The story, the experience...the 411

It was 4:30am, October 18th, one week to the day before my due date. It was still dark out, cold, raining, and my water broke on a routine trip to the bathroom. I must say, I'm a big fan of the water breaking. It happened with Harper too, and it definitely takes the question out of going into labor. Knowing that a week prior, at my last appointment, I was already 4 cm dilated, I grabbed my phone as fast as I could and called the doctor on call. To my extreme jubilation...it was Dr. Zimmerman! He is my absolute favorite doctor in the practice, and the one who delivered Harper!! Another reason I love him is he doesn't jerk you around. He answers the phone "Hey Sarah, it's Zim, great day to have a baby isn't it?" He then tells me "Well, come on in, we'll be expecting you." None of that...wait at home in severe pain, and possibly miss the opportunity to get an epidural crap.

My next phone call was to my parents, and then to Emilee. I figured I would alert them ASAP so while we were getting ready to leave my mom could be on her way and Emilee could be getting her stuff ready. 30 mins from Wake Forest is a long time when you're in labor. By the time I showered (I absolutely HAD to shower) grabbed a banana and some cereal (knowing I wouldn't be eating for a while) and kissed Harper good-bye, my mom was there and ready for duty.

We got to the hospital, they assessed I was actually in labor, and put me in a labor room. Emilee arrived about the time we got to the room and she was also ready for duty. After seeing our birth video of Harper, I couldn't imagine not having one for our little Stratton too. It's one of the most amazing memories I will ever have.

Labor was almost a carbon copy of that with Harper. Contractions started within minutes of my water breaking and were fast and intense. I finally got my epidural around 7:30. Along with it came relief and drops in blood pressure whenever I changed position. I managed to keep my banana down, but definitely had some lightheadedness. They did have to give me a few extra doses along the way as my right side was a little less numb than the left. When the time came to start pushing, everything was numb that was should have been, and it was completely painless. As Stratton emerged (pretty much on his own) Adam had the exciting and wildly anticipated job of announcing the sex. Those words went something like this "IT'S A BOY, OH YES, IT'S A BOY!!!" It was quite a moment. One definitely worth waiting for.

Recovery has been a breeze, and for the most part everything has come back to us. I'm not going to lie, the first few weeks are not fun, and it is definitely a different story with a 2 1/2 year old running around. However, they are just that, a few weeks, and we are almost out of the dark and into the light as that goes.

I can't wait to share with you the slideshow Emilee puts together. I know it will take our breath away like the day itself.