World, Meet Jack. Jack, Meet the World.

After a low heart-rate scare, Jack Michael Neal joined Bryan and me on February 10, 2009 weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 19 inches long (- for those of you who are curious - his head measured 13 1/4 inches).


I was admitted to the hospital on Monday during my weekly check-up. LBN's heart-rate came in at 85 where it's supposed to be between 120 - 165. By the time I was admitted, it jumped back to normal. But, my doctor wasn't going to let me leave without LBN in my arms.

So, he alerted the Red Cross to get Bryan home. We had a baby coming.

We watched the heart-rate very closely throughout the night to make sure I didn't have to get an emergency C-Section. Robbie, Ashley, Lindsay and Miriam all stayed well into the night. Thanks to Miriam for going home and packing a hospital bag for me.

Lindsay spent the long night with me in the most uncomfortable looking chair. Meanwhile, Bryan was somewhere in Louisiana trying to get from point A to point B with an entire alphabet worth of stops in between. Thanks to Tom for helping us coordinate the logistics, seriously. Bryan was due home at noon on Tuesday.

I woke the next morning to get my water broken at 7:30 - Bryan was landing in Atlanta soon. I got an epidural shortly after. Before I knew it, it was twelve. My contractions were getting bigger and closer together. I luckily had Lindsay, Ashley and Brooke by my side.

12:30 - After a speedy carride from Atlanta, Bryan walked in the door - the girls jump up, give him a quick hug and exit while I clenched my teeth through a contraction. He was right on time. He had about a minute to sit down before the doctor and nurses came in to help us get our baby out.


We couldn't be happier. We decided to go back to the name we talked about when we found out we were pregnant in June: Jack. (But I get Brogan if our next is a boy, ha!) He came out hardly crying and had one eye open while the nurses cleaned him up. He hardly made a peep. We're 'hoping' that he'll make that a habit. :)

Bryan and I know how lucky we are to have a very healthy baby. We couldn't be happier. We are also so thankful to all of our friends who came rushing to our sides in a time of need. Lindsay, Robbie, Ashley, Miriam, Brooke, Tom and Brian - thanks for your speediness and bedside manner. We definitely could not have made it through these last couple of days without you guys. We owe you a big one.

We all agree - there was a reason the heart-rate was low at the exact time the doctor checked. Jack was ready to come out and wanted to make sure his daddy was there to greet him. He's SO smart already. Let's not forget how great of a day February 10 is. Jack now shares his birthday with Great-Grandma Alyce's birthday. Pretty awesome, huh?

In the meantime, we are in the hospital until Thursday. After that - we're open to visitors. :) Thanks to those of you who have already stopped in; Matthew, Brandi, Lauren, Russell, Josh and Jeb. It was great seeing you, as always. It's great to see the 'family' we have right here in Statesboro. :)

Come on over and meet our Jack!