What I've been working on for the last year

So this is one of the many reasons I haven't blogged for a year (okay so it probably only counts for 9 months, but still it's a good excuse)

Welcome Brooke Alyse Humpherys! We couldn't be happier that you've made it here safe and sound. Brooke was born on Sept. 6, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. She weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20 in.

I was induced Sat. morning and labor went faster than expected. Brooke was ready to come, and so was her mother so ready to have her come. For some reason my babies just need a little pitocin to prepare them for their entrance into the world. I got my epidural, and before I was even numb, she was here! It was a wonderful day, and once again I am amazed at how our Heavenly Father sends his precious children. Can you believe that all of Brooke fit inside me?Clint took this picture after we got home from our first trip to the hospital on Sunday Aug. 31. This was my original due date, my mom's birthday, and the day I really wanted to have a baby. I was having contractions all day Saturday, and when I got up Sunday morning they were 5 minutes apart and getting stronger. I was so excited to think that maybe I could actually go into labor on my own that I called and arranged for the kids to go to church with friends. Clint and I got to the hospital and they took me to triage where they measured my contractions, which were 4 to 5 minutes apart, but they were not strong enough. I was 3 cm. but it looked like I could be in labor for awhile longer, so the nurse told me to go walk and come back later that night. So we went to church which is a place that for some reason always gives me contractions even when I'm not pregnant! I figured walking the halls at church and taking care of primary stuff was as good a place to keep the contractions coming, and I was right. All day long I had them. By 9 p.m. I was exhausted and discouraged that the contractions weren't getting stronger, so I went to bed.

Well this routine continued through the week. My mom got here on Tues. night so that was a wonderful distraction. We did projects on Wed, Thurs, and Fri to distract me. My doctor had put me on standby to be induced on Thurs, which led to Friday. The hospital was just too packed to take me. My dr. called me Friday afternoon after another day of not fitting in at the hospital to tell me that he had scheduled me for Sat. morning at 5:30. I was soooo excited! I wonder how much longer my body would have kept her in before it could do it on it's own. Brooke could have probably grown some teeth! Really, I am just so thankful she is here, and that everything went well. Her brother and sisters are also very excited! They can't get enough of holding her. Here are some more pics of our day at the hospital. Doesn't this make our family look huge!? I can't believe we have 4 kiddos! Life is great. I just might have to actually start acting mature and motherly. Naaah. Thanks for all your love and support and prayers and phone calls!