Stellan Ray Castleberry joined our family on his due date, July 26th! 
Although I had woken up with contractions at 5:30 that morning, I didn't officially know I was in labor until my midwife confirmed it. I was 5 centimeters dilated at 5 PM. I guess that knowledge was all it took, because after that, there was no doubt I was in labor. Chris and I (along with his mom and Laura Anne and Caleb), went to the birth center at 7 PM. They hung out with us until 8, when Chris' mom took the kids home to get them in bed. I labored on a birth ball for a while and then got in the tub, which was awesome!
Although I had woken up with contractions at 5:30 that morning, I didn't officially know I was in labor until my midwife confirmed it. I was 5 centimeters dilated at 5 PM. I guess that knowledge was all it took, because after that, there was no doubt I was in labor. Chris and I (along with his mom and Laura Anne and Caleb), went to the birth center at 7 PM. They hung out with us until 8, when Chris' mom took the kids home to get them in bed. I labored on a birth ball for a while and then got in the tub, which was awesome! At 10:13 PM Stellan was born into the water in a caul, which means he was still in his sack of water. It was a great birth experience and I am so thankful how everything turned out.
He weighed 9 pounds 3 ounces and measured 21 1/2 inches long! I had no idea I could make babies that big. :) Both Laura Anne and Caleb weighed just under 8 lbs, so this 9 lb baby was a shock to me! But he's ever so cuddly and precious! We all have fallen in love with him.
Caleb calls him "my Stellan". I love it.
What a wonderful blessing we have received!
