Contractions started around 10ish. They weren't too bad, but they were very regular. That was enough to get me moving. When Ty was born, he pretty much shot out the second I had a hospital bed, so I knew my body was capable of being ultra efficient. I showered and even put makeup on. It was great. Around noon, Reas drove me the 10 or so minutes to the hospital and of course, I didn't have a single contraction the whole way there or the whole walk into the hospital. I checked in anyway, hoping that this was the real deal. I got all hooked up to the annoying monitors, and then for the real question...how far was I dilated? A measly 4. I was so mad. The nurse said they'd watch me for an hour. After about 45 minutes of absolutely nothing happening, it was like someone turned on the contraction switch. 15 minutes later, I was 9 1/2. The contractions were super hard, and I was totally in the zone. I wouldn't go as far as calling it fun, but I was totally pumped because I was doing it all myself. I wonder if Super Girl had all natural childbirths. Ty came without an epidural too, but that was because he came so fast I didn't have a choice. This was the first time I had made up my mind start to finsh to go through labor without medication. It was my decision and I felt very empowered. I wasn't paying much attention to what was going on around me, but Reas says that the nurses were all out in the hallway chatting and nobody was really taking his calls for help seriously. My water broke after a particularly hard contraction and I can still hear Reas' bellowing voice..."Water broke!!!!!" For some reason, the memory makes me laugh. Nurses came in, Dr. Swainston was nowhere to be found. He was at the movies. Nice. Obviously I didn't need him anyway. The next thing I knew, Reas was leaning over me in that sweet husbandly labor coach way, telling me her head was out. I couldn't believe it. I was like, "What?! Really?" It had all seemed too easy. Really, I'm not kidding. Weird, eh?




Next. The flow of emotions. The love that I felt for Reas was indescribable. Love for him, love for family, love for Heavenly Father. Gratitude for eternal families and gratitude for feeling so close to heaven. A new perfect and tiny human life was placed in my arms and was mine. She came from me. She came from us. She came from Heavenly Father to us. How could I be responsible for and be trusted with something so tiny, so helpless, and so perfect. I don't think it matters how many babies a woman may have. The miracle of birth and the beauty and overwhelming joy of knowing that a new life exists because of you, never lessens. Her hands, her face, her feet, all created in His image through me. I cannot imagine any other earthly experience bringing me closer to feeling God's love for his children as during those first quiet and precious moments when I first look into my new baby's face.




Lily, we love you. You have brought so much joy to us. I thank Heavenly Father for you each day and feel so incredibly blessed to be your mother. Your smile, your laugh, and your cute little elf ears brighten up the room. I hope you will always feel the love we have for you and through that love will learn of God's love for you.

Lily, 8 1/2 months