Welcome, John Joseph, on Monday, June 13, 2016!

Well, look who's here!

And there wasn't any Bridge traffic to worry about because on Sunday the 12th, my water broke at 5pm. Out of nowhere. Thus began the 24hr timeframe "they" give to deliver once the waters are gone due to an increased risk of infection. God lined things up just right for us, though, in so many ways, beginning with my parents being in town! Dylan and I walked out of the door to smiling Paul, Ada, Nana & Pappy faces.

But I had no contractions. Rather, I had about one an hour or thereabouts. After being checked in, set up, told I had to lie down because of the risk of more water rushing the cord over baby's head, a semi-restful but dark night, and 12 hours after the initial water-break, Dylan and I decided to succumb to a pitocin drip to urge along contractions. I still wanted to labor pain-med-free, so it was a very slow, low drip and apparently just enough to get things started. A couple of hours after increased length of contractions and decreased time between them, things were running smoothly, and come 9:30 or so, Dylan and I were chugging along in our 3rd-time familiar pattern; he's been an amazing helper all 3 times, and I couldn't imagine doing it all any other way. He helped keep my body as comfortable as possible and my head clear & focused on God's work. Meanwhile, on the Point...

John Joseph entered the world at 11:55 am, just in time for lunch, with the help of a lovely nurse and excellent Dr. Nobles. I saw what I imagine is everything and didn't even have to wait to hear "It's a boy!" before grabbing him to my chest, all blue and slippery and warm. It was awesome.

And then we had lunch - both of us. Baby JJ nursed beautifully as Dylan fed me red beans and rice; it was Monday in Louisiana, after all.

This third time was both different and very similar to Paul's and Ada's births; each was different in its timing and progression and length of time, of course, but the same things have to happen. So this time, when I saw and felt the changes that may have been nerve-wracking the first time around, they were so very welcomed this time because it was a sign of the end - of the work and of the waiting! It was really beautiful.

We were settled and comfortable recovering when we were ready to introduce this new little one to the big crazies he's born to! Nana & Pappy brought Paul and Ada over late afternoon through dinner, and they were both so sweet about the baby. Ada insisted that Paul has a baby brother and she has a baby sister, and she calls him John Jofess. Paul was so, so excited to touch him and want to hold him and did not want to go home after just a couple of hours.

Dylan, Baby Jack, and I were ready for an early discharge way before the hospital staff was, but we held out as best we could, napped, and walked out on Tuesday around 3pm. Nana & Pappy had to hit the road for Houston - this had been an unexpected longer stay, and they weren't quite prepared for more days ... though they, of course, wanted to stay. They'll be back this weekend!

And, finally, all 5 of us Knolls are doing pretty well. I'm feeling well, Dylan's sorted out things with work to stay home this week, JoJo is eating, sleeping, and diapering wonderfully - praise the Lord! - Ada mimics whatever one parent does to her own baby doll, Baby Boo Boo, and Paul is being awesome, just awesome. He's doing so much, but he's said two things in particular that are so sweet and show how soft his heart is: 1) Papa can still go to work because I can do everything to help Mama and get her everything she needs because I'm big, I'm 4. 2) I did all of the things you ask me to do but you didn't ask; you didn't say it but I did it!

Perhaps you've picked up on the many names I've used for the baby ... yes, his name is John Joseph, and I use that a lot. But the kids like JJ and JoJo, and Papa likes Jack - oh, the possibilities! We'll just use them all until we see what fits best. Whatever we call him, he's such a precious baby, and our hearts are happy.