And then, We met Ethan...

Since Ethan is the oldest, his birth story comes first.

August 26, 2002, I had an OB appointment. At this point, I was 3 days past my due date, swollen, hot (thanks to the Arizona weather), and MISERABLE!! I wanted this baby to leave my womb and let me feel "normal" again. It seemed he was making himself cozy, and I just wanted to have a decent night of sleep (HA!!..If only I'd known). After the necessary questions and annoying poking, my doctor asked me if I'd like to be induced. I said I would like to be. I was ready. After getting changed and meeting him in his office, my date was set. August 28, 2002.

August 27th was David's birthday. It being our last night alone as a couple as well, we took the opportunity to make this our last date night for awhile. We had dinner, saw a movie and went home to prepare ourselves for impending parenthood. We chatted about things to come. At about 12:30AM, after 2 hours of packing and unpacking my labor bag to make sure I had everything, I decided to lie down for some much needed rest. As soon as I settled into bed, I felt a cramp. "Hmm.." I thought, "Maybe it's nothing." It came again..And again..Uncomfortable and still unable to sleep at about 1AM, I got up and started putting things together in Baby's room. I didn't tell David anything that was happening with me. Why? I was being induced in the morning. We needed to be at the hospital at 7AM for check-in. I had this in the bag! I busied myself with preparing Baby's room and clothing for the impending arrival. Finally, at about 6AM and a night of no sleep, we rechecked everything, and headed out the door. We made sure the car was packed and the car seat in properly, and away we went at 6:15AM. Halfway there, we stopped at a gas station, got a couple bottles of water and filled up with gas. We continued on our way at 6:35AM. Two blocks from the gas station, David and I began to bicker about the water (silly, I know) and I had my first real painful contraction. David, surprised by this, hurried to the hospital. At 6:55AM, I checked into labor and delivery. After being checked, I was surprised to learn I was already 6cm along. I hadn't been feeling very much at all until the car ride over. My doctor broke my water and fluids were started so I could get my epidural. I calmly visited with family that came trickling into and out of my room. I smiled, laughed and chatted non-chalantly for well over an hour, and them, labor really kicked in. We kicked everyone out of the room, while I focused on what my body was doing. Three hours later, and 8cm in, I was given an epidural. Now, I don't remember much until the pushing started. The epidural made me loopy. I felt great, because there was no pain, but I wish I could remember more than the loopiness. This was, after all, my big day. I was becoming a mommy!

An hour later, I was told it was time to push. The pushing, I barely remember. It took two hours to get his little body out of me. He was stubborn. I tried hard, and needed a vacuum assistance. It actually took two vacuums, because the first one broke on his head when he was in the birth canal. He was born perfectly after 13 hours of labor at 3:17PM August 28, 2002. He didn't make a sound. He opened his eyes, stretched his fingers and curled his toes and blinked, and off they took him for cleaning. David was in awe..Putting his finger out for Ethan's tiny hand to curl around.

Today, Ethan is a happy, healthy 6 year old. He bounces from room to room talking about school (the first grade to be exact), friends and his new hobby, Cub Scouts. He is a great big brother. I couldn't ask for more.