Welcome Richard Josiah Smith!

July 8, 2012 ~ We are excited to let you know about the birth of our second son, Richard Josiah, at 12:18 p.m. today. He is 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and 19.5 inches long. He and Julia are both doing well! We are so thankful for the many of you who have prayed so much for us and helped us in so many ways during this pregnancy. In case you don't know, our first son, Grady Jeremiah, was an extreme premature baby born at just 26 weeks (that is 14 weeks early). At 20 weeks in this pregnancy with Richard Josiah, Julia began having contractions and was taken to labor and delivery beginning another journey of a "high risk pregnancy." That afternoon, some 18 weeks ago, a nurse told her there was nothing that could be done to stop the labor and that she would not leave the hospital until the baby was born. We left that afternoon, and even though we had five more trips to labor and delivery, we never spent the night! This morning at 5:30 a.m., Julia woke up with a change in her contractions. She was admitted to the hospital around 8 a.m., and Richard Josiah came just a little over four hours later. Like his brother, he was ready to be here! It only took Julia about 10 pushes for him to enter the world! And also like his brother, he was born on a Sunday, avoiding the time of morning worship services. Grady Jeremiah was born at the time between Sunday School and the worship service, and Richard Josiah was born just a few minutes after the service ended :-) Richard Josiah is doing well. The doctors say he is healthy and looks good. One nurse tonight told us that he is one of the most alert babies she has seen. Julia is also doing well. Today also brought the joy of Richard Josiah meeting his grandparents and his older brother! Grady Jeremiah was intrigued by the "baby" and did great with his first experience with a newborn. If he got tired of watching the baby, he was quite happy pointing out to us (and saying the words for) the vent, attic, light, clock, cars (on the street below) and the air-con :-) Again, thank you for your prayers as you have walked this journey with us. Please continue to pray for Julia as she recovers, for Richard Josiah as he develops, and for Grady Jeremiah as he transitions to being a big brother.