As many of you know, December 5th (my official due date) came and went with no action. I had a couple of false alarms where contractions would start and go for an hour or so but they always went away. I went in for a couple of stress tests and we scheduled to be induced 12-19 after no sign of impending delivery. I didn't sleep very well the night before. Between having to use the bathroom every two hours and then worrying about the delivery for a good 30 minutes before falling back asleep I pretty much got no rest. We arrived at the hospital the next morning at 6:45 - I was a full 42 weeks pregnant (pictured right). The plan was to break my water bag and then give me patosin if labor didn't start by itself. Lucky for me, the broken bag was enough of a signal to my body that it really was time to give the baby up and labor started on its own. Contractions started at about three minutes apart and continued. And continued. And got worse. And continued. And got worse. I had wanted to experience natural childbirth - my goal was to be able to push at the end and was afraid that I wouldn't be able to feel anything if I got drugs of any kind. But by 1:00 in the afternoon, after having thrown up everything I have eaten since moving back to Chicago and after having had about 120 contractions and being told that I was only dilated to five centimeters and having nearly passed out in the bathroom twice I decided that the only way I was going to last was to take an epidural for the pain. The afternoon flew by as my body did the work and I got some much needed respite. At 5:40 the nurse said I was finally dilated to 10 cm and that it was time to push. Much to my relief, I could still control the muscles I needed to and started to push. And push. And push. An! hour and thirty nine minutes later, Ethan James made his way into the world and I became a mommy!! It was a completly amazing experience and even though it didn't look anything like I planned, it was wonderful.

Ethan James was born 12-19-2001 at 7:18 pm. He weighed 8 lbs 6 oz and was 21 inches long. He has LOTS of dark brown hair and the prettiest blue eyes I have ever seen. He has REALLY big feet (we call them monkey feet) and LONG fingers. We all think he is going to be a big boy, but considering the parentage that would not be a huge shock. He is very good natured and makes the best sounds :) He is probably the cutest baby ever born, but I may be slightly biased. However, I polled my mom and sisters this weekend and they agree with me so it MUST be true!

I am doing really well and am loving getting to know the new man in my life. We had a great Christmas. I got home from the hospital Thursday night and by Saturday afternoon we had a houseful of guest. There was definitely no shortage of willing volunteers to take care of Ethan while I got some much needed rest! They have all left now and it is back to life as I have never known it. We are both learning a ton of new stuff every day - how to breastfeed, how to change a diaper without getting a shower, how to use a car seat, what to do with a boppie, etc. I have had some hormonal swings, but nothing that has lasted and we are both in very good spirits.

Thanks for all the support throughout my pregnancy and delivery. It has made such a huge difference in how I felt about the whole experience. I am so looking forward to getting to share Ethan with you! Until then, have a great New Years and Happy Holidays!