And I get to celebrate every year first thing in the morning, at 12:01!

For those of you who haven't heard the stats:

Cara Grace Campbell
7 pounds, 1 ounce
19.5 inches
May 19, 2008, 12:01 AM

Wow...what a day!  To be honest, it feels like 2 separate days already.  I'm sure those of you out there who have had kids in the middle of the night (or maybe just anytime) know that feeling!  I don't think I can make this very long, because I'm running on 1 1/2 hours of sleep and a few shots of caffeine, but I'll do my best.

Contractions started Sunday evening (5/18) around 4:00, though my wife let them go on for an hour before notifying me!  So at about 5, right at the beginning of the 3rd period of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, we both started watching the clock.  They continued to get closer together, some being only 3-4 minutes apart by the end of the game.  Contrary to what you might believe, it was actually Amy who forced us to wait until the Pens had finished trouncing the Flyers!  After wanting this little one to come along for weeks, she couldn't quite convince herself it was really labor.  So finally, around 7 PM, I convinced her to call the doctor, and sure enough, we were on our way.

We registered around 8 (on a Sunday night...same time and day of the week we registered for big brother Evan's arrival), and Amy was found to be in perfect shape for admittance...4 cm and 100% effaced.  We were moved to labor and delivery around 9:00, and Amy asked for an epidural as soon as we got there.  Unlike last time, the epidural was only half effective.  Apparently, there was a block somewhere on her right side, and the medicine didn't really get into place until 11 or so.  So contractions continued to be painful, but little did we know...

At about 10 till midnight, Dr. Woo and a nurse came in following a contraction and asked if Amy felt pressure.  She did have a bit, but wasn't overly concerned yet.  Dr. Woo then checked the baby, and to our amazement yet again, it was time!

It took a few minutes for everyone to get situated in the room, so at 11:59, Amy took a couple breaths and started pushing.  2 minutes and 2 pushes later, Cara was born!  Yep...2 MINUTES!  Right before the pushing started, the nurse had checked the clock, and I automatically assumed that 11:59 now meant a certain baby "tomorrow."  Dr. Woo, knowing her head was right there, wasn't so sure that would be the case.  It barely was!  Is that not unreal...2 minutes???  I'm still in awe at how good Amy is at this birthing thing!

So Cara came out, got cleaned up and weighed, and sucked her thumb for the next hour!  She is cute as can be, looking a lot like her big bro with the (mostly)  bald head, blue eyes, and pudgy nose.  She has mommy's mouth too, so if Evan wasn't a quite a spitting image, she certainly is!

We are overjoyed to have her in our lives.  What a blessing the Lord has given us yet again!

Thank you all for your continued support!  Come see Cara Grace soon!

Greg