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We have another baby girl!!! She was born, very healthy at 8:23am! She looks just like her big sister, Kirsten!! Click the photo above to see that photo enlarged. Mom is doing very well, after a quick but intense labor and delivery. She’s resting now as I get these photos up for all interested parties. 🙂

Birth Story
We had a regular doctor appointment yesterday, and there was a little progress, but nothing major to report. Doc asked if Jen wanted her to do a little trick that sometimes can help start labor. Jen said yes.

We went home (after a quick stop at McDonald’s for lunch, since that’s what we did right before Kirstie came…) and Jen noticed that there were some more signs of baby’s impending arrival, but seeming quite faint still. We monitored them though, obviously, and were ready should they ever increase.

We went through a fairly normal day… and after dinner, Jen had a hankering for some donuts, so we headed out for those. All the while, she was still having those infrequent, mild contractions. She almost didn’t want to call them that.

It was after 9:30 when we got home, so I put Kirsten in bed, and Jen started an A-Team with the boys! (They had been wanting to do that all day.) Kirstie and I talked about how the baby might be coming even before she wakes up again! I guess we were right!! 🙂

We went to bed around 11pm, and Jen was still having mild contractions. I said, “Shouldn’t we call somebody??” We did not. We just went to bed. 🙂 (Jen thought she could get some rest. She did not.)

I woke up at 5:35am to an empty bed, and the bathroom light on. Jen came back in the room, doubled over, obviously in much more intense labor. As I tried to get my wits about me (that’s very early in the morning, you know!!!) I got from her that the contractions were stronger, five minutes apart and 30 seconds long. That’s time to head out!!!

I gathered the things we needed, and called our neighbors to come over and stay with the rest of our sleeping kids. (Don’t worry, they’re up at 6am!) 🙂 Mr. Tones came over and we headed out to the hospital.

Now, I usually am happy to obey most traffic laws – but not today. We made the 25+ minute trip in well under 20. 🙂 It was nice. No traffic, and it was daylight…. a nice quick trip.

We arrived at the hospital at about 6:15 and were in the room, getting ready to have the baby before 6:30am!!! Usually we walk around, taking some laps to get labor started. We hang out, Jen in the rocking chair, and just chatting. NOT TODAY. We were ready to go!!!!

Our doctor got there not long after we did. Another friend who helped with Kirstie’s delivery was also on duty when we got there, so she helped out as well.

The labor was quite intense – more than usual – but Jen did GREAT as always. She’s awesome. 🙂 After some intense labor, it was time for the baby to come! Everything was very “by the book”, and Julia entered the world at 8:23am this Saturday morning!!! (Maybe she’ll be a morning person?) 🙂

Jen is doing very well. Happy to have Julia on the outside. We haven’t seen her much as the maternity ward is SUPER busy. Twins, and just LOTS of babies last night and today. Cool.

The name? Well, Julia was our second choice for a girl name even before Alex was born. We hoped we could someday use that. And the middle name is my Mom’s middle name. A couple months ago (or less?) we had a different middle name, but I just had a strong thought (that I had not had previously) that we should name the baby Julia Gayle, after Grammy. I liked it, and shared that with Jen. Being new, she wasn’t sure of it at first, but it grew on us. Grammy was a 4th baby, and a girl (obviously…) and we just thought it would be cool. We love Grammy. 🙂 THEN, Jen found out that Gayle means “Lively One”, which has certainly been true of this baby while in the womb!!!!! So, it fit, and we loved it, and…

Here’s Julia Gayle!!!

Julia Gayle and Grandma and Grandpa Walker

Julia Gayle and Grandpa Walker

Julia Gayle on the scale – 8lbs 6oz

Jen and her doctor, Dr. Landgraf

More to come!!!