Samantha Rose Wood

With her official Due date being the 3rd of January we were prepared to take measures to ensure she was a 2009 baby in order to keep her on this years insurance as ours will change with Phil 's job change starting January 1st, and of course one extra year of a tax break doesn't hurt either. Turns out we didn't need to bother with even thinking about it since she decided to come all on her own two days before Christmas. It was before her due date and yet I don't think you can say she was early weighing in at 8lbs 10oz.

The delivery was wonderful... yes thats what I said wonderful!! I love modern medicine. Becuase my water broke before I was even dialated to a 1 I was at the hospital early and was able to be on an epidural right away. The Dr wanted to put me on Pitocin to help move things along and avoid risk of infection. I know there are those out there, some of whom may be reading this post that do not agree, but if you have never had a baby and intend to I would strongly, strongly, strongly, recommend, where possible, to you now to plan on having an epidural I will never do it again without (I did unintentionally with Madison). And I can't think of a single argument to convince me otherwise! Ok that being said I was in labor for a total of 8 1/2 hours and pushed once waited for the Dr. and pushed 3 or 4 more times and she was here! The thing I appreciated the most with this delivery as opposed to Madison's was that once she was born, because of the Epidural I was able to enjoy the moment and really feel a connection to the event that I didn't expereiance with Madison. It was a wonderful spiritual, warm and just overall amazing moment.

We were so grateful and blessed to have Phil's Family in town for Christmas it made it nice to have the help and to share this wonderful event with family. We were able to come home Christmas eve to a wonderfully prepared Christmas eve dinner and just relax and enjoy Christmas with our new little addition.