Wow, what a difference a few days make!
I feel very fortunate that I went into labor on my exact due date. That probably doesn't happen all that often, and I was honestly expecting to still be sitting here waiting for Westin to arrive. But instead, he was born just one day past my due date, on December 7th at 4:52pm.
I woke up on Saturday, the 6th around 7:45am and thought my water had broken. I spent a few hours debating on whether or not to call my doctor. I wasn't certain that it had broken, but if it had, I knew that the clock had started ticking, and that you're supposed to deliver within the next 24 hours. I had almost convinced myself that it wasn't my water breaking, but Jeremy strongly encouraged me to call my doctor. So I did, and the doc said he agreed that it had probably broken and to come on in to the hospital. That was at 10:30am. So, by 11am we were in the hospital, and long story short, my water had NOT broken, much to the surprise of my doctor. So, we went home.
And about an hour later, the contractions picked up and started to get painful. Over the next 7 or 8 hours we just hung around at home, except for a run over to Kohls so my dad could buy a gift for my mom for their anniversary. It was at Kohls that the contractions started coming sooner and sooner. I tried to hide it so that I would not double over in pain in public. I think I did a pretty good job. After we got home, I began timing the contractions in earnest, and finally, around 9:30pm we called the doctor, and he said to head to the hospital (again).
We got settled in around 11pm, and the next 18 hours or so were very, very long. Contractions are.... in a word or two.... damn painful. (Sorry for cussing but there really wasn't a better descriptive word to use.) I am so grateful that I decided to get an epidural. I can't begin to imagine trying to tough it out, considering I had already endured 13 hours of pain before I got the medicine.
Jeremy was very supportive and sweet throughout the whole process. He saw everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) start to finish, and was such a trooper. He was pretty fascinated by it all and handled me very well. I'm so thankful for him.
And now - we're home, and tired beyond all get-out. My mother has been here for about a week and a half, and she truly is our angel. She has done countless dishes and general cleaning, but more than that, she has loved on our son and relieved the burden from us a lot. She has done some night duty so I could catch a couple hours of sleep. I know we are absolutely wearing her out, but she does not complain. She loves holding Westin (and in fact is doing so as I type this) and I'm just so glad to have her around. I must say it makes me wish I lived closer to my family.
Westin is wonderful. His sweet smell, the way he loves to snuggle, the little chirps he makes... we just can't get enough. And the boy can EAT!!! Oh my goodness I had no idea. The pediatrician said because he's such a big boy (8lbs 9oz) it will seem like he is eating constantly, and that is exactly how I feel. Eating, sleeping, eating, peeing, eating, and pooping. That's our boy!
Westin is a week old today, and already so much more alert and expressive. We look forward to introducing him to our friends and family.
And now... perhaps a nap. But probably not. Who am I kidding?
As I write this, our home is filled with the smell of coffee, french toast, sausage, and eggs. My sweet husband is the chef this morning. Christmas music is playing in the background. I don't think I could possibly feel more grateful at this moment for the blessings in my life: loving husband, precious son, and a Savior that came into this world just like my two-and-a-half week old son, that ultimately sacrificed himself and paid the price for my sins so I could live in freedom and have eternal life. 
As I write this, our home is filled with the smell of coffee, french toast, sausage, and eggs. My sweet husband is the chef this morning. Christmas music is playing in the background. I don't think I could possibly feel more grateful at this moment for the blessings in my life: loving husband, precious son, and a Savior that came into this world just like my two-and-a-half week old son, that ultimately sacrificed himself and paid the price for my sins so I could live in freedom and have eternal life. 
