{a birth story}

its early in the morn....

ive got one sweet little babe who was eating but has fallen asleep on me....

i love his snuggles

i could stare at him all day...

i am in awe

some nights are tougher than others but last night was good

i was expecting sleepless nights and even though they are tough it is beyond worth it!

anyways, just thought id share a little birth story.

it may be more for me, so i remember, but maybe you'll enjoy it too.

first and foremost i need to thank Stacey

She is a fellow blogger/photographer, coworker, and friend. She took my maternity photos and they are simply amazing.

Well, luckily, she was working the day of my induction so she was able to take pictures of Max's birth. I am so glad I have these pictures! It will help me remember always for sometimes little details become a blur!

Thank you Stacey! Love the photos. I will cherish them forever.

Now...onto the story.

Because my labor was quick last time and we live 45 minutes from the hospital I was having some anxieties about making it there! So, as much as I wanted to let my body kick in on its own, I decided an induction would be best. We were all set to go in on Friday but alas, it was insanely busy and there was no room at the inn! :). It was a let down but I got over it. Tom and I had a nice day window shopping and going out to lunch. Owen was happy because he got some Grandma time in. :)

Then came Sunday. Birth day.

We arrived at 7:30 am. Greeted by my lovely coworkers. They really are the best!

A dear friend of mine was my nurse. I couldn't have asked for better. :)

An IV was started and pitocin was started around 8 AM. I was actually already contracting when I came in so I was hoping it wouldnt take much pitocin!

My doctor was at another hospital doing a delivery, so another OB came in and broke my water around 8:30. I was 3 cm at this point. Such an odd sensation to have your water broken...that's all I'll say. :)

And so the fun began.....

Contractions came on stronger, pretty quickly.

I hemmed and hawed about when to get an epidural.

But, by 9:45 AM I was ready.

10 AM....epidural placed.

10:30 AM...5 to 6 cm.

11 AM....I was actually talking to Stacey about what types of pics I wanted and how to work my camera. but then, all of a sudden, I was like umm....I'm feeling some intense pressure! My friend checked me and sure enough it was baby time!

Unfortunately, the text message update did not go through to my OB when I was 6 cm so she had no idea I was even close to delivering.

So......it was 20 mins of intense pressure. I was thinking he was going to come out on his own. But, I somehow survived and my doctor made it!

2 contractions later.....

Maxwell Thomas was here.

11:28 AM.

7 pounds 5 ounces.

21 and 1/2 inches long.

Pure perfection.

I cried tears of joy. tears of relief. I just couldn't believe he was here.

After all of our struggles, this little miracle had finally arrived.

He came out screaming and they put him on my chest.

And I loved him even more right then and there.

And this is where I become speechless. It was all just a blur. Everything surrounding you becomes a blur.

For in that moment, it's just you and your baby. Soaking each other in.....

what an amazing moment. one that I continue to relive over and over.

through all of the pain and anguish that we've suffered....through all of the pain during the birth at the end......it was well worth it all.

for now, all I feel is overwhelming joy, happiness, and love.

i am deeply in love.

welcome to the world Max.

we have been waiting for you....