Well, I woke up at about 4 a.m., feeling some contractions. So I waited until about 6 a.m. to wake my husband and tell him today was the day. So, we called the hospital and they said that we could either come in or stay home for a while, whatever would be most comfortable. So, I decided to take a long bath and relax. Afterward, we got our bags packed, and went out to have breakfast. Well, then I decided we should go to the store to get some crossword puzzles so we would have something to do in case the labor was long.

So we got to the hospital about noon and they checked me; I was at 4 centimeters. They said that if I didn't progress within an hour I could go back home. Well after an hour, I really wanted to go home, but they said that I was at 5 centimeters, so I had to stay. So I started getting a little upset, and they gave me a sedative to calm me down.

Then my mom and dad came later on. The last thing I clearly remember is watching Jeopardy at about 3:30 p.m. Then the pain started to come on stronger. So, I just laid on my side and my dad would rub my back with each contraction, which helped a lot. I would just try and picture our little girl who would soon be with us. I kept waiting for the pain to become unbearable, but it never did.

Then I got a really strong urge to push, but the nurses kept telling me not to. My dad was yelling for them to call the doctor. So, finally the doctor got there and I got to push. It was such a huge relief. I had probably been pushing for about a half-hour when the nurse broke my water. It felt so gross! Then I remember my mom saying, Oh, she's got dark hair! And then out she came and they took her over to clean her and weigh her. Andria Bethany Elysia was 7 pounds, 9 ounces, delivered at 9:52 p.m.

Then the doctor began to stitch me up, I didn't even know he had given me an episiotomy. I said, Oww, that hurts!! and he said, Oh, now it hurts, after all that you just been through?!

We had to stay an extra day in the hospital because Andria was a little jaundiced and was spitting up blood. But she is now a happy and healthy 3-year-old!