Justin Brian Gardner

I had a doctor's appointment monday morning where I found out I was 4 centimeters (same as the week before) and 60% effaced. The doctor told me the baby was ready as soon as I was and asked if I was ready for him to come. I never thought I'd even consider being induced, after seeing Sara's less than ideal inductions, but I was so miserable I heard myself saying I was definitely ready. It took him a while to convince me that he was serious and would actually induce me 6 days early, and after asking Jason over the phone (he was in class) we decided to go for it.

We got checked in at 7:30 tuesday morning and my doctor broke my water. He gave me a few hours to see if labor would start on it's own, and I never even needed a bit of pitocin, which I was very greatful not to have. The contractions started right away and were pretty strong and about 2-3 minutes apart by 10:30am. after 5 hours of less than joyful back labor and 2 minute apart contractions, I decided I was definitely willing to give the epidural a shot. And let me just say, I am a HUGE fan!!! My anesthesiologist did an amazing job, in the middle of a room full of students, and had it in after only one contraction. All I felt was the poke from the numbing needle. The pain started to subside and that's when i realized you can actually feel contractions in your stomach, not just your back. (: The dosage was perfect and I could still feel alot of pressure from the contractions, but no pain.

Thanks to the epidural I was able to let him labor down for about 2 hours before I started pushing and he was out by 8:20pm after 20 short minutes of pushing. (they made me stop for awhile so the doctor would make it to catch him).

Justin came out bright pink and screaming. He got a 9/9 on his apgar and was basically a perfectly healthy pregnancy/labor/and delivery. Jason and I just keep saying how absolutely blessed we are. Heavenly Father has definitely taken care of us so we'd be able to do this up here in Idaho. We're so greatful for our precious little boy and the miracle of not having any complications.

Like this little anouncement says, He weighs 8lbs 9oz, 20.5 in, with a HUGE 13.5 in head!

Picture of me waiting for contractions to start right after they broke my water.

Sorry no pictures during actual labor, we were a little bit busy...

They let me hold him for about 20 minutes before they weighed and measured him. This is a picture right after they got his vitals and gave him back. We were able to stay in our labor/delivery/recovery room until I was up for a shower then they transfered us to the mother/baby unit.

When he came out he had lots very curly, strawberry blonde hair. It straightened out after they bathed him, but stayed a little red.

He's been sleeping wonderfully and hasn't cried other than his circumcision.

Hopefully we'll get to go home in about 5 hours and enjoy our own little home with our new little boy. We're so greatful to our family for being patient with the fact that we had him clear up here in Idaho, and have enjoyed the blessing of technology allowing us to see them through lots of web calls.

We'll try to post more pictures later in the week once we all get adjusted to our new little life! (: