A year ago, little did Jon and I know that we were about to be parents two weeks ahead of schedule. On July 7th of 2011, I was experiencing some pain in my lower back. The timing was inconsistent and Peyton was not due for another two weeks so I did't think anything about it. I thought that I was just having false contractions. Although I was experiencing some discomfort, Jon and I decided to have dinner with a good friend of ours who happened to be in town. We met Joe at Joe's Crab Shack on the river. Dinner went well but the pain in my lower back was becoming more frequent and more intense. We headed home right after dinner.
When we arrived at home, I quickly changed into my pajamas. All I wanted to to was to relax and hoped that laying down would ease my back pain. Jon went to sleep shortly after we got home and I was hoping to do the same thing. I thought that maybe if I went to sleep, I would no longer feel the pain. I was wrong. The pain was consistent and began radiating down my leg.
Around 2:30 a.m., Jon noticed the light on in the living room. He came to check on me and saw the look on my face and decided it was time to go to the hospital. What was the worst that could happen? They send us back home if I was in false labor. Luckily, my bags had already been packed and we were off.
The pain in my back was happening every 5 minutes now and was very painful. We finally arrive at Norton Suburban at 3:00 a.m. After registration, I was taken to triage where they examined me. I was dilated to 4 cm and was admitted to the hospital. This was it. Peyton was on her way! Jon and I were about to be parents very soon.
We were assigned a private room. Shortly after meeting my nurse, I received my epidural. Ahh....no more back pain! Thank goodness for epidurals!!! So many thoughts were going through my head. I couldn't believe that Jon and I were about to be parents! We were so tired and anxious at the same time!
While we waited for Peyton to arrive, we watched the last space shuttle be launched in the U.S. And lucky for me, it was also Harry Potter weekend! I love the H.P. movies and watched them the entire time I was in the hospital.
I also did a lot of this. I knew this would be the last good sleep I would get for a long time!
As I slept and Jon kept everyone posted on FB, Jon's parents were on their way up from AR. Hoping Peyton would wait to make her debut after they arrived.
Jon's parents arrived sometime after 5:00 and it was time to start pushing around 6:20 p.m. This was it. We were about to be parents. After 30 minutes of pushing, Peyton Elizabeth arrived into this world!
It was an instant love! She captured my heart from the first breath she took. I couldn't believe that this precious girl was mine to keep. I thank God each and every night for choosing me to be her mother. I am so blessed to have her in my life. I could not imagine my life without her.
Happy Birthday, sweet Peyton! Your daddy and I love you to the moon and back! You have brought so much joy into our lives! We love watching you grow each and every day. You are learning so much and you continue to amaze your daddy and I each day. This past year has been so wonderful! You are truly a gift from God!
~gina
P.S. Peyton's 1st birthday party was a huge success! Pictures to follow soon. :)
