the story of us

Finally, due to requests, I post "the story." Confession: I rarely read others' stories. They are long and boring. So if you don't read this, I won't mind. I probably won't even read this.

38 weeks: Doctor tells me I'm dialated to a 3 or 4. Acts like it's no big deal. Turns out he's right.

40 weeks: Doctor tells me I'm dialated to a 3 or 4. Still no big deal. Schedules me for an induction.

41 weeks - April 27

6:30 a.m. Call hospital to see if they have room for me. pack our bags.

7:30 a.m. Check into hospital.

8:00 a.m. Hooked up to the contraction tracker machine.

9:00 a.m. Still no contractions, but hey, I could have told you that. Dialated to a 5. Start me on pitocin.

10:00 a.m. Still not feeling any contractions (which I'm not sorry about).

10:30 a.m. Doctor says I'm at a 6. Breaks my water. An awkward sensation, to say the least.

Increase pitocin dosage.

11:00 a.m. I'm feeling contractions, but they are no big thing.

12:00 p.m. I'm feeling contractions, and they are a big thing. Ouch!

12:30 p.m. Get the epidural. Best. Idea. Ever. Seriously.

3:30 p.m. I'm at a 10 and fully effaced. Nurse wants to know if I'm feeling any pressure. Nope.

4:00 p.m. Nurse wants to know if I'm feeling any pressure yet. Nope. Really good epidural. Too good? I'm okay with that.

4:30 p.m. Nurse wants to know if I'm feeling any pressure. Nope. Has me start pushing anyway. Oh joy!

6:00 p.m. Still pushing. On and off oxygen. Getting sick of having my blood pressure taken every 2 minutes. Everyone is talking about her head full of hair. Doctor is playing with her hair. I'm laughing. Turns out to be more effective than pushing, so everyone encourages me to laugh some more.

6:32 p.m. There's her head. I watch Doctor pull a human infant out of my body. Most amazing experience of my life.

They set her in my arms and I'm in awe of the most perfect baby girl I have ever seen. She is absolutely beautiful in every way. No cone head, bruises, or smashed nose. Everyone exclaims about her small feet and all her hair. She is perfect.

4 1/2 weeks later, she still is.