He is Here!!!

Tucker Leonard Brown

Born Dec. 23, 2008 @ 1:06am

6 Lbs 6 oz / 20 inch

Our Family of 6
Lindi 4 1/2- Allie 14 mts/ Trey 2 1/2

Each kid taking a turn holding their new Brother.

Lorin and Bev Just after Tucker came out.
(To bad they didn't stay by my side the whole time j/k)

Laying in the sun soaking up some vitamin D to help with jaundice
MOVIE CLIP
Just home from the Hospital...

My Letter to Tucker....

I have never counted down to a specific date more than with you. On Nov.15^th my body pretty much shut down. I have horrible varicosities while I’m pregnant and with 3 little kids it was hard to stay off of my feet. So after a Saturday work day in the yard, I pushed my limits and your Dad had to carry me to bed. So for the last 6 weeks I’ve been on ‘Bed Rest’ and it has been a tough trial but well worth YOU!

Your due date was Jan 8^th however the Doctor said since I was in lots of pain and on bed rest she would let you come on Dec 18^th. Granny Bev came down to help and be with your brother and sisters. We were so excited and arrived at the Hospital at 6:30 am for the induction. Four long hours later we were sent home, because there wasn’t enough room in the hospital. The Lord knew you needed a little more time to cook, despite what your Dad and I wanted. Granny extended her stay to the 26^th and booked a ticket for Poppy to come for Christmas. We were now counting down to the 23^rd of December. Monday the 22^nd I went to see the Doctor (Allyson Pielop) and by 2:00pm I was having steady contractions on my own. By 4 PM I was in the hospital excited that you were on your way. The Doctor didn’t break my water until 10 pm because we let her go to her family Christmas party and we were nervous if we did it earlier she would get to her party and then just have to come back to deliver you so we decided we would wait. For me it was the first act of service I had given all Christmas season after having received so much. Around 12:45 am the nurse said I was ready to push. I had a nurse go find Dad and Granny because they had gone to lie down. Right as they walked in each stood by one of my sides. After about two minutes Granny got dizzy and had to sit down. Then 30 seconds later Dad got dizzy. The Hospital was crazy so we were just trying to get nurses to come help. Everyone seemed more concerned about Dad and Granny not fainting… than us…well almost. I only pushed for about ten minutes and you were here.

When you came out Dr. Reddington put you right on my chest. I can’t describe the feelings that rushed through me. I felt so much love and gratitude you were here and healthy. The heavens truly opened up and the veil was so thin.

I couldn’t hold you for long because you weren’t breathing that well. The nurses hurried you off to the nursery to get you on oxygen. You were there for about two hours and then back in my arms. For the first 24 hours you constantly made grunting sounds. At first I didn’t know why but I just kept pretending you were telling me about heaven. I later learned, from Dr. Jones, you had moisture in your lungs.

The hospital stay was wonderful in the fact that I had tons of time with just you. I did share a room with 2 other moms, so it wasn’t always quiet but still peaceful. I didn’t have a phone and only our little family came to visit the next morning. Lindi, Trey and Allie were so excited to see you. It was overwhelming and exciting to have all 4 kids on my hospital bed. Your siblings didn’t stay long. Dad finally got to hold you and then stayed for a few hours. We didn’t have a name picked out until just before we left the hospital. We thought you might be ‘Aaron’ but when we saw you it wasn’t right. Dad and I have a hard time agreeing on boys names; we both loved Tucker so that was that. Your middle name is Leonard after my Grandpa Driggs. He passed away last year and is an incredible man. Dad and I feel honored to carry on his name.

Lindi hasn’t wanted to leave your side. Christmas morning Lindi was the first to wake up, she was sleeping on my floor and you were in my arms. She jumped to her feet and said, “I have to wash me hands!” For the next 40 minuets she was perfectly content just holding you before she was ready to go down and open presents. Christmas Eve as we acted out the nativity Lindi was so excited to have you as her little Jesus. Allie thinks you’re her little doll. When it is her turn to hold you she takes her dear sweet time and won’t let you go until she has given you tons of wet kisses and made you cry with her not-so-soft pats. Trey as been very sweet as well and shows way more interest in you that I thought he would. He has a tender touch with you.

We are so excited you are here! You are perfect. The best Christmas present we will ever have.