Love of my Life

I am totally and completely in love...


with this sweet boy.

Jayson Michael West joined our family on December 15th, 2011 at 12:32PM. He weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and was 21 inches long. He was born with lots of long, dark hair and refused to cry when we entered this world. As soon as he came out, he opened his big, bright eyes and began looking around. He's really alert for a newborn!

I don't want to bore everyone with his birth story, but here's a quick summary: Wednesday night the 14th I started getting some hard contractions every 3 minutes at 5:30PM. Mike got home around 7:00 from work to find me doubled over, trying to breathe, and dinner was on the stove burning. We headed to the hospital around 8:30. I was only dilated to a 3, so they watched me for a couple of hours. I only dilated to a 3 1/2, so they tried to send me home. Luckily, my mom argued with the nurse and demanded to see the on call doctor. He came in, said he'd give me some "go-juice" and we'd have a "baby and bacon for breakfast". I was so relieved. Five minutes after they started me on pitocin, my water broke (1:30 AM). The contractions came hard and fast. I tried to be tough and go as long as I could without an epidural. I was dilated to about a 6 and got the epidural, the most magical medicine in the world. (3:00 AM). I just hung out after that waiting for the contractions to do their work. By 9:30, I was dilated to a 9 and was able to take a short nap. I began pushing at 11:30ish which was the coolest part. Despite my tendency to pass out when seeing blood and bodily fluids, I agreed to using a mirror. It was so amazing and motivational to see my baby boy enter into this world! I loved seeing his head of dark curly hair!! I had to have an episiotomy and tore a little bit, but really, it wasn't bad. Despite the fact my labor was 17 hours plus three weeks of pre-labor, it wasn't bad. I actually enjoyed the whole labor and delivery experience (thanks to my friend the epidural). It was such a spiritual and miraculous experience. I hope I remember it forever!!

Jayson was born perfectly healthy! We're so blessed! He's been a really good baby! He hasn't been a big crier. He didn't cry coming out, and he doesn't cry much now. However, he thinks night time is his play time, so I'm trying to switch his schedule around. Jayson has had many visitors who love him and his parents! We had an amazing Christmas with our little miracle. I am absolutely loving every minute of this mommy business. I don't think there is anything better than this!! I will post more pictures soon!