Dear Sophie,

Dear Sophie Julieann,

You are 2 days old and we are loving you to pieces! When I left for the hospital on Thursday morning, I was so nervous! I didn't know what to expect and the anticipation was killing me. I woke up at 5:45 and called the hospital to see if they had room to induce me. I was relieved when they said they did. I though I would be able to fall back asleep for a half hour, but I was wrong! I slowly got ready and at 7 I headed over to the hospital.

When I left the house that morning, I was surprised to see snow on the back patio. It was chilly and it had been raining really hard all night. Luckily, I was bundled up in one of your dad's jackets, because mine were all too small.

When I got to the hospital they were very friendly and hooked me up to the IV around 8 am. Your dad had to get Max on the bus for school and drop Gracie off at Beth's, so he didn't get to the hospital until 9. The nurses teased me about being alone, and when your dad finally came I was relieved to have some company.

Things went slowly only for the first 2 hours. Then the doctor broke my water around 10:30. That's when the fun began! The contractions started getting harder and I made your dad hold my hand.

Around 11:30 I decided I couldn't handle the pain anymore so I asked for my epidural. Luckily, I was almost a 5 and completely effaced at that point so they called in the anesthesiologist and got me my drugs! I was so happy after that!

After I had the epidural, your heart rate started dropping a little and the doctor seemed nervous so he made me use oxygen . The nurse made me lay on my side and told me to relax. She kept saying I was going to be a 10 in no time, and I didn't believe her. About an hour after that I started feeling a lot of pressure so I called the nurse in. I was ready to go!

At 12:58 I started pushing and you were here by 1:14 you were here! The doctor said the cord was wrapped around your little neck two times, and that might be why your heart rate was dropping a little. I cried like a baby when they laid you on my chest. I was so happy and relieved to have you here! It was amazing! I told the nurses you were my favorite child, because the labor was so much easier than your siblings!

About 2 minutes after you were born, Grandma Kim came in the room. She didn't even realize that you were here until she got close. She couldn't believe you had come so fast! I couldn't believe it either! I was so glad I didn't have to have another c-section.

I got to spend a lot of time alone with you after you were born, and the spirit was so strong. I was so grateful to have another gift from Heavenly Father. I feel so lucky to be your mom!

You have been a great baby! You sleep all day and you even slept through the night last night! I woke up in a panic at 7:30 because you were still fast asleep in Daddy's arms.

Max just loves you to death. He thinks you are the sweetest little baby ever! Gracie seems to be unsure of what's going on. When you cry she gets a look of panic on her face!