Welcome, Baby Boy!

Lincoln Eli Hipp

officially came into the world, our family and our hearts

Monday, December 1st, 2008 at 6:25pm.

He surprised us all by weighing in at a whopping

8 pounds, 14 ounces

and is 20 inches.

Everyone has a birth story, and since we're basically just sitting at the hospital waiting till we can be discharged tonight, I'll give you the short story on Baby Lincoln...

I started having back pains about 4am Monday (boo- back labor again!). By 7am we were throwing Georgia in her car seat with a cereal bar and heading out into the morning rush hour to get to the hospital. Side story- on the way to the hospital the lady in the car behind us was rear-ended by the car behind her and she skidded to a stop inches from our bumper. Praise God-because I was not stopping for a fender-bender!

We met Matt & Sandy at the Summit and literally threw Georgia in their car with her toys and gear and headed on to the hospital. (THANK YOU aunt Sandy for watching her all day for us!) My mom was due in town Tuesday for Georgia-duty, so we were so grateful for the Phelps being our back-ups. Mom caught the first flight in to Bham and made it in time to be here for Lincoln's arrival, and has had Georgia for us since then.

I got admitted, and they hooked me up to the monitors, but after 2 hours I was not progressing much so they sent me on my way. This did not make me real happy b/c I was still contracting and just knew I was in real labor! Larry & I headed to Panera Bread to get some lunch and contemplate our next move. I kept contracting all thru lunch and as we finised our last bites, I looked up at Larry- "My water just broke!"

Yes- in Panera Bread.

Truly, I was thrilled because now I knew they would admit me to the hospital! So we left probable health-code violations at Panera and headed back- by the time we got there I was sitting in a puddle! I dripped my way up to my Dr's office, who confirmed my water had broke (duh!) and I finally got a room, a gown, and some meds!!

That was really the exciting part- from then on it went as well as could have. I labored, got my epidural, continued to labor, went from 6cm to 10cm in an hour, pushed for 25 mins, and my baby boy was born! The whole room gasped "whoa!" as the little chunker came out- even the doc had predicted him b/w 7-8lbs. Compared to Georgia who was 7 lbs 6oz, he is truly huge! He has adorable, pinchable, puffy cheeks, rolls on his arms and legs, and a double chin! He's beautful, healthy, eating well and a miracle! God has certainly blessed us with our babies and we are so grateful and give Him all the glory for them!

We go home tonight and will really start life as a foursome. Georgia came up to see her brother for a few hours, but mostly just ran around the room getting into stuff, like normal! She gave brother kisses and hugs and told him to "hush" as he wimpered- so bossy! I think it'll become more real to all of us as we get settled in at home.

Thank you for your prayers- we'll post more soon!