Birth Story

As most of you know, Will has been living in Nebraska for the past month working at his new job while I have been packing up the house and trying to find renters.  Will had a stand by plane ticket which allowed him to hop on a flight, if there were availble seats, and come to AZ without having a set "date" to fly.

Friday the 22nd was my due date, and we were planning on Will to come into town the 21st if I hadn't gone into labor, so he could help finish getting the house ready for Renters to start the 23rd.  Monday, I started weeding the backyard because it needed done really bad before renters started.  At my Dr. appt on Monday, I was dilated at a 3 and 90% thinned.  I continued to finish with the yard work.  That afternoon, I was at my sisters and she helped explain to me what contractions should kinda feel like... so I felt more comfortable with that, and I had a couple I believe pretty close together at her house, but then they went away.  On my way "home", I was staying with another sister, my sister from Nebraska called telling me there was a big snow storm coming in Wed-Friday.  This left me a little worried that Will wouldn't make it in.  Monday night I sat on the Pilates ball for about 2 hrs, before doing some squats and jumping jacks and heading to bed.  Before falling asleep I prayed that everything will happen the way it was supposed to happen the way Heavenly Father wanted it.
 

I woke up around 11:30 to go to the restroom.. and realized that wasn't what woke me up, but that my stomach was cramping up really bad.  I realized "oh, this might be a contraction, lets see how far apart they are if it comes again, cuz it's really uncomfortable".  After an hour of contractions coming on the dot every 6 min, I called my mom to see what to do next.  She recommended walking around and to time how long they were lasting and far apart.  By about 2 in the morning, I called my mom again and contractions were still 6min ish apart lasting 45-60 seconds.  Mom suggested they would probably accept me to the hospital, and she was going to get Will on the 5:45am flight, landing in AZ at 8am.  I didn't want to wake up my sister to take me to the hospital till 3, so I straightened my hair, and chatted with mom; I didn't want to go to the hospital and them send me home.  Well, pushing 3am my contractions were just as long, but only 4min apart. I got my sister up and we headed in. 

I made it to Triage around 4am, where I was at a 4.  1 hr later I was at a 6 and they took me to labor and delivery.  We were very bless with Will getting the last seat on the flight.  My sister, Camilla, was very brave and helped me through labor.  The Dr. broke my water around 7:45am.  I knew there was a chance that Will might not make it, but we had discussed this before hand and were prepared to have faith and take what came.  Close to 8:15 Will called saying he was 5miles away and all Camilla said was "you better hurry cuz this baby is coming". 

Baby Merrill was born 8:35am and Camilla was able to cut the cord.  Less then a min later, Will showed up as they were measuring the baby.  Everything worked out so well it was such a blessing.  My sister was a great support helping me through labor without an epidural, and Will has been amazing support as a new father. We picked a name for him around 12:30 that afternoon.  We have been enjoying our handsome boy as much as we can and can't get enough of his chubby cheeks and goofy faces. 

Our new family of three