Erika Pease Photography: 2012

{Almost three months later and FINALLY her story is on the blog...lol}

Friday, December 16th, 35 weeks and one day (due date January 19th). I woke up bright and early b/c I had senior orders that I needed to process and get sent to the lab. My goal for December was to have everything done by my deadline which was the 20th. I wanted to take the rest of December off to enjoy my family. We have four Christmas gatherings to attend and not to mention my birthday day after Christmas. Such a busy end of the year for me. Plus, I still had some baby shopping to do like buy a car seat and to finish her room. Oh and get the rest of my office stuff out of her room.

Around 10:30 a.m. I started to feel pressure but thought nothing of it b/c I had been feeling this all week and went to the doctor on Wednesday to get checked out and everything was good, no sign of labor but was told to stop nesting and rest.

10:45 a.m. I'm at the doctor's office w/ my son who is sick. The pain is starting to annoy me b/c I can't concentrate as the doctor is talking to me, I just keep nodding my head. I dropped my son off at my parents house around 11:45 so I could head to Fort Wayne to get my last minute Christmas shopping done. First stop was to Walmart and that was my last stop...lol!

I walked inside Walmart, grabbed a cart and made it passed the check out lanes heading towards electronics when my water broke. My first reaction was, I know I just didn't piss myself...lol! As I head to the bathroom my face is hot from embarrassment and I'm wondering who is looking at me. Luckily it wasn't as bad as I thought, no gush down the leg. I didn't have to blame the pickle jar that fell on the floor (lol Stephani!!!)

I called my husband to let him know that my water broke and he reassured me that everything was going to be okay and that I would just have to drive myself to the hospital (yes, I went to Fort Wayne ALONE!!!). I hung up the phone and thought to myself for a second, can I really drive myself or should I get some help. The first person that pops into my head is Bethenny Frankel (reality star on BRAVO). In one of her episodes of "Bethenny Getting Married" her water breaks while in bed. She gets up to take a shower, gets herself dressed and ready, packs bag and heads to the hospital. So I'm thinking pshhhhhh, I have plenty of time. (Keep in mind that w/ my son I was induced so this whole water breaking was new to me.) I head to my car and I'm off to the hospital.

I arrived at Dupont and they put me in a waiting room. While I'm waiting for my crew to show up (my husband and his mom, my mom and sister), my husband's cousin came to the hospital to sit w/ me. I'm so thankful for her b/c she helped ease my anxiety. Finally, everyone arrives and they take me to the delivery room.

{Now I will fast forward to the delivery}

The nurse warned me about complications after delivery and the NICU nurses would be in the room to take care of her and make sure she is good. The delivery was a breeze and I only pushed 11 minutes!!!! {I'm excited with that record timing b/c I pushed 45 minutes with my son and that was a difficult delivery}

Piper Reba entered this world on Saturday, December 17th, 2011 at 12:11 a.m. She gave us a scare at first but the NICU nurses worked on her and gave us a thumbs up to a good heartbeat and healthy lungs =) There were many tears of happiness and lots of hugs and kisses!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to ME, YIPPEEEEE! By far the BEST Christmas and birthday present I have received EVER.

After three years and three months of trying and almost four years later, our family is now complete. I love them all...to the moon and back =)

{My very talented photographer friend, Nicole Morehead, shot these images. I can't thank her enough for this beautiful gift, images that will last forever...ENJOY my journey}