He's Here!

ETHAN THOMAS HEDRICK

born 7-17-09 @ 4:57 a.m.

9 lbs, 12 oz!

23 inches!

We can't believe our HUGE cutie is finally here. It was a long labor which we expected because it was an induction. We admitted to the hospital Wed. night at 9 p.m.- but the active labor didn't start until Thursday at 11:00 a.m. My doctor had always said he thought it was a 'big baby'- I think we were just shocked when he was born and wondered how he even fit in me! Without going into too much detail- pushing took 3 1/2 hours and my poor mom, sister and sis in law were in the waiting room freaking out as to what was taking so long. I have to give so much credit to Chris who made an excellent labor coach. He even talks now about how he could be a doula, which is hilarious considering he couldn't even watch 'A baby story' on tv prior to this... There were a few times my doctor and the nurses thought we would have to resort to a c-section, but I am so thankful that God gave me the energy and desire to keep going. Ethan's name does mean: 'firm or strong will'... hmm.

Charlie wasn't so sure what to think of his new brother. When he first met him on Friday, he was being shy. He didn't really pay attention to him. Today he kept saying, "It's ok" when Ethan would cry and asked to hold him a few times and wanted to count his toes. Progress. I think when we get home in our normal environment he will warm up even more. Or he could ask us when we are taking him back to the hospital. We'll see.

Charlie did enjoy riding up and down in the hospital bed, though.

And here's Mr. cuteness in his carseat for the ride home from the hospital: