Contractions began while I was at work on Thursday morning around 10:00 am. Luckily I had a half day and no school scheduled for Friday so I was able to recline on the sofa as Ben recorded the time between pains. All day Thursday contractions were about 11 minutes apart. In the middle of the night the contractions were 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long for about 2 hours. However, I didn't "feel like I was dying" yet and decided to hold out. At my scheduled appointment on Friday, my doctor said I was 3 cm dilated and that he would probably see me over the weekend. After breakfast at the Original Pancake House I returned home to continue my time on the sofa. That night my mom came over and cleaned my bathrooms and kitchen :) Saturday morning, afternoon, and evening was much of the same - contractions about 11 minutes apart. It has been reported that they were painful enough that I was "hollering" through them. Around 5:00 I felt a trickle and decided to start getting ready for something bigger. While touching up my hair with the straightener I felt a gush and decided it was definitely time to make our way to the hospital. Once at the hospital, the nurse on duty reported that I was 5 cm dilated. Once I was hooked up to all the monitoring devices, my contractions slowed and it was then that Pitocin was administered. I opted for the birthing ball for an hour or so and then decided to endure the pain laying on my side in bed. The pains became progressively stronger and closer together. Finally, the nurse reported that I was 9 1/2 to 10 cm dilated. I was ready to push and suddenly my doctor appeared. I pushed for under 15 minutes and my beautiful girl was born at 11:13 weighing 6 lbs. 12 oz and measuring 20" long. I must thank my mom and aunt Angie who said, "you'll be fine" and knew I could get through it without an epidural. I must also say they were right, it was the most intense and excruciating pain I have every felt - words cannot do it justice. My sister Lindsey encouraged me by saying that if I could get through it then she would try it when her day comes - I just might hold her to it :)
And of course, a special thanks to Ben for being so supportive and loving and to my mama for the encouragement and energy to provide extreme counter pressure to my back during contractions. I needed them both more than they will ever know.
Over the past few days and weeks, Zooey has had the pleasure of meeting many family members and new friends. In the first picture, Zooey is with my dear friend Becky who I have known since junior high. Then at her grandma and grandpa's house she met Annie, a close family friend. On Saturday, December 27, Zooey went bowling and to Uno's for my fabulous friend Michelle's birthday, who I have also known since junior high. Lastly, this week great aunt Deanna came in town for a visit. Zooey is very fortunate to be surrounded by so many great people!
