Introducing Elizabeth Mae Shelton!

Here is the rundown of our day that Ellie was born.  This is from 24ish hours out, so it may be a little hazy still.

Our day began by heading to the hospital at 6:30.  It was such a weird drive and odd feeling to just casually walk into the hospital.  I got into a room and they hooked up an iv to prepare for the induction.  I started having contrations on my own before anything could get started. 

My doctor showed up around 9:15 and broke my water.  I was at 4 cm at that time. 

Around 10:30 I decided I wuold not be doing this with out an epidural and asked for the fluids needed before I could get the good stuff.  (note for first time mommies: you have to have fluids for about an hour before you can get an epidural, so you do have to have a little planning)

Once I got the fluids, I had the nurse check my progress before getting the epidural.  I was at a 6ish so I said let's do it.  At about 11:40, I decided I didn't want to have any more contractions and declared this Spence.  There were also choice words said about where the anesthesiologist was and what was taking so long.

At about 12:15 I get the epidural.  I am not feeling the awful contrations but am feeling my tailbone being pushed down.  Each contraction makes my bum ACHE and makes me feel nauseaus.  They have me lay on my side and Spence begins fanning me with each contration.  I am now at about 8 cm.

Dr. Brannon checks back in about 10 til 1 and I am at a 9.  He tells the nurse to not push me and that he would be right back.  Instead he is gone for about 10 minutes and comes back in.  He checks me and I am ready to go.  He has to get my nurse on our team (she kept trying to go take care of her other patient who was only at about a 3 and had gotten her epidural and was definitely not pushing out her baby).  He has me start pushing before they even break down my bed.  After about 5 pushes and him using the vacuum, Ellie was here at 1:24!  (I had to be vacuumed because I am very narrow apparently.  I have had that with every delivery even though my babies are pretty small)

Ellie weighed in at 6 pounds and 5 ounes.  She is 19 and a quarter inches long.  Her APGARs were 9's (so she is a genius, haha)  She came out crying and pink which neither of our boys did or were.  She snuggled right up and quickly was ready to eat.  She is a champ and a star and perfect. 

My epidural wore off pretty quick after delivery and I was even able to get myself into the wheelchair to change rooms about 2 and a half hours later.  (very different from Zeke when I didn't feel anything for 12 hours from my armpits down).

We have enjoyed having some visitors, but our favorites were the boys visiting.  Zeke held her for about .2 seconds and declared her "too HEAVY" in a very exaggerated voice.  Ben wants to hold her and kiss her and touh her constantly.  He also doesn't think anyone but me should be holding her and lets everyone know they need to give her back to me.  The funniest thing has been when I have fed her.  Zeke says "that's pretty interesting" or "that's funny".  And Ben does not want me to use my cover (was trying to be modest for my daddy's sake). 

OK, I am sure I am leaving all kinds of stuff out,  but let's get to the part everyone really cares about...

 Last picture of Ellie in belly

 She's here!

 She has such a round little face :)

 Looking in (this picture makes me think of when we had Zeke and the Atwood boys came to visit and called the bassinet an aquarium, sweet boys!

 My three kids!!!!!

 Ben is smitten

 Our family of 5

 Lil round face

 Big yawn

 Nana

 Bampa

 YaYa

PawPaw

Favorite pic so far