Best Christmas Present Ever!!!

   I am finally making a new post..... 2 years later! A lot has happened in our lives over the last two years. We have been able to experience a lot of new places and things, but rather than trying to go into all that I will focus on the best one..... our new daughter Madison!!!!



   In April, Scott and I found out that we would be expecting the first addition to our family of two. The pregnancy went really well and fortunately had no complications. My prenatal care started in South Carolina, continued into Pennsylvania, and finished back here in Arizona.... so I was very grateful for the healthy pregnancy.

   Our sweet Madison wasn't due until Dec 27, but decided not to wait until then (which I had no complaints about). At my 38 week doctor's appointment my doctor determined I was dilated to 2cm and 80% effaced. She said that I could still go another week at that stage, but Madison disagreed. That night I went into labor. I was unsure whether I was in true labor for most of the night. Around midnight I was able to time my contractions and was pretty sure it was the real thing. At that point the contractions were still bearable and considering I hadn't gotten any sleep the previous night I decided to try laying down for a bit to get whatever rest I could.

   Around 3-4am I woke back up with much stronger contractions. Still wanting to be sure I continued to time my contractions for the next 2 hours. We finally decided to head to the hospital and got there around 7am on Dec 14. When we got there I was only dilated to a 3 and 90% effaced. I walked around the halls for a little bit and began progressing right away. However, I had to wait in triage for several hours while they got a room ready for me.

10 hours into labor.

   Around 11:30am I was moved to my labor room. I was already exhausted from the lack of sleep that night and the night before. When offered the epidural I jumped at the chance. Scott had been very helpful and supportive to this point and was more than willing to let me have what I needed to be the most comfortable. I had planned on going natural, had really been preparing myself for it, but I didn't have the energy anymore. I don't regret the epidural one bit, best decision I made!!! I was finally able to relax, and my contractions actually got better and stronger after that. After the epidural was in effect they broke my water and waited for me to dilate the rest of the way. Around 6pm I was ready to start pushing. I pushed for a little bit and got her to the point where she was crowning. At that point they had me stop to wait for the doctor to get there, I guess they didn't expect her to crown that fast. Once my doctor got there and it took her a little bit to get everything all ready. I then pushed through 2 contractions and Madison was here!!!
She was born at 7:01pm, weighed 6lbs 9ozs, and was 19.5 inched long. She was a perfect, healthy baby girl and we are so grateful for that!
   It was truly an amazing experience. I was able to watch her come out and it was surreal that my baby girl I've carried for 9 months was finally here and in my arms. She was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It's amazing how fast you can love someone you've just met. We've been truly blessed to have her added to our lives and thank our Heavenly Father for trusting us with the responsibility of raising her!

Proud Mama!

Her left eye had gotten a little swollen from the delivery.

Proud Daddy



Ready to go home!