The Birth

I was scheduled to be induced on March 23, but from what it looked liked, I wasn't going to get in for that day. It was already 1 p.m. and they hadn't called. Now I had called the hospital a number of times only to hear that every room was full and I was the last on the induction list! Pretty disheartening. My sister Andrea was in town, but had to leave back to Colorado. She wanted to see my baby, but since I wasn't getting in, she called to see if they could come and say goodbye.

The minute the doorbell rang, so did my phone. It was the hospital telling me that they were ready for me! Then and there my sister changed her plans and stayed until Cooper was born! Not only that, Wes wasn't home because we thought it was going to be the next day (he had so much homework!), so Andrea took me to the hospital while Justin and the girls stayed at my house with Evie. I called my awesome neighbor Alana and she came home right away to watch Evie. The Craig's ended up going to a movie while I was in the labor process so that their kids wouldn't be completely bored while waiting for the baby to be born. They still got back with plenty of sit around time.

Waiting for the elevator!

My mom and Laura in the waiting room. Laura was already there for work!

Andrea waiting patiently while her family sat at my house.

My handsome husband who rushed to the hospital as soon as I called.

Even though I arrived at the hospital just before 2 pm, They didn't get me started on pitocin until 3:30. Before they started the pitocin, I was already dilated to a 4 and 90% effaced. Besides the contractions, the most painful part was actually the IV. The nurse said she'd never had a reaction like mine. That's sort of embarrassing to admit, but it just hurt so bad! She probably just put it in a bad spot on my arm. Anyway, the doctor came and broke my water at 4:15, I got my epidural at 4:30 and they stopped the pitocin, more at 5:00, started the pitocin again at 5:30, and he was born at 6:40 pm! It was such a good experience. I'm so happy that I was induced because my labors progress so quickly. I just wanted to be sure that I was at the hospital with enough medicine for me to handle the delivery. I was awake, alert and able to enjoy myself during most of the labor. I also had a lot of support in the delivery and recovery room from family and friends. Thankfully, they only saw me in great pain for a little while :).

Just waiting for him to come!

Getting wiped down right after birth!

7 lbs 11 oz, a lot bigger than everyone thought he would be!

Holding my little buddy for the first time!

The first bath

Evie meeting her baby brother- she was SOOOO excited!!

Alana was so great while I was in the hospital! She took Evie for so long and kept her entertained. Having Evie's best friend be her daughter Ava probably helped. Those two are so funny together! My friend Niki also was kind enough to watch Evie for an afternoon so that I could get some rest. I have such great friends!

Ava and Evie watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse together. The only time they weren't running around!

Millie and Evie climbing in and out of the closet.

I tell you, she loves her brother!

Wes and Evie hanging out after he got done chasing her down the hospital hall.

Right before we left to go home.

I just love seeing brand new babies in their car seats. They're so little!

I think Cooper was happy to be home, and so were we! I still have a lot to catch up on...since it's been almost 7 weeks since he was born, but it will have to wait for another day! Being a procrastinator is a hard life, I tell you what.