Russell Alan Stark is here!

My pressure waves (hypnobabies lingo for contractions) started being consistent Saturday afternoon. I only had back pressure, hypnobabies really helped with the belly pain. I only felt anything happening in my front 5-6 times and I never had to really concentrate on relaxing my uterus muscles they just did it by themselves. Toby had to be applying counter pressure once they got intense. Sunday morning my pressure waves were nice and close and lasting pretty long. But when I got to the hospital I was only dilated to a 2. That was where I was at Tuesday at my Dr. appointment. So after an hour of monitoring and no progression we went home. The rest of the day was a blur. But my pressure waves were getting really long and they were getting really intense. So at about 2 in the morning on Monday we decided to head to the hospital. They checked my dilation again and I wasn't even a 3 yet. So they monitored me again for an hour and I still wasn't progressing. But my pressure waves were getting too long. The nurse said that they wanted to see them getting closer together but shorter. I wanted them to be shorter too...Poor Toby couldn't even go to the bathroom because I needed him to apply counter pressure just so I could get through the pressure waves. At the end of my hour STILL wasn't progressing but the nurse said that we could stay until her shift was over at 6. Good thing too. Not to long after that my water broke and I was at a 4. Wahoo finally something was happening!! But the pressure waves had kicked up a notch. Not to much longer after that I wanted to push!!!!! My parents got there just in time and so did the Dr. I was ready to go and Toby didn't want to catch. When the Dr. finally got there (in reality it wasn't that long but when I was really wanting to push and everyone was telling me to wait I was a bit impatient as you could imagine.) My Dr. was fabulous. She gave me the confidence to push the way my body was telling me to. And she gave me great perineal support so I only tore a little. Oh also I got to deliver on my side like I wanted. So about half an hour after my water broke Russell Alan Stark was born at 7:04 am. He was 8 lbs 8 oz and he was 21 inches long. The Dr. said that he has BIG hands.

Right before my water broke.

Toby cutting the cord. Toby said that he wasn't got to be able to watch me give birth but in the end he watched the whole thing. I am so proud of him and I think that he was happy he did.

My dad got to be there (not planed) and I think it was a special bonding moment for the two of them. My dad was so proud of me and he looked to happy to see baby Russell!!

Big Boy!

Daddy and Baby.

He was ready to nurse really quick. He was latched on and nursing with in 30 min of birth. It took a while for both Russell and I got figure it out but I was so happy that we didn't have any problems.

Toby's dad Doug was able to come out and he was there within a couple of hours of Russell's birth. What a lucky baby to have so many loving family members around right when he was born.

Grammy and Russell hangin out.

While Russell was getting some test done Raelin held his hands the whole time. She was so worried that he was scared. My sister and her 3 kids were able to be there about an hour after Russell was born and they brought doughnuts!!! Raelin and Ryker were so sweet with him.

Sweet cousins. I felt so much better then I look in this picture.

Morgan got Russell this cute frog and we just happen to pack froggy pj's.

Sleepy boy.

The NEW Stark family (oh minus Sadie)

Uncle Brice is looking a little baby hungry...good thing he has a baby coming in 3 months!!

This was amazing experience! I couldn't have done it with out my sweet, supportive husband. He was such a comfort and strength to me. When I was feeling like I was not going to make he he told me that I already am and that I was doing great. He was amazing!!! I loved how involved he was and how well he did with helping me and remembering my hypnobabies tools!! Hypnobabies was such a great tool for me to have during this big moment. I am so glad that I was able to do this naturally I feel so close to my baby. I feel that it had a lot to do with not having any drugs in my or Russell's system.

Baby shower

My mom and sister through me a great baby shower on Feb 27th.

The food was SOOOO good!!!

Cute baby clothes.

GAMES!!

Alaina is so cute

When I opened the presents she wanted to play with the tissue paper. It was so funny.

THE best present I got. the shirt says "iPood." I LOVE it. Thanks Sister Symms.

I almost forgot!

For those of you who don't know Toby and I like food. We take any occasion we can and make it a food party. The Super bowl is already an occasion where there is a lot of food in it and we just take it to the next level. If you look at the post for the Super bowl last year you will see. This year was no exception.

We had so much food it didn't fit on the table very well. And we had left overs for about a week.

Our friends Gabe and Estelle and their cute little girls came to help us consume the food. Toby made the best wings and Morgan gave the recipe for the Oreo truffles that are the closest thing to heaven. To bad the team I was rooting for didn't win but we still had a lot of fun and the day ended with very full bellies.

Belly at 36 weeks and 3 days.

Here are some pictures of the belly....sorry to say I am not that photogenic while I'm pregnant so I don't like to post many pictures but I figured I should just get over it because it blows my mind how big my body is.

Toby thought this was a cool picture.

Yes I am one of those women that lives in her PJ's, but I do put on regular pants when I go out in public so at least I do that.

Only 4 weeks left!!

I promise I'm not as sad as I look in this picture I just like being on the other side of the camera so I'm a little uncomfortable!

BABY!!!

So we FINALLY decided on a name for our baby! We are really excited about it. It has been the hardest thing about being pregnant for me. So I'm glad to have that covered now.

So Ladies and Gentlemen we would like to introduce to you:

RUSSELL ALAN STARK!!

He is trying to suck his thumb!

Little Face.

Cute little foot.