Labor Day

In honor of Labor Day, I'll tell you a little bit about my labor day experience:

• Wed. September 1st I had a Dr. appt. I was 1cm and not effaced. After talking with my Dr. we decided to scheduled an induction for Sept. 5th, the following Sunday. 
• I was very nervous about scheduling an induction in case my body wasn't ready, but I was leaning heavily on Proverbs 16:9 " The mind of the man plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps." And obviously he did...
• Friday morning I worked 4 hours. I then went and got our car seat installed at Baptist. I then went home and took a 3 hour nap. Sometime during this nap, I dropped my phone in a glass of water on my nightstand and fried it. Good by Samsung Solstice...
• Friday night Joel and I went to Olive Garden. I had read that eggplant parmesan can induce labor...may or not be true. Then we went and walked around Target.
• We went to bed around midnight...or well Joel did.
• At midnight I started contracting every 10 minutes. They were too strong to sleep through, so I started painting the canvas' for Jedidiah's room. I thought that it was false labor and that they would eventually go away. Little did I know I would be up all night. 
• After finishing the 4 paintings. I then proceeded to clean the WHOLE house..trying to keep quiet because Joel was still sleeping. By this time my contractions were about 6-7 minutes apart. 
• About 4:30 I woke Joel up and told him we needed to go to Wal-Mart to get me a new phone. I was very restless and I couldn't walk the neighborhood at 4 in the morning, so I thought walking at Wal-Mart was a good idea. Joel thought I was going to have the baby at Wal-Mart. I'm pretty much a big wimp, so I acted like I was dying everytime I had a contractions. 
• We went to Wal-Mart in West Memphis around 6 and got me a go phone. Joel began to time my contractions and they were about 5 minutes apart. We then went to Howards to get the best donuts ever!
• When we got home around 7, we started talking about going to the hospital. I was still convinced it was all early labor and did not want to go and get sent home, so we hung out some more at the house, packed showered, etc...
• Around 10, I was contracting every 3-5 minutes, and like I said before acting like I was dying, so Joel convinced me we needed to head in.
• We got to Baptist around 1030. I walked around the parking lot several times, telling Joel we didn't need to be here and that we were going to get Memphis Pizza Cafe when I got sent home for early labor. After much convincing I went in and got checked out in their triage area. 
• Little did I know that I was now 3cm/80% and -1 station!! YEAH!! I was actually in labor and all that pain was actually accomplishing something. Dr. Mestemacher happened to be there for another delivery, so I was kept for delivery.
• I then got into a L&D room. They asked me if I wanted my epidural. I said I wanted to wait, but yet again Joel convinced me otherwise. I'm so thankful for Joel. My epidural went great, took about 3 minutes and didn't hurt at all.
• Mestemacher then came in about 1230 and broke my water. I was then about 4cm.
• I then just hung out waiting to change. Joel, my mom and Kathleen were great company while we were hanging out. At 430 I was 6cm and beginning to think it was going to be a long night.
• I was very surprised at 630 when my nurse told me I was complete!! Joel was in the parking lot with Brent and I'm pretty sure he ran back when I called him. 
• I began to push at 7:00 (after shift change of course). Joel was so encouraging and loving. So thankful for him!!
• Jedidiah was delivered @ 7:33. He was 7'4 and 20 inches long. He is absolutely perfect!!
• I am very thankful to the Lord for calming all my crazy "I'm a labor and delivery nurse" fears. God is so faithful and kind to us in Jesus Christ. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)