A Birth Day for A.J.

At 10 pm last night, April 15th, I got a call from Gigi, who happily announced, "We're having a baaaby!"  I quickly threw on some shoes and joined Gigi and Grumpy for A.J.'s big arrival.

When we got to the hospital, Austin was suited up and feeling a tad jittery.  Melissa was getting her spinal block for her c-section (A.J. was breech, much to his mommy's dismay).  So, a nervous Austin and some nervous grandparents waited for the nurse to come get him for the delivery.

Finally the nurse came to get him, and the soon-to-be daddy walked down the hall...

The rest of us watched the clock...

Until finally, Austin rounded the corner with my adorable new nephew!  Woohoo!!  

A.J. was born at 10:31 pm on tax day, weighing a super-cute 7 lbs 14 oz and 20 inches long.

The paparazzi broke out the cameras.

And a proud Papa grinned from ear to ear.

The nurse checked A.J. out.

Daddy kept A.J. company while he was getting all the usual tests run.

The nurse sat him up so we could get a good look.  A.J. was not sure this was such a good idea.

He laid back down, and Austin listened attentively to the nurse's instructions.

The doctor came down to see our little star one more time for the night.

After several minutes, they wheeled Melissa back to the room and we got to see her for a minute.  She, well, she's felt better than she did at this exact moment.

She rustled up one good smile for us.

Then we were back to waiting.  The nurses and doctor had to get Melissa and A.J. all fixed up and to their new room.  So we waited.  And waited.  

Until about 1:00 am, when a tired, happy crew made their way up to A.J.'s new digs so we could finally hold him!

Mommy was feeling much better too.

Grumpy and A.J. yawned in unison.  It was late.

We went home and got a little shuteye.  At about 1:45 this afternoon I couldn't stay away any longer and made my way back up the hill to the hospital, where I found A.J. enjoying some rocking with Grandmother and Aunt Ellen.

Then, after work, I brought my crew to meet their new cousin!  They loved him, and Brooks was still asking about him when I tucked him in tonight.  When we got back in the car after our visit, B insisted, "See A.J. again!"

They were also glad to see their Aunt Liss.

We tried not to love A.J. too much...

But it was hard because we really liked him!

As I type, Uncle Jason is meeting our little buddy at the hospital.  And A.J. is almost 1 whole day old!  Welcome to the world, buddy.  You are a very loved little man!