Tucker arrived quickly the morning of the 24th. I ended up being induced. Originally, I wasn't too excited about being induced and was a little bummed about not getting to have that "rush to the hospital" moment, but in the end, it worked out perfectly. We arrived at the hospital around 6:30 a.m. We got settled in our room and they hooked me up to an IV and we had to fill out a bunch of paperwork about plans for the birth and things like that. They started the pitocin around 7:30-8. I was feeling really good still- we took a few laps around the hospital floor and then returned to the room because the contractions were getting more intense. I leaned over a chair for a little while to relieve my back and then around 9:30 my doctor arrived to break my water and told me I was already 6 c.m. The contractions continued and got a lot more intense (it was at this time that I really considered getting an epidural for fear that this would continue for a long time). Instead what I found out was that these intense contractions meant my body was transitioning (aka- getting ready for the baby to come out!). The nurse checked me again and let me know I was 8-9 c.m. and would be pushing on the next contraction. I pushed a little, she called my doctor (who came flying in) and I pushed some more until Tucker arrived at 11:10. It was all over so fast, I couldn't even believe it! Jared and I were laugh/crying as Tucker came out. Jared announced, "It's a boy!" It was such a surreal and miraculous moment to be holding this perfect little baby who we wondered so much about over the last 9 months.
Grandma Jane and Grandpa Don arrived shortly thereafter to meet their new little grandson. Then our little family of 3 had time to bond a while before they moved us to another room. We stayed at the hospital until Saturday and enjoyed introducing Tucker to his Stanley side of the family as well as numerous friends. We feel incredibly blessed and happy to have a healthy baby!
