Born August 12, 2010. 5lb 5oz 17 1/2".And the story of how we got to this:
Our little girl recently made her grand debut much to her parents' surprise! Surprised because she was five weeks early... Surprised because we were smack in the middle of celebrating her dad's birthday when something didn't feel quite right...Surprised because we went from farming out our little Rhett to a friend's house and welcoming our daughter in a matter of 3 hours!
That's right, Nina was born on Porter's birthday- and he could not have been more tickled (although I don't think he would have used that word to describe it). The experience was so surreal, but I would not have had it any other way. I really mean that. Had I known what was coming, I probably would have spent the day before her arrival prepping and running around with my head cut off instead of enjoying the day with Rhett-
Fast forward 24 hours, and this is how Porter's pre-birthday dinner scene went down:
Me: Hey hon- hold on, I think I am having one of these "practice" contractions.. 
Me: Okay, it's no big deal. Smile! Oh wait, here's another one...
Porter: Peach, these are pretty close together. What if you're in labor? What if you she is born on my birthday- here give me the camera- let me get one last pregnant picture- just in case...
Me: Porter, I am not having this baby today! But, yah, maybe you should call the doctor...
One hour later:
She made her entrance at 10:01 pm (three hours after checking into the hospital), and no lie, everything happened so fast, I did not even push once (sorry, t.m.i.). A 5 pound 5 ounce little Nina Lane!
Because of her early arrival- her breathing was irregular enough to merit a trip the NICU in San Antonio. Gulp. Another thing we were not prepared for.
The pediatrician on call decided that NICU in the hospital downtown San Antonio would be better equipped should she need some intervention with her breathing. While I recovered- Porter followed the ambulance and waited by her side. The next 5 days were kind of a fog- after I recovered in the hospital- it was straight to work- going to and from San Antonio to hold our baby when we could, pray over her, bug the doctors and nurses with lots of questions, and just be by her side. 
All the while trying to maintain some sort of normalcy for little Rhett being cared for by my mom back home with the help of an array of friends that would take him in for playdates (thanks Amy and Holley)!
Having our newborn baby in the hospital was probably the hardest thing Porter and I have had to go through together- and the only thing that made us able to stomach it was knowing that when we couldn't be with her physically, the holy spirit was.
After a five day stint in San Antonio- God answered our prayers and our friends and family praying for us and Nina Lane got to finish her recovery at our local hospital. No more i.v.'s , needles, or monitors. This meant I got to drive 2 seconds to go see her, take care of almost all her feedings myself, and eventually room in with her. It was bliss. Tiring, but bliss.
Rhett finally got to meet her- and greeted her with a cow he picked out in the gift shop and singing his version of the ABC's. It was the sweetest.
10 days after her triumphant arrival, and 1.5 pounds of weight gain later- we got to take her home- aaahh.
My angel Nurse Grace. Could not have gotten through the hospital experience without her. And the "preemie" going home outfit she picked for Nina Lane- (considering her fancy Feltman Bros. newborn gown swallowed her). I LOVED the bonnet! 
Here is Porter crossing the finish line.
The first 10 days of her life felt like 10 years. I think neither Porter and I saw the sun, turned on a t.v., or had any clue what was going on in the world. It was a breath of fresh air to have our family of four under one roof!
All this being said, Nina Lane has stolen our hearts. She is the sweetest most dainty little girl. There is sleep deprivation, dirty diapers, and the usual adjustment with a newborn in your home, but there is also almost zero complaining. We are just so lucky and blessed to have her home...that her stay in the NICU was a temporary thing...that her little body is up to speed, that she is perfectly formed, beautifully created, and happily settled with a very lucky mom and dad and a big brother who's convinced her name is "sweet girl."
A BIG thank-you to Nana and 'Grandmommdaddy' who cooked, cleaned, entertained our little guy, and helped prepare our home for our newest addition!
What a stud. 
