Azaria's Birth Story

This is going to be long, and as detailed as my memory can make it. You've waited two years for me to put your story to paper, so I am not going to spare words. I wanted to write this story as soon as you were born, and it kept getting pushed back in the chaos of two under two, and a newborn who never seemed to sleep at night. It got pushed back so far that I was robbed of all of the beautiful pictures I had of your birth, your first few moments, your first two weeks. I mourned the loss of those pictures and I lost the motivation to write your story. And I lost interest in writing for nearly two more years. I'm sorry, so sorry, that I didn't chronicle your life like I have your brother's. Someday maybe you'll have a little one, and then maybe you'll have a second, and you'll understand why mama didn't have as much time to write.

But mea culpa isn't the point of the story, this story is about the beautiful moment when I brought you into the world to meet your family. And thanks to cell phones and friends and a recent visit back to the birth center where we welcomed you, I do have pictures to remember.

I had prodromal labor with you for weeks. Every night, around 11, I'd go to bed and have a few contractions, and then they would go away and I would fall asleep. Grandma flew down the Friday before you were born, May 11th. Saturday I decided to take her for a pedicure for a Mother's Day gift. Why we didn't wait until Sunday I don't know, but we all were saying you might be a mother's day baby. I treated us to the deluxe pedicure: extra long massages, hot stones, paraffin wax, very decadent. I'll always swear the pedicure is what put me into labor! It was so relaxing to have a little pampering, and it was Grandma's first spa pedicure!

That night followed the same pattern of going to bed and having contractions. Daddy went out to a friend's house and Grandma and I went to bed. Around 11:30 I think I started to realize that my contractions were not going away, but I determined to get as much sleep as I could because I knew if I really was in labor, I'd need the rest. I think they started at about 7 minutes apart. Maybe an hour later I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep, so I used an app on my phone to start timing them. Eventually the contractions got strong enough that I couldn't lie down anymore, so I got up and started doing some things around the house. My body started "clearing out" in preparation, but I wasn't convinced I was really in labor (and I wasn't convinced really until you were nearly born!) but I thought at least I could get some things done while I waited for the contractions to go away. I bounced on my exercise ball in the dim light of the oven hood, and got on the computer to clear off my camera's SD card. I called Daddy, and reminded him that we had church in the morning so he should come home at a reasonable hour. Sometimes I stood and swayed, or leaned back against the wall, or leaned forward against the kitchen island. I'll never forget the way I just hung my head, relaxed all of my muscles, and breathed deep deep breathes. "Open", I told myself, and relaxed my jaw and my hands. 

I called Daddy a few more times. We have church in the morning, I told him. You should come home NOW.

Around 4, I think I called my midwife Emily and told her what was going on. The birth center was 45 minutes away, and I wanted to know what to do. I think I apologized ten times for waking her. Come in, she said. We'll hang out, and if you're not really in labor you can go home and we'll see you again another day. Later I found out she knew: she knew it was real but I wasn't convinced that anything I could go through with such relative ease could bring me a baby.

Finally I called Daddy again. "Why aren't you home?! I'm in labor for Pete's sake! I've been asking you to come home for hours!"

"Why didn't you just tell me that before," he said, "I would've come right away." Like I said, I never was really convinced enough that I was in labor to tell him. Oops.

I collected things to take to the birth center. Ingredients for the special post-birth meal I wanted, jugs of water, snacks for labor, your little outfit and blanket to come home in. I baked you a chocolate mayonnaise cake with whipped cream cheese frosting. Later that day, after you were born and we sang you happy birthday and we ate the cake I realized that it was lumpy because I had the lights so dim I couldn't tell if I had mixed it all the way! I called my friend Casie to come over and be with Shane, and I woke my mom up. And I swayed, and I breathed, and I swayed, and I breathed. 

I don't remember what time we left for the birth center, but it was still dark. I think it was a little after 5 AM. Nathan drove. Mom sat behind me and rubbed my shoulders. At one point I remember telling her to save her hands because I would need their strength later, when things got intense, and I didn't want her to be worn out too early. Looking back I am sure I went through transition in the car. I cried about ruining Shane's life and how he was too young for a sibling, that I was robbing him. I'm sure mom and Nathan had something reassuring to say, but I don't remember it and like a spring rain, the storm of emotion quickly passed.

We got to the birth center as dawn broke. I remember posing for one last bump picture in the early grey light, as the early morning sun rays peeked over the horse pasture in back, in my magenta tank top and my familiar old black athletic shorts with the white stripes on the side. The same ancient shorts I'm wearing now, in fact. I went inside, I think, and mom and Nathan unloaded the trunk while I talked with Emily. 

My birth record and Azaria's newborn exam.

I was able to get my birth record when we went back to Texas recently and it's so neat to see everything spelled out in black on white. Emily did an exam at 6:17: temperature, blood pressure, fetal heart rate. She didn't check my cervix, I didn't want to know. My contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and about a minute long. Nathan did something with electronics so we could watch a movie, and I bounced on a big red ball. We all hung out and laughed together: me, mom, Emily (my midwife) and the two birth assistants, Jenn and Amanda. Nathan went to my room and slept. At some point mom brought me a yogurt and prayed over me, and Emily gave me a hot rice sock for my lower belly. I leaned over the back of a chair and rocked and bounced. 

The room where Nathan slept, and I ended up for my first "check" and after birth.

After a while, maybe an hour, I felt that my contractions had kind of petered out. They had been so easily handled that we all thought I was only in early labor and had hours to go, so I asked my midwife if we should maybe go for a walk to get things going again. It was early enough that it was nice and cool, the sun was still early morning beautiful, and I thought it would be nice to walk down the road to see Emily's horses. They checked your heart rate, and then Emily, mom, and I walked out to the road. I think we got maybe five steps down the road before I needed to stop for a contraction and when it was over I looked at Emily and told her "that felt pushy". So she hustled me back into the center and to my room, where she asked if she could check me.

The birth stool is what is holding up the blue ball.

I sat on a birthing stool and when she checked she asked if she could wait for a contraction. Well, on my next contraction my water EXPLODED all over her! She exclaimed, "If you want to have this baby in the tub you'd better get in there NOW!" I think I stripped my shirt and bottoms off as I ran for the hot tub room, calling to Nathan to wake up as I waddled. 

I leaned back against the side to the left, and everyone crowded around across from me by the shelves.

I got in the tub and Nathan kneeled outside the tub behind me. Each contraction, he'd hold me up by locking elbows with me. I loved my water birth, but I actually was really uncomfortable in the tub because of my floating semi reclined position. This was the hard part of your birth, Azaria. Labor had been so wonderful, calm and I was able to relax myself. I felt so out of control once I got in the tub because of the position I was in, but I wasn't able to move either because once you decided to come, you were going to come! I wasn't pushing very efficiently, and I remember feeling every inch of your head pushing my pelvic bones apart. At one point I remember growling, "I don't want to do this anymooooore!" I watched you crowning with a mirror on the bottom of the tub. I touched your head as you were born. And then your head was there, eight minutes after my water broke, and Emily guided your grandma's hands and my hands to pull you right up to my chest. It was incredible. You seemed so tiny, I swore you were only six or seven pounds, and you looked around with your alert little eyes and your purple little self and I cuddled you so tightly.  

You were born at 8:29 AM and I wanted to let you do the breast crawl, but you had some mucous and your lungs were making some crackling sounds so by ten minutes your APGAR had fallen to a 7 for low muscle tone, color, and breathing. I was asked to nurse you then rather than waiting for you to do the crawl and you improved very quickly. By the time I was ready to birth your placenta, you were ready for some skin to skin time with Daddy. I think you got a few drops of Rescue Remedy, and you were perfect after that. 

The women helped my out of the tub and dried me off, then wrapped me in a snuggly pink robe. They settled me in a nest of pillows on the bed, gave me warm compresses (way better than ice!) and covered me up with warmed blankets. I got you back and we snuggled skin to skin. 

I ate a string cheese while you had another nurse, and we relaxed together. I think Daddy was next to us on the bed, sending your picture to all of the family.  Around 9:30 Casie brought brother to meet you. He was so excited to meet you! He sat on the bed with us for a little while, but he wasn't even two yet and soon went to play with toys in the next room.

Shane meeting you. Casie is in the doorway and the little girl is Faith, Emily's daughter.

You feel asleep and Grandma held you while I had a peanut butter and honey toast, and around 11:30 I was helped into my fragrant, warm herbal bath. The herbs are a blend made by Emily that promote perineal healing for mamma and also help baby's umbilical cord heal up more quickly. It's also super relaxing and bonding for mamma and baby. I'd looked forward to that bath every single visit when I went into the bathroom, and finally it was our turn! I relaxed by myself for a while until the water was a cool enough temperature for you, and then they brought you to me and I held you so that just your mouth, nose, and eyes were above water. The second your ears went under you relaxed completely, uncurled, and just floated around completely at ease. I rubbed the vernix off you and out of your hair, and we just loved on each other until the water was cold and it was time to get out.

You snuggled with grandma and had a little snooze while I got stitched up. There is one moment, and I had captured it on the lost SD card but I still can picture it perfectly, when grandma was holding you and talking to you and you locked eyes with her and just listened. It was like you'd known her forever.  Finally around 1:30 our special macaroni and cheese was done cooking and we got to eat! I don't know if a meal ever tasted better. We sang happy birthday to you and ate some cake, and then around 2:30 it was time for your newborn exam!

My corner is the far end of the long couch, by the end table.

I curled up in the same corner of the couch where I'd sat so many times before for my appointments and the midwives set up a heating pad covered with blankets for you. They did your exam right there on the floor of the living room so that I could watch and bubby could "help".  He helped measure your head (14 in), your chest, (13.5 in), and your length (19.75 in). Then he helped weight you. I might've been convinced you were teeny tiny, but you were actually 8 lb 4 oz! I guess I just forgot how tiny newborns are. They finished up their exam and grandma got you dressed, just like she did your brother, for your trip home.

Dressing you in an outfit made by Aunt Erika, on your blanket made by Grammy

By 3:20 we were working on getting discharged. I nursed you again while Daddy loaded up the car and by 3:45 we were on our way home!

I couldn't have imagined a more perfect birth, little love. I am so glad to have had such a special experience just for you! We all went home and spent the rest of the day learning all about you. Happy birthday, Azaria Natalie!

Birth Story

I’ve been meaning to write my birth story for quite a while but I I’ve been afraid to start because nothing I write can do justice to the emotions I felt and the awe and purity and shock of meeting my son. But if I don’t write, the memories will fade. This will be a long post, because I want to remember all of the details.

It all started Monday, May 31st. I was past my due date which wasn’t a big deal to me, and Nathan had been off work for three weeks. (He had to skip going to Puerto Rico with his crew in case Shane came, but that left him without work.) That Monday I went to the doctor marked the beginning of his paid vacation week, at the end of which he was going to have to return to work. That was a big deal to me! Those of you who followed my blog from the beginning know that I wanted a natural childbirth—without an induction. However, I was now faced with the choice of having an induction or giving birth to our son without my husband. I chose induction. Friday, June 4th was going to be our big day!

I have to just give a quit shout out right here to my dad. I had been keeping “birth day bets” on Facebook and my dad picked the 4th as the day Shane would be born. Dad, you wanted to know what you won for being right? Well, here it is! National acclaim and recognition on my blog!

Anyway, I was SO excited. I knew what day I was going to meet my sweet baby! I called my mom so that she could get schedule a flight, and went home to do last minute cleaning and chores. Mom arrived on Wednesday, and we spent a fun Thursday walking around the local antique mall and finding a place to get her hair cut. That afternoon she mopped and waxed my floors, while I took a nap! What kind of love is that!

I spent my last few days of pregnancy embracing every movement, every kick and squirm and hiccup. I had done my best to embrace every moment of being pregnant anyway, but this was different. It was more final. I was ecstatic to meet my baby, already so loved, but I was also sad that it was going to be over. I’ve always liked the word poignant and that is how I would describe these last days, hours, minutes. They were poignant moments, they are poignant memories. I loved that my mom got to see me pregnant and got to feel the kicks and thumps. Once I had my mom I was more relaxed. I knew that she would take care of me and I was able to stop worrying about taking care of myself.

Our induction was scheduled for 7:30 and that meant we needed to leave our house by 6:30. I was ready, mom was ready, and Nathan? Was still in bed. Seriously. His inability to get out of bed is a long standing point of tension but I couldn’t believe that this day, of all days, this day that was so important to me, he wouldn’t get out of bed. But we finally got to the hospital and up to labor and delivery where we met our nurses.

Our nurses were Christy and Rhonda. Both are experienced L&D nurses, but Rhonda was new to the hospital so Christy was supervising. They were both so wonderful but Christy was especially great. Throughout the entire experience she knew exactly how to treat me and how to talk to me. They gave me a gown and some instructions and left us alone for a while. Nathan blew up my exercise ball while I changed and then the three of us sat around talking and joking.

We had said throughout my pregnancy that we wanted it to be just us when we had the baby, but since my mom was here in time Nathan said he wanted her there to help with labor. He just wanted it to be us during the delivery. Then the nurses came in to start my IV. Rhonda filled out a bunch of information on the computer (8:10 am) and Christy put on the baby’s heart rate monitor, contraction monitor, and my blood pressure cuff (8:15 am). As Christy slid my IV in (8:20 am)I looked over at Nathan (who was not supposed to be watching, as he is extremely squeamish) and he was pale and about to pass out. Mom sat him down and the couch and put his head between his legs. He later told me that he didn’t mean to look, just turned his head at the wrong moment. Anyway, after that happened Nathan decided that he would like mom to be there for delivery as well! I was happy with his decision. Mom wrote that the pump was at 6—2 milliunits/min.

I can’t express how grateful I was to have my mom there. This is the kind of thing that women want to talk about over and over and details and again and again and on and on and….And men are like, “yeah, you had the baby, you did great, THE END.” And my mom is such a warm comfort and so willing to talk about it over and over. She knew exactly what to do when. She gave us space when we needed it and support when I needed it and really was just wonderful. Thank you so much mom!


Mom was going to go buy tea and a Danish so she offered to buy me a mag. I wanted a gossip mag, People I think, just as a fun thing while I waited. I found out later that she was also giving us time alone. Nathan and I sat there and watched TV for a while. Criminal minds. They were all re-runs, so I kind of spaced out. We talked a little, and this was when we decided to have mom there for the entire time. Nathan had also decided not to cut the cord (he told me that since before I even got pregnant). I was going to do it, but since mom was there I kind of wanted her to have the honor. Nathan thought that was a great idea. I hope you were honored, mom! Mom was gone for so long that Nathan eventually went to go look for her. We thought she’d gotten lost!


I got up frequently to go to the bathroom which I believe was a funny sight; I was hooked up to the IV pump, which had to go with me everywhere, and I also had cords hanging off me for a blood pressure monitor and the contraction monitors. Nathan and mom took turns helping me unplug cords and push the pump and keep everything out of the way.

Nathan was great through my labor as well. During the beginning, when things were just getting started he was on the internet which was fine with me since we were just hanging out. Then his dad started calling and wanting Nathan to find him a truck on craigslist. And he kept calling, and calling, and calling. It was getting distracting and irritating and I thought it wasn’t very thoughtful, since he knew we were at the hospital. I think Nathan eventually just told his dad he really couldn’t talk anymore and turned off his phone. I’m not sure exactly what happened. My memories get foggy after the contractions got stronger. But as I got further into labor Nathan got more and more supportive. I’m so glad that he was there! At the beginning he was nervous but he got more confident about how to help me as time went on. Mom, having given birth, was able to give him some direction when I couldn’t talk anymore. He was a trooper!

Dr. H came in to check me and I was a three and a half. My contractions were mild and 7 minutes apart. While he was there he broke my amniotic sac (9:49 am). Fluid gushed and gushed! The nurses said that I had a lot of fluid—I drank TONS of water while I was preggo! I was really embarrassed about all of the fluid and the poor nurses having to clean it up but after a while I told myself to just get over it. At some point as labor progressed I looked up at the TV as Law and Order came on. “I hate this show!” I said. Mom suggested that maybe that meant it was time to turn off the TV and we laughed.

Mom wrote at 10:10 am “I don’t know when they changed it, but pit drip is now 4mu/min and pump reads 12.”


At 10:30 am she wrote, “Increased pit again to 6mu/min and pump at 18. Contractions mild but 2-5 min apart.” I think I was standing and swaying with my contractions, trying to use gravity to help bring the baby down.

Eventually, when contractions were getting pretty strong and close, I wanted to sit on the exercise ball. The lovely nurses put towels down on the floor and pads on the ball and helped me sit down. At 11:50 am Mom wrote, “Increased pit to 8 mu/min and pump to 24. Gushing amniotic fluid with every contraction =). Sitting on ball. Had been standing a while.” I remember that I rocked, and every time I rocked a little more fluid would come out, and somehow that really helped the contractions be less painful. Nathan sat behind me sometimes so I could have a break and lean back. They both talked when I wanted to and encouraged me. I did really well while I was on the ball. I concentrated and rocked and breathed well during contractions and talked in between.

After a while the nurses came back in and wanted to check me. On the bed. I didn’t want to get up but they helped me stand and as I stood I had contraction. It was horrible, just horrible. I thought I was going to pass out. So did my mom, I think. She wrote at 1:00 pm, “Had to stand—VERY strong contr. Hard to manage in standing position. Nauseated. Nurse did internal—said 3-4 cm. Very pale. I thought she would faint.” I went white and my legs buckled—I would have fallen if the nurses hadn’t held me up. They talked me through it but I couldn’t breathe and so I couldn’t deal with the pain. Next time I’m telling them no way, I’m staying right here on my ball and you can check me when I have to push!


Once they got me onto the bed, I was there for the rest of my labor. I think that was my big mistake. I knew that Pitocin was going to make it really hard to have a natural labor but I still was trying. I think if I’d been able to stay comfortable I may have been able to do it. But who knows? When the nurses got me on the bed they checked me and I was only dilated to a four. After hours! And I went in at a three! I told myself it was okay, my body was working hard for me.


I was feeling really nauseous so they nurses gave me a tube to hold—much better than that ridiculous emesis basin! What is that supposed to contain, I ask you?! I threw up a few times (1:55ish pm) and mom held me while Nathan got a cool cloth for my forehead. I was so touched by that thoughtful gesture. He later told me that he went to the sink so he could get a minute because he was feeling squeamish, but I don’t care. I still think it was thoughtful. And what is throwing up? It’s a classic sign of transition, that’s what! Unfortunately neither mom or I remembered that.

Things get REALLY foggy after that. The pitocin had my contractions peaking unnaturally high and with NO rest between. Mom tells me that I was breathing really well and moaning in a low tone but I remember thinking that I was only a four, and I couldn’t handle getting to a ten, not with my contractions coming endlessly and not giving me a chance to catch my breath. This is also a classic sign of transition—thinking that you can’t do it anymore. Unfortunately neither mom or I remembered that either. Around 2pm I asked for an epidural. I felt bad but I wanted one so badly! Nathan and mom talked me through a few more contractions, wanting to me to be SURE I wanted an epidural. Mom wrote, “Hard and frequent contractions. Asking for med. We encouraged her to hold off.” Eventually we called the nurses, who called the anesthesiologist. Christy stood at the side of the bed and I had to sit on the edge, bend over, and hold onto her. And stay still. Stay still? Hello! I’m having CONTRACTIONS HERE!!! Lol. Mom said this was the hardest thing for her to watch. Not the needle or the actual epidural or anything but the pain I was in sitting on the side of that bed. She wrote, “2:40 pm. Dr. Jones puts in epidural. Extremely painful but nurse Christy was so quiet and soft spoken—left side. Nathan had to leave the room because he just couldn’t watch but they let Mom stand on the other side of the room and watch. Nathan also told me later that he was about ready to cry before I got the epidural because it was hard for him to see me hurting. Both were glad that I got it, even though they were my staunchest supporters of doing it naturally. That helps me not feel bad about getting the epidural—I refuse to think of it as failing. If I hadn’t been induced and had those pitocin contractions I believe I could’ve done it. Hopefully next time!

As soon as the epidural was over they checked me and I was dilated to an eight. An EIGHT!!! Um, throwing up, giving up, TRANSITION! Wow did we ever miss that cue. I wish I would’ve gotten checked BEFORE the epidural because I probably wouldn’t have gotten it. I thought I was at a FOUR and had HOURS left to go. That’s ok though. Hindsight is 20/20. And because I got it so late in the game it didn’t seem to have any effect on Shane, or at least not much of one. I also got it so late that it didn’t completely take the pain away. Mom wrote, “2:45 pm. Internal exam—8 cm! 100% effaced, 0 station. Epidural will take about 15 more min to kick in. The nurse is sooooo good. Panting to not push.” And later, at 3:00 pm, “Foley catheter inserted.” At 3:08 pm she said, “9 cm. Cervix thicker on one side, so moved her a little to right side. Not much pain but lots of pressure. Panting through contractions.”

Nathan and Mom said I slept between contractions after that, but I don’t remember it as sleeping. It was very strange. I could hear people, but I was out. My body was resting, finally. I think right after I got the epidural I started feeling pushy but I had told the nurses I wanted to breathe down for a while instead of pushing so they let me be. Nathan was next to me on the left and mom was on my right. Nathan reminded me to pretend like I was blowing out a candle as I panted. I guess he was actually paying attention to the things I was telling him might help me! It’s all so foggy but I remember holding my fingers in front of my mouth to “blow out the candle”. At 3:55 pm, “Sleeping between contractions. A lot of pressure. Feels urge to push but panting through contractions.” At 4 pm, “Internal exam. Head not quite far enough down to push yet. 10 cm. Switched her over to her left side. ‘Laboring down.’”

"Sleeping" throught contractions.

4:20 pm. “Tried a few pushes, but head not down yet.” 4:45 pm. “A few more practice pushes were good. Baby’s head came down but first babies go up and down. Put legs in stirrups and started pushing!”

Eventually the nurses came back and broke down the bed and put my legs into the stirrups so I could start pushing. I think Dr. H came in to check before I started but I really can’t remember. I know he wasn’t there the entire time. Mom helped hold my right leg and the nurse held my left. Nathan stood by my head and whispered encouragement. Mom encouraged me as well, but left most of it up to Nathan. He did perfectly, not yelling, just speaking softly and stroking my hair. He was SO great. At 5:30, “Still pushing. Baby’s head in sight and staying down pretty well.

Pushing was hard. I wanted to be more upright so that I could curl over myself but the nurses wouldn’t let me sit up too far. They brought a mirror so I could watch and I couldn’t believe how much hair I saw! In between pushes Mom would give me ice and Nathan held my hand. The epidural had finally kicked in and I couldn’t push that well so Dr. H called for the anesthesiologist to turn the epi off. He didn’t show up and Dr. H got kinda of mad at him—I remember him talking to the nurses about it. “At 6:10 pm my mom wrote, “Increased pitocin to 10 pump at 30. Doc Howell checked her through a few contractions. He wants Jones (anesthes) to turn off epi so she feels how to push better.” Dr. H was kind of in and out-he was the Dr. on call that night. I was SO tired by the end that I just didn’t think I could do it. I pushed for about 2 hours. As I pushed and was finally crowning the nurse put her hand on Shane’s head and told me to wait for Dr. H. WHAT?!?!?! I’ve been pushing for hours and now they wanted me to NOT PUSH!! This was the only time in my labor that I got upset or said a bad word. I said, “He’d better get the He!! In here NOW!

In my head I was thinking that I was going to push with my next contraction whether or not the Dr. was there, and the nurse could jolly well catch Shane herself! Finally there was a bustle of activity and Dr. H. arrived and asked if I was ready to meet my son. A few pushes later they put Shane up on my tummy! He was the most beautiful perfect thing I’d ever seen, all wet and slimy and bloody. Nathan cried and kissed me, and I just stared at him and felt my heart, like the Grinch’s, expand and expand and expand. Shane wasn’t swollen although I’d expected him to be after two hours of pushing. I got to cuddle him for a few minutes and then they took him to the warmer. He was born at 7:06 pm, 21 ½ inches and 8lbs 9 oz.

I’d wanted to just keep him on me, skin to skin, but mom told me later that they thought he had pooped near the end, and they needed to suction him out. They brought him back to me as soon as they were done, and put him on my chest and covered us both. It was wonderful, and I was glad to get that bonding time. He nursed after a while, and was extremely alert for two hours or so after he was born. I know a lot of women that say they didn’t bond with their baby for hours or days or even months, but Shane and I bonded instantly. He got his first bath, in our room with Nathan’s help, around 10 pm.

I couldn’t, and still can’t, believe the love I feel for Shane. It’s incredible. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew that I wouldn’t resent dirty diapers or nightly waking. I never knew that I could truly “count it all joy”. I never thought that I would be ready to have another one as I sat on ice in a hospital bed. I never knew that motherhood is my calling.

And I never dreamed that I’d want four kids!

*Thanks to my mom for keeping good records during labor and delivery!*

*Edited 7/4/11 to add:  I originally posted this on September 27th, 2010. I am however postdating it now to Shane's actual birthday, because I plan to print this blog in book form for him.