Charlie is here!

Our sweet Charlie Mack was born at 6:12am on Tuesday August 28th weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 21 inches!  

After our Dr. Appointment on Monday (August 27th) we found that I had not progressed at all, so we scheduled an induction for Tuesday September 4th if he hadn't come by then.  I really didn't want to be induced, so my Dr. recommended that I try Castor Oil because many of her patients had had success using it!  Out of desperation, I ventured to Walgreens and got some and drank it with orange juice around 4pm.  I went to Hayes' school orientation that night and then came home and ate Chinese food for dinner.  After being pretty sick to my stomach, I started to regret my decision!  When I went to bed that night, I started having very irregular contractions.  After laying there from about 10pm until about midnight trying to decide if it was the real thing or not, I finally woke up Derek and told him that it was time!  

By the time we got to the hospital I was 3 cm dilated and fully effaced.  It took them a while to check me in and get my fluids going before they could give me my epidural.  After I got it, they checked me and I was already an 8!  The nurse said that I was starting to "transition".  To say that I had a painful labor experience would be an understatement.  Apparently, one of the negatives of using Castor Oil is that it brings on a very fast and painful labor!

Anyway, it was all worth it once I got to see Charlie's sweet face!  Dr. Blake and the nurses were all wonderful!  We are truly blessed!

Here we are in the hospital...

And at home for his first week of life...