Introducing Dallin Scott Andersen born 9/17/2013

The monday after stake conference, I went in to see Dr. Layton again. He said I was so close, he didn't know why it was taking so long, scheduled an induction for me, and stripped my membranes. I left the office feeling fine and went to combined family night out in gilbert at Andrea's house. I started not feeling very well there, but it was Spencer's birthday party, so I tried to just be happy. James worked late that night, and when he finally made it home, he was so full of energy. he kept saying "let's go walking, let's go drive over speed bumps, lets get this baby here...." I just felt so tired and went straight to bed. I woke up around 1 am with contractions again, and found james on the couch just watching TV. He said he was too anxious to sleep cause he knew the baby was coming. Ha! I told him as I went back to sleep. But by 5 am, I knew that I was going to celebrate Spencer's 17th birthday in the hospital. 

James and I walked around the neighborhood for a while until I couldn't take it anymore. I showered and packed the boys bags and laid around moaning until we finally left to the hospital. My mom took the other boys and Spencer went to school. I just couldn't figure out why the contractions were so strong, yet still only 5 minutes apart...they weren't getting any closer. I did NOT want to get sent home from the hospital so we went to Wal Mart. Ha! Dumb idea, I waddled around there so miserable and hurting so bad. I went in to the nasty walmart bathroom and just thought, this is so dumb, lets just go. So, James brought the car to the front door of wal mart, and by the time we checked in, I was already 100% effaced and at a 7. I really wanted an epidural and luckily the anesthesiologist came in fast, because I was starting to not think very nice thoughts about everyone around me. :) He kept telling me I was his favorite patient, just so funny, but I really don't remember anything except for him taking so long. Of course the epidural slowed the contractions, which was nice to just relax for a little bit. Mom, Mansi and Brianna, and Candela (my mom's foreign exchange student) all came down to the hospital and came in to just talk to me, eat lunch in front of me, etc. 

Dr. Layton came in during his lunch break to check on me, said to up my pitocin because nothing was happening anymore, but I sat up and said no, it was time. I was feeling way too much pressure to just lay down anymore. Sure enough, my water broke, and I felt ready to start pushing. The girls and my mom hurried behind the curtain, while the nurses were scrambling to get stuff set up. I looked over at everyone's feet crammed behind the curtain, started laughing, invited them in, and a few pushes later, the baby was there. All within 10 minutes. It was kind of crazy how fast it happened when the Dr. walked in, how fast everyone started moving, and yet how smooth and peaceful the delivery went. James is always the biggest support, knows just what to say, and he always gets emotional. I love just watching his face and seeing how much he just loves being a dad. My sisters were just stunned, my mom was crying, Candela was crying, and I just couldn't believe I let everyone in there with me. Granted they all stood in the corner, by my head... but I do remember going in to shaela's delivery when I was a teenager. Such a neat, spiritual experience. 

And, there it is, the birth story. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, weighing 7 lbs, 11 oz, and 23 inches long. He was born at 1:20 pm. He had the most dark hair out of all my babies, and a birth mark on the side of his head. His ears were bruised, and his eyes very swollen, but he hardly even cried at first. 

When the boys came down to see the baby, Tommie was just in shock.  I love looking back at the pictures of his face. Poor kid, he had to grow up way too fast.

He had a few hours of crankiness int he hospital, but i had a killer migraine and felt like fainting. I almost landed on the nurse. So, for a few hours I kept saying to James "oh no, he's a crier already..." Ha! I think it was just me. Brad came down, held him for 5 minutes, and he really hasn't been cranky ever since. Sure he's fussed a little, but Brad claimed I just needed to eat something and couldn't believe I had called my baby "high maintenance".

I think he is the most "James" looking baby we have had. I compared James' baby pictures and think they are so similar. I kept saying he looked like a little wilford, but not everyone could tell with all the dark hair. 

All in all, I feel so much better to not be pregnant anymore. Even though I am tired, I overall have more energy and desire to get out and do things. I have been pretty emotional lately, and have to try really hard to not lash out at Jackson and Tommie, and James for that matter, but I know it's just temporary. I am so grateful to be a mom to another sweet boy. Having a baby is such a spiritual experience for me, and I love that I feel so close to heaven just holding him. 

I stayed in the hospital 2 days, and we narrowed his name down to 2. We finally picked Dallin Scott and sent out the announcement so we could just quit thinking about it! He really is perfect and the name already fits.