This morning, around 8:00 a.m., TC and I got to the hospital for our scheduled c-section. Hayes turned sideways/transverse about two weeks ago and complications from my delivery with Hudson were a second reason to have a c-section.

I was a little nervous about the unknown, but couldn’t wait to meet our sweet baby. Today was Cinco de Mayo, so our doctor wore a super fun sombrero into my pre-op room to celebrate. I just love her so much and felt so at ease that she’d be doing the procedure.

After getting plenty of fluids and prepping for surgery, it was our turn to head into the operating room for Hayes’s delivery. TC loved his scrubs and I loved my fun little hair net thing.

We went into the operating room at 10:30 a.m. and I got my spinal, they put up the drape, and then brought TC in.

At 10:46 a.m., Hayes Claxton Carroll was born. He weighs 8 lb 12 oz and is 19.5 inches long. Not quite as big as his older brother, but still a solid little guy.

It was so great to see his sweet little face and hear him cry.

They brought him into the recovery room with me so I could feed him. He is such a calm, content baby. But he was that way in the womb, too. Isn’t he cute?

At this point, I don’t think he and Hudson look too much alike. Hayes has more of my family’s features and Hudson favors his Daddy more.

We have had a great day. I am feeling great and have been able to manage the pain so it hasn’t gotten too bad. My parents and in-laws were here and my mom and dad were with Todd and me for most of the day. My dad heads home tomorrow, so it was nice to get lots of time with him today.

Hudson met Hayes this afternoon and we have some fun photos from that meeting that I’ll share later. It went well and I think Hudson is going to love having a little brother.

Thanks so much for the prayers and well-wishes via blog comments, texts, tweets, Facebook, and phone calls. We feel so blessed.

This is the very first of many many letters that I will write to you. You haven’t made your way into this world just yet, but we are all anxiously awaiting your arrival and are so excited to meet you.

You are joining a family that is full of love, and we cannot wait to love on you. Your daddy, big brother, and I have been praying for you ever since we found out about you.

The day I found out I was expecting you was a normal day and a test confirmed my suspicions that I was, in fact, pregnant. I waited until your daddy got home from work to share the news with him and he was so excited! And he knew that you were going to be a boy!

The day we found out that we were having another little boy, my mind immediately went to Hudson and I had so many visions in my head of the two of you growing up together as best friends. Playing golf with daddy, riding with each other to high school, and visiting each other in college. I don’t want to wish either of your lives away, but I just pray that you and Hudson will love each other as only brothers can. He is very excited to be getting a baby brother. I know the two of you will fight and compete in your lives, but I pray that you will always love each other and realize the importance of family and siblings. If I can’t give either of you anything else, I will know that I gave you each other.

I suspect that you and Hudson will be very different in a lot of ways and I cannot wait to see what those differences are. I just want you to be a happy little boy who grows into a Godly man.

Your daddy and I pray daily for wisdom as we plan to raise you and raise Hudson. I want you to always know that you are loved. More than anything. I haven’t even seen your face yet and my love for you overwhelms me. I can’t even imagine how it will feel when the doctor places you in my arms for the first time. We don’t have to wait long!

You are also very fortunate to be in a family full of grandparents, an uncle, and a great-grandmother who love you endlessly already. And there are so many sweet dear friends and extended family members who have been praying for you since they found out about you. We are so blessed by all of these people and I know that you will be, too.

I’m looking forward to cherishing every little second with you as we get to know each other.

There is a verse from Colossians that I have stumbled upon in various Bible readings over the past few months. And every time I read it I think of you. Thank you for being mine. I can’t wait to meet you!

Love,

Mommy

“Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.”

Colossians 1:9