Happy Birthday!

Last year my life changed forever. It was one of the most single important moments in my life and the greatest experience ever! Charlie and I saw my OB that afternoon and she said I looked great but no baby. I was unsure what to do. That day was my due date and I had already planned to be done with work. The OB said we could induce but wasn't sure how well it would go knowing I really didn't want a c-section. Charlie and I talked for a moment and decided that we wanted to try and have her so we checked into the hospital that night to get cervidil first. Cervidil is something that helps kinda ripen the uterus/cervix and hopefully makes everything just go smoother. I got all settled in that night and my parents came to visit and brought Charlie and I Subway. We watched Friends and all was well:) Once the nurses hooked me up to everything they said you are definitely having some contractions. I was like…uh yeah I can feel them all the time! They told me to get lots of rest and we would induce in the morning. Well turns out cervidil did its job WONDERFULLY! So wonderfully that I went into natural labor and didn't get induced at all. I spent the whole night dealing with the contractions till about 3am. I woke Charlie up and asked him to get the nurses as they were a little to intense and I didn't understand what was going on. (I was under the impression that all this was supposed to be happening the next day. I didn't realize I was in full on labor.) They told me I was dilated more and said they would start the process of getting me ready for an iv and an epidural. But in the mean time to take a hot shower to try and help relieve my stress/pain. So yes in mid labor we got up and took a shower. There was a chair in the shower and I managed to take one. It kinda helped I guess and did feel good to be clean. At that point we sat in my bed and Charlie helped me breath through all my contractions. It hurt but wasn't ridiculous and was probably the coolest thing ever. I know that sounds weird but I so wanted to experience it and I did! Charlie was right by my side and helped me all the way through. The nurse started my iv after 3 attempts:) I didn't really care, I was to busy with those darn contractions. I got my epidural around 7am and had Savannah Leigh on September 11, 2008 at 8:34am. (Sometimes I wonder if I could have done the whole thing without the epidural since I was so close…but then I think about he pushing her out of me part and how I felt none of that and think, mmm maybe I shouldn't chance that:)) She only took 2 pushes to get out and then she was here in all her glory weighing 6 lbs 15 oz and 18.5 inches.

All checked in and waiting for a baby!

First family photo!

The moments that make your life so worth it and special!

Charlie and I love her so much and she has brought nothing but joy to us! Today she turns 1 and I am so excited for her. I am not crazy emotional for some reason at how fast she is growing. I was emotional at times about her getting bigger, but that was more around the 6 month stage. While time does seem to pass so fast, I am just so happy to see her healthy, growing, and learning new things every day. We could not be more blessed with family and friends that love on Savi all the time. We are excited to have them all over tonight to celebrate this wonderful year of Savannah's life! Aunt Missy…we will miss you:) Pictures to come of her birthday party!