Introducing...

Mary Elizabeth Parks

 Now that we got the introductions out of the way, let's start at the beginning!

This is JP's "I woke up at 3 am to get here by 5 am to sit and wait" face:

 And this is my "I hate getting my picture taken/Let's get this show on the road" face:

 This delivery was night & day from Ellen's.  This time around we had a scheduled c-section so no surprises there.  We arrived at the hospital bright and early, hung around in a room by ourselves for awhile and then finally got an IV, epidural, etc. and headed back for the c-section.  While Ellen's emergency c-section was unexpected, hectic & overwhelming, all I could worry about at that point was making sure she arrived safe and sound.  I didn't really have the time to think about what was going on around me and the drugs had me pretty out of it as well.  This time around things were slow, calm & very clinical, which is to be expected, I guess, since it is surgery.  While I wouldn't want the emergency experience again, I wasn't a huge fan of being aware of all the little things going on in the operating room.  Not my cup of tea--guess that's why I decided on teaching rather than medicine!  But I was thankful for the calmess of the delivery and the opportunity to be aware of what was going on as our sweet baby came into this world!

 

So...at 7:25am, baby girl Parks came into the world at 7 lbs. 13 oz. & 20 inches.

 We actually got to take photos this time around!

 Meeting Mama for the first time in person

 Not so sure about this world...

  First family photo

 After surgery, we went to recovery for awhile until I could feel my legs again, which gave us just enough time to pick out a name for this sweet angel.  We had tossed a couple of ideas around but none had really stuck.  After a little more consideration, we decided on Mary Elizabeth.  We weren't 100% sure at this point if we were going to call her "Mary" or "Mary Elizabeth."  Turns out Mary Elizabeth would stick!

 First bath in the hospital

 Watching Ellen meeting her new baby sister for the first time was beyond adorable--she couldn't have been more excited!

Grandma Nancy picked her up from school and brought her to the hospital.  Although she was never super interested in the baby while she was still in my belly, she couldn't wait to meet her in real life!

 She seemed to take the news that her name was not Hashbrown well (side note--Hashbrown is what she told her teacher she wanted to name the baby)

Holding Mary Elizabeth for the first time

 Snuggling with Daddy and Mary Elizabeth

 After a couple of days relaxing at the "Hotel" Baptist, it was time to head home.

 First ride in the car

And, last but not least, Mary Elizabeth passed the Guinness test. 

I guess we'll keep her!!!