Labor Day!

The doctor decided to induce me on my due date, December 15th, 2008, as he was afraid the baby would be too big if we waited past that. So at 5am on December 15th Matt and I had an appointment at the hospital to begin the whole process. I had been given advice to eat before we went because after I got there...ice chips would be it! So Matt and I got up extra early and headed to IHOP to have some breakfast before we headed to the hospital. This picture was taken hours before we left...this is me at 40 weeks! Ready to pop!

After we got there, I got hooked up to all the machines and they started pumping me full of fluid to stay hydrated. Around 7:30 my doctor came up to make sure I had started making good progress. He broke my water and then we played the waiting game.

Here we are a few hours into the process...by this time I had my epidural so I was feeling pretty good. I labored for a while without it, but after thinking about the possibility of having a C-section, I decided to get it just in case. That way I wouldn't have to have been put completely under in order for the doctor to get the baby out. Dylan was belly up instead of back up right up until about an hour before I delivered. Luckily I had a FANTASTIC labor and delivery nurse that was able to work with me to get him turned before I started pushing...saving me from having to have a C-section!

Finally at 6:29pm, after 12 hours of labor, Dylan James Mize made his appearance weighing in at 8lbs. 10oz. and was 21 inches long! I have to admit...I was shocked it was a boy. After about week 8 or 9 of my pregnancy I had convinced myself that it was a girl. Never a better surprise! Matt and I have been loving every minute we have spent with him and can't wait to see what happens with each day.

What a face! The outside world is so much different than where I was!