Checking In

The contractions, which apparently felt more like mild cramps at first, began coming about 3 a.m. We started timing them, and they were coming and going with regularity...this was it. We hurried to finish getting Kelly's stuff together into a bag to bring to the hospital, and were zooming down the highway to Baystate Hospital in the twinkling hours of the morning.



We called ahead so the hospital knew we were coming, and they were right on the ball getting her set up and comfortable...



A preliminary look came first with a midwife and nurse checking to see exactly where the baby was at, and then on to the room...





We got her settled in, and it looked like it would still be a while before the baby comes, so I headed back home to tend to the dog, and get myself in order...



The walk did me much good, giving me time to sort my thoughts, think about loved ones that aren't (or maybe are) able to be here to see this day, and I got to see the glorious sun rise on my daughter's first day...



Getting back to the hospital, Kelly's cramps had turned to full out contractions. As the hours passed she was having a harder and harder time of it. We walked around the hospital a few times since she wasn't able to lay down without extreme discomfort. At last the decision was made to go with the epidural, and the anesthesiologist was called in...



A few minutes later the pains had stabilized...



...and Kelly was able to relax a little and hopefully be ready for what's coming...



one of us has to be...