The Elrods: SHE'S HERE!!!!

Ellie Rose Elrod has arrived and she is perfect in every way!

2/27/2011

Here is the quick labor story. At about 8 o'clock on Saturday night I started to get contractions so Brett and I began to time them. They were coming every 4-5 minutes and lasting a minute long. We let this go on for a few hours because I didn't want to go to the hospital if I was not in labor. Since we had been taught 511 for contractions (5 minutes apart, 1 minute long for 1 hour) we decided it was time to go to the hospital around midnight. When we got there and they "checked" me they said I was only 1 cm! How could that happen?? I had been 2 cm earlier in the week! She came back an hour later and told me I was 2 cm and that when I first got there I was really closed but she didn't want to upset me. Since I was making progress they wanted to keep me and monitor me. We stayed there all night (luckily I wasn't in any pain, just anxious) and by morning I was 4 cm and admitted as a patient. They started me on pitocin to get things going and I opted for an epidural before the doctor broke my water at noon. Things moved fast after my water was broken, by three o'clock I was at 9 cm! Brett was a great coach when it came time to push and fifteen minutes after I started pushing, 7 pounds 11.5 ounces of amazing-ness was born! I cannot even explain how I felt when they put Ellie on my stomach. It truly was the most amazing moment of my life! I never felt so blessed.

I'm heeeeerrrrrreeeeee!

So in love!

The Elrods

Proud papa!

My labor and delivery experience was great and I can honestly say I would do it over and over to get the same feeling I had when Ellie was born. My recovery has gone well and I am feeling great. We have been to the doctor twice, for a family walk and even a quick trip to target! Ellie has taken to breastfeeding pretty well and she has been feeding about every 3-4 hours which is nice. The dogs have adjusted nicely too! These last ten days have just been wonderful!! I may or may no be addicted to babies, time will tell!

Bundled up for her first walk

My sweet family

We had her newborn photos taken on Monday and I cannot wait to see them. Ellie was the perfect model. She is such a good baby!! I will leave you with some pictures of my sweet little lady!