The new year is always a time to reflect on the past and plan improvements and make changes for the future. We ushered in the new year this year with a new baby boy to know and love. It has definitely been a pleasant change in our little Ballard world. Noah James Ballard was born on January 3, 2013. This was after a lot of debate over when he should come. 2013? 2012? New Years Eve? In the end he came when he wanted. So if he ever doesn't like his birthday it's his own fault. :) January 2nd I worked a very long night shift. By then I was so miserable, sitting down was uncomfortable but standing and doing my job just made my uterus get tied up in knots. After I was finished with my shift I went home and got to sleep for an hour before my 10 AM Dr.'s appointment. Shocker, I was 5 cm dilated. My doctor's partner stripped my membranes and promised I would be in labor by the end of the day. I had my doubts but sure enough the contractions got pretty nasty and I was debating whether or not I should go to the hospital. Soon after, I got a phone call from Dr. Hutchison's nurse asking if I'd like to just go in that afternoon and have my water broken at the hospital. I thought that sounded great so we went in. Dr Hutchison laughed at me for getting my epidural before he broke my water but I wasn't taking any chances...and I'm glad I didn't. He broke my water at about 3 PM and Noah was born close to 5:30 PM and he couldn't come soon enough. What a complete joy! What a moment. I love the moment after a baby's born when you finally have that realization that he's real and he has really become a new part of your world. He was a big part of my world too. A whole 9 lbs. 1 oz. part of my world. I love my little chunk. :) My favorite was when Dr. Hutchison asked what his name is. "Noah," I replied. "Well, I think that's an appropriate name," he said, refering to the large amount of fluid that was also involved in his birth. After that it was time to meet everybody! It was getting a little late but I couldn't wait for Evan to meet Noah.
Evan of course was a little apprehensive about it all but he loved his gift from his brother. He got a toy camera that takes real pictures so while everyone else was taking pictures of the new baby Evan got to take pictures too. Best gift ever. Evan loves his little brother. He helps by getting him diapers and his binkie, and he refuses to leave the house without him. After I fell in love with Evan, I had a hard time imagining loving another baby the same way but Noah has made that so easy. He is so happy and good natured. We love him dearly.
