worth the wait.

our baby boy has arrived safe and sound. here's how he got here:

i went in to be induced around 6:00 am and they hooked up the smallest dose of pitocin at 7:00am. I decided to go along with the rest of the birth plan and try for a natural birth. Things were going fine, my doula and Chad were there and we decided to play a game of Ticket to Ride. Right after the game was over (I won!) I started feeling the contractions more and more and then they started to get down right crazy painful. I told them that I couldn't do it any more, that it was too hard, and I had to have something for the pain.  The nurse checked me to see how far I had progressed and I was already dilated to an 8.5  which meant it was too late for any kind of pain relief. I was able to focus a little better knowing that this is just what I had to do, and within the hour the doctor arrived, he broke my water and I was pushing.  It took about 4 pushes (a long with the most intense pain i have ever felt in my life,) and our little bundle of joy was here.

He weighed 8 pounds 7 ounces - 21 inches long and has a beautiful head of hair. we love him so much and are grateful he is so healthy.  life is good. 

As for now... his name is Levi Allyn Slade. That is what it says on the birth confirmation, but Chad still isn't sure he likes it, so for now I still call him baby...