Morgan Kate

Getting pregnant makes me nervous. Being pregnant makes me nervous. Giving birth makes me nervous. Really, anything that is remotely associated with childbearing makes me a nervous wreck. Yes, I have seen and witnessed and been a part of some amazing experiences. Experiences that were all smiles and laughs and all good times. But, more than I would like, I have experienced some really painful and tough times. Times where I say to myself, "This is not how it was supposed to be." I have been through some of the times myself. And I have watched very close family and very close friends go through them. I'm not sure what's worse. Going through them yourself or watching it happen to people so near and dear to your heart and not being able to do anything to change the events or make things better. When it comes to pregnancy/childbearing/etc. I find myself doing a lot more frowning than smiling.

But Friday, I was all smiles. My smile was unstoppable. Late Friday afternoon I was on my way to the hospital to see this perfect, precious baby boy. A true gift from God.

Let me introduce you to Nolan Thomas.....

I spent most of the day Friday texting and phoning one of my besties, Raven. I wanted the specifics. How was she doing? How were things progressing? When was this baby boy going to make his debut? Friday marked 41 weeks of pregnancy for Raven. And while she was a week overdue we were all so thankful. I'm sure Raven might have preferred Nolan to arrive a little earlier, but I was perfectly content. I wanted him to stay nice and safe and sound in her womb for as long as he needed. Around 4:00 or so that afternoon I got the call that things were indeed progressing and that it was almost time. I quickly grabbed my things, jumped in the car and made my way to the hospital. I wanted so badly to be there for the entire day, but I don't know how all this labor stuff works and I didn't want to be in the way. I knew Raven had a mission, one thing on her mind, and I didn't want to distract or interrupt. So as soon as I got the call that things were moving quickly I made a mad dash.

As I was driving the eighteen miles to the hospital, the same hospital that I know all too well, I had the biggest smile on my face. I kept thinking to myself and even saying out loud, although I was all alone, "This is how it's supposed to be." Women are supposed to have healthy pregnancies. Women are supposed to go full term, maybe even longer. People are supposed to make mad dashes to hospitals to be a part of such an amazing event. Babies are supposed to come out crying and all pink. Daddies are supposed to be able to go "behind the glass" and present their baby to the world. Family and friends are supposed to gather in waiting rooms and pace the floor.

The birth of your child is supposed to be a day to never be forgotten and for all good reasons. And I am so very thankful that I got to be a part of this day. I am so thankful for Raven and for Koto and for Nolan. He is so beautiful and so perfect and so amazing! They are all so special to me and so dear to my heart. And I am just so, so thankful.

I am so excited to hold him and love him and kiss him and snuggle him. I can't wait to introduce him to Morgan Kate. And I can't wait to spoil him rotten, because I WILL! I love you so much Nolan. You have an amazing mommy and daddy who have waited for this day for so long. You are one lucky little boy! And we are all so lucky and so blessed to have YOU!