Little Logan: A quick story of a quick arrival...

I had barely posted my last entry and went down to the kitchen to make me a bowl of rice and chili when the adventure of bringing Logan into the world began. 

He is 2 weeks old today, and he truly does get cuter every day.

I think back to 2 weeks ago in total wonder and amazement. The whole experience was so fast and fun and amazing- everything I had hoped it would be. I gained a new-found confidence as well as more appreciation for our bodies and what they are capable of.

The arrival of Baby Logan...

While standing in front of the microwave I felt a new kind of rumble toward the top of my belly, followed by what I was sure was my water breaking. Right then the phone rang and I answered to tell Jeff "I think my water just broke...I'll call you back!" A little visit to the ladies room confirmed that thought. 

It was baby time. :) 

All the excited "It's time" phone calls started before I even got up. Jeff kept calling back nervous that we wouldn't have enough time and that I needed to get to the hospital. I remember telling Joanne that she could wait to leave Federal Way until I got evaluated at the hospital. Ha. Ha.

Jeff got home, helped me finish throwing the last things in our bag, ate the chili and rice and we were off.
Before we left I sat on the couch and Jeff gave me a priesthood blessing. What a comfort it was to hear blessings that I would be able to do this, and that we would be able to work together that night and to raise our little boy. It was short and direct, and just what I needed. 

In the car, contractions quickly intensified and my maternity jeans started to feel 5 sizes to tight. I remember trying to time them and realizing they were less than 3 minutes apart.

Jeff got us to the hospital in record time. I told him not to get a ticket but really I was so very glad he was driving fast.  

Jeff dropped me off at the Emergency Room entrance and went to park the car. In between breathing I asked the person at the desk to please, please hurry. He was helping a woman who brought her little boy in because he had dislocated his elbow, but that little boy was moving around like a champ...with a smile on his face. 

He saw me struggling and called for a transport. After a few questions I was wheeled down to labor and delivery. He pushed me so fast I checked a couple of times to make sure we hadn't lost Jeff.

When we got to triage, a nurse told me she was going to check me out and make sure I was really in labor. I told her I was sitting in a puddle. She looked in my lap, chuckled, and told the other nurses, 

"Oh, she's staying..."

 So on we went to our Labor and Delivery room where I got in the gown, was strapped up to monitors and had an IV started. I had Jeff call our Moms to make sure they were on their way. Good thing Joanne didn't listen to silly me. They were there before I knew it. 

It was around 10:30. The nurse asked me if I was planning on having an epidural and I think I said "not necessarily." 

I had always thought how awesome it would be to do this naturally, but secretly doubted my ability to do so.  

When they first checked me I was at 3-4. 

Less than an hour and a half later, breathing through contractions had turned into crying and trying to catch my breath for each one. They were right on top of each other and I was starting to get a little panicked.

I will never forget the amazing team of women that helped me deliver. When labor became more intense than Jeff and I anticipated, my nurse Michelle looked me in the eyes and helped me through every contraction. She kept reassuring me that I could do it. She had such confidence in me and I so appreciated her warmth and sincerity. What a blessing she was. I will never forget her.
Michelle asked me if I was sure I didn't want just a little something in my IV to take the edge off. I took her up on it this time. 

Shortly after, I told her I didn't think I could handle any more and told Michelle I needed an epidural. 

I heard the nurses say they didn't think we would have time and I assured them... "Yes, you do." They called in the anesthesiologist and when he arrived, they told me they wanted to check me one more time. They told me I was at 10, and said see ya later to the anesthesiologist. 

With that, we said bye to our Moms and I tried to grasp the reality that I was, in fact, about to do this.
I was so scared, and so excited.

And twenty minutes later...

Baby Boy Rice was born at 12:24 am on July 3rd, less than 4 hours after water broke.
6 lbs 13 oz.

I won't attempt to write how I felt when his perfect little body was placed on my chest.
I had just become a mother, and I had never been so happy in my whole life.
Two weeks later, that happiness just multiplies each day.
I love these two boys so, so much. I am the luckiest girl in the world.