So... Remember when I promised to try and be better about updating our blog? Yeah, I'm not going to make that promise anymore. :)
Anyway, in case you were wondering, Rachel was born May 2nd!! I'm guessing that you all want to hear the whole story. :) If not... I'm going to tell you anyway.
Rachel was due April 29th. Both of our moms were out visiting and we were all anxiously awaiting the arrival of our sweet little package from heaven. Well, there must have been some sort of hold up on the part of The Celestial Postal Service, because the anticipated day of arrival came and went and there was no package. We had anticipated that as a possibility though, so it was okay. :) Our friends the Zollingers were so sweet because they brought over an it's-your-due-date-but-you're-still-pregnant present. Isn't that so sweet?! They are awesome!
Wednesday morning I woke up (from a very crazy dream... My little sister Hayley and I went back in time to 1966...) and was having contractions about every 5 minutes apart.
Just a little side note here, Rachel came at the perfect time. The law school classes had ended and finals were about to start in the next couple days. It was so good because Garrett got to be with me the whole time without having to worry about running off to class or leaving to take a final. It was such a blessing to have him there the whole time! He's such a source of strength and comfort to me and I couldn't have done it without him. I love him so much! I am so grateful for him and realize more and more everyday just how blessed I am to have him. :)
So after a few hours contractions were down to 3 minutes apart. We went in and got checked, were sent home to labor for another hour, and then went back and I checked into my birthing room! :)
To make a long story short it was an incredible and beautiful experience becoming parents! I had the Mormon Tabernacle Choir playing on my iPod stereo in the room. (It's my comfort music. :) It was their Called to Serve album.) And I just remember having this great feeling of peace, which might seem strange since I was also having contractions and they definitely weren't getting easier, but it also makes sense. Little Rachel was about to begin her life on earth. She probably had a pretty awesome going away party and I'll bet there were many spirits waiting at the door of the veil to bid her farewell until they would meet again. :)
When the time came to push I was both terrified and excited. But more excited than terrified. :) by now the feeling of peace was so overwhelming! It was like being wrapped up in a heavenly blanket. I actually slept in between the contractions. :) I would wake up when I started to feel a contraction coming, squeeze Garrett's hand, push through the contraction, and then fall back into a peaceful sleep.
An hour later, at 4:15 Thursday morning, I pushed my last push and suddenly there was the most beautiful and precious and sweet little girl you ever saw laying right on my stomach! Well, I was wide awake at this point!! It was so incredible!! I looked up at Garrett who was overcome with emotion as he looked at his little girl. It's probably the sweetest and most tender thing I have ever seen! Again, I LOVE my husband!! He really is the greatest, sweetest, most perfect man in the world! :) It was so fun to see him hold her for the first time. He loves his little girl!
Oh! One more cool thing I forgot to mention- Rachel was born in her water sac. :) Garrett said that she punched it open with her fist when she came out, like breaking the ribbon at the finish line. :)
So there you have it. :) it's been six weeks now and she is the most beautiful and wonderful thing in the world! We are so happy to have her. Being parents is the greatest!!
We have an awesome and a happy family!!! :)
