Mission accomplished! Healthy Baby and Healthy Mom! James Daniel was born at 9:34pm. He weighs 9 pounds, 8 ounces and is 21 inches long. His Apgar scores were 8 and 9. Within his first hour he latched on and suckled for about 45 minutes total. Nana and Papa and Uncle Dusty are visiting now. After they leave, James (or J.D.) will get his first bath and some more nursing. He's still rooting around a bit. He's a bit noisy! And he's strong! And he has a birthmark on his belly button! I think he needs to nurse some more and then head off to sleep. My precious. Tomorrow Annika will come visit and meet her baby brother. I'm so excited to see her and see them together.

Me? I'm great. Labor went really well. It took a bit longer again but my body just doesn't dilate very quickly I guess. Kris and I have taken notes throughout the day and I'll write up his birth story hopefully fairly soon. We did it! We're a family of four!