Labor day!!

Ahhhh, Labor day!!!

For most, this is a dreaded day..but not for me!!

I FINALLY GET to be OUT OF PAIN and get my EPIDURAL..

oh yeh, and a BABY!

Here I am, 39 weeks and 5 days pregnant. It FELT like the baby was about to fall right out, and by the looks of this picture, it LOOKS like it! I had been having strong contractions yesterday and all morning. It didnt stop me from going and getting my Mani-Pedi yesterday tho! Just more excited to get a baby boy!

The happy, excited, relieved "parents to be"

..dressed in baby blue to welcome our new little BOY

On the phone at the HOSPITAL!! Telling my sisters I am HERE!

Yep, I am sooo sexy! I got up early today to take a bath, wash,dry and flat iron my hair and do my makeup! THEN I did Madelines hair and Mikas! I had ironed their clothes and laid out EXACTLY what they were to wear to meet their new brother!

I was SOOO happy to finally be in the hospital! All I had to do was make it to THIS morning and to THIS hospital and see my FAVORITE Dr. Shipp could deliver my baby! When I got to the hospital, I was greeted by the nicest nurses and everyone was soo welcoming! It literally felt like we were checking in to Scripps to have a party!

They put me in my room and even offered to move me to the same room I had delivered Mikas in. However, I started to have MORE pain, lots more pain and I just wanted one thing..MY EPIDURAL!

SO, I told the nurses I was DONE having pain and I wanted a epidural AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Well, Dr. Shipp had left orders that I could have MY EPIDURAL as soon as I wanted! YIPEE!! Here came the guy to give me my epidural!! I love love love a good old fashioned epidural!! And I LOVE this guy!

I had been really adamit that I didnt want to CHOOSE the babys birthday..I always feel bad about SHOVING my babies out of their special little warm womb. I always wanted to let them stay in as long as they wanted. SO, when Dr Shipp came in he said that I WAS in labor myself I was SOO relieved! I didnt need to be induced AFTERALL! I had waited soo long that when I went off my anticontraction meds, my body went right into labor! The baby DID choose his birthday! I just didnt know it because I have preterm labor for 3 MONTHS and dont know the difference! SO, Dr. Shipp just broke my water (BEST FEELING EVER) and then we began waiting for baby!

Shaynie stopped by to see me and PERHAPS the baby..but he wasnt here yet! And I was calling Corina my photographer every hour to give her updates..I was sure he would come soon, but at the same time I wasnt in any hurry.

And here is my sweet nurse Diahann. She is a sweet soul and tended to my every need! Through out the day I just relaxed and enjoyed my epidural. From time to time other nurses came in and Dr. Shipp visited to see how I was doing. It was like the party room! Everyone was laughing and I was relaxed for the first time in 6 months!!

ahh, relaxing and enjoying the last moments of peace and quiet. Great time to sip some apple juice/water and breathe!

It was during this quiet time that Reed and I finally had a moment to talk about what to name this little boy. I had been stuck on Niko. I thought it was an AWESOME name and great with Mikas and Madeline. However Reed didnt like Niko AT ALL. SO, he took this moment to pitch his favorite "Ari". It was THE BABIES NAME!! He was sure of it! He felt it in his heart and soul. The name means "Lion" in Hebrew and "Strength" in Greek. In my moment of weakness/ absolute peace/ and calm..

I gave in!

As soon as he made his arrival the baby boy had a name!