The Most Beautiful Thing We've Ever Made...

Labor is a funny thing. Until you actually experience it...nothing anyone says to you ever makes you feel better about the whole thing. I had my regular weekly appointment on Monday, the 24th...also Emery's due date. I had no expectations. My last couple appointments I was exactly the same. Barely dilated to a one. Plus...I had been on bed rest for about two weeks which wasn't exactly helping my situation move along. So, when Dr. Barton came in and checked me out, Tim and I weren't expecting him to tell us to head down to labor and delivery. He said he just didn't see any reason to keep me pregnant any longer. We looked at each other in total shock. By 6:30, I was hooked up to all the machines and had pitocin flowing through my veins. My contractions started about 20 minutes later...but thankfully Dr. Barton had told the nurse to have me get my epidural as soon as possible. Everything was going fantastically...until the epidural wore off in a very important region :). So, the nurse had me get another dose of the anesthesia. An hour after that...it had worn off again. I was numb in my belly and my legs...but not the other place of importance. The anesthesiologist came in for a third time...gave me a third dose...and yet again...an hour later I was feeling it. By then though, it was time for me to start pushing. Now...this was the part of labor that I had imagined entirely different! I was completely exhausted. It was 5 am, and I hadn't slept at all from the time they started me until then. I didn't realize that pushing meant I would be using every ounce of energy and strength my body had. After an hour...I was in tears. I could feel everything because the epidural was gone. After two hours...I just couldn't do it anymore. Tim was absolutely wonderful and encouraging and supportive...and yet everytime he said anything...I would get so mad.

Finally, Dr. Barton came in the room. At that point, I knew I was close to finally having my baby. It gave me the extra strength to push about six or seven more times...and then I heard the most beautiful sound in the world. My sweet baby that had grown in my tummy for the last ten months was finally crying. My sweet baby that I had felt kicking and squirming around inside of me was kicking and squirming in my arms. I was finally meeting my daughter. Emery Elizabeth Tappana was born at 7:16 am May 25th 2010 weighing a hefty 8 pounds 8 ounces and measuring in at 19 inches long.

First comes love...then comes marriage...then comes a baby in a baby carriage!

Exhausted...but entirely and completely happy Mommy

Extremely proud Daddy

The most beautiful baby girl in the world. Of coarse...I am her Mommy...so I am a little biased :).