Birthday

What seems like the longest pregnancy in history is about to come to an end. Today should be the day that we welcome a new little girl into the family!

4:10 AM – Lincoln was screaming in his bed, so I went in to try and calm him, though he just wanted mom. After about 15 minutes of asking for Mom and passively pushing me away he went back asleep. When I came back to the bedroom Richelle was in the bathroom getting ready to paint her toenails. I’m too tired to try and stay awake, so I’m going back to sleep.

5:58 AM - Time to get up and get ready. Richelle has been up for quite awhile now, getting ready, doing her makeup, etc. We’ve been rushing about getting everything ready for today, so there isn’t much to do besides get ready for the day, and put a bag or two in the Cavalier. We thought it was going to snow last night but it didn’t, though the mountains are frosted with white, and it’s a little chilly outside.

6:45 AM – Kayla showed up to stay home with Lincoln while we head up to Ogden. Richelle was hungry, so we stopped at Burger King to get some breakfast before making the drive to the hospital.

8:07 AM – We’re here at McKay-Dee hospital here in Ogden. Richelle is pretty nervous – I don’t think it quite hit her until we got here, and now she’s a little antsy. The nurses are asking her lots of questions, and getting her all setup. When we walked in we saw a cute newborn girl in the nursery, which got us a little excited!

8:18 AM – Dr. Julia Johansson just showed up and broke Richelle’s water. I don’t think Richelle liked that very much. Dr. Johansson did say Richelle is dilated to a 2, and 80% effaced.

8:52 AM – They’ve started Richelle on the pitosin – hopefully this time it works a lot better than it did with Lincoln.

9:46 AM - Richelle has started to have regular contractions, but she did with Lincoln too when she went on pitosin, though with Lincoln the contractions didn't cause her to advance at all. Right now we're waiting for the Dr. to come to give her an epidural - I can tell Richelle would like him to come sooner rather than later.

10:26 AM - The doctor came in to give Richelle an epidural a few minutes ago. She is obviously much happier now ... more talkative, more smiles, etc.! This is probably the first time since she got her blood clot back in October that she is not in some sort of pain, especially since she has had a hard time feeling comfortable lying down. Life is much better for her now!

11:23 AM - Richelle is now dilated to a 4, and 90% effaced. There is a sense now that she's gathering momentum. It's all very exciting! The baby's vitals have been great - nice and strong, so no worries there!

11:51 AM - Not much happening. Just playing the waiting game right now.

12:00 PM - They upped her pitosin dosage a little bit ago, but things are still pretty quiet. Richelle is in good spirits, and the baby's vitals continue to be great.

12:37 PM - The nurses just checked her and said she's almost completely dilated!

12:50 PM - She's fully dilated now. Richelle is getting very nervous and anxious, but she's a trooper. They've called her doctor, and they're setting up the room and everything. We're almost there! Shouldn't be much longer.

1:23 PM - She's here! All is well! Richelle is doing good, and the baby is adorable. I'll try to get a picture up when things calm down a bit!

• time -1:11 PM
  
• 7 lbs 12.5 oz
• 20.5 inches tall