Best Day of My Life.

The day was August 14, 2009.

I was awake at midnight, kind of pacing the apartment with a backache. I decided to watch some late night tv and maybe fold some laundry. I started to get really uncomfortable and I was concerned because I hadnt felt the baby move for a few hours. Chris and I had been in birthing classes and they described labor pains as really strong braxton hicks that comes in intervals. So I didnt think this could be labor since it was a consistent backache..PLUS i was atleast 2 weeks away from my due date. I woke Chris up at 2 am and told him I was going to go to the hospital (for the hundredth time) and just get a fetal heart monitor hooked up to me to check on the baby.

"I'll be right back".

During the 20minute drive to the hospital I kept shifting in my seat and breathing really heavily. 'Could this possibly be labor?'

By the time I walked up to the L&D double doors I was doubled over and breathing hard, I told the lady on the other side of the intercom that I was in labor.

I was escorted quickly into a labor room and a really friendly nurse with flowery scrubs on checked to see how dialated i was.

"You're 6 cm dilated...you're in active labor!"

My water breaks.

I called Chris immediately and was already on his way, he was grabbing food and movies and our bag that had been packed by the door for 2 days. His brother was with him calling everyone on my list.

I called my mom at 3 am and told her I was in labor, she showed up pretty quickly. armed with cookies and flowers and a video camera:)

Then the contractions really kicked in.

Chris was really great about encouraging me to breathe and to keep me excited about the baby. I know it sounds weird, but when you are in pain, everything is kind of all about you and you can lose focus on the big picture. He was always saying "The baby is coming honey, Youre doing a great job!"

I had horrible back labor. That is when the baby is facing up, so the back of their head is on your spine and touching all the nerves. Not only is that especially painful, but as they make their 90 degree turn into the pelvis...back labor babies need to turn 180degrees. which makes the labor longer and soooo excruciating.

Epidural (pain meds)

Pitocin (synthetic hormone to help speed up labor)

more Epidural

3 HOURS OF PUSHING.

Finally, our tiny sweet Ava Jade was born at 2:54pm on August 14, 2009. She weighed 6lbs 8oz and was 18 3/4" Long.

She was immediately placed on my chest. Chris cut the umbilical cord. We both cried.

She looked perfect.

She had a raspy little cry. All the nurses would say she sounded like a baby tiger. They also said she looked like a porcelain doll. She was absolutely perfect. Chris was so choked up. I was sobbing!

Welcome Ava Jade!!!