"I'm here!!!"

Cheyenne Grace Hollifield was born Friday, January 25, 2008 at 5:56pm. She weighed 7lbs 7oz and measured 19 3/4". I woke up Friday morning at 4:40 and my water had broke. I yelled for William and he come running. We called the hospital and they told us to come on in. We got there around 6:15. They examined me and said that my water indeed had broken. They took me to L&D (labor and delivery). They checked me and I was 3 cm, which is what I was at my doctor appointment Wednesday, and I was now 70% effaced instead of the 50% I had been. Around 10am they started me on pitocin to start making my contractions regular and stronger. I didn't like this one bit! Every 30 minutes the nurse would up the dosage. I started having contractions on top of one another. It was like I would have one for 40-50 seconds with 10 rest before another one would start. This went on for 5 minutes at a time. They thought maybe she was turned around and I was starting to have back labor. Around 2:45 I had had all I could take. I broke down and asked for the epidural. It was no piece of cake. They told me it would feel like a bee sting. Yeah right! I was having contractions while they were trying to give me the epidural so staying still wasn't an option. After that was all over I could still feel a lot of pressure but the majority of the pain was gone. The nurse checked me around 4 and I was dilated to 7cm and still 70% effaced. Mom and dad had been there along with William. They decided they would go get a quick dinner and come back. Not 20 minutes after mom and dad left I started feeling the urge to push. The doctor checked me this time and I was 10cm and 100% effaced. That was at 5:15. William called mom and dad and they come right back. Dad waited in the waiting room and mom came in and video taped the delivery for us. She was behind me so nothing graphic! I pushed for about 20 minutes and Cheyenne was born at 5:56. She had a full head of hair and all 10 fingers and 10 toes! She was perfect! William cut the cord and they handed her up to me. The water works really got going then! She was crying but I was able to get her calm and she just opened her big blue eyes and looked at me. Wow-what an amazing feeling! We created her! She was ours, and she was here. I have never been so happy. They cleaned her off and wrapped her up and told me I could try feeding her. I did and she ate for about 10 minutes. Everyone then was allowed in. Mom, dad, Katherine (William's mom), Jenny, Josh (Jenny's fiance), Katie and Joe (Katie's boyfriend) were all there. Everyone took turns holding her. Miles (William's brother) came in a few minutes later. The nurse came and got Cheyenne to take her to the nursery to weigh and measure her and giver her a bath. Everyone went to watch and I got cleaned up. They moved me down to a different room. I couldn't get out of the bed by myself. The epidural had started to wear off but I couldn't hold my weight. I hated that feeling. Anyway, everyone came back to see me for a few minutes before taking off to let me get some rest. Mom and dad went and got us some dinner, which after not having anything to eat for 15 hours, was the best food ever! Cheyenne was brought back to me and I fed her again. The 1st night in the hospital was long. I didn't get any sleep and William my have gotten an hour or so. Mom and dad came the next morning and relieved William so he could go home, feed the kitties and get a nap. They watched Cheyenne for me so I was able to get an hour of sleep in too. We had visitors through out the day. The 1st visitors were our good friends Tripp, Heather, Ryan and Kristie and my Grandma Lucie. We were so glad they could come see us. Later that evening mom and dad came back along with Katherine to visit. The 2nd night in the hospital was a little better. I let them take her to the nursery for a couple hours so we could sleep. But it was more like dozing as those hospital beds and pull out couches are really uncomfortable. Not to mention a nurse or someone coming in every hour or so to do my blood pressure or bring Cheyenne for a feeding. We checked out of the hospital about 1:30. We are so glad to be home in our own bed with our beautiful baby girl! Last night was tough. Cheyenne wanted to eat every 30 minutes for 45-50 minutes at a time. Mommy can't do this! Nursing is an art, it's not easy and we didn't get it right a few times to the pain is excruciating. She and I finally had a little bit of luck around 3am with a successfull 30 minute feeding followed by 2 hours of sleep. Then another feeding and 2 1/2 hours of sleep. Things are starting to look up! I think she and I got the hang of it now. Anyway, that's the story of Cheyenne's birth. We're all home now and doing well, just extremely tired. We look forward to seeing everyone once she gets a few weeks older. Oh, and for those that are wondering...William is a natural! He did amazing during my labor and watched the delivery. He's very good with Cheyenne and she responds to him really well. He's been so concerned with me getting rest and taking care of everything. He's a wonderful daddy! Thank you all for your thoughts, e-mails, and prayers. Here are some pictures from the big day. I'll try to post some video later but it takes FOREVER to upload. Enjoy!