baby was born.

It's a girl! Praise God!
Yes, Daddy (and some friends) had put some doubt in my mind.

Getting her first checkup after delivery. She cried everytime they took her away from me.

So happy to finally have her with us!

She is so tiny, especially compared to the boys!

Proud Daddy. I knew he would love having a little girl.

We had to wait in the delivery room for two hours before they would move us to the recovery room. After being moved to our new room at 3:30am and then waiting for them to bathe Ellie Kate, we were tired and ready for bed. Then , we got about three hours of sleep before they started making their 7:00am rounds and calling for our breakfast order. We could hardly wait to get home!

Little Ellie Kate has been so sleepy.

Waiting for the boys to arrive and meet their little sister.

Andy was thrilled to finally get to meet Ellie Kate.

Andy and Zach were all smiles and full of kisses. They adore their baby sister.

Daddy did everything he could to get us ready to go home.

She opened her eyes... but only for a minute!

Is that a smile?

After about 16 hours, we finally had all of the paperwork completed and doctors' permission to go home. We were so excited to get home. Having a birth and homecoming all on the same day was a new thing for us. We didn't get the whole family dressed up this time, but Ellie Kate had to wear her new daygown and bow!

Our first picture as a family of five!
Look at the pretty pearl necklace and earrings I got from my boys. Thank you Daddy for being so sweet and thoughtful! He bought the pearls while he was in Hong Kong and saved them for the birth. When he brought the boys into the hospital room, they each gave me an earring and he gave me the necklace. So sweet!

Here we are... all piled in the 4runner. Do you think it might be time to get a minivan? I'm not so sure I'm ready for a new car. The 4runner has been around since Matt and I started dating (almost nine years ago). We left our wedding in it and brought all three of our babies home from the hospital in it. It traveled with us all the way from Florida to California! Plus, who needs a new car when we walk almost everywhere we go! And, the kids like sitting close together!