Dear Cupcake

This is the story of the day that you were born.....your birth story to be exact

7pm June 27th - After giving you all the signs about running my next race and bringing you along with me for the training, you decided to make your grand entrance! You were finally fully baked, and started letting me know. I started having contractions which were nothing new considering I thought they were Braxton Hicks contractions - technically just a tease. But since I was 38.5 weeks along I decided to track them all to be sure. As the contractions got closer and more intense I called your Daddy and let him know we might be heading to the hospital soon. I got everything ready for when he got home, so we could load the car and go.

11pm June 27th - You were a night owl the entire pregnancy so I wasn't surprised. The nurses hooked me up to monitors and Daddy looked....well, sleepy. He had been up since 7:30 and by 2am I was still only at 1.5 centimeters dilated. I'm pretty sure he was hoping we could go home soon. Well, he almost got his wish because the nurse went to call the "on call" doc who was going to send me home. She wanted to send us home, even though I knew you were fully baked and ready to meet us. Plus I was in so much pain, I didn't want to go home! Well apparently you didn't either, because before the nurse even came back I sat up so I could use the restroom and you made sure they didn't send us home - my water broke!

That's right, you were not letting them send us home like this, you were ready! Since my water broke they HAD to keep us there. (great job, baby girl!!) At that point I knew that within 24 hours I would be holding you in my arms. The emotions were almost more intense than the pain. Almost.

3am June 28th - We were checked into our room and texted our families the good news. They were all sleeping, of course. So I called Grama T a few times, but it was Aunt Memy that got the message first! She was working late and made sure to come see us with Grama T, ASAP! The only small problem was that I was still in pain and couldn't get an epidural until I was at 3cm. That seemed like an eternity, especially after they gave me potocin to help "speed things along" but at least they could give me something to help me sleep while I waited for my body to catch up and bring you to us soon.

6am June 28th - I finally got the "ok" for the epidural and they administered it as soon as possible. But it didn't work right away and they had to come back to do it again, but that took until almost 9:30am to finally kick in. Once the helpful medicine was in, Mommy was in heaven. We were finally able to talk to the family that had come including Grama and Grampa M, Uncle Chris and Uncle Todd. So we all hung out in the room and waited for you to finish your journey into the world.

11:30am June 28th - Dr. Novak, whom we LOVE came to see us and was so happy, like Mommy, that the epi was working. We were now at 9cm and getting so close! Doc said she would be back in an hour and we would be helping you make your final exit.

1pm June 28th - Our nurse, who was angel-like in all the care she gave to us, said "It's time to start pushing, Doc will be back soon." So Mommy started pushing like the nurse told us to. The nurse was surprised that Mommy was so good at pushing, so she said we should wait a minute for Doc and sent her a text message saying to hurry! The Cupcake will be out very soon!

1:12pm June 28th - Daddy got to see you first, he had a "better view" than Mommy. He still remembers what your face looked like, just ask him. The Doc handed you to me so we could do what is called "skin to skin" and my eyes filled up with tears. I loved you already and couldn't believe how beautiful you were (and still are!) My Cupcake was fully baked and PERFECT! When Daddy went across the room with them to watch you get weighed, measured, and cleaned up you were yelling at the top of your lungs. But as soon as Daddy started talking to you and telling you it was okay, you were safe with us still, you calmed down and just stared at him. I will never forget how proud that made me feel, he was a great Daddy already!

Then we let the families come in, a few people at a time. They were all so excited to see you! From before you were born, you have been loved by so many. We also made sure that it was Facebook official and we posted your picture with your name, date and time of birth....oh and your real name. But to us, you will always be Cupcake!

If I have to be honest, it wasn't the easiest 18 hours of my life, but it was the most rewarding and I would do it over and over again if it means I get to hug and kiss you every day of my life! You are God's perfect Cupcake recipe and you make this life better, each and every day.

Love, Mommy