I can't believe my baby is 1 month old today...and before I forget I want to post the details of his birth. ~
On April 20th I dropped Allie off to play with one of her little friends while I went in for my routine doctors appointment at 10:00. I was due May 5th so this was my 38th week appointment. Unlike my Utah doctor who did a physical exam starting at 36 weeks, this doctor started at 38 weeks. I had no idea if I was showing signs of labor and I went in hoping to persuade my doctor to induce me the following week. I knew my baby was measuring big, so that was one reason for wanting to be induced. Another reason was because my parents took a gamble that he would come early and booked their tickets for April 28th.
~
My doctor started with a quick ultrasound and his head was measuring 38 weeks. I was bummed because I knew this wasn't going to help my argument that I should be induced early. He then checked me and was shocked to find out that I was already dialated to a 4, almost 5. He then grabbed my charts and started doing some calculations. I immediately put my plug in for an early induction on the 28th and he said that he was considering inducing me that day. I remember feeling a bit of everything from excitement to panic. He continued to weigh the options and finally decided that April 20th was going to be the day. He said that since this was my second child my labor would most likely be faster than the first and he was afraid that I wouldn't make it to the hospital in time if I were to wait any longer. He told me that I had time to go home, get my bag (which wasn't packed) and get to the hospital and that he would be at the hospital at 12:30 to check my progress.
~
I left the doctors office and called Kyle. He was shocked to find out that we were having the baby that day. He made all the necessary arrangements at work and was going to meet me at home to drive me to the hospital. I was so grateful that this wasn't during rush hour because a 20 minute drive home would have been over an hour. I called my mom next to tell her the news. That was a hard phone call. She wanted so bad to be here for me and although she was excited, I could hear the sadness in her voice. I made arrangements for Allie to stay at her friends house until our friends Annie and Joe got off work to pick her up and bring her to the hospital. I made a quick call to my dad and sister and then I was busy packing my bag. Kyle got home and we left for the hospital.
~
I checked into the hospital at 12:00. I was shocked to find out that my contractions were 3 minutes apart because I couldn't really feel them. There was slight discomfort, but no real pain. The doctor came and checked me. I was dialated to a 6 at this point, all on my own. I soon realized that Brock was coming that day whether the doctor induced me or not. The doctor broke my water and the anesthesiologist came in to give me my epidural. To help get the contractions to come harder and faster they started the pitocin. The epidural was amazing....on my left side. I could still feel my right side and even move my leg. The contractions did come harder and I was in pain for about 30 minutes until the anesthesiologist came back in to give me another dose right before the delivery. My doctor came, I pushed for 3 contractions, and in less than 10 minutes at 3:45, Brock was born.
~
He started to cry and I felt so much joy that I couldn't help but cry. They placed him on me and I had a hard time holding him because my left hand and arm were tingly and numb. He was so cute. After the quick exam and clean up they left him with me to nurse. Then they took him to get bathed. Allie came at 8:00 to see her new little brother. She slowly entered my room and you could see how hesitant she was. She looked around the room for the baby but they still hadn't brought him back from when they took him to get clean. Joe and Annie had taken Allie to the store to buy Brock a little gift and she was so excited to give it to him. Soon after Allie came the nurse wheeled the baby into the room and Allie was so in love with him. She wanted Brock to open the gift she brought right away. Brock also got Allie a gift and she was so excited to open it. She got a My Little Pony and The Princess and the Frog dvd.
~
It was time for Allie and Kyle to go home and she left with her big bottom lip out. It broke my heart. She kept telling Kyle that she wanted mom and baby to come home with her. My mom ended up changing her flight to come on the 23rd. It was so fun having her here and she was such a big help with the kids.
~
Kyle has been amazing. He is the best husband and father! He changes tons of diapers, tucks Allie into bed, and helps me clean and organize the house every night. And when Brock is wide awake in the night he'll take him and rock him to sleep. Kyle can't wait to take Brock to BYU football games and to take him on fly fishing trips.
~
Allie is so thoughtful and helpful. I love how she is always looking out for Brock. She loves to give him kisses and reassures him when he cries by saying, "It's ok, it's ok, Allie's here, Allie's here." Or "don't be sad, it's us...we're your family." She really is the best big sister!
Brock still melts our hearts and we can't get enough of him! He loves to snuggle, doesn't mind tummy time, and loves to stare at his dad. We love him to pieces!
I am so very blessed. I love my life! 
