Oh, how God has blessed us!

Beginning in September of last year, we have been on this crazy journey!
Bruce and I decided that we would like to start trying for a baby. 

We were extremely fortunate to become pregnant that same month! God is good.

We began to track my "baby bump" weekly and were amazed how fast I was growing.

I had a wonderful pregnancy. I can count the number of times I had heartburn or indigestion on one hand, and I had no health issues come up to cause concern for the baby.

A mere 9 months later, we were blessed to greet our little boy, Alan. Regretably, I didn't have as easy of a delivery as I did a pregnancy! Bruce and I went to River Oaks on Sunday, June 5 at about 10 pm when my contractions had become regular. After a couple of hours of observation by the night shift of nurses, Dr. Sullivan Ford told them that I was to stay for induction the next morning. Needless to say I didn't get hardly a wink of sleep that night. Who can sleep reclined in a stiff bed with a pillow shoved underneath your left side? Not me, evidently!

We made phone calls to family members and let them know that Alan would be here sometime that day, and my mom, step-dad, and sister were at the hospital early that morning. River Oaks is wonderful. (Have I mentioned that yet?) They were able to stay in the room through most of the contractions and distract me. I was very fortunate that my contractions were not painful until 4.5 centimeters. Then they got tough. I asked for my epidural and let the magic begin. I was able to get some rest while the contractions quickened and then the doctors learned that Alans cord was restricting his breathing. With every contraction, his heart rate would plummet. Dr. Sullivan Ford and her nurses were able to remedy the situation.

After two hours of pushing, Alan was greeted with open arms. Bruce was able to watch over Alan as the nurses got him checked out and cleaned up. Those minutes seemed like an eternity. Because of his cord, Alan was a little sluggish. Bruce was so great to take pictures of him and bring the camera over for me to see. After much anticipation, and patience,  might I add, I was finally able to hold my little boy. And was he beautiful. I couldn't believe what God had given me. 

While in the hospital, we had many wonderful visitors and were truly blessed by all who came to see us. The nursing staff at River Oaks were also priceless. They truly cared for us and for Alan. We couldn't have asked for a more remarkable experience.