Tucker Wiley Golding has arrived!

On February 11, 2011 at 2:18 pm we welcomed our sweet bundle of joy to the world.  It has been such an amazing month! I went in at 4am (we got up at 2am in order to get into town and get to the hospital in time).  I was induced because he just didn't want to come on!  By 4:30 I was hooked up to the IV's and my petosin had begun.  We were just waiting for everything to really get started then...I was struggling a little with the contractions, but nothing that I couldn't handle, so I was hoping to maybe go natural....then they broke my water (at 9am).  After my first contraction it was so intense, I knew there was no doing it, so I said "hook me up!" I had complete relief within 30 minutes and couldn't really even feel pressure until I was dilated to 9 cm.  It took from 4:30 until noon for me to become fully dilated, but my OB was at Methodist Germantown delivering another baby, so I was pretty much on hold until she arrived - 45 minutes later we started pushing.

I have to say that giving birth was NOTHING like I had expected.  The nurses and staff at Baptist were amazing and so encouraging.  They answered all my questions and really helped me through the whole birthing process.  I really had a great experience.

We visited with our parents, and a few others before everything got under way.  I pushed for about an hour and a half, and he arrived at 2:18pm - so perfect! 10 fingers, 10 toes, with a set of pipes!  Tucker started crying the second he was out into the world - and didn't stop until they were completely finished with checking him and handed him back to us.

What a miracle...I just cannot even explain what an amazing gift children are.  I knew when I was pregnant that I was going to love this little thing more than I could ever imagine, and man was I right.  I cannot even put into words...I finally get the saying "You will never know until you have your own."

This was right after arriving at 4am and being hooked up to everything - ready for all the excitement of the day.

Right after he arrived - getting checked out - 8 lbs, 0 oz, and 21 inches long.

Our first family photo

The next morning - the outfit swallowed him!

Headed home - we look exhausted...had no idea that we weren't even close to being as tired as we would in the days to come :)

My amazing nurse, Leslee - she was so great.

Proud Mimi holding her first grandson

Grammy and Papaw holding their first grandson - the first grand baby on both sides

Popa came to visit again the next morning before heading to work - they can't get enough of this little guy!

Sweet Tucker in his going home outfit - right before we left the hospital the next day.

I can't even remember what we used to do to fill up our time before he arrived - we are so blessed!