Welcome to the world, Jackson Zane Bender!

Born on November 11, 2008 at 6 pounds 6 ounces and 18 inches long... JACKSON ZANE BENDER!

We just got home from the hospital this morning. Here are some pictures and the birth story:

My contractions started at about 2 AM on Tuesday morning. I woke Steve and we monitored them together until about 3:30 when we went to triage at the hospital. They checked me and I was a 2 and 90%. My contractions were about 5-6 minutes apart and intense. They checked me again at about 5:15 AM and there was no change. They told me that I could wait another hour and see if I change, or go home and drink some water and take a warm bath and see how it went. I decided to go home because my younger brother had to be to work at 6 AM and we needed to get care figured out for Brady. We got home just before 6 and I went straight to the bath tub with a 32 oz mug of water. My mom decided to drive down to watch Brady while we either rested or went to the hospital. I stuck it out in the bath for an hour while my contractions gradually got worse. I thought that there would still be no change though, and at about 7:30, I got in the shower so I could be ready and looking good for pictures just in case he decided to come that day. After the shower, I got dressed between contractions and wrapped my hair in a towel until I could blow dry it. My contractions were a little closer and more intense. I decided to watch some TV while I timed them. Brady woke up at about 7:45 and my mom was just passing Bangerter HWY. At this time, my contractions were very close and VERY INTENSE. Steve called our neighbor and took Brady over so we could go right to the hospital. My mom got to our house as we were headed out the door and she picked Brady up at the neighbor's house.

On the way to the hospital, contractions were right on top of each other-I dug my fingernails into Steve's palm...Sorry honey! It felt like there was a water filled basketball in my stomach that was trying to pop during a contraction. I couldn't breathe very well, started hyperventilating. My hands were numb. We finally made it to the hospital, luckily it was close to our house. Steve pulled right up to the main doors and got me a wheelchair. I got in the chair and he started to wheel me inside when an employee who was just coming on shift asked if we needed help. Steve asked her to take me up to the 3rd floor while he moved the car. By this time my contractions were constant. I got in the elevator, thanked the woman and started screaming, groaning, grunting, and all that good stuff. The elevator opened and a nurse was holding the door open to the labor and delivery unit and they got me into a room. The screaming, groaning, grunting and stuff is still going on. Steve makes it in to the room while the nurses are helping me out of the chair and trying to get me to put a gown on. I told them I couldn't do it on my own, I needed help. One pulled off my bottoms and said something like "Nice way to meet each other, huh!" I think I said, "Yep!" They got me in the bed with my shirt still on. I started panicking. They got a fetal monitor on my belly and I said "I'm not getting my epidural, am I" while I was crying. They told me that the baby was crowning. My doctor was paged 911 to my room, I was pushing and the nurses were helping me breathe so I didn't hyperventilate. After a few quick pushes, his head was out followed quickly by the rest of his body. The doctor arrived just after he was born. Steve cut the cord and the doctor took care of the placenta and all that good stuff. I only had superficial tears, nothing too bad. I was stitched up and Steve made the calls that he was here! Everyone was really surprised that he made it so quick. But no one was more surprised than me!

Lucky he was a small baby! His head was perfect, he didn't spend much time in the birth canal. Not to bad for a 6 1/2 hour labor! And I went from a 2 to a 10 and crowning in less than 3 hours! I feel fantastic, I wouldn't even know I had a baby if I didn't have him with me 24/7 now. I'm not in any pain, not taking anything besides Tylenol and Motrin. I feel so lucky and blessed! Now that I've experienced labor natural and with an epidural, I think I may go natural again if I can. We'll see though! He nurses well, and looks great!

Welcome to the world, son. We love you!