Introducing: Oakley Knox Weber

After about 40 hours of labor, I am proud to introduce our son: Oakley Knox Weber! We are so in love and it has only been a week! Oakley was born at 8:27 pm on August 15, 2012 (10 days late MR!). Ryland said he is getting his first spankin’ for being late! He was 20 inches long and has super long fingers and feet, but he swims in all of the newborn sized clothes!

Flagler Hospital was absolutely incredible. Ryland and I did not want to leave. I would rather stay in the maternity ward there than at Casa Monica or any other 5 star hotel! Wow–the people were fabulously helpful and kind. I want to be friends with them all! Not to mention, if you are having a baby any time soon—you have to deliver with Missy Rogero with Ancient City Midwives. Oh my goodness was she wonderful! From start to finish, she was such a great listener and encourager. I will never deliver a baby with anyone else.

Oakley’s first name is from one of my favorite verses in Isaiah: (Isaiah 61:3)

“… provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.”

We are praying that Oakley would be a planting in our family, our church, and our community–heck, in the whole wide world….to display how great is our god! Ryland and I are already experiencing the Lord’s splendor in witnessing the miracle of Oakley’s pregnancy, birth, and little tiny life. I cannot believe that he grew inside of me and that it was Oakley the whole time that I was carrying around. Wow–God, you are amazing.

Oakley’s middle name (Knox) is in honor of my dad, who passed away in April. My dad took my brothers and I on a train when we were younger; camping in the great outdoors of Pennsylvania. We drank hot chocolate and played “war” with a deck of cards as the train chugged through the woods. It eventually traveled across a very very tall bridge (which was kinda scary and has since fallen down–whoops!) and we always got off the train on the other side of the valley to watch the wheels run over strategically placed quarters. My dad, Keith, Rick, and I proudly re-boarded the train with our smashed up quarters and returned to our campsite to shoot bb guns and make s’mores around the campfire. The name of the Railroad is the Knox and Kane railroad. Ryland and I decided “Knox” would be a great way to honor my dad and remember such great times.

Soooo glad Oakley is finally here and we can start kissing him all over! We are having so much fun. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts toward us as we went through this pregnancy and labor/delivery. You have been wonderful and generous in every way. Ryland, Oakley, Tyson, and I are so blessed. Thank you Lord!