




Oh where to start?? Well I guess I will begin last Monday. I had an appointment last Monday and found out I was dilated to a three and 75 % effaced. The Dr. stripped my membranes again in hopes that it would help me go into labor. He told me if I didn't go into labor on my own this week then I would have a c-section that next Monday at 7:30am. I had a good feeling about everything and thought to myself, "hey I have a week, I can go into labor this week."
That night I started getting some Braxton Hicks contractions but they felt a little stronger than I have experienced them before. That night I continued to get them about every 45 min. I woke up the next morning around five, got ready and realized that this was it, I really was going into labor! I was so excited but I wanted to make sure that I didn't go in too early. I waited another hour to get Steve and Lucas up and we made our way to Jerome to drop Lucas off at my sisters. I thought that maybe I would hang out at my sisters for a while but by the time we got there my contractions were getting stronger and were three to five minutes apart. We headed straight to Twin and got to the hospital around seven. They checked me and I was dilated to a four and still 75% effaced. An hour later the Dr. broke my water, I was a five and the baby had started making her way down the birth canal. I then got an epidural, which was absolutely wonderful, I don't know how women do it without it! An hour after the epidural she checked me again and I was dialted to a 9 1/2 and she said the baby was only a couple inches away. We were all surprised that everything was progressing so well and quickly. The nurse told me even though I was so close that we still could have a couple hours of pushing since I had a "virgin vagina" and have never given birth before. I just nodded and thought ok I still have a while. The nurse wanted to do a couple of practice pushes just to help me get the feel of it. We did one practice push and she then looked at me and said ok stop pushing I need to go get the Dr. now! He came up a couple minutes later and I started pushing. Five pushes later I had my baby! It went so well and was such a beautiful experience. I' am so grateful for Heavenly Father and I know he had his hand in this. I know he listened to my prayers and helped me to have the experience I desired.
When Taylor was born she didn't immediately cry. Which was good because when they broke my water there was some meconium in it. They said this was pretty common and it was good that I was having her today. After they suctioned her out she let out a good yell. They cleaned her up and made sure she was breathing good. She weighed 8 lbs 1 oz and was 20 1/2 in. long. I then got to hold her. She latched right on and I immediately fell in love. What an experience this was. I have loved being pregnant and knowing there was a life inside of me. I' am so grateful I was able to carry her so far and have everything go well. Taylor is doing really good and it is so nice to be at home. I'm thankful for all the support my family and friends have given me, I don't know how I would get a long without them. It is still hard to believe I now have two kiddos but I' am excited for this new adventure.