She couldn't wait to make her appearance, and we couldn't wait to welcome her into this world. Having arrived a few days early, our little girl is finally here,  ... healthy, beautiful and filling our hearts with joy. As so many moms and dads can understand, I look at our new child and become overwhelmed. She's so real, but a miracle in every way. And all I can do is think about the many reasons we have to be thankful for this person and the moment she came into our lives. So here I will gush ...  

I'm grateful to my family, who sped to the scene to care for our first child for the duration of the delivery and recovery. How great is it to have a sister who will cheerily show up at 2:00 a.m. to sleep on your couch, a brother-in-law who delivers peanut butter cup blizzards to your bedside, and a mother and father who will spoil your firstborn rotten while Mommy and Daddy are temporarily missing?  

... and, of course, a husband, who grimaced with every contraction and gamely pretends he knows nothing of the embarassing bodily fluids, ridiculous faces and strange sounds I was making for an hour.  

I'm thankful for the numbing sensation that epidurals provide, and to the brave anesthesiologist who conceded to give it to me at 9 centimeters.   

I'm appreciative of the mystical qualities of a jalepeno hot dog, which I ate the day I went into labor and, I'm convinced, is what set everything into motion.  

I am impressed by the quality of health care that is offered here in Lancaster. Everyone we encountered - from doctors to nurses to dining services staff - cared for us with warmth and professionalism.    

I will attempt to appreciate the power of a mirror to motivate a woman in labor to push harder. But in the end, I will still look away.  

I am overwhelmed by the generosity of friends, who are showering us with meals, playdates for our daughter ... even cleaning services (although the neurotic side of me wonders if that's a hint). Maybe it does "take a village."  

And lastly, I will be forever grateful that we were blessed with another child so full of life, even at 4-days-old. It is this feeling of gratitude that makes me eagerly reach out for her every time, even at the ungodly hour of 3:00 a.m. with sore boobs and swollen bottom.    

My blog ends here. Thanks for taking the time to read it over the weeks leading up to our daughter's birth. For those of you who are about to experience what we just have, I wish you happiness and health as your family grows.