The delivery!

We were so excited to welcome Madelynn Rose Schrader on October 21st 2010!   So here's the delivery story:  I had been having a lot of practice contractions and was 3 cm dilated at my last OB visit so we knew it wouldn't be too much longer.  My belly was huge (and uncomfortable) and it wasn't uncommon for me to contract a lot at night after work.  I was fortunate to be able to work up until the day of delivery.  So, I went to work like normal on the 20th, then went and bought the car seat, set up the stroller, made dinner- normal day stuff.  Around 3:30am I woke up thinking I was just having my  normal nighttime contractions and potty break, but I felt a strong kick and a gush of fluid- my water broke!  Now, being a know-it-all doctor type I thought "First baby- we have lots of time, these things take forever".  So I told Barrett it was time and he should take a shower and then we will head into the hospital.  We both took our sweet time getting ready and drove to the hospital.  Well, bad idea to say the least.  I started contracting really strong and close together.  By the time we got to our room in the hospital and they checked me I was 6-7 cm dilated!  My contractions were 1 minute apart without any medicine.  I thought I might not have time for an epidural!  I about broke Barrett's hand with each contraction- but he was an awesome coach.  By the time I got my epidural and they checked me again I was completely dilated.  They let the baby move down on her own for a while before we started pushing.  The nurses and doctor were great and Madelynn was born at 9:13am after just a half hour or so of pushing!  It was amazing and surreal.  She was a whopping 8 pounds 10 ounces!  We were all so surprised she was so big!  Thankfully she is healthy, perfect, and very much loved :)

Proud papa

She's finally here

Cutting the umbilical cord

Holding on to her daddy

He was a natural from the start

Did she really fit inside me?

So in love!