I can't believe Joy is one month old today! It has been such an amazing experience becoming a parent. I've had more emotions running through my body in the last month than I've had my entire life and it's been the greatest thing ever! Haha! So here's the story:
Tuesday Feb. 22, I went to Prestia's office. I was still 3 cm and 80% effaced, so she asked me if I would like for her to "strip my membranes" (Ouch!) to help kick start my labor. I was ready to have this baby, so of course I said yes. She told me when I started to feel my contractions to go the hospital and we could get the party started. David and I left and went back to work to wrap up a few things. Then we met Mom and Annie and Street Breads and ate a good lunch before heading to the house for a little nap, which was advised big time to me by recent first time sleepy parents! : ) Surprisingly, I was able to sleep because I was just a little bit anxious to say the least. My contractions kept getting stronger but I wasn't in any real pain, so I felt silly going to the hospital. My expectations were always that I would need to be wheeled in with an ice pack on my head while screaming at David about the misery he put me in! BUT, that wasn't the case for me. I kept asking mom and David to feel my stomach. Is this a real contraction? It was really really hard and my back felt sore, but nothing to whine about. Finally, after pacing around the house and doing squats and lunges, mom convinced me to just GO TO THE HOSPITAL. I was soooo nervous and questioning every thing, but finally I gave in. 
Once we got to the hospital, it was a cake walk. Sure enough I was having some pretty good contractions every 2-3 minutes. By this time, it was so late that Dr. Prestia said to keep me overnight and she would come in the morning to break my water. By 5am, I had dilated to 4cm and was 90% effaced. My contractions never really hurt until she broke my water. Then I started to feel that Hollywood pain I was expecting! Haha! Well, PRAISE THE LORD for the epidural, especially one that numbs you on both sides. I had to get stuck twice because the first one only worked down my right side! The epidural was also a huge help because I had to sit up to get it and that helped Joy's heart rate. She had decelerations where her heart rate would drop after a contraction and that wasn't good. Plus, it was slowing down my labor. As soon as I sat up though and had lots of friends and family praying, they improved. Also, the epidural helped me relax, because I went from 6cm to 10cm in 1 hour and was ready to push!
Dr. Prestia came in at 1:00pm and put on her cafeteria lady outfit. She made a comment about being able to see Joy's hair! Everyone was looking so of course, I wanted to see. I never in a million years thought I would want to watch, but at this point I was so excited about seeing my baby girl. The nurse put a big mirror out and I got to see the whole delivery. We pushed 3 good times and at 1:13 out she was born. They immediately put her on my chest and David cut the cord. I remember the sun was coming in the window shining on her face and her blue eyes and eyelashes were just a sparkling as she looked up at me. I've never felt anything like what I felt at that moment. How people can say there is no God baffles me. 7 lbs 15 ounces of pure sweetness!
Everything after that was just a whirlwind. I was flying high on adrenaline and so many friends and family came to celebrate and meet Baby Joy. It was such a great day. I can't believe I didn't cry that day, but of course I made up for it the next day! One particular time the waterworks went off was right when she came back from the nursery and we just snuggled laying there in the hospital bed, both of us exhausted. She was so sweet and so little. I just couldn't stop weeping over her and thanking God for her life. It's just so hard to believe that something so precious was created inside of your body and now she was here... living and breathing and completely dependent on me. Wow... I'm tearing up just thinking about that moment. 
I also didn't think it was possible to love David any more, but I do! He is such a great dad and husband. He has been so helpful and supportive and of course made us all laugh with his clipboard keeping track of feedings and diapers. He is just so in love with Joy and it's the sweetest thing to watch them together. They make my heart hurt it's so happy.
Joy has been adjusting to the world so well! She really is a great baby. She eats like a pig though! She actually gained weight in the hospital. She was 8lbs when we left and then 9.25 at her 2 week check up! She is pretty laid back too. She doesn't like to be swaddled. She likes to stretch out long and sleep with her arms above her head. She loves getting her hair washed at bath time and being pampered. : ) I'm having a ball dressing her up like a diva too! She is just too much fun!
Her first month of life has taught me to be patient, to be flexible, to take deep breaths, to be confident, to ask for help, to trust God, and of course to soak up the precious moments that fly by! Welcome to the world Joy! We love you!
