Wow.  What an amazing experience this has been!

Sunday morning I woke up extra early because I had some extra things to get done at church.  Around 4:30 AM Nicole thought maybe her water had broke.  It wasn't obvious so she decided to go back to bed and call the hospital in the morning.  Around 8:00 Nicole called me at church and let me know the hospital thinks it's probably that and that we need to come in.  I was standing on the stage, guitar in hand, with the Worship Team staring at me on the phone with Nicole.  You should have seen the mix of excitement and panic on their faces.  Everyone assured me they'd work it all out so I packed up and left.

Nicole was getting things together and the kids were keeping busy.  We finished packing our stuff and the kids' suitcases.  We took a few pictures, shot some video, and loaded up in the van.  After dropping the kids off at the Massarelli's house, we headed to the hospital, arriving around 10:00.  It wasn't long before Nicole was hooked up and feeling mild contractions.  We were indeed in labor.  Before long we were in our labor & delivery room.  About 27 hours after her water broke,  I was pushing record on the video camera (first things first) which was set on a tripod at an unrevealing angle and Nicole was getting ready to push a baby out.  She did extremely well during the whole labor - including the 10 minute rest she had to take while we waited for our doctor to arrive, who had been stuck in traffic!  And I fared well, too - not passing out, which was a realistic possibility.

The doctor hastily walked through the door which set forth what seemed to be a well-choreographed dance.  Carts moved, clothing covers went on, water buckets filled, shiny utensils were uncovered on a table.  In a matter of seconds the doctor was in place and we all stood still, silently awaiting Nicole's final contraction.  Only one more push was left.

At 8:11, Nicole gave it her all and a baby was born.   And it was one of the most indescribably wonderful moments of our lives!  At the moment he came into the world, our doctor looked at me and her expression signaled me to make the announcement.  I proudly announced "It's a boy!" to the delivery room.  Carts and trays and swirling nurses faded into the background as we gazed at this tiny person.  This little lump in the belly that had suddenly come to life right before our eyes.  What a moment it was!

We have spent the last day and a half with a little person in our arms.  We can now imagine his future  and our future with better clarity.  We say his name out loud and wonder who this stranger is.  We search his face to see who he looks like.  Though we are very sleepy and have a lot of work ahead of us, we have been filled with so much joy in all this.

We will be heading home sometime in the morning (Wednesday) and can't wait to introduce Elijah to his brother and sister.  Due to the new hospital policies, Emma and Elliot have not been allowed to visit us and they are really excited to meet their new baby brother.  We have been grateful to family and friends who have been so supportive and who have celebrated with us in person, over the phone and online!  Thank you so much!

God has been very good to us.