August 13, 2007

His due date, August 12th came and went, and a new day began.....

It was his birthday.

My water had broken around 6:30 pm, so by 1:00 am, I was beginning to have some serious contractions and decided to get an epidural *yes!* Soon after a few huffs and puffs, I was resting well.

Resting so well, in fact, I woke up around 7:00 am, 9 centimeters dilated! I couldn't believe that I had just slept through most of my labor and felt rested :)  Crazy, yet thankful.

For the next two hours, I went from 9 to 10 cm and the real labor began.

Funny thing is, I vaguely remember "Regis and Kelly" being on the TV in the backgroud and how I was so annoyed by her voice, but couldn't really tell anyone.  It was like I cared, but I didn't care.

Blake, my mom, and my MIL (*yes my MIL was there through the entire birth) were all in the room fanning, rubbing my legs and encouraging me that the end was near and he would be in my arms soon.

Then all of the sudden, a buzz began throughout the small room.  I began to realize it was time and I was panicking because my doctor wasn't there yet.  A kind older nurse assured me that she could do this if need be.  I was like, "What!?! I want my doctor!"  And then I'll never forget her asking me, "Sweetheart, how old are you?"  I said nervously, "28".  She gently, yet forcefully said, "I've been doing this for longer than you have been alive, we will be ok! I promise"  After that, I rested in the fact that I would be fine.  Women do this everyday, right?!

Then like a knight in shining armor, my doctor swooped into the room and a huge sigh of relief came over me. I suddenly became emotional because I knew that 'this was really it'!  The day we had waited on and prayed for!

With a few soft spoken words of comfort from my doctor, we began pushing.  I can't remember how long it lasted, but before I knew it, Blake was saying, "He's right there! Come on, Britt! You can do this!"  And it was exactly what I needed.

With that, my next memory is my sweet baby boy crying! He was here.  

I couldn't see him immediately, and I kept asking, "Is he ok? Is he ok?" and my mom and MIL were both saying, "He's beautiful! He's perfect! Just perfect!"  

It felt like everything was moving in slow motion, as they laid him on my chest.


The first look at my first child.

The first time I had ever felt love that intense.



My heart was forever his.





....and with a kiss, we sealed our happiness and our love for not only each other, but for our "family!"

.....those first touches, first whispers, first kisses, first prayers.....

....first feelings of something bigger than ourselves....

 We were intrusted with this new beautiful life and we both felt the magintude of the gift we had been given.

Have you ever had one of those moments that will forever be etched into your memory? 

A moment that felt like it belonged in a movie, with sweet music in the background.  Well, this is one of those moments. I get goosebumps just reliving it now.

As I was wheeled out of labor and delivery, the double doors slowly swung open (just like on my wedding day with my Dad and I before I came down the isle) but this time it was with my brand new son; we were welcomed with tears and smiles of pure joy by our entire immediate family. It was a once in a lifetime moment as I savored introducing my baby boy to his loved ones. 

As I gently unwrapped him, I couldn't wait to show off my first son, their first grandson, and their first nephew.

And this moment caught on camera.....

A proud smile from my grandmother to her only granddaughter, welcoming me into the world of motherhood....

like passing a torch of love from one generation to the next.

August 13th, 2007, not only did Blake and I become parents, but both sets of parents became grandparents that day too.

We were all so very thankful.

He was here. 

He was ours. 

He was my answered prayer.  

"Children are a gift from the LORD"

Psalm 127:3