New Blog Name

So it seems I need a new name for my blog . . . On August 14, 2013 at 6:54pm Cora Elise joined our family. I went to the OB for my weekly check up and was 4 days shy of my due date. I initially felt like she was going to be early because of all the contractions I was having, but then began feeling like she was never going to come as every week at my appointment, there had been no progress. Well, that changed on August 14. I went to the OB for my appointment at 10am. My dear friend Desiree was watching the boys for me at the house. I had my usual nonstress test, but this time, the baby's heart rate dipped a little with a big contraction, so the OB was going to send me to the hospital for a more detailed test to make sure the baby looked okay. Well, that was before she checked me. When she checked me, I was 5cm dilated and 70% effaced, so she then decided I was likely just in labor and should go to the hospital pretty quickly to have the baby! I was beyond excited and furiously began texting and calling people . . .  Brian to figure out where to meet him and Stephanie and Desiree to make arrangements for the boys and my Mom to let her know the exciting news. This was always my favorite part of the pregnancy . . . so close to meeting our new child! Brian met me at the house so we could ride together to the hospital. Sweet Desiree kept the boys the rest of the afternoon until Stephanie could pick them up, and then they went to spend the night with their cousins. I was so thankful to have family nearby to keep the boys for the night. Brian and I headed to the hospital. It took a while to finally get to a room, and I was a little concerned that she might come quickly. God was so in control, though, and I felt an overwhelming peace throughout the whole process. Brian and I had some time alone for a while and then my Mom joined us. My sister, Aunt Janie, and all my sisters' kids and brothers' kids were at IKEA and ended up coming to the hospital and waiting for the baby. My Dad joined them when he got off work, and Andrea came too. How special to be surrounded by so much loving family as we awaited our little girl's arrival! My delivering OB was one of my med school classmates, Jill, which was really special too. I ended up getting a little Pitocin after I got my epidural at about 7cm. I felt silly getting the epidural as I didn't even feel like I was in labor, but decided I may feel differently when it was time to push :) Once the Pitocin got started, things moved quickly. I knew when it was time, but unfortunately, another patient began to push at the same time, so I had a few uncomfortable minutes where I thought the nurse might have to deliver! When the OB did arrive, I just pushed 3 times, over about 5 minutes, and our little girl arrived! Brian and I decided to just have it be us in the room this time when I pushed, and it was really special to be able to share that together. What an amazing feeling to hear her cry and see her for the first time! It is such an indescribable, unmatched feeling to see your child for the first time. This little person who had been inside me for 9 months was now laying on my chest. What a miracle! And then watching my husband hold her and getting to share her with the rest of my family was just incredible. It is one of those feelings you just want to have over and over again. The whole experience . . finding out I was pregnant, sharing that with all those we love, finding out it was a girl, making preparations, anticipating her arrival, laboring and delivering, and sharing it all with my husband and eventually our boys and family . . . I just praise God over and over for such an amazing gift! We love our little Cora dearly and pray for strength and wisdom to raise her to be a Godly woman who loves the Lord.