Well, good morning!!!

Once again, I’m fixing my hair while I type this (impressive, no?). By now, you’ve probably seen that, last night, we welcomed a baby boy into our lives! I’m getting ready to head back to the hospital this morning, but before I did, I had to update y’all since we feel like you have been right with us on this wild ride!

Here’s how it went down: yesterday morning, Roomie went for an exam at her doctor’s office on her own (she had quite the little independent streak happening yesterday and wouldn’t let me go with her). I went on over to the office to try to get some work done. Not long after that, I got a call that she had — prepare yourself — driven herself to the hospital and was in labor.

I, of course, flipped out and headed home to grab my bag and get to Labor and Delivery. We are on confidential status at the hospital (more on this below) so they couldn’t even tell me where she was! Once I finally found her, I was happy to see her sitting up in bed with a orange popsicle to keep her company.

The next few hours went by fairly quickly; the parts that stick out to me right now are her water being broken, some intense contractions and then The Medical Marvel I Shall Encourage Everyone To Fully Embrace All The Days Of Their Lives: THE EPIDURAL.

Let me just break it down for you: one moment, I had a girl laying on her side, crying in pain. A few minutes later, she was sitting up in bed talking about how good the chocolate cake on the tv looked. And that was when I understood The Power Of The Epidural.

A few hours later, the doctor came in for an exam and told us that it was time! Roomie had planned from the beginning to be alone for the actual birth so I stepped out into the hallway and spent the next little bit pacing, sitting, pacing, walking, pacing, etc.

When the doctor came out and told us that, in less than 15 minutes, Roomie had given birth to a healthy baby, I thought I would pass out! We were able to go back fairly soon after that and I burst into tears the minute I walked in that room. Baby was placed in my arms and I got to spend a few minutes talking to him.

I was so surprised at my reaction when he was laid in my arms. I spoke to him and he immediately opened his eyes and looked straight at me! Maybe he recognized my voice? I started telling him how much I loved him, how handsome he was and how long I’ve waited to see his face. He looked in my eyes the whole time and, frankly, I believe that baby boy and I had ourselves a little bonding moment.

The rest of the night is a blur as we watched him be weighed, measured, etc. through the nursery window (in case you’re wondering, the official stats are 7 lbs, 15 ounces and 20 inches long). Roomie was settled into a new room where she’ll be staying for a few days (we would normally be released today but due to some things that happened, they’re keeping her and the baby for a minimum of 2 days). There was some McDonald’s consumed, phone calls made and, finally, I got a chance to sneak back to the nursery by myself.

I just stood there, in the middle of the night, watching our baby boy move around in his little holder. I talked to him through the window for a long time last night, a conversation just meant for me and him. And I know that you think he couldn’t hear me through that wall of glass, but he and I know differently. He heard me and lifted his little arms to let me know so.

There will be a time later when I thank you for coming along with us more profusely than now, but at this moment, just know that we are profoundly aware of your prayers for us and just shocked at your outpouring of support in the last few hours. I’ve literally got hundreds of emails yesterday and this morning and simply can’t respond to them all, so I wanted to take a second to answer the most frequent questions I’m receiving:

1. What is baby’s name? We do have a name, but aren’t releasing it right now. Thanks for understanding about the sensitivity of Roomie’s particular situation.

2. I’m local and know you and would like to come by during visiting hours? We’re going to see how things go this morning and afternoon and then we’ll make a call from there on visitors. I’ll be sending out a text to those of you who we spoke with before about coming by to visit as soon as Roomie feels ready.

3. I would like to send flowers / balloons to Roomie; how do I get them there? I haven’t even told Roomie about these emails yet because she would find herself a laptop and tell you herself that you don’t need to do that! I know there are some people who really want to show love and support for her in that way, however, so I think the best thing would be to send them to her care of the Starlite office. Our office literally borders the hospital, so we will easily be able to transport them to her at the hospital as they were to arrive. If you wish to do that (and PLEASE know that she would never expect such a thing from you!), you can send them to: Starlite Ministries; c/o Amy Beth Bullard; 2251 N. Ocoee St.; Cleveland, TN 37311; p. 423.476.2727.

4. What’s next for you three? I don’t know about Roomie, but I’m planning on learning how to change a diaper today. Seems like a good place to start.

On November 10, 2008, God lovingly delivered 7 lbs and 15 ounces of heaven straight into her waiting arms.

He spent some time in my arms, too.

This is Anna, one of Amy Beth’s college girls, with an update on baby. Amy Beth just called to tell me that Roomie is pushing and we can expect baby to arrive within 1 hour! Amy Beth said to tell you that she and Roomie can feel your prayers and to please keep them coming.

Left the hospital for one sec; wanted to update you. Baby will be here by midnight (!!!!!!) but possibly much sooner than that. We had some tough pain for awhile before the epidural but she’s doing great now. We just had “The Final Talk” before actual stuff starts really happening and I had the chance to tell her how much I love her, how proud I am of her, etc. We both cried; it was great.

Got to go back now… will update as soon as possible. So, so glad y’all are along for the ride!!!

Roomie was just admitted and is making significant progress. There’s a chance we may not have a c-section after all… everything is up in the air right now. She’s feeling good at the moment.

I will be updating as I’m able to from my cell, if that even works.

I know I should be really excited, but right now, I’m just a mess.

I just can’t stop crying as I think about how different today should be for her.

Please pray for us.

No baby yet. I promise I’m coming back with an update as soon as we know something today. We’re expecting a c-section, just FYI. Will be back ASAP.

Okay, this is going to have to be quick because I’m actually blowdrying my hair while I type this — impressive, no?

Don’t ask how I’m typing with both hands and drying my hair at the same time — just know it involves excellent shoulder / neck coordination.

No baby yet. I don’t even want to go into how disappointed I was after the 4 hours of Pitocin, much less how Roomie felt. I just kept going into the hallway and staring at the 5 (FIVE!) brand new babies behind the nursery glass and wondering when ours was going to have his own little space beside them.

Also: all the babies except one were wrapped up in a blanket, snug and asleep. The last little baby had somehow wiggled out of his and was freezing! I know you’re wondering how I knew since he couldn’t exactly tell me he was cold seeing as he was just a few hours old, but I just knew. I couldn’t see a nurse (oh trust me, I would’ve banged on that glass to get her attention in a hot second) so I just started crying watching him lay there and shiver. Is that not the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard? I’m not embarrassed though, because I’m sure everyone walked by just thought that one of the babies was mine and I was crying at the sight of it.

After a very long day at the hospital, I headed to an appointment I couldn’t miss which is where I was when I got the following text from one of my college girls:

“We’re okay now, but there’s a bomb threat at our program. We’re evacuating the girls now.”

That’s right — someone called in a bomb threat at one of the schools we were having a program at yesterday. Even better? They called it in for the exact room our program was taking place in.

I immediately left the appointment and headed straight to the school, breaking a few speed limits along the way as well as trying to get in touch with Allie and Katie to let them know that I was on my way. By the time I got there, everyone had been evacuated and the police were starting to check things out. The next couple of hours are a blur as we worked on getting all the girls picked up by parents while I worked with school officials and the police to get access to our volunteer’s cars (which were in the taped off area) as well as our program supplies. I was so proud of my college girls for keeping their cool in the middle of countless police cars, ambulances and fire trucks arriving at the school.

At one point, before the police had confirmed that there was no bomb, I was taken up to the area so I could look at our stuff through a window to confirm that it was all ours and nothing unusual was with it. As I started walking up to the area, I remembered that yesterday, in an unusual and ironic turn of events, I had sent a special treat of Little Debbie snack cakes instead of processed nacho cheese to the programs.

As I started getting close to the room (and I was shaking right out of my boots, just so you know), all I could think was “Well, if a bomb does go off while I’m standing beside it, at least there won’t be processed nacho cheese everywhere.”

Don’t ever tell me I don’t have my priorities in order.

Up way too early to head over to the hospital to try this whole induction thing again… it’s hard to get my hopes up since we had such little progress last time, but who knows? Maybe the drugs will drive him out.

Disney On Ice was everything and more than I could have dreamed or imagined. I’ll tell you more about it later, trust me.

If we do go into actual labor, I have a pre-written post that I’ll upload from my cell as there’s no wi-fi at the hospital. Which is fine, you know, since I’ll probably have passed out in the corner of the room if actual labor is happening.

Just keepin’ it real.

Updated to Add: If you’re waiting on an emailed response from me via Starlite (and I know there’s like 40 of you that are — sorry!), it might be a bit. I’ve taken the rest of the week off work in light of the fact there may be a baby. If there isn’t a baby today, I’ll be back at work as soon as I leave the hospital.

Not only am I wearing my favorite pink shirt tonight, I am also having an excellent hair day.

Also: I have told everyone I’ve seen today (including the mailman) that I, AMY BETH BULLARD, AM GOING TO DISNEY ON ICE TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!

Y’all really have no idea how excited I am.

But you know what I thought about this morning in the shower?

I wish y’all could all go with me. We would have our own little MinSoFab section and we could all wear pink!!!

Maybe one day. Until then, I will represent you to the utmost of my ability at tonight’s performance.

It’s my duty.

Nay, my privilege.

I remain,

Your Disney On Ice servant,

Amy Beth