Still more birth pictures...

That's me, ready to POP on Tuesday night with my mom. I'm so glad she came and she got to witness the birth of a grandchild...it was really cool (except for the part where I kept throwing up and ruining the otherwise-jovial occasion).
Here's proof that James is gigantic...edited for the web!
Addie is such the Little Mommy! She has been taking great care of me AND James. I am hoping we all adjust smoothly to his arrival!

Addie came and shared lunch and some quiet time with me and James before we checked out of the hospital yesterday...she was SOOOO excited!
Going Home... Baby James was NOT thrilled about the car seat.

I have the complete birth story written in James' baby journal, I just have to find a quiet moment to type it into the blog. It's coming soon! Life is good here...our first day home was not so bad, although I was feeling pretty bad at 3am trying to get him to latch on when my milk came in and he was squealing and grunting and frustrated. A few hours of sleep made a big difference and we have enjoyed a nice peaceful day at home as a family...

"and now we are five!"

Close Ups for Aunt Jill

James resting peacefully at home...

We're Home!

Hi, it's me, Jamie...I am home with sweet baby James (as of 2pm), even though they threatened that we'd have to stay til Friday morning. The docs checked us and set us free and we are glad to be home.

I'll have the birth story for you all soon. I must tell you that I have NO swelling, very little pain, and I am amazed that this GIANT baby was the easiest! He is sweet and quiet ( he only grunts--it's hilarious) and tolerating all the love from his sisters very well! We need a nap, so I'll be back soon! Thanks for all the e-love and the personal visits, too--we feel special! ;)

More Baby Photos for Yall (from Rich)

Look at that belly! This is about 6 hours before James was born, right when the induction started (3-4pm)

Somebody is the most popular guy in town!

Happy Sisters

Attack of the clones

Just beautiful I must say!!

Sweet Baby James

When the girls were with Grandma Melin on Tuesday, they made him little birthday cakes...SO CUTE! When they came to hospital, they brought him presents and sang him Happy Birthday...

Both Grandmas, both sisters, and Daddy greeted Sweet Baby James

Handsome Boy!!

A new addition to the Melin Family

Baby James Ole Richard Melin

was born on 09/05/06 at 10:53 P.M.

Weighing in at a hefty

9 Lbs. 11 Oz.

He and Mom are doing great!

I am sure there will be millions of

photos to follow. This will have to

do for now....Love, Proud Dad

SEPTEMBER 5th AFTER ALL!

Sister Jill here-
I talked to Jamie yesterday morning while she was packing her bag for the hospital. She just returned from a Dr appt. where her doc said it was the day. She was making progress and it was TIME!!! I have the priviledge of being a guest blogger! I recieved another call around 11PM last night, and guess what? Baby Boy Melin is here!!! You will never guess his weight- 9lbs 11ounces!!! Born at 10:53PM, I am sure the proud parents are so happy he is finally out of there! Congratulations Jamie and Rich!

Saturday: On the River

My father-in-law helped get everyone on canoes & rafts
Petersen Canoe: Jack, Jill, Drew, & Nana

(This is the canoe that sank just beofre it reached the ranch; Nana, Jill, & Jack got out and walked back while Drew got the canoe going again and rowed into the beach at the ranch)
Willy, Melanie, & Liam
The Lehman Canoe: Darrin, Jared, Gabriel, & Laura
The Post Canoe: Liam, Mel, Spencer, Will, & Audrey (Brent rowed with them, too)
Spencer & Brent at the ranch beach
Addie in the sand...any wonder she STILL has sand in her pants???
Melanie in the sand
How the ranch looks through the smoke of two big wild fires

Saturday: Dinner at the Ranch

While everyone was floating, I kept Baby Ben and helped Mom Melin set up this dinner. We had burgers, brats, fried chicken, grilled chicken, potato salad, green salad, fresh fruit, cherry cobbler and cherry pie (also quite fresh, made by Mom M.).Jess, TJay, Mom Melin, Laura, & Melanie admire the spread.
My pretty niece, Ally
Lots of cousins gathered at the new kids' picnic table:

Liam, Danny, Addie, Jared, Heidi, Ally, & Belle
Jill with Ben, Angie with Rosalie (Ben is one day older than Rosalie).
My nephew Gabriel was a really good sport about being the only "big kid" this weekend. The other kids had lots of fun with him. We're so glad he and his family moved out west!!!

Saturday: Silly Heidi

After dinner, Heidi got really silly and wore my sunglasses and kept smashing her face into my face. It was really cute because she was laughing so hard.

Melanie's Baptism

We have about a million pictures to post from this fabulous family weekend, but we wanted to get the most important event posted first. My cutie-pie niece, Melanie Marie (who turned 8 last month), was baptized at our church building on Saturday morning by her Dad, Willy. They had planned to baptize her in the Yellowstone River, but we had a cold snap and she changed her mind...she opted for warm font water instead! Our beautiful Baptism Girl
Melanie with her parents, Will & Audrey
My cute mom--NANA--with the grandkids after the baptism

front: Jack, Belle, Addie, Ally, Spencer, Heidi

back: Melanie, Gabriel, Nana with Ben, Liam, Jared

Melanie with her Dad

Melanie with Nana (I love this picture!)

Baptism Speakers: Uncle Rich conducted, Uncel Drew and Cousin Brent gave talks (Nana & Aunt Jamie did the music).

Totally unrelated--Mom took this photo of the Billings Temple when she arrived. It's beautiful.