She's finally here!!

So yesterday the day we'd been counting down to finally arrived ... and arrived REALLY early! I set my alarm for 4:01 so I could get up, shower, exfoliate (again!), double check my bag and get to the hospital by 5 a.m. We didn't quite make it on time. Maybe that's why the nurse who answered our call at the parking gate decided to have a little fun with us.

When the gate didn't rise upon our approach, Ray pushed the button. The nurse responded and asked if we were scheduled for an induction, to which we responded in the affirmative. The nurse then asked, "Are you sure you want to have the baby today or would you like to come back tomorrow?" Ray and I looked at each other, then he answered, "Are you KIDDING?" I think we were both remembering the day we went in for Maddy's induction and were told there were no available beds. We DID have to come back the next day! But in this case, thankfully, the nurse started laughing and put the gate up. So we were in and up on the L&D floor by 5:30.

After the customary interview about me and my health history, a nurse put in the IV and started to pitocin to get things going. And then we waited. And waited. As Ray said, we had to hurry up get to the hospital so we could wait. We never even saw a doctor until 8:30!! By then, some contractions were kicking in but nothing too bad. The anesthesiologist's nurse came to talk to me about getting an epidural, which I hesitated about, as usual. I have no problems with drugs, just with the needle in my back. Ray gave me his usual, "Jen, you don't have to be a hero!" but I was unconvinced. It took more pitocin and some serious contractions to do that!! So I got the epidural at noon and soon was feeling good enough to take a little nap.

However, by 1:30 or so, the contractions were getting really strong and a quick check revealed that I was fully dilated. Unfortunately, my doctor was tied up (no pun intended) with a hysterectomy, so another doctor from the group had to be called over from the office. It took her about 20 minutes to get to the hospital and, during that time, the nurses got everything ready. I also requested that Ray put on a mask. After he hesitated, he admitted that he didn't want "to look silly." Really? Really? I was about to go up in the stirrups for half a dozen people to see and Ray didn't want to look silly in a mask? We all had a chuckle over that. And he put it on (he's had a head cold for over a week ... didn't want to take any chances).

As soon as Dr. Hardin arrived, she declared that I was ready and after pushing through just one contraction, wa la, Bailey was here! I cried, of course. It's just so surreal. Also, a first for me was that I got to cut the umbilical cord. The nurses have always offered to Ray, which he declines, but this time they asked me