My world has changed, forever.  On the way home from the hospital last night, I heard the song, “Joy to the world” sung by Third day, who has an amazing Christmas album.  That song finally meant more to me, especially with the lyrics, “Joy to the world, the king has come, // let every heart prepare Him room”. Truly, joy had come into my world.  And my heart has so much room for love, for this new baby girl.  Just as 200o years ago when joy came into the world with the birth of Jesus, and they had amazing joy for such an event, at the same time of year(Christmastime), joy has come into the world of Rachel & I, with Hannah.  I was singing this old time Christmas carol in my car, busting out the tunes and suddenly feeling so grateful and thankful that I had been given this healthy little girl.  God has been so good to us.  It baffles me that 2 cells can collide and 9 months later you have so much love for this little creature that now looks like us.

First I want to share a few things:

To Rachel: You’re the best wife ever, and I’m proud of you doing it all natural and being so amazing with everything else as well.  You have the best heart ever.

To Friends & Family: Thank you for all your love, prayers, notes, flowers, food, balloons, surprises and help you’ve given us over the last 9 months and the last 4 days especially.  We are Grateful & humbled.

To my friends: who’ve had babies before.  When I was not as excited about holding a baby that wasn’t mine. Forgive me, I didn’t get it. Now I do.  I get how you feel.

To my parents: Who’ve raised me, I appreciate you more now.

To all married’s w/o children:I may not have had a kid long enough to be qualified to say this, but this is a great equalizer.  Kids are not everything, and my wife still comes first, I love her.  But they are more important than any bit of work I can think of. I love my work I produce, and I love doing what I do, I dream about it probably too much. However, how I raise my child, with regards to their their integrity, character, love, patience, and their love of the God that created them is more important than any dollar I could possibly earn.  Yes, I want to support my family, but not work so much that I’m not there to lead them.  Thanks to all the guys who have challenged me on this.  So to all those married’s who are gonna have kids someday, enjoy every day of your wife before you have them, and don’t wait too long.  I never, EVER heard grandparents say they wished they had less kids. and in the last 9 months, i’ve probably asked about 40-50.  I know I still have much to learn.

To all the guys: who got really excited for me when I told them we were having a little girl. Your right, this does change everything, in a good way.  Thanks for your encouragement.

Hannah Noelle Larson:

8 lbs, 3 oz,

21 inches

12/12/10 6:49pm

7 hours of labor, w/ 1 of pushing on the warmest day of winter!  (this part FLEW by!)

the sweetest noises I’ve ever heard come out of her, and (yes its true) way less crying than I imagined.

Weird, yes, its so weird to see a little mini-me staring back at me.  I can’t wait to raise her up into a good little girl.