BABY MAKES 5!

Introducing Miss Ruby!

Born: Friday, August 22 6:46 pm EST

Weight: 7 pounds 14 ounces

Length: 21 3/4"

Here's Ruby in her special hat her favorite nurse made just for her. Apparenty she developed quite a reputation because a new nurse came in our room this morning and said "Oh, so YOU'RE the one with the pretty hat Ruby!"

Here I am, bright and early Friday morning, happy to be about the business of getting the baby OUT of my belly!


Our chubby-cheeked little sweetie, moments after being born -- already tagged for ID.


Ruby is the BIGGEST of my 3 kids -- almost 8 pounds! (For reference, X was 7lbs 1oz and H was 6lbs 10oz). I can't believe this huge baby was in there!

Proud and happy daddy! We can tell you by the clock in the background that Ruby is less than an hour old in this photo.
Meeting mommy for the first time. I was amazed by the chubby cheeks (just like the ultrasound pic on Alan's blog ). Also, she actually has a good amount of hair!

Another pic of me and my girl.

The kids came over the next day, because after I was feeling okay and had some food, it was already after 9:30. They were SO excited to meet her -- wide-eyed and quiet like Christmas morning magic!
The best shot I could get of my family -- they were a bit wiggly and giggly by this point.
A proud and excited big brother.
A proud and thrilled big sister. (The nurse made them each special wristbands to wear when they came to visit. A pink one labeled "Big Sister" and a blue one labeled "Big Brother" -- I think you can see Xander's in this photo.

Me snuggling Ruby on Saturday afternoon. At this point, little miss still didn't have a name! It took us awhile this time -- sorry to all you impatiently waiting....and waiting...you weren't the only ones! Most of her hospital paperwork says "Baby Girl Peck". When they brought her in after dinner on Saturday she had a new "Ruby" namecard in her bassinette. In the middle of the night (4am) the nurse brought her in and told me they all loved her name and that she was crying and mad, and bright red -- they said "Ruby's got her red dress on!" She does turn a lovely shade of ruby red when she's really mad! :)

Sunday morning, ready to go home. Still love the diva fancy hat.


Snug and ready to roll.
One more cute pic of each kid with the new baby. They were SO excited when we came home. We could see Hadley's beaming face through the window where she was perched waiting for us. (Wonder how long she sat there?)
She's so happy to finally be "a big sister AND a little sister".


We are home and happy and doing well. We welcome all phone calls and visitors (give a call first).

Quick shout outs and thank-you's to Cyd and Jenn for lots of babysitting, to Liz for saving me from a mental breakdown, and to Lisa for being our first official visitor and welcoming committee! (The cookies were divine -- I have devoured far more than my share already -- YUM!)