*WARNING: This is a very long detailed post with lots of pictures
Around 2:00am on Tuesday, November 3rd, I woke up with contractions that appeared to be more like the "real thing." Up until this point, I was having lots of braxton hicks contractions with sporadic periods of mild contractions but nothing too painful or consistent. Contractions continued every 10 minutes for a few hours but were not progressing further. I finally went back to sleep for maybe an hour and woke up again at 5:30am with some much stronger contractions. Dustin heard my choppy breaths and woke up. I told him, "I think you will be meeting your baby today." I was confident this was it. Yep. I spoke too soon. Within the next hour or so, contractions just stopped. What? Really? All this time, I was frustrated with this "prodromal" or "false" labor that I was having when I remembered that this is exactly what happened before Noah's birth. This only added to my hunch that this baby was a boy.
We were headed to see my doctor that morning anyway, without an appt since we really thought that baby would have come by now. We packed the camera and video camera just in case we were sent to labor and delivery but both of us were not too optimistic. We later realized that even though we had everything else packed, we didn't bring anything else with us that morning. We got the kids ready - Noah was headed to school for the day and Haley was going to be with my friend Katie during the dr. appt. Both kids were so happy and very sweet to each other that morning. Maybe they knew today was the day?? I snapped a quick picture of them hugging.

All of my dr.'s staff was surprised to see me and the belly!! Baby's heartbeat was great, I had actually lost 3 lbs, and I was measuring 40 cm. When the dr. checked me, I was dilated to a 4!! Yeah!! At least all these come and go contractions were doing something. I asked him what he thought we should do and he said, "I think we should have a baby today!!" I smiled so big. "Really?" He explained further by saying that nothing good could come of me going home at this point. We have a healthy heartbeat, controlled environment, and I was in early labor. He said he would break my water and that would speed labor along instead of going home and waiting for contractions to pick up. He had many more concerns about me going home and laboring there, especially since this was my third.
Dustin and I talked and agreed that was the best decision. We would trust our doctor and the Lord with this day. All the thoughts going on in my head...This was definitely going to be a different birth story for sure, since both births with Noah and Haley I was well into active labor when I came into the hospital. I liked the idea of getting an epidural before contractions got too bad and already being at the hospital. And it helped that Noah and Haley were already taken care of for the day!! So we packed up our smiles and headed down to labor and delivery calling friends and family in route. I could not stop smiling. We were finally getting to meet our baby very soon!!

After lots of health questions, paperwork, and blood work, I was given my IV and soon an epidural (with a low drip just to take edge off). Dr. Fogwell, who is the BEST doctor ever, came in shortly after to break my water (1:20pm). Everything was going very smoothly and my sister and mother arrived to be a part of the birth. We were all able to visit while contractions picked up and I felt very little pain. And I absolutely LOVED my nurse - her name was Ann - and I wish I could have taken her home with me. She was yet another blessing in this story.
I even texted a few friends with an update and said "no pain." Again. I spoke too soon. Shortly after getting the epidural I started experiencing sharp pains in my lower neck and shoulders. The anesthesiologist was quick to say that the pain would subside. He thought it was probably due to the air space from the epidural. However, the pain did not go away but was much better when laying on my side so that's what I did while waiting to dialate.

I can't tell you how much I loved having my 3 favorite people with me during labor. Each of them are so special and made this day all the more better.
Oh baby, you are loved so much already.

A big thank you to Jen and Mom for helpin take pictures and video.

Dustin, Jen, Mom and Ann all took turns massaging my lower neck to help with the pain. It was getting worse but I kept reminding myself of all the heavy contractions that I was not feeling due to the epidural. In the meantime, the nurse went out a few times to try and get an explanation and remedy for my pain. We were somewhat surprised to find so many people without an exact answer. One theory was that the epidural catheder was irritating a nerve that was affecting my neck and shoulders. Another theory was that the air space had moved up my spine causing the irritation. It felt like something was affecting my nerves for sure and everyone was very concerned.

Around 4pm, my Dad showed up and the nurse checked me. I was at 9.5cm and ready to start pushing. He quickly bolted to the waiting room and we all laughed.

I kissed my honey as we got ready for "actual delivery."

I rolled to my back to start pushing and quickly rolled back to my side. Much too painful. We tried to do some pushes on my side when the nurse realized something had to change. I was feeling the need to push yet I was in so much pain from my neck/shoulders that I couldn't lie on my back to push. The anesthesiologist finally came in and gave me some narcotics thru the epidural that relieved some of the pain within about 10 minutes. I had pushed for about 45 minutes and baby was almost there when my neck pain started up again. I was screaming and crying in pain b/c I couldn't lay on my back to push any further but also felt extremely pressure to finish delivering this baby. I could see Dustin also crying with me. I greatly feared a c-section if the pain didn't go away. The anesthesiologist came in again and administered two more rounds of drugs and a final delivery dose in my epidural, which would later make me very nauseous sick. I quickly got another relief from the pain though was very sore from the pushing...it was all such a blur.

After an hour of pushing, baby was coming and everyone was anxious to know...and then everyone screamed "It's a boy!!" 5:08pm. More tears and a sigh of relief...
Dylan David Self was here.


Dr. Fogwell cut the cord and placed him in my arms.
We did it!! Thank you Lord!!

My hardest birth yet...but any pain that I was experiencing seemed minimal when I saw the miracle of this little boy.

They took out the epidural as soon as possible to help with the neck pain and it worked, thankfully.

Dylan weighed a healthy 8 lbs 8 oz and measured 20.5 inches long.


A very proud and emotional Daddy


Grammy's 7th grandchild

A 2nd nephew for Aunt Jen

Dustin went to the waiting room to share the news with Papa and Aunt Kris.

Dylan is named after his Papa's first name - David
This was a non-negotiable for Dustin when choosing our boy name.
His brother, Brandon's first boy is named after Dustin's dad - William and Dustin really wanted to honor my Dad by giving Dylan his name.
And Dylan may end up with Papa's blue eyes as well...

The infamous bottom lip that is consistent with all of our children that comes out on their birthday!!

My Aunt Kris and Aunt Krissy to the kids

By far, one of the BEST days of my life. And if I could, I would do it all over again...pain and all.
Dylan, we couldn't be more thrilled for you to be here. And we are honored, blessed, overwhelmed, and full of joy to be your Mommy and Daddy.
Happy Birthday, Son!!
I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
I will be filled with joy because of you.
I will sing praises to your name,
O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2