shelby cooper hess is here!

our baby girl came into this world at 8:01 am on september 30th and we couldn't be more in love if we tried.  she weighed 6 lbs 14 ounces and is 19 inches long and looks just like her big brother brooks did when he was born.  it was by far the calmest delivery andrew and i have been a part of.  we got to the hospital a few minutes before 6 am, were taken back right away, walked to the OR at 7:15 and the doctor started the c-section right at 7:30.  and by 8:01 we were a family of 5 with a sweet little girl.  the boys were so excited to come up that afternoon and meet their baby sister.  it also helped that shelby brought them gifts to which brooks asked, "were did she buy them at and how does she know what we like?"  oh, the thoughts of a 4 year old.

we had her name picked out from way back when we found out she was a girl.  we actually had her middle name picked out from the very beginning.  we knew no matter what her middle name would be cooper.  he is always with us in each of our children here on earth.  carson is his twin, brooks shares his middle name and now shelby has his first name.  we just wanted to honor him and have him as a part of our lives every day.  i think she carries his name very well.  i've even taken to calling her by both names, i think it sounds very sweet.  shelby cooper.

here are some pictures from our little adventure meeting miss shelby cooper.  it's very surreal for the boys i think because she's been in my stomach for so long and now she's actually here.  they don't really know what to do with her.  it's very cute though.

6am monday morning!  ready to have a baby!  i'd been up since 3.  i was a tad bit excited/anxious.

after a fairly quick (but somewhat painful this time) c-section she was finally in my arms.  daddy did a great job holding my hand and commentating for me so i knew what was going on.  andrew is always so calm which i greatly appreciate.  he got to hold her for the first few minutes while they finished closing up and she was already rooting around to find a source of food.  maybe, just maybe i have a child who will want to eat!

here come the big brothers.  they each had a gift for her and as soon as they passed those off they wanted to know where their gifts were...typical boys.

big smiles

holding "our baby" for the first time

kisses

big brother love

check out that face

wearing our "super big brother" costumes that shelby brought us

i have 3 kids now...what!?!?

pure love

love that all my boys are wearing pink for their little lady!

my sister got this shot of carson on her phone and i love it.  

thank you all for all the prayers, well wishes and positive thoughts throughout this whole pregnancy.  it was nothing short of a miracle that i lasted as long as i did with her and i have all of you to thank for helping me get that far (you and the progesterone shots i took).  now begins a whole new journey for us.  i can't wait to see what it will bring.  i do know that this one will include a lot of ruffles and flower headbands, though!