Well.... almost 6 weeks later and I am finally getting around to posting the most important post of ALL... the reason for this blog: the birth of our little angel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hard to believe he has already outgrown his little newborn onesies =) Here is how it all happened...
At 2:40am on September 28th, my water broke while I was sleeping. Everyone said... when it happens you'll KNOW and I now know that to be true!!! I was surprisingly very calm- I called my mom ALMOST immediately (OF COURSE), texted my sisters & best friends & took my time showering/making sure we had everything ready! Doug called his mom & then the hospital. The Dr. on call said we needed to come in as soon as possible and so... we checked in at 4:30 am =)
They admitted us into room #11 which, is our lucky number, and so I knew everything was going to be perfect!! We weren't surprised that I was barely dilated because we learned that at my appointment the day before. At 7:30am they induced me and I lasted until 12:30pm before I got my epidural. From then on out... it was smooth sailing! Our darling nurse Lily took EXCELLENT care of us!
I am so thankful to my wonderful mother-in-law, Jeri, for being there for pretty much the ENTIRE day. She made the wait for my mom to get there so much more bearable and of course, it wouldn't have been the same without her! Thanks Jeri, we love you!
My mom arrived shortly after I received my epidural and it was a very happy moment!!!!! She has been the biggest support throughout my whole pregnancy, especially when I was on the road for work and I am so lucky she was able to hop in her car and be there for us! I love you SO much mom. If I'm 1/2 the mother to Ryan that you are to me... he will be SUPER lucky!
And so then... we waited. My mom and Jeri went home for us to grab a few DVD's and some lunch... but came back with the BEST SURPRISE OF ALL!!!!!!!!!!! My sister Shannon dropped EVERYTHING to be there for me and as a teacher and mom of 2 kids... I know it wasn't easy. Shannon, you are my role model and my very best friend. God only knows what I would do without you. Also... thanks for the sign! 2x
We had one more special visitor before things really got going. Colleen & I have been friends forever. She introduced me to Doug never imagining we would one day be married and name our first born after her!! (And Kelly O'Ryan ;) Col... there are really no words to express how much your friendship means to me. You ARE my family here in St. Louis and I love you more than words can say. Ryan loves you SO much.... it runs in the family. xxoxoxo thanks for being there for me ALWAYS.
Hours later, and after watching the Cards beat Houston while Atlanta lost to the Phillies (clinching the wild card!), we were ready to start pushing. It took 33 minutes for us to meet our baby boy... and the feelings that I (we) felt cannot be described. Luckily and unknown to me... one of the nurses grabbed our camera and shot the ENTIRE birth. I wasn't sure how I felt about that until I saw the pictures. I will cherish them forever. Here are a few of my faves! |
| Ryan Daniel Stine - 9.29.11 - 12:33am - 8lbs, 2oz, 20 inches long |
And that is our story. We have never known love like this before and we could not be happier. We were so blessed with a wonderful pregnancy, easy delivery and... a perfect baby who we could not love more. He has brought so much happiness and joy to our lives and we could not imagine life without him now!!!!
Grandpa for the first time!!!!!!
Uncle for the first time!!!!!
Pop Pop for the 6th time.... but by his reaction, it might as well have been his 1st ;)
p.s. to my AMAZING and wonderful husband.... I love you more now than before. Thank you for giving me the greatest gift of my life. I can't imagine taking this journey with anyone but YOU. You are already the best dad in the world. xoxox
