Our New Arrival

First of all I would like to thank everyone who contributed their time, money, and support throughout my entire pregnancy and beyond. We welcomed Randall James Brooks IV on July 28th 2009 at 10:55am weighing 8 lbs 8 oz. He was born in Mesa, AZ at Banner Desert Hospital; the same hospital his daddy was born in!

After going to bed sort of disappointed that I had made it to my due date (July 27th) I woke up at 1:40am (July 28th) to what I thought was me peeing myself, but upon standing up realized that there was no way my bladder could have held all that fluid. I hobbled to the bathroom, all the while still leaking and cleaned up as best I could. I hobbled back to our room and stood there and woke Randall. I think he said something like, "Are you sure?" or something and I said, "Yeah, it's time." Randall called his mom, who lives nearly 4 hours away and she headed straight down.

We started getting everything together and before we left took this last picture (left) of the 'bump'. Contractions started lightly coming on the way to the hospital but it wasn't until 6:00am or so that they started becoming pretty painful. Since I wanted to have a natural birth they sent me ans Randall walking around the hospital to help progress it along. During which, Randall and I had lost each other when yet another 'gush' happened (luckily we were outside) and I sent him for a wheelchair. I didn't want to stand there in the puddle, so I slowly started walking in the direction he ran. Well he took a different route back and I ended up walking all the way back around to the entrance and walked around up there until 15-20 minutes later on he walks with the wheelchair... he was so sweet.

Delaine arrived in good time and was such a good help and comfort. I'm so grateful that both she and my mother were able to be there with me and lend their knowledgeable support. My dad and little sister Sushanna were also in the delivery room up until I was about 8 cm dilated but I was in such pain I just wanted to focus on each contraction that I had to send them out. My goal was to have as natural of a birth as possible and besides a pain shot in my IV around 7 cm I did it completely without any drugs and epidural. It was the most intense pain I couldn't ever even imagine.

When it came time to push, I really thought that I might not be able to make it through it. It wasn't until they put the mirror down so I could see what my extremely painful pushes
were doing that I was able to muster up enough strength to fight through it.I ended up having to get an episiotomy (ouchy), much to my disappointment. But it was so awesome to see him for the first time that it was so worth it.

We stayed at the hospital until Thursday and were very glad when we were finally able to bring our little guy home to stay. He has been such a joy to have; we are so in love!!!
(First car ride home)