11/25/12- A day we will always remember...

Early on that Sunday morning, I mean early, at 2a.m. I (Liz) started feeling contractions that were 10 minutes a part and just couldn't sleep. Every time I was close to going back to dream land another one would come and then the cycle started all over again. At about 4:45a.m. the contractions started coming 5 minutes a part, but as a new parent we both weren't sure this was true labor yet. The day before I had been feeling contractions off and on and pretty irregular all day long, so we just weren't sold that it was really time. At about 7a.m. we went into the hospital because the contraction weren't stopping and stayed consistently 3 to 5 minutes a part.

What no one prepares you for while you're in labor is the admitting process at the hospital, I just figured that once you arrived they checked that you were in labor and get you started- which is true, but they don't tell you how long that takes. We arrived and started the check but normally they wait an hour  to see if your labor is progressing  The nurse could see how much pain I was in and decided that she would check in an half an hour instead of the full hour. So the initial check the dilatation was at 3cm, and half an hour later I was at 4cm, so they decided to admit me and I could stay.  The whole time I was thinking that if this wasn't true labor then I don't want to do this anymore, but it was and we were getting the show on the road. Today was the day that we were going to meet that little one that has been in my tummy for so long. 

Also, they don't tell you how long it takes for you to get an epidural either. I was just exhausted from my two hours of sleep the night before and in so much pain, that I was totally all for the drugs by that time. 30  minutes later (after I was told I could stay), I was able to get the surgeon in the room to give me the epidural. Also, I realized that I deal with pain through anger, so I figured that it was in everyone's best interest that I get it as well. 

A couple hours later, I was fully dilated  The nurse that was checking on me was so surprised how fast I had gone, she called my doctor and let him know that I was ready. She had me do a set of pushing and then told me to stop, she could see the babies hair and my doctor hadn't arrived yet. She was getting nervous that he wouldn't make it on time, and the babies heart beat started dropping. She got it up again by rotating her head a little bit, but it started to go down again. My doctor literally ran into the room, had his hand in the air while the nurse dressed him. I did another set of pushes and she was out!!! Afton Leticia Palmer was born Nov. 25th 2012 at 12:54am. She weighed 6lbs 15oz and was 18in. long. 

Meeting her for the first time was a very surreal but beautiful experience. I remember looking at her and asking Cam, is she really ours? It that our precious little one? 

Cam, was just amazing through the whole experience.  He was with the baby the whole time they bathed her and measured her. He helped both baby and me whenever he could.

Our little Afton is growing like a weed! As you can see, this is a two week photo of her. 

Well all, we wish you a very Merry Christmas! Hope the seasons bring you joy and happiness. Afton is signing off for us till after the holidays!!!!! XOXO