She has arrived!

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 our little family of 4 became a family of 5 as Ruth Wallis entered the world. Ryan and I arrived at the hospital at 5:15 am for another scheduled c-section. After blood work, paper work, and some waiting the actual procedure started around 7:15. Finally at 7:51 I heard that priceless first cry from our baby girl, Ruth. This pregnancy has seemed so long to me. Then, in the home stretch we had to say good bye to our friends in Ohio and move across the country to Spokane. Of course, we didn't just go from Dayton to Spokane. We had Ryan's graduation from his residency, a family reunion at Bear Lake, Utah, and a trip to my family in Idaho all came after Dayton and before Spokane. However, we did arrive in Spokane at 37 weeks. I met my new doctor. Ryan started work again. Owen started preschool. We all worked on turbo speed to satisfy my nesting urge and get our house together before the baby came.

Needless to say I was a bit emotional after all we had been through. Ruth arrived and I just kept thinking, "We did it. We did it. I actually made it. She's really out." I still wake up sometimes and have to remind myself I'm not pregnant anymore. What a great feeling! Even better is when I look over and our little babe is sleeping so soundly. Oh, why can't the newborn stage last longer?

I was sure this baby was even bigger than our first two. There was just no more room to grow. Turns out she was the exact same weight that Ava was.
She weighed in at 9 lbs 8 oz. 21 inches long.
My brief first moment to hold her before they take her to get cleaned up and I get sewn up.
She was born with a little 'strawberry kiss' on her forehead from being pressed against bone for so long. The doctor said it will fade away over a little time.
The kids got to come up to see the baby and I every day after they woke up from their nap. Ryan packed them a dinner to eat in the room and we just hung out. Here we are testing the weight capacity of the hospital bed.
Good bye Dayton!
Ryan graduated from his residency program. Then, the kids and I with the help of his parents and my cute sister-in-law, Lexi caught a flight to Salt Lake. Ryan and his brother drove our van and Ryan's car out to Salt Lake. We were proud of the good things everyone had to say about Ryan at the clinic. Good job Hubby!
Ryan and the two directors over his residency program.
This was Ryan's assistant for the year. Good bye Tina.
The beach at Bear Lake was probably Owen's favorite thing about the whole summer.
Ava loved the beach as well.
Owen's first day of preschool. I was very proud of him for being so excited when he knew he wouldn't know anyone there. I love his outgoing personality. Hoping he'll be able to make lots of friends in Spokane.