I Heart Elle: 6.2.14

Today was the most special day as we welcomed our precious baby girl into the world. We could not be more thankful. Our hearts are so full!!

Todd and I headed to the hospital the night before around midnight for my induction. We were like two giddy school kids on the way there. Next time we get in the car we'll be a family party of 3!

We pulled up to the hospital and were greeted by a security guard. "We've been waiting on y'all!" he said. Wait, what? He told us we were the only induction that night and the maternity ward was fairly empty. It was like we had the entire hospital staff to ourselves. Oh well this is going to be kind of fun!

When we walk into our room, we see that the staff has the couch set up as a bed for Todd with the sheets pulled back invitingly. Feels like we just walked into a hotel! Not too shabby. They wouldn't start my pitocin (the painful part) for a few hours, so Todd and I settled into our new home and relaxed as much as we could.

The next few hours alone will always be so special to me. Too excited and nervous to sleep, we stayed up talking and listening to music. It was too surreal of a moment to even comprehend what was about to come!

I made sure Kelly & my mom were there when they induced me. And good thing- we needed some reinforcements! It wasn't easy, and I have no shame in saying I had the epidural as soon as they could give it to me! Those contractions were no joke. As soon as epidural took its effect, party was on. All of our friends and family started to arrive and we all visited and waited before it was finally time for me to deliver!

Todd, Kelly & my mom stayed in the room to watch the delivery. I couldn't have done it without them. Their encouragement and support led me to being able to deliver our healthy baby girl. She broke her clavicle on the way out, but the doctors promised it would heal within a week. She was still perfect to us.

Thankful and blessed to have her be a part of our family. What in the world did we do without her?!

The day was such a blur, Kelly was incredibly thoughtful and kept notes of the day's events & funny things that were said- love having this to know what took place and all our family who was a part of it!

June 2, 2014:

12:00 am - Todd and Steph check in

5:00 am - 2 cm. Pitocin begins

5:30 am - Mom & Kelly arrive

7:30 am - 5 cm. Dr. Milek orders epidural (Jill thinks thats great- but wants to know 5 cm out of what?)

8:00 am - 7 cm. Dr. Milek breaks my water

8:15 am - Epidural

9:45 am - Mamma & Jill arrive

10:00 am - 8 cm. Timmy, Adele & Kate arrive. Elle is still too high to start pushing.

10:15 am - Ches & Jelena arrive

10:20 am - Mrs. Chantel arrives

10:30 am - After hearing she's 8 cm, Ches asks "What's the widest she can go?"