introducing

 Avery Leone Welker was born on June 17 2012 at 332 am. She was 9 pounds 5 ounces and 22 inches long. She made her arrival after only four hours of hard labor and about five pushes. She is a dream come true for all of us. None of us can get enough of her. Someone is always at her constant side. Easton gets so concerned whenever she cries and comes running yelling "don't cry Avery!" in his best baby talk voice. Taylor could hold her for hours and calls her baby cakes, which now Easton has started calling her, Chase's face lights up when he is with her. And his smile makes me smile. Talan constantly wants to hold her, and is very concerned about wanting to know what she is doing and where she is at all times, they all do. She is a perfect fit for our family.

 Last Saturday night after a week of contractions coming and then very discouragingly going, I felt a strong one hit around 10:30 pm. I remember thinking whatever it will stop and I went to bed. At 11:30 I woke up feeling another strong contraction and this one had a different feel to it. Just as strong as the one from an hour earlier, but I started to wonder, "could this be it??" I was four days past my due date and and more than ready to have this little one in our lives and outof my body. So I sat in bed and timed my contractions until about 1:00 am when they didn't stop I woke Cort up. We decided to watch them for another hour and if they kept going we would call the doctor. I had decided previously that I wanted to deliver this little one naturally this time around. Nothing against ephidurals I think they are awesome! But, as crazy as it may sound I wanted to experience the whole thing, pain and all. I wanted to know what it felt like without the drugs. Just something different. Cort was an amazing support system through it all. As we timed my contractions for that next hour, last Sautrday night, he massaged my back and reminded me to breath. I fell in love with him all over again. Around 2:00 am we called the doctor and he told us to head to the hospital, but told us not to deliver the baby between 9 and 10 in the morning. I joked with Cort when he hung up the phone with my doctor, Dr. Holmes, that he must be speaking in church around then. We called my Aunt Leone and she came and sat with the kids. I continued to walk around the house while we waited for her, in hopes that it would help move things along. On the drive there I started to feel lots of pressure, I remember thinking I need to go to the bathroom. We got to the hospital around 2:30 am. They took us back to a room, and first thing they did was check me. Before she did though I told Cort we shouldn't have come in yet. I should of labored more at home. I think we were both stunned when the nurse checked me and said your a 8-9 and ready to push! I was not expecting that I thought we would have time for pictures, talking, walking around the hospital, etc. etc. After that the next thing I knew the room broke into a panic. Not long after my doctor rushed in and asked "do I have time to change??" It all went so fast. It all felt a little surreal. Probably didn't help that me and Cort were both going on only about a hour of sleep. After about 5 good pushes and a pop (my tail bone breaking, which strangely enough I don't remember feeling it break, only heard it, I guess I was preoccupied with other things, but I can definitely feel it now :/) our adorable Avery was here! I remember watching my doctor flip her around and clean her up a bit and then he stuck her right on my stomach and I held her for awhile. Always my favorite part of having a baby holding them for the first time. As my doctor stitched me up I asked him "are you speaking in church today?" He smiled and said "yes between 9 and 10." I couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience. This little girl is for sure heaven sent. We all are in absolute love with her. We are so blessed. My heart is so full of gratitude I feel like it might burst. I love being a mom.
Best Father's Day present ever. I don't think I will ever be able to top this Father's Day again. What a joy to have her come on such a special day. She's so lucky to have Cort as her dad.

All clean. First bath.

Leaving the delivery room. A couple hours after her arrival.

Me and Avery. A couple hours old.

Meeting their sister for the first time. SO happy she's finally here. It was a long wait.

                                                  

Taylor couldn't be more excited. Finally a sister. :)

Nothing but love.

This is going to be one protected little girl. This picture was taken minutes after me and Cort walked in the door from the hospital. Earlier today, Talan was holding Avery and he said to me "awe she's so cute. Mom, can we keep her?" Nothing but love for this little one.

First day home from the hospital.

We love you Avery Leone!