Connor Xavier Ohman has arrived!!

Melissa and Matt Ohman's baby boy Connor Xavier arrived on 03/08/2009 at 5:58 p.m. He weighed in at 9lbs 14.4oz and is now my little Moose. Or moosey. Or Moose. Or just plain a miracle. I was fortunate enough to actually see the birth this time(thanks for trying Julia!) and it was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I cried, and I don't cry at all. Andrew was shocked....lol. It was more touching for me to see the immediate transformation from Melissa to Mommy. I cried when she cried, I cried when they handed him to Matt's very excited hands, I cried when she sqeezed my hand and thanked me for coming...I cried because my best-friend, through all of our very sisterly ups and downs-is now a mommy.

The original plan was just to have Margo and Matt in the room with Melissa, and I totally respected that. Melissa has a hard time with a lot of attention, and is a very private person so it made sense. For the past two weeks I have been waiting on pins and needles though for that 3 AM text announcing the travel to the hospital. I've spent more time just hanging out with Matt and Mel over the past month in hopes of being there at the right moment, than I had over the past year and a half. I missed her. I love where we are now. Things are finally getting back to where we were before the big blowout 08...we share our secrets and giggle and eat cookies. I love her and I'm so thankful that things are levelling out...you know? Through every relationship, especially one that is so carefully balanced atop multiple dimensions-family, friend, sister, enemy, etc...there is growth and change. I'm loving where we're headed and Matt and I are continually growing closer, which Melissa loves. He's a very reserved guy, so it's nice when she can have a friend over he'll actually chat with.

Which is how I came to be in the room for the miracle...I had spent the night at the Crumbaker's in their guest room as Mel had started having contractions the day before. They were not intense enough to necessitate a check-in at the hospital, but the show had begun. So stupidly, I was the only one who stayed up until 3:00 waiting for the call...and finally dozed when Matt called from the hospital at 5:30 to say she was in labor. Mike, Margo, and I all quickly showered an rushed over and settled in for the long haul. After Mike could see that things were actually not going to happen soon, and that his presence just made Melissa feel like she had to cover her goodies with the gown every time she moved, he politely exited and went home to spend time with Melika's brother Jeff. All day we waited, and I rubbed her feet (something I learned from Rae Ann...thanks Rae!). It got to the point that she told me I was required to rub them through her contractions to help. I made all my very stupid/corny jokes and made Matt laugh while Melissa was a stinking soldier and cranked those contractions out like a freaking Marine. By lunch time, when Margo and I left for an hour or so to give the parents some alone time, Matt asked Melissa if I could please stay...lol. So they asked me to stay, and I got to witness/photograph the blessed event. I know that just somehow turned Mel's birth into a story about me, and that was not my intention. I was just shocked and shaken she let me stay. I mean-I'm her only "naked" friend...you know, the ones you get naky with and don't feel wierd, but even with that being true I was still surprised...I am so thankful I got to be there for it, and I am so amazed at what a strong woman she is. It was incredible.