Welcome to the world, Ashton Bruce Cummings!

He's here. The bump I waited nine months to meet is finally here. My biggest kicker, least dramatic gestation, and most unheralded pregnancy finally made his entrance into the world on October 27, 2017 at 7:58 am. As we suspected, he was significantly bigger than his brother and sister who weighed in at 6 lbs. 10 oz. and 6 lbs. 12 oz. respectively. Ashton came in at a whopping (for me) 8 lbs., 5 oz., 21" and is the spitting image of his older sister. We finally settled on the name Ashton Bruce Cummings. It was a game time decision after months of waffling back and forth, choosing names and disregarding them as quickly. Ashton was selected by Robert, enthusiastically seconded by Aidan (thanks to Ash from Pokemon), and given final approval by me. The middle name was always Bruce for Robert's dad because Aidan's middle name is Robert for my dad (and serendipitously, his future dad). Blogoshere, meet Ashton.

Those are his stats, recorded here for posterity. The story, as always, is more interesting, but never competes with lived experience. It's hard for me to even write about birthing days because every word and phrase feels inadequate. The best days are the days babies are born, and there is no superlative that can do them justice. Pictures do a better job so let's start there with the obligatory belly shots.

5:00 am morning of the c-section.

Day before the c-section. 39 weeks. 

For comparison, note how much smaller my belly was the day Harper was born. I look 2 months less pregnant!

Robert and I had a first call c-section at 7:30 am, which means we had to be at the hospital by 6:00. Pros: barely any fasting, less chance of getting bumped back. Con: no pre-party with family and friends like we had with Harper. Since we were in the c-section fast lane, we found ourselves in the operating room in no time.

Pre-op room nerves and excitement.

My partner in all of this.

The nerves are intense pre-delivery, especially after Facebook feeds you stories for nine months of everything that can possibly go wrong. 

In the operating room, waiting for surgery to begin

Warning! The following contains actual surgical shots; look away if you are the squeamish sort. This is my third c-section, and I love/hate this part of the process. I love it because it's an up-close, inside look into an OR. I get to listen to everything the surgeon says, especially because this is a teaching hospital where he gives a play by play to his residents, which is fascinating to inveterately curious people like myself. On the other hand, the anticipation is almost painful. These are the few minutes before you actually meet your baby, the minutes before you can confirm with your own eyes that he is happy and healthy with ten little fingers and ten little toes. It's excruciating and wonderful and so full of emotion, I can't even describe it.

Photo cred: Robert

Cutting the cord.

Waiting to hear the first cry.

At the first cry, the tears just start flowing.

Dr. Sharp always gives his patients one precious first look at their baby over the surgical curtain accompanied by a "Hi, mom!" before checking vitals. 

Getting Ashton checked out and cleaned up. He scored a 9/9 on his Apgar and was perfectly healthy. 

First skin to skin. By now, I'm crying in earnest. 

8 lbs. 5 oz. Heather wins the baby weight pool with an on the nose guess. Note to self: we all still owe her $50. 

More poking and prodding. 

I think Ashton is as eager as I am for more cuddle time. 

Baby-Daddy bonding while Mom is stitched back up. 

Back to our happy place. 

When we returned to the pre/post-op room, my mom, dad, sister, Desi, Aidan, and Harper were waiting for us there, joined shortly by Bruce, JoAnn, and Heather. Harper was super worried about the tubes coming out of my arm, but everyone else was just thrilled to meet the baby. They also took it upon themselves to update Ashton's chart.

Playing in the room before Robert and I got back. 

Ashton looking a little beat up but no worse for wear. 

Sweet cuddles with two of my babies.

First family photo with all five of us. 

Of course, the baby brought presents for Harper and Aidan. 

How thoughtful of him. 

My family got bored waiting for me and added helpful information to the chart. 

...and a welcome sign. 

First nursing. 

I was having a sweet moment, but Harper had other plans. She must have called the nurses from my bed 50 times in four days. Sorry, nurses. She is wicked fast on the draw. 

We all take turns marveling at the new baby. My mom with Ashton. 

Robert's mom and sister with Ashton.

Robert's dad holding Ashton. 

My dad with Ashton. 

I take more than my fair share of turns. 

Dad looking like an old pro on kid #3

My amazing sister flew out again to meet the baby and help me through the first few days. I can't imagine a big life event without her and I am so grateful her husband is willing to watch their four kids for a weekend without her. 

Our wonderful au pair Desiree. She may get a whole blog post soon as I have come to realize how indispensable her help is with Harper, Aidan, and the new baby. I love her. 

Cousin Maddie came by to hold the new baby as soon as she could!

It's not real until it's on Facebook. Ashton, you got 484 likes. Well done. 

We then moved out of the post-op room and into the recovery room, my home for the next three days. Maternal Newborn Care only had eight babies over the weekend, so the nurses were amazingly attentive. They checked on us so much that between Robert and I, we only changed like three diapers over the course of three days. The food was delicious and the company was even better. Ashton slept about 20 hours a day in my arms while I soaked in his newness and perfection. As recovery room dictator, I banished TV and any electronic devices that made noise. I felt a bit imperious, but I wanted to retain the sense of calm and wonder as long as I could.

In my head, "please, please don't step on my incision." 

Smiling or gas, but cute nonetheless. 

I remember those strong arms. The safest place in the world.

Praying baby.

Grand Central Station. 

 Big baby

Aidan befuddled by a crying Ashton. 

This is my favorite photo series from the hospital. "Hmmm... this baby is interesting..." 

"I want to touch his eyes." 

Thwarted. 

Three kids. Let the insanity commence. 

My pain meds made me extremely mobile post-surgery. 

Ashton had these adorable "freckles" around his eyes that disappeared within a few days. 

First bath. Not such a hit with Ashton. 

But he loved having his hair washed.  

The aunties

Uncle Alex showing his ease around babies.

Pastor Scott visited us in the hospital and said a prayer over Ashton. 

Just like that, the boxes were checked and it was time to go. 

One last photo before check-out. 

My heart sleeping outside of my body. 

Readers, thanks for joining us on this journey. Huge thanks to my family and friends for adding to our joy, cooking us meals, and watching my other two kids, and thank you to our nurses -- especially Seppi, Catherine, and Kassie -- for making our hospital stay so easy and for swooning over our baby as if he was the only one on your floor. Thank you to my brother John (whose photos will be in the next blog post) for flying out the day after Ashton was born, and to my brother and sister-in-law who kept touching base from LA. Most of all, thanks to my amazing husband for, well, everything.

Ashton, our adventure has just begun, but I already can't imagine life without you.