The Story...

2:45 AM: My water broke while I was in bed after only 1.5 hours of sleep! I said, "Thomas, I think my water broke!" He said, "Are you sure you just didn't pee your pants?!" I said, "I haven't peed my pants this whole pregnancy. I didn't start now."

4:15 We got to the hospital. We walked in and I said, "My water broke." The nurse just looked at me and said, "Uh...okay." Then she took us back and by the time she got the IV in it looked like I had major surgery on my arms...not impressive.

7:30 the nurses changed. I overheard the old nurse and new nurse talking.
New nurse: "She's on a liquid only diet but she brought her own peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I don't know what to do." To that I said, "That's on my birth plan! I get food whenever I want it." (She asked about my birth plan earlier and I didn't really have anything specific.)
Waiting, and waiting to see if anything would happen. I wasn't dilated or having any contractions.

9:00: The nurse gave me a pill to get me to dilate. She said it would probably take a few doses to get things going so she would be back in two hours.

Two hours later...I was having serious contractions! The nurse didn't believe me though and just sent me to the Jacuzzi. I ordered food before I left because I was starving! When I got back to my room my mom and Thomas' mom were there. I tried breathing through the contractions but that didn't really worked so then I started being vocal and it helped better. My mom told me to just breathe through them and I said, "I don't want to breathe. I want to yell, so I'm going to yell." I took a hypnobirthing birth class that taught breathing and relaxing techniques but they weren't working. At one point I said, "Hypnobirthing is crap!" It's really not, but at that moment I felt like it was!

The nurse finally checked me and looked shocked. Then she said, "Oh wow...you're to a 5!" I exclaimed, "I want an epidural right now!!!" That's when the heavenly man with amazing drugs came and made all the pain go away! Happy days were there again except when I asked when I could eat my food and the anesthesiologist told me that I couldn't eat anymore! What?!? I was STARVING! Ugh...I got through it though.

4:00 I just hung out with Thomas, my mom, and Thomas' mom for awhile until the nurse came back and said that it was time to push! Sweet! My mom and Thomas' mom left and the pushing began...one problem...the epidural was so strong that I couldn't feel anything...nothing. I even asked the nurse if I was pushing when I tried. They decided to cut the epidural in half, so we had to wait for it to wear off.

7:00: Time for the nurses to change again. I LOVED my nurses during the day. They were super fun. The new nurse was all business. The new doctor was amazing though! The doctor before only saw me twice and once she came in when the nurses thought it was time for me to deliver and she said, "She's not going to deliver anytime soon. I could be doing other things right now." RUDE! The new doctor actually did stuff to help me deliver.

8:00: I asked the nurse to give me more epidural and when she said she didn't think that was a good idea I almost cried, but then she said that I could and it was glorious!!

9:30: After pushing for 2.5 hours Little Man still wasn't there and the nurse said that we had to look  at "other options" AKA a c-section. Uh...NO! I got all new motivation and by the time the doctor came in she said she thought she could get him out with a vacuum. That freaked me out so I got more motivation. Then she said that there was meconium that could get in his lungs so they had to call the NICU nurses. While they were getting everything ready I got even more motivation and made enough progress that when the doctor came back she said that it would probably only be four more contractions until he was born! Four contractions=roughly 20 minutes and that seemed like a long time, so I prayed really hard (like I had been for the last 3 hours) and he came!!!!!!

Instant love! I think it was instant even for Thomas. When we were leaving the room Thomas was holding Little Man and the nurse told him that I had to carry him while I was in the wheelchair or he had to ride in the bassinet. Thomas was not happy and refused, but finally gave in to the nurse.

We're going home. Hes's excited!

I have been terrified of labor and delivery my entire life. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was a good day and it ended with a great gift!

Oh...after I had him and Thomas took him I FINALLY got food. I couldn't stop eating!

Michelle...

Michelle was an amazing cousin and friend. She always made family time and friend time more enjoyable. Her laugh was fantastic and I loved hearing it. She always made me smile and always made me feel better about myself. Being anywhere near her when she was singing was always a happy event. She was one of the most selfless people I know. She always seemed to be helping someone. I have many great memories with her.

On one New Year's Eve I went snowboarding with Michelle, Justin, Cody, and Paul. Everyone else left us and Michelle and I stayed on the Bunny Hill all day. On the way home we sat in the back of the car fearing for our lives because of the crazy snow storm! It was a great day!

I can't find the picture, but we went to a concert together. I think her voice was better than the entertainer's. On the way home we turned up the music and sang as loud as possible. Her ability to harmonize with the songs made me super jealous but inspired me to try and do it too!

Last Saturday I went to Deadwood to hang out with my family. A bunch of them went down the river on the pontoon boats. Michelle was one of them. This was just one example of the fun things that she did with her cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was also giving them rides on her motorcycle. They LOVE her! 

We went on a secret family service trip one night! We were like ninjas...stealth mode!

Family Time at our grandparents' house was always fun, especially lately when Michelle brought her puppies! I even wanted to hold them and I don't usually like dogs. 

I rode in Michelle's car for part of the trip in Wyoming. It was such a fun drive...talking, laughing, and singing!

She was there for one of the most important days of my life. She always was excited and supported me in all of my life endeavors, even when other people thought I was crazy!  

We went to the fair and saw Clay Walker in concert!

I stole all of the following pictures from Shelly, but I love the memories they hold! 

Family camping trip...we usually go at least once a year. I loved sitting around the fire and talking to my cousins. One year I took my guitar and Michelle and I played and sang songs. It was fantastic! 

That was a great car...

Yesterday I found a quote that describes Michelle perfectly, "Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are." Michelle was beautiful in many different ways-inside and out. She made people see their strengths. I will always be grateful for her and how she made me feel and the time that I spent with her. I'm grateful that families can be together forever and that I can see her again someday. 

Weekend Fun...

Last weekend Thomas and I went to Nyssa for some family fun time. We rode 4-wheelers and shot targets...some even exploded!! When I went to work on Monday my boss asked me what I did over the weekend. I told her that I shot guns. She got a look of complete shock on her face and said, "I better get away from you." 

They shot at the same target so my mom could say she didn't know who shot it so they could both claim it. 

Thomas is plugging my sister's ears! 

Shooting from both sides of the road!

My dad is ridiculously good at skeet shooting. Whenever I ask him to teach  me he just says that I need to aim better. I give up! 

Thomas is building the exploding targets for us to shoot!

So much preparation for nothing to happen!

My mom got one!!!

Anniversary Extravaganza...

Last weekend Thomas and I celebrated one year of marriage! He planned an amazing trip to Idaho City. 

While we were lost trying to find the cabin Thomas decided to drive off the road and got stuck.

The mud hole that we made. Thomas even used his jacket trying to help the tire get traction! He finally just kept pushing the car to the side while I pushed on the gas and we got out!

This is what he drove off for...not sure why.

Our car sat in the driveway of the cabin all night because we couldn't get it up the hill! The first time we tried to make it up the hill we got stuck. Luckily some fellow campers helped us get out. It made my car super dirty though!

Another reason why I love him! He kept me as warm as possible (even though it was freezing!) He kept the fire going all night!

The Springs! We went to a hot springs resort. I felt out of place but it was fun! Thomas was playing a game in the lobby and then a kid came and tried to take it over. Rude!

We took a picture. Then Thomas said to make funny faces. 

On the way home Thomas said that we should have kabobs for dinner. They were delicious! I was definitely spoiled this weekend! He used our new grill (that we bought for $10 at Goodwill). He put it on top of our old grill (that was free!) because the new grill didn't have legs. Maybe that's why it was only $10. While he was cooking this conversation happened:
Me: We look white trash like our BBQ.
Thomas: No, we don't. I would say comfortable.
Me: Look at me.
Thomas: I guess I'm wearing two right shoes. You're right.

Thomas went to the store after we got home. While he was gone I was thinking that he was my favorite person. Then he brought this home. Ah...I love him!

Our actual anniversary was spent with family all day. While we were at my parents' house my mom told me to get my sister's iPod and her password. It was fun!

The top of our wedding cake that's been in the freezer for a year! It was still delicious!

It's been a good year!