Hey, Jude!

I know it's a little late to be writing about my labor/birth story, so I'll just give a nutshell version here with a few pictures to illustrate... My labor began on a Sunday while Jordan and I were out on our usual evening stroll... I continued contracting through the night. I was awake most of the night with Jordan's watch on my wrist -timing my contractions- while Jordan tried to get a little sleep (since the next day began his 2nd year at school!). We were both thinking that Monday would be the big day, but we were wrong...
Morning came but my contractions were still not intense enough to go to the hospital - in fact, things were slowing down! Let's just say that it was a loooong day for us... Filled with taking walks, playing boggle, timing contractions, and waiting! Things finally started to pick up that night, but it wasn't until after midnight that everything was moving along quickly enough for us to leave. (In fact, Jordan had just gotten undressed and into bed when I made him get up, get dressed, and take me to the hospital!) By then, my muscles felt so tense that I couldn't tell where the contractions began/ended, so I opted for an epidural. With the pain gone, I was able to get some much-needed sleep, which gave me energy for the pushing that was to come later that day!
To jump to the best part... little Jude was born that afternoon (Tuesday, August 25th, 2009) at 12:43 pm. He weighed 8 lbs, 12 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. A 3rd year med student delivered our baby (with our doctor right behind of course) which irked Jordan considerably since he had tried many times to convince Dr. Lund to let him deliver our baby! Sorry honey, maybe you can help with a future baby. After they wrapped and put a little hat on Jude, they placed him in my arms - a moment I'll never forget. I said something to him and he stopped crying and looked right at me - he seemed to know my voice. I don't remember exactly what I said - it's easier to recall the feelings in my heart than the words that were spoken. I think I just said hello or something and told him I was his mommy. With my beautiful baby in my arms and Jordan at my side, I felt greater love than I'd ever felt before. And not just love in a large amount, but a whole new love. My feelings for Jordan deepened too. Words can't express it - I won't even try. Suffice it to say that this was the best moment of my life - and any mother will know what I'm talking about.