Hailey Hailey bo bailey...

Okay, it's my turn. I finally feel up to sharing! If you're not interested in reading long entries, you can probably skip this one. This will be a journal entry for sure! I must say, this was the best experience with labor yet. It was wonderful and I keep thinking about what a beautiful experience it was-- thank you to Kelly my doctor and the nurses! I am in baby heaven!

So, most of you already know that I was induced. This was the first time I ever had to be induced, and in spite of all of the horror stories I heard about the process, it really wasn't bad at all! We got to the hospital at noon, They started the Pitocin at 1:30, and Hailey was born about 7:30...so 6 hours of labor...not bad!

I had to have 2 epidurals, the first one only affected my left side, so that wasn't going to work. But the anesthesiologist was super nice about the whole thing, and it wasn't a big deal. I was pretty numb though right up until about an hour before Hailey was born, so I have to say I had a pretty darn easy labor! When the time came to push, they offered to set up a mirror so I could see, I have never done this in the past, but this time I said 'sure' and I'm so glad I did!! It was like watching my very own 'Baby Story'! I loved it. My doctor had me reach down after Hailey's shoulders were out, and pull her up onto my chest. This was such an amazingly emotional experience for me to bond with her in the VERY FIRST moments of life-- I LOVED THAT!

Of course they had Kelly cut the cord, but nothing was rushed, it was a peaceful, calm experience for everyone involved! My doctor grabbed our camera as Kelly was cutting the cord and started taking pictures! She said "I'm the paparazzi!" and took a bunch of very cute pictures!...just ANOTHER reason she was so great!

The hospital was fabulous. They have a massage therapist that comes around giving free massages! and they have great food :) I stayed 2 nights before coming home on Friday morning, and I was so happy with the way I was treated!

I wanted to be sure to include the picture above to show everyone how enamored Kelly is with his newest daughter. He admitted to me a few months ago that he was scared he wouldn't be able to love another child as much as he loves Addy and Laynie. Obviously from this picture you can see that it's not a problem...he absolutely adores his little Hailey.

Some of you have asked us about the name...Kelly and I were really very undecided even while I was in labor. We made a "short list" of possible names...Hailey, Bailey, Carly, and a few others. When I was holding her on my chest in those first minutes, I just kept thinking "she is straight from heaven..." so I don't know if because there's a Hailey's comet in the heavens or what, but Hailey seemed to just fit perfectly. And she has been a perfect baby so far! A great sleeper and a great eater...I couldn't ask for more perfection from a 6-day old :)