During the 4 a.m. feedings...

This is the only thing keeping me sane...

After seeing the trailer and almost crying, I knew I had to read the book.

I am about 200 pages in and I can't get enough.

Come August 14th, you know where I will be.

Who says PA school is hard...

I am somewhat frightened that the future bread winner of our family is dead asleep during class.

Birth...

Get ready for a boat load of pictures and a very detailed birth story...

Eden moments after birth...

Back from the nursery, so fresh and so clean...

Look at all that blonde hair...

The first time Indie saw Eden, she had her finger in her mouth and had a cute little look on her face...

First family of four pictures...

Headed home...

(Please notice the birthing ball, yeah we never quite needed that)

The first time Chloe and Maddie saw Eden...

The traditional car seat picture...

After surviving our first night home, I took these adorable pictures of Daddy and his girls...

So here is the story...

Sunday, July 12th, at about 10 a.m. I started getting pretty consistent contractions that were about 20 minutes apart, by noon they were about 10 minutes apart. At about 4 p.m. they were about 8 minutes apart and getting a little more uncomfortable but still not bad. We were able to go to Harper's blessing but by about 6 p.m. I was ready to go home. Tony had been in denial the whole day that I was actually in labor so he loaded Indie up and headed to his grandparents for dinner and told me to call him if things got worse.

I putted around the house still trying to get my bag packed. By about 8 p.m. they were about 6 minutes apart and not comfortable but I could still talk through them. My doctor had told me not to come in until they were 4 to 5 minutes apart and I couldn't talk through them. After a little coaxing from Alicia telling me that I was, in fact, in labor I decided I better call mom and dad. They were camping about an hour away and when I told them I was having contractions every 6 to 8 minutes they were loaded up and home in no time. Tony pulled in about that same time and we put Indie down for the night. At about 10 p.m. they were getting a little more intense so I asked for a blessing while my family was all there. Tony gave me a beautiful blessing that helped me to relax.

At about 10:30 p.m. the contractions were about 5 minutes apart and they were getting worse to the point I didn't really want to talk through them. Mom said we should call the hospital and see what they thought we should do. The nurse told me to drink a big glass of water and lay on my left side for about an hour. If the contractions got worse, I should come in, if they got better I didn't need to come in yet. So I did just that. At first they got worse and were about 3 minutes apart and then they got even more intense but they were only 6 minutes apart. I guess I should jump in here and say that I was planning to have Eden naturally and that's why I was laboring at home for as long as possible. I had been taking a Bradley Method class that my friend Jessie teaches. I felt prepared but still really scared for what was ahead of me. When the contractions were getting further apart but more intense I really started to doubt myself. At 11:30 p.m. I finally told Tony that I was getting nervous and I just wanted to go to the hospital. That way they could check me and I could get a better idea of how much longer it was going to take.

Tony was supposed to take a final the next morning at 8 a.m. so in between my contractions he had been emailing teachers to let them know the situation. So when we finally decided to head to the hospital (secretly I think Tony was still in denial at this point) I literally came crawling out of the bedroom toward the door and I look over to see Tony on the computer...updating his facebook status! I almost went through the roof. He said, "Hey I am just letting everyone know we are headed to the hospital." And I replied in my nicest "in labor, about to transition" voice, "Honey, I don't care." At which point he quickly took me out to the car that luckily we had already packed, by this time it was about 11:45 p.m. As we pull out I tell him to be careful and not get a ticket. As we get onto Highway 89 things start to get even worse. The contractions are about 3 minutes apart, very intense and I feel nauseous.

This next part may be a little too much for some so just scroll on down to the next paragraph. When you have a baby naturally, they say that you know it is very close when you feel like you have to poop. Well unfortunately I was getting that feeling as we are halfway there. I calmly tell Tony, "You need to hurry."

As we are getting closer to the hospital there are several stop lights and of course every one of them is turning yellow right as we get to it. I have thrown all fear of getting a ticket out the window and I am telling him "just go" through all the lights. I lost track of how many yellow/mostly red lights we ran. As we approach the hospital, I tell Tony that I honestly can't fathom getting from the car to the second story Women's Center. He said he would run and get a wheelchair. It felt like he was gone an eternity. He got me in the wheelchair and we got in the elevator. I am normally not a claustrophobic person but that was seriously the worst elevator ride ever. The whole time I am worried about the car that we left running, with the doors open, and my purse in the front seat. And Tony just keeps telling me not to worry.

We come to a screeching halt at the front desk and the nurse proceeds to check us in. She is asking my birth date (to which poor Tony, who I think has finally come to terms that I am in labor, fumbles up) my height, my pre-pregnancy weight. I am sweating, my face is pale (Tony later told me), I am thirsty (poor Tony is running around trying to find me water) and I am about to give birth and they want this information?!? The nearby nurses are starting to notice the scene I am inadvertently causing and ask if I am the one that called in an hour ago? Yes, yes I am.

Now they want us to go to another desk to check in. At this point I have had it. I slam my water down and loudly say, "I need to push." They finally get the idea and wheel me into a room. As I am crawling onto the bed I am pulling off my shorts so that someone, anyone can check me tell me what I am dilated to. They also say in natural childbirth that you lose all modesty and I can attest to that.

Tony takes off to park the car. The nurse checks me at which point my water breaks. She says, "Your water just broke, there is meconium in it, and you are at a 10." They page my doctor and I beg them to not make me wait for her to arrive. The urge to push was overwhelming. They say she lives close and I needed to wait for NICU to arrive anyway because of the meconium, they would need to suction the baby before she took her first breath.

About 10 minutes later, the room is buzzing with nurses, my doctor blows in, throws on her booties and tells me to push with the next contraction. 1 contraction and 4 pushes later our little Eden entered the world at 12:25 a.m. on the lucky 13th of July, as perfect as can be. They were able to suction her right away so she didn't aspirate any of the meconium. She was born "sunny side up" or face up just like her older sister but was no worse for the wear.

I felt great and instantly relieved. I did it.

Eden was checked out by the pediatrician the next day and he said she looked great and there were no signs that would indicate to him that she had any form of Trisomy.

We are so blessed to have these sweet angel babies in our home. We are about 9 days in and we are slowly getting on a schedule and getting back to normality and loving every minute of it.

Introducing...

Eden Grace Smith
Born at 12:25 a.m. on 7/13/09
8lbs. 1oz. and 20.5in.
Mom and baby are both doing great... thanks for the love and support!

...the story (and more pics) to follow...

38 weeks...

So only two more weeks until my due date of July 23rd, although yesterday I went to the doctor and when she checked me I was already dialated to a 3 and 80% effaced. My next appointment is next Thursday but my doctor said she might see me before that. I am getting very excited to meet this new baby and I am even more excited that I am almost halfway dialated and I haven't really felt anything yet.

So here is my bare belly which may frighten some people but I wanted to document it.

I feel like I haven't done a great job of documenting this pregnancy. I have felt really great the last few weeks, especially since the weather has been consistently nice. We have been able to get out and go for walks, runs and bike rides and that has made all the difference. Indie likes being outside as much as I do so we both have been loving it. We got Cherry Hill passes again this year so we have been doing a lot of swimming and I have been getting a little sun which makes a huge difference too. You always feel better when your tan, even if you are 35 pounds heavier than normal!

This baby is a kicker to say the least. I remember Indie kicking a little bit and I could feel her little feet on my left side. This baby kicks the heck out of me on my right side and digs her little feet into my ribs. She is having a party in there, especially at about 4 a.m.

I have had really bad heartburn. I get charlie horses in my legs while sleeping. I have been really uncomfortable at night. And I have really been missing sleeping on my back or stomach. Sometimes I wake up in the night on my back or stomach and maybe that is why I am really uncomfortable. I remember all of this happening with Indie so I guess it is just a part of being preggo.

Well I guess that is my update. And when I do pop, this blog will be the first to know...stay tuned.

The Tradition...

Going to the fireworks at Eaglewood golf course on July 3rd holds a special place in mine and Tony's hearts.

This picture was taken July 3rd 2002 and was the night of our first kiss. Almost every year since we have recreated this moment.

July 3rd 2003

July 3rd 2006

July 3rd 2007

July 3rd 2009

Wait...something's missing. Oh yeah, my husband who had to work. But the tradition continues anyway.

Let freedom ring...

I love the 4th of July.

It is my favorite holiday and the favorite of most of my family so it always turns out to be a pretty awesome day.

We started the festivities on Friday night with our traditional picnic and fireworks at Eaglewood golf course with Tony's family. Sadly, Tony was working but Ind and I had a great time.

Check out the rice crispy cake Mandi made, so adorable.

We tried to recreate this adorable picture from two years ago...

but thanks to Indie's tantrum, ended up with this picture...

Saturday morning we headed to the parade. Thanks to the slightly overcast weather it was one of the best parades I have been to in years.

Our Little Firecracker...

That afternoon we went to my Aunt Paula and Uncle Bill's home for a refreshing swim. Then it was time for the annual "Rigby 4th of July Bar-b-que," which wouldn't be complete without homemade vanilla ice cream.

That evening we went to the high school for the firework show.

This is how Indie watched the fireworks...

Another great 4th of July. I am so blessed to live in America and enjoy the freedoms that are ours. I am grateful for the brave men and women who now, and in the past, have fought and even died for that cause.

God Bless America