Welcome to the world, Taylor Leigh!!

Taylor is here!!

Whew! It has been a whirlwind these past 38-ish hours, but an amazing experience!!

A week past our original due date, Tuesday at 7am, we left for the hospital to see if we could get the labor going, and after 20 hours of Olympics watching, Scrabble playing, jello eating, and yes, plenty of laboring, Taylor Leigh Slagh entered the world! The day was long - more exhausting than a marathon, and I think that we experienced every emotion possible, but it was SO worth it. Ryan was WONDERFUL the whole day. I cannot say enough about how well yesterday went with him by my side. He went above and beyond expectations. I am so glad that I got to experience this life changing event with him. We started pushing at 1:20am, and she was born at 3:01am! After announcing that we had a GIRL, she was immediately snuggled in a blanket on my chest, and I don't think I will ever forget what it felt like to feel her little 7 pound body in my arms and to hear her cry for the first time.

Dr. Z guessed she was going to be 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and she ended up being 7 pounds, 1 ounce! At 21 inches long she is a long, lean little girl. She has a little blister on each hand where she enjoyed sucking on her hands in utero. Every little part of her seems like a perfect little creation of God, and I cannot wait to see what adventures her life will hold.

Here are a few pictures of our day today - so, so excited to be PARENTS!! :-)

Taking a long walk Sunday night, trying to get labor going...
Leaving the house for the last time, just the two of us...

Just getting settled into our new room we will call "home" for 3 or 4 days...

And she's here!! (We're looking a little tired, but it is 3 in the morning!!)

Taylor...

We might be biased, but we think she is beautiful... :-)

First bath at the hospital :)

Sweet, sweet girl

Grandma and grandpa Parker (at least that is what we will call them until Taylor decides what their nicknames will be :-)) checking out her soft little feet and long little toes. :-)

 We are so happy...and so excited. :)