It was a beautiful day on August 30, 2003. I woke up with no thought in my mind that I would be in the hospital that coming night. I did mention to my mom that I had very, very mild cramping. But with being a week early, I did not think much about it. So my mom and I went shopping all day. Then the cramps started to intensify. I called my doctor, and he said that I could go to the hospital if that is where I would most be comfortable. So we went.

At 4 p.m. Saturday the nurses at the hospital said I was not in any active labor. So I walked the hospital halls for two hours. I was rechecked for any dilation. Well, about a half a centimeter, said the nurse. I did not care. I was going to stay the night anyway. My brother, Nathan, was my coach, and he came to be with me. Throughout the night my contractions stopped. I thought for sure I was going to be going home that morning.

It was at 7 a.m. on August 31, 2003, when the nurse came in and said that I was dilated to 3 centimeters. I was surprised. They then broke my water and gave me Pitocin. I remember feeling a lot of pressure. Then they said to start pushing.

At 10:38 a.m., just three hours after having my water broken, Madison Zana Hennessy was born. She was so sweet. My mom and brother held her before I did. I just was not ready yet.

Then I got to hold my adorable little girl. She weighed only 6 pounds, 12 ounces. I thought I was going to drop her. She was just so tiny. I felt an immediate connection between my daughter and me. She was so alert for the first 24 hours of her life. I think she slept for an hour the first day.

Madison is now 8 months old. She is just learning to crawl. The smiles that she gives could melt anyone's heart. Madison still loves me, but she has definitely become a daddy's girl.