Saturday, May 8, 2010

so ... labor (part 1)


Where do you begin when talking about the day that changed your life forever? I suppose at the very beginning — a very good place to start. 

We woke up at 6 a.m. to wait for the hospital's call. I was second on the "induction wait list" for April 27, and I've never prayed so hard for the women of Utah Valley to cease going into labor naturally. After four weeks of doctors telling me it was going to happen "any second" and that they "couldn't believe" I hadn't gone into labor yet, it was my turn to have a baby. It was so my turn.

We got the call at 8:21 a.m. that we were clear to come in at 10 a.m.

"Are you still planning on the induction today?" the nurse asked.

"Yes! We'll be there!" I half-yelled, half-giggled, half-cried (subtlety hath no place in a perpetually pregnant woman's world).

"Well, OK then!" she said.

Well, OK then.

After showering and doing my hair (a delightful benefit of being induced), making sure our "go bag" was go-worthy, and kneeling in prayer, we pulled up to the hospital at 9:45 a.m.

It was joyously surreal. I had always imagined making my way through those doors — one arm clutching my stomach, the other piercing Adam's arm with nails I had meant to trim but never got around to. Instead, I gently held Adam's hand, gave him a nervous smile as he pressed level three in the elevator, and patted a kicking Margaret in my belly for the last time.

We checked in with the nurses, and they assigned us a room — complete with a gorgeous view of the snow-capped mountains and the Mount Timpanogos Temple. I put on my gown and sat on the side of the bed, my legs swinging back and forth like a first-grader.

"So, I guess we're having a baby today?" Adam said, looking all cute.

"We're having a baby."

(To be continued ...)

16 comments:

Tiffany said...

how can you look so cute being in labor? not fair!

Amander said...

Love this labor story.

Melanie said...

The cute hair mystery has been revealed! I can't wait to hear how the rest of this story went for you.

Shara Parker Park said...

I can't wait to hear more. You already sound like a champ! Oh, and you totally looked cute in your post labor pics, well done!

Kara said...

Wow, who knew labor was so glamorous! Cause you look it.

ali said...

Love it :)

Erin said...

Ohhh this is so fun! Thank you for going back and recording your thoughts and experience. Just perfect.

Jill said...

Breezy, you are just so " stinkin tute" (as Seth would say). I am already hooked. Please keep the details coming!

Kelly said...

I agree with Tiffany . . . how can you look so cute in labor!!! You are just cute I guess and there is no hiding it. Loved reading this. What a great moment in life to put into words. Can't wait for part 2.

Jenn said...

Yay--only 9 comments so far, so mine won't be buried. :) Just wanted to say congratulations! I'm so excited for you. What a darling baby! (but then, I knew she would be...) Can't wait to hear the rest of the story.

ty and megs said...

can't wait for the rest of the story! and i'd comment on the the fact you look gorgeous during labor, but i think it's been said already.

Chocolates for Breakfast said...

looking forward to part two...so not fair that you look like a model laying there in bed...I on the other hand have no pictures of me pre or post labor...not an oversight by any means!

Diane said...

Oh, Maggie will love reading this when she is alittle older! I love reading this! You are adorable!

Laurel said...

i can't wait for the "continued" part.

i loved this and adore the ground you walk on. That little maggie is one lucky girl.

Jen said...

As if I could love you more, you go and quote the Sound of Music. Adorable. Can't wait for part 2.

Maggie said...

Bri, i'd hire you out to chronicle my labor story but I don't think your computer can handle that many obscenities. :) You, however, are dahling.