Hampton's arrival...

Hampton is here!  Which is why it has taken me so long to sit down and document his big day.  I have some catching up to do, but long story short, we got to bring him home for about two days and then we were back in the hospital for a week because he had jaundice.  That is a whole other story that deserves its own post so we will just save those rough days for later and focus on the happiest day of our lives.  On April 3rd, I went in for a normal doctor's appointment to find that my blood pressure had gone up out of no where.  This concerned my doctor and since I was right at 39 weeks, he decided it was best to go ahead and induce.  So we scheduled Hampton's big day for that following Thursday, April 5th.  We had about two days to let it sink in that we would be having a baby that week!  For me, it didn't actually sink in until we were headed to the hospital.  

We were up bright and early and headed to the hospital by 5 a.m.  But before we left, we took one last belly picture.  I mean wow nelly was I big!  It's hard to believe that just a few short hours later our baby was no longer in my tummy.  I remember feeling him move that morning and thinking how much I was going to miss that but feeling even more excited to hold him in my arms.

We got one last family picture with Thor before we headed out the door.  I think he even knew it was time...as you can see he gave me and Hamp a little hug before we left.

 We were all packed up and headed to the hospital full of butterflies and anticipation.  The whole way there we talked about how a baby would be in the back seat the next time we got in the car.  It was quite surreal.

 We arrived to the hospital around 5:15 a.m., got checked in, put in a room and the meds were started around 6ish.  As most of you know, I have been feeling contractions since about 36 weeks.  Not long after they gave me the medicine, I could feel them getting stronger and more regular.  My doctor arrived around 7 and said I was at about 3cm.  He broke my water and within the next few minutes, the contractions were coming much stronger about every two minutes.

For the next 2 1/2 to 3 hours I felt some major contractions that you can see on the monitor below.  They were pretty intense and I was happy to hear that it was time to get an epidural which of course I welcomed.  I truly commend those who choose to go all natural, but as for me I took full advantage of the good ole drugs available to me.

I felt much more comfortable after the epidural.  I still felt the tightening of the contractions but the pain was much more tolerable.  Now that the pain was under control we were able to snap a few picture in between.  And of course we had to have one last picture of the soon to be mommy and daddy.

Of course all of our sweet family and friends were there anxiously awaiting little Hampton's arrival.

Around lunch, I began to feel more pressure.  And then things definitely got tougher.  At about 2:15 I told the nurse I was feeling a lot of pressure.  She said I was at about 6 cm.  Over the next few minutes I felt A LOT more pressure and told the nurse again.  At 2:45 she checked me again and I had progressed to 9 1/2 cm in a thirty minute time span.  It was time!!!  We gave some last hugs to family and hurried them out to get the party started!  I pushed a few times and then we waited on my doctor to arrive.  Once he arrived, I was in what I describe as "the zone."  It is hard to describe but I remember praying with every push.  Other than that I was focused on the task at hand.  I knew that the harder I pushed the faster little Hamp would be here.  Kole was amazing through the whole thing.  He had his arm around me the entire time and continuously encouraged me and lifted me up.  After some hard work, I finally heard that sweet sweet cry....

  He was finally here and I can tell you there is nothing like hearing that cry for the first time.  It was by far the sweetest sound I have ever heard.  As they placed him in my arms, all I could think was here he is, the answer to oh so many prayers.  My heart was so full of love for this tiny little baby that I felt like I had been waiting a lifetime to meet.  


After holding him for a few moments, the nurse took him to get him all cleaned up.  Luckily they did all of this in the room and I was able to watch.  

 Sweet Hampton arrived at 4:10 p.m. weighing in at 8 lbs. and 21 1/2 inches long.  He is perfect!

 Then it was time for his first bath.   

 Our angel had arrived and from that moment on all we wanted to do was hold him in our arms and soak up this amazing little blessing.

 One of my favorite memories from that day was watching Kole with Hampton in those first few moments.  I just cried as I watched my sweet husband with our precious little boy.  It is something I will never forget.

I think it is safe to say that Kole was instantly in love....

And the main thing most people were talking about...that hair!  He has a head full of this beautiful hair!  When its wet, it has a little bit of a wave to it but it is as soft as a feather and it is a gorgeous light brown color with some white blonde in the front.  It is already lighter now.  It is just adorable!

After he was all cleaned up, I finally got to hold him in my arms again.  As I looked at him I was smiling and crying all at the same time.  Here was the perfect little boy that is part of me and part of Kole just laying in my arms and looking at me...his mommy.  By far the best moment in my life....

After we had a few moments to ourselves, it was time to let our family and friends in to meet little Hampton and as you can imagine, they could hardly wait any longer.  They were anxiously waiting outside and knew that he had arrived when they heard the lullabye played over the speakers...

As you can see, I requested that they bring me a Dr. Pepper ASAP!  I hardly ever drink coke but I wanted a caffeinated drink so bad!  It was amazing!

I think Anna Lee had been anticipating Hampton's arrival just as much as we were and she just couldn't wait to see him.  She was precious and Hampton loves her and his best buddy, Mac so much already!

After I hogged Hamp for a while, his sweet daddy finally got his turn and he just stared at him and talked to him.  It was so sweet.  It is already very apparent how much Hampton loves his daddy, he just looks at him as if he knows exactly what Kole is saying to him.

After we got settled into our room, our family and friends finally got a turn to hold him.  All of Hampton's proud grandparents and sweet aunts and uncles were first in line!

 Of course I just couldn't wait to put one of his cute little outfits on him and get him all swaddled...it was a team effort

 Over the next couple of days, we just soaked up every moment we could with our little man.  We also had lots of visitors who were so excited to meet him!  Hampton definitely has so many people who love him so much!

 Blessed beyond all measure...

 He truly is a sweet sweet blessing...

 Hamp's Aunt Sissy loves him so much and soon she will have a little boy cousin that Hampton will just love to grow up with!  So much fun ahead with all of these boys!

 Hamp finally got meet his best buddy Mac!  Their mommies are best friends and we were pregnant together which was so special!  They will be about two months apart so I have no doubt they will be best buddies and I can't wait to see them as they grow up together!

On our last night, we enjoyed a delicious steak dinner!

 Anna Lee took advantage of any chance she had to hold Hampton.  She kept saying "I like him!"  She is such a sweet girl!

 Three generations of Skinners!

 Hampton's YaYa just can't get enough of him!

 And his Nonna now has two grandsons!  She just loves these sweet boys!

 The Skinner and Steltenpohl families!  They are our best friends and have been there with us every step of the way so we just had to get a picture of our families all together.  I love it!

 After a couple of days, it was time to head home!

Our little family could hardly wait to get home!

 Home sweet home...

 We welcomed little Hampton home and introduced him to his room and his little crib.  Bringing him home was such a happy day!

Bringing our little boy into the world was such an undescribable experience.  Everyone tells you it will be the best day of your life, but that still doesn't prepare for how truly breathtaking that day is.  It was even more special to be able to share that incredible day with our closest friends and family.  We feel so blessed to have had and to continue to have so much love and support.


  We have hoped, dreamed, and prayed for Hampton for so long, but all along God knew Him before he was ever created and He knew that Hampton would arrive at the perfect time.  God made the most amazing and perfect little gift and we are so grateful for the blessing of being Hampton's earthly parents.  We pray blessings upon his little life and we look forward to all of the happiness and joy we know he will continue to add to our lives.
"for this child I prayed..."
Samuel 1:27
Thank you Lord for this blessing!