John ~ Ashley ~ Jaxon ~ Jace: Jace's birth

With our big move, people would ask me if I was nervous to have a baby with a new doctor and new hospital. I really wasn't nervous at all about that, but what I did worry about was what we were going to do with Jaxon. I was due July 11 and John's parents and Charity were flying out July 9. I had a feeling Jace would be born before they arrived so who was going to take care of Jaxon? There were plenty of really nice people in our ward that offered to take Jaxon but he didn't really know them and I wanted him to be comfortable and happy. Maybe it was silly to worry about that but it mattered to me. Tanner happened to be visiting from Huntsville, Alabama where he lives (about 5.5 hours away) for 2 days over the fourth of July.

Heavenly Father knew my concern and through his tender mercies I started having contractions the night of July 4 at about 2 a.m. (so I guess it was July 5). I timed them for an hour to make sure they were consistent and close together then I woke John up. John woke Tanner up to tell him we were going to the hospital. (Jaxon did wake up in the night and good Uncle Tanner comforted and helped him go back to sleep.) By the time we got to the hospital at 3:45 am the contractions were about 3 minutes apart and very strong. We went to Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington (about 45 minutes from our house in Winchester). They were very good at checking us in fast and getting things rolling. I got an epidural about an hour later and got some relief to relax and let Jace come. Jace was born at 7:20 am. He came out weighing 7 lbs 9 oz and perfectly healthy. I tell ya, there's nothing like holding that sweet newborn for the first time. Makes pregnancy and labor worth it.

John went home later to check on the boys and they came back later that afternoon. It was awesome seeing Jaxon meet Jace for the first time. He's going to be a great big brother. He loves to give him kisses and hugs although sometimes he does try to play too rough for the little guy.

We were so happy to have visitors come. It made the adjustment go smoother to have help for a few weeks. Jaxon loved having more people in the house. He was so bored when they left.