Our little boy

Just a reminder, this is also my journal, so it may be kind of boring and detailed for you so bear with me...

All in all my pregnancy was fantastic. It is such an amazing experience to carry a child. I know that we all see women every day who are pregnant, but it is no less amazing to me. I really did love being pregnant. I loved feeling him move, and reading about what was developing and growing every week. I was excited to go to the each of my appointments to hear his little heart beat, and hear what the Dr. had to say.

I quit my job about 3 weeks before I was due. It was nice to have a little time to get some last minute things done and to relax. Those last few weeks were filled with excitement as the time drew near to meet our little boy. I still felt great, nights were a little more uncomfortable, but overall I wasn't in any rush. Friends and family would text and call to get updates. I didn't ever have big contractions or anything. For some reason, I kept thinking I was going to wake up during the night having contractions and we would rush to the hospital to have the baby. Nope. 3 weeks before I was due, I went to the Dr. I was about 50% and 0 cm. 2 weeks before: 60% and 1 cm. 1 week before: 75% and 2 cm. Dr. and I discussed a plan. He was thinking it was possible

that I would go into labor, asked if I wanted to be induced or wait. I wanted to wait and see. He suggested coming in the next monday (instead of my usual tuesday visits), and we would make

a plan to have a baby if I hadn't already. :) I went in Monday and I was about 80% and 2.5 cm. So we talked and decided to schedule an induction for that Thursday, February 3. My due date was February 1st, and I wanted to go into labor myself, but he seemed to think that my induction would go smoothly and I wouldn't be in the hospital for days waiting for the baby to come, so I agreed. He called the hospital and scheduled me to come in on Thursday at 7 am.

The night before we went in I was very nervous. I had a few break downs, (Hence my blotchy face in the picture below) :) Ammon comforted me and assured me that everything was going to go smoothly and that the baby and I would be fine. I was afraid of the unknown, even though I

had read lots, talked to lots of friends and family who have kids etc. I was packing my bag, and I would have moments of pure excitement, then fear, then sadness. The sadness only lasted a second, but I was thinking about Ammon and I and our time together, (alone) being over. It was time for us to move on to the next stage in life, and of course it was for the best.

40 weeks 1 day

We arrived at the hospital and finished the remaining paperwork, got my IV started, and started the pitocin at about 8:30 am. I was 3 cm and 85% when I arrived. My mom and dad were there and we chatted while the contractions started. Dr. Nance broke my water and told me I was welcome to get my epidural any time, but it might be good to wait a bit. Those contractions started to get strong pretty fast, and soon enough I was getting uncomfortable. So

I had the nurse call the anesthesiologist. Don't worry it only took him an HOUR to get there. Way too long by my standards. *Note to self: next time ask sooner*

I was at 5 cm when I got the epidural, at about 10:30.

Half an hour later, 7 cm.

45 minutes after that, 9 cm.

WOW! It was time to rest before the Dr. came back in to deliver our baby boy. He came back, we got ready and started pushing at 12:45 and had our little guy at 12:59 pm on February 3, 2011!!

Gavin Jesse McBride

7 lbs 9 oz 20 inches

Our first picture as a family!