**Paisleys Arrival**

We went in for our Doctor visit on Friday, March 11th (due date the 15th) and everything was great except for my blood pressure. It had been good every visit except for this time. The nurse took it twice. She had me sit down and think calm sweet thoughts the second time but no luck. Still not the best. It didn't really surprise me because I felt very uncomfortable and hot out in the waiting room. Well, Dr. Astle came in measured the baby at 41 weeks - when I was almost 40 - so we figured she was going to be a nice size. He checked my cervix and said I was 100% and dilated to a 5. He told us he was very confident that we would have her over the weekend. We were excited. He said if not, he wanted to see us on Tuesday and he would probably start us due to my high blood pressure and avoiding preclampseia. Well Doug and I left the hospital thinking any second my water would break and we've have this baby so we stayed in St. George with my parents.

Saturday morning came around and it felt like Christmas and Santa Clause didn't come :( I was getting frustrated and sad. Sunday and Monday came around and still nothing. Finally on Tuesday morning we got up and headed to the doctor. This time my blood pressure was better and I measured 40 weeks because of the way she shifted. Dr. Astle asked me if I'd had any contractions which I had but nothing really bad. I was getting nervous. I thought he was going to send us back home and forget the Tuesday plan but he didn't. He sent us down to hospital like we talked about so they could get me some petosin and get me started. We got to our assigned room and I got dressed in my robe and ready to go. Had he not sent me down we would have been back in minutes or hours because the contractions came before the petosin. They gave me the IV and I wanted to die. I hate stuff like that and absolutely cannot watch. I turned my head but the sting of it was too much. Yuck! This is when the nausea and and the vomiting started. They gave me the petosin and asked if I wanted an epidural. I told them YES- just as soon as I can get it. A couple contractions later and after throwing up a couple times the Anesthesiologist came in and worked his magic. I knew the needle was going to be quite the ordeal so I tried not to look at Doug just in case he made some unwanted facial expressions. He was so great and rubbed my feet making sure I was okay. During the epidural I was having contractions and I was miserable.

The epidural kicked in within a matter of minutes and I was so relieved but the numb feeling was so crazy. Thank heavens for the magic drug. When it was time to push I was so tired and just wanted to sleep forever. I was already just exhausted. I didn't sleep good the night before because I was so nervous and knew that I was most likely going to have this baby the next day.

My nurses were absolutely so great. They were so wonderful to me and helped me through all the questions and exhaustion. I never expected that pushing was going to be that tiring or difficult. However, I know that labor was a breeze because of the epidural. So they would tell me to push but it was so awkward. I didn't know if I was just holding my breath or really pushing. It took deep concentration for me to zone in and really push. What a crazy feeling. When she finally started to work0 her way out I would have to throw up again so they would have to let my legs down and then she would go back in. That was frustrating. I was throwing up through the whole thing every couple minutes.

They had to turn me on my side for a couple minutes to turn her little head because it was not turned correctly. I took advantage of this time to rest. I was SO tired. They soon came back and we tried again and it worked. She had turned.

Doug was so great during the whole thing. He would hold his breath with me while the nurse would count. He said he couldn't breath until the nurse told me to breath. He would give me encouragement to push by squeezing my legs. Hahaha! I love him.

When she started to crown they said that all her hair caused a little friction and made it difficult for her to slide out. Well Dr. Astle came in and delivered our baby. We had a little bit of difficulty for a second because she had some nice broad shoulders. When she came out they couldn't really get her to cry. Dr. Astle explained that she was a little stunned and wanted to faint. They were able to stimulate her and get her going. She pooped right away and when it was time for the skin to skin I took it. It was so much fun to hold my baby. She latched right on when we tried to feed her and she has been such a great baby. She has already spoiled us.

Doug is the best husband and the best father. He adores her so much and I'm so grateful for him and all he does. He was able to cut the cord and be a part of all of it. It was such a special day for all of us.

**Kari and My mom stood outside the door during it all and at one point Kari came and opened the curtain and looked at me and said..."Push Harder" ....closed the curtain and went back to waiting outside. :) I love her. She is so funny and adorable with this baby. She takes every opportunity to burp and hold her. She acts as if the baby is hers. She changes her diapers and does as much as she possibly can to help. When she saw the baby for the first time her eyes swelled up with tears. It was so precious. She says she is now a "half mom".**

Thanks Mom/Grandma Marcia and Aunt Kari for coming up and helping me. You guys have been so wonderful and such a blessing. Mom made the best food and Kari constantly did dishes and scrubbed the bathroom. Thanks Dad for calling Paisley all the time and for checking on her. Thanks for watching the other kiddos so Mom could be here with me.

Thanks Grandma Deb and Grandpa Dean for the love of our child and for coming to see us. Thanks again for the delicious food and beautiful blankets. We are so thrilled. Thanks Aunt Dev for coming over and holding our precious one and for her beautiful new skirt. It is so fun to have people love her so much.

Our little angel is so blessed and loved by so many.

Our newest member of the family...Paisley Jo Fowles

Dad & Paisley

Bringing home our BABY

Playtime with Dad :)
We love the way she places her hands. It is the sweetest thing

Her head of hair we are ABSOLUTELY in love with
4 days old

Paisley and Dad

Grandma Marcia and Grandpa Bruce with Paisely

Grandpa Dean and Grandma Deb with Paisley

Aunt Kari "Half Mom" and Paisley Jo
Aunt Devyn and Paisley

My Mom and Dad gave me these beautiful flowers. They are so gorgeous and I wish they would last forever. Thanks Mom and Dad. I love you!!

We love you so much Paisley!!!