How Great is Our Joy!

Olivia Pearl McLawhorn was born at 7:23PM on July 17! She was 7lbs, 2oz. and 19 1/2" long. Delivery was quick and could not have gone any better. John came home from work early on Tuesday, but I wasn't sure I was really in labor. I wasn't having strong contractions--I was able to do light activity throughout the afternoon, and the contractions felt more like cramps. But I was already 4 1/2 cm dilated when I went for a regular check up that morning, so I didn't want to take anything too lightly. We worked around the house a little picking up clutter and washing dishes to get everything straight and headed over to the hospital around 5PM. All my contractions stopped on the way there, so I was nervous that they'd send me home. In fact, I was in triage for 45 minutes after checking in. I kept pacing, and John kept making me laugh, so the nurses thought I wasn't far along in labor and kept placing other patients in rooms. My doctor walked out into the waiting area and told me to sit down and look uncomfortable so that they would put me in a room. Not long after, they put me in the delivery room and I was 8cm!!! They broke my water after about 30 minutes so my contractions would pick up. It only took a few minutes for that to happen--she was born after only five or ten minutes of pushing. After delivering with no pain medicine, I'll never blame anyone for opting for it. I was glad after it was over that I hadn't had an epidural, though. Olivia nursed right away, was alert and has been a happy baby so far! What a sweet pea--we're all smitten over her. We can't wait for everyone to meet her! Thank you Lord for your indescribable love and grace!