Welcome Baby

Tuesday morning (Sept. 6th), Rus and I headed to the hospital for my "6am time to be induced" appointment. I was hooked up to pitocin by 7am, my water broke at 1pm, and the epidural came thankfully at 2:40 with just enough time to kick in before baby girl was born at 3:17. I was elated that she arrived before 4pm - I knew the kids would be so excited to hear that their sister was here already, and I was happy that this baby was born with daylight outside (Bekah, Jacob and Beau all came at night). It was really nice to not be in labor all day. And honestly it was my best labor experience - she might not have shown up on her own like I wanted, but she came perfectly.
So here is all the info you really wanted:

Marianne Payne

7lbs 11oz. 20" long

The kids, so happy to meet their sister. They wanted to name her Flower. Jacob really doesn't like the name Marianne (which is incidentally after my grandma Mary Anne Hansen - we changed the spelling because she says she always gets called Mary. She approved of our spelling. :) We reached a compromise when we told the kids they could call her whatever they want but her name is Marianne. Jacob calls her Bug.

Beau couldn't stop saying, "She's so cute!"

Here is a shot of the girls.

And the girls with Cutesy. Do I look a little tired? Oh, right, I just had a baby...

Marianne had as much hair as Beau did...and received a mohawk from the nurses just like he did...but with cute bows because girls like that.

Rus and his girl. I have to say that Marianne is such a mellow baby. She will eat and then just lay there awake, looking around (or watching tv with Rus). She is really calm and pleasant with a sweetness about her that is incredibly kiss- and snuggle-able

Beau has been a great helper - here he is throwing away her baby diapers.

I love her fingernails. They are like my sister Amy's. So feminine...

So there you have it...I am really enjoying this baby girl! Recovery has already been so much better than with Beau (because he was a big-headed monster-sized baby) and Rus and my mom have been wonderful and thoughtful helpers. The kids are eager to help, and the ward and neighbors are supplying us with absurd amounts of food.All is well.I feel blessed!