Here She Is!

Our long awaited baby was born on February 26, 2012. It was the best day of our lives. We've been loving on her ever since she made her entrance and we just can't get enough. Here's a quick labor run down: 3:15 am - first contraction that woke me up 4:00 am - wake up Sam and tell him I'm not feeling well 8:00 am - check into the hospital - I'm 4 cm dialated (and I thought they'd send me home) 10:30 am - Doctor breaks my water - I'm 7 cm 12:00 noon - I get an epidural (sweet relief) 2:40 pm - I start pushing 4:05 pm - Hayden Mae is born! The delivery was a bit crazy. She had passed some meconium in the womb so the NICU team had to be there to make sure she was breathing, etc. On the last push they saw the cord around her neck - so the doctor went to slip it back over her head and it snapped in two. Luckily, the awesome doctors pinched off both sides and neither of us lost too much blood. But there was blood everywhere - including on Dad's shirt :) The doctor said in her 30 years of delivery babies she's never seen that happen. Hayden, you and I are one of a kind! All of the Stahls, Minors, and Hardts were there to greet you after you were born. It was so special to have everyone there to love on you. Your dad and I were so tickled that you are a girl! ( I really still can't believe it! )

Baby girl I can't imagine our life without you. You are the special blessing we prayed for those 9 long months. God gave us you, a perfectly healthy beautiful baby. We feel so blessed and can not thank Him enough. All those worries about your health went away the first time I looked in your eyes. I will never stop praying for you! Hayden, know that I love you more than you'll ever imagine!