Introducing...

Jolene Joan-Claire Gough

"Josie" as we like to call her.

Born October 15,2010 6lbs 9ounces 18inches

I already told you about how we decided on her first name HERE

Jolene/Josie which means Jehovah will increase or Jesus will add but her middle names are

Joan, which means God is gracious and is in honor of you her Grandma, Paula Joan. and

Claire, which means radiant light and is in honor of

my best friend Claire.

We had already been planning to deliver this little bundle at 37.5 weeks to avoid any serious complications with my, ahem, condition and we were thrilled to bits that meant her birthday would be October 20th or 10/20/2010..such a cool day! So when contractions started ramping up on the 14th I sort of just figured I could work through it and make it to the scheduled delivery but was having a hard time resting since all I wanted to do was nest and prepare the house.

We had a family day planned for Friday the 15th and I had worked hard to organize a little craft for the boys to make for Josie, to bring to the hospital. We were going to go to a movie and the pumpkin patch and then finish off the day at the boys open house at their school. However when I got up Friday morning I knew something felt different so I told Chris that we needed to postpone the family day until Saturday so that I could do a few more things on my to do list, just in case.

we did end up going to the open house briefly that evening but by then I think in my heart I knew I needed to call the hospital and get checked. contractions were one on top of the other, not too long or painful but just too much laboring for me with my uterus being so risky. Luckily Paula and Steve were out our way since we had planned to do pizza for dinner. Paula could see it in my face and basically made me call the hospital (thanks Paula!) and when I talked to the on call doctor he told me not to eat anything or do anything but get down there so they could take a look.

to be continued...

in the mean time here are a ton of photos from Josie's first days in the hospital and all the family and friends that visited. thanks everyone for all the prayers and well wishes we are recovering nicely at home and are so blessed by the family of five we have been given!

Simon and Levi meeting their little sister for the first time, they both decided to wave it was so cute.

a personal favorite, daddy holding Josie while big brothers wrestle in the background

Grandpa Gough and Simon

Levi was especially timid that first morning. I think I should have warned the boys more about how I would be in the hospital. they were prepare for the baby but not thrilled that I was stuck in the hospital bed. Simon told me when they picked me up to go home that he "never wanted me to go back to the hospital again"..

wrestle fest with Cousins Evan and Miles

Grandma adoring her second granddaughter. Josie makes grand baby number seven (our lucky number!) for you and Steve, Paula. We are so blessed by the family you have built together and how our children get to grow up with such an amazing heritage. God has been so gracious to me in giving me you as my family and I am honored to have the chance to name my daughter for you!

Cousin Miles

Nana meeting her first granddaughter on the Andrew's side!

Auntie Kristen and her beautiful smile. I hope Kristen teaches Josie how to let her joy radiate from the inside out the way that she does so beautifully!

with Uncle Kyle

our family of five..aka me after not sleeping for almost two days straight

making a game of the linen closet

Papa meeting his first Granddaughter

Auntie Jenny with baby Josie. Auntie Jenny brought the most darling outfit and handmade doll for her. I can't wait for Josie to get to spend time with her Auntie, shopping and crafting and doing what Jenny does best!

with Uncle Jeff, pink looks good on you Jeffie! I also must mention that we named Josie, Jolene Joan-Claire with intention that her initials be JJG just like her uncle Jeffrey James aka "JJ" as a kid. Maybe Josie will inherit that nickname too!

I love this picture of Claire soooo much! It shows such pure emotion. Her name means radiant light and this picture reminds me of the reason we wanted to name our little girl for you Claire. You have always been a radiant beam of light in my life, supporting, loving and walking by my side since the moment we met in speech class and I wrote you that note and your wrote back...awesome!

my three kids, man I am lucky!

Katie and Kim, two of my closest Mommy friends. Kim is about to deliver her number three any day too!

Auntie Rachel and her first niece. I am sure that Josie will have a blast over at Auntie Rachel's hanging out with her cousin Amelia, only seven months older!

Uncle Bryan

Great Aunt Rhoda

Great Grandma Velma. Josie makes ten great grandchildren for this amazing woman!

four generations

shenanigans with great uncles Dave and Scott and of course Grandpa Gough

quite possibly the cutest thing ever..Julia and Jon you know you want one :)

the boys were SO excited about the special surprise that they made with Daddy. They each picked out balloon bouquets with princess and dora balloons and daddy bought me a gorgeous bouquet of pink roses. They made a big sign and streamers to welcome us home!

our perfect, gracious, radiant gift from God. Welcome to the world miss Josie Joan, we love you so!

I will be back with the rest of the birth story soon!! xo