Joshua Cordell Shirley

We arrived at the hospital about 12:30 am on May 23rd.  We were admitted after they monitored my contractions for about 30-40 minutes and did an exam.  They called the doctor on call in.  Dr. Wheat arrived around 1:40 am.  The baby was very active during this time and they had to keep re positioning me and the monitor to keep track of his heart beat.  They also gave me extra oxygen to see if that would help.  Dr. Wheat finally broke my water at 2:31 am and Joshua was born 11 minutes later at 2:42 am.  He was 8 lbs. 21 inches long.  He has some dark hair and long thin fingers and feet.  He started crying as soon as he came out.  He did have the cord wrapped twice around his neck, but the doctor was quick to get it off.  He loves to snuggle and caught on to nursing very quickly.  He often thinks he is starving!  We love him and are so grateful he made it here safely.

Saturday morning Andy went home and got the kids ready to come visit.

Grandma Shirley was still on her way.

I was still a little bit tired.  Having a baby in the middle of the night can really mess with your sleep. 

Eliza drew me some pictures and Bradley made a sign to welcome our new baby brother.

Andy had made a short video of Joshua crying when he was born.  He told the kids that I had had the baby and started the video.  They all worked really fast so they could come meet him.

It's our baby brother!

Dad and Joshua

Dad was a little bit tired too. :)

Daniel, Dad, Josh, Bradley and Eliza

Bradley was very excited to be able to hold him first!

Daniel and Joshua

Eliza was very patient while waiting for her turn.

She was a little bit nervous that he was so little.

Nathan thought he was so cute.

Joshua after his first sponge bath before heading home.

Saturday evening Grandma Shirley made it to our house.  Andy and the kids brought her back to the hospital to see Joshua.  Then she took the kids home.  Andy and I finally got some time to talk about names for our baby.  We had a list we had been working on.  Earlier in the week Nathan told one of our friends that we were naming our baby Joshua.  When she told me about it I was really surprised since we hadn't talked about Joshua.  After talking about it we decided Joshua is a good name and added it to our list.  Andy has a good friend here named Cordell Davis.  Andy really liked the name Cordell and added it to our list.  I wasn't sure I could do Cordell as a first name, but it does sound pretty good with Joshua.  After looking at the names on our list and snuggling with our new baby we decided Joshua Cordell Shirley was a good fit for him. :)

Joshua with Slick the turtle in the background.

Sunday afternoon we broke out of the hospital.  We were excited to make it home.

May 25

Eliza and Joshua

The kids are good to hold Joshua anytime I need them to.