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Mitch and I dropped big brother off at his grandparent’s house and drove across the bridge toward the hospital. The bridge was lined with American flags, and it occurred to me that my baby would be born on Flag Day. June 14th also happens to be my older sister’s anniversary! In my huge family it is always good when a birthday matches up with another important date on the calendar.

When I was 34 weeks pregnant, I went to the doctor’s office and found out that I was 3 cm. dilated. They put me on bed rest - Kelleigh style. (I did most of my regular outside activities, but was just too pooped to cook anything or clean anything or go shopping. Strong Braxton Hicks all the time.) By 36 weeks (which is when Grant was born), I was 4 cm. and we were just sure my water was going to break like it did with Grant. I took it very easy. By 38 weeks, I was 5 cm. and getting really tired of wondering when this baby was going to make his appearance. By 40 weeks I was pretty fed up. At 41 weeks, they decided to induce. Crazy.

Our original induction date was June 13th. Although I was excited for this baby to come, I was not excited about celebrating future birthdays on Friday the 13th. Thankfully, the hospital called that morning and rescheduled us for the next day because there weren’t enough beds. Mitch took me out to Olive Garden that night and we stopped by the mall to buy some yummy shower gel for the hospital. Our one last hurrah!

We arrived at the hospital early in the morning on June 14th and were quickly checked into our delivery room. My midwife started Pitocen right away and we just waited for the contractions to get stronger, longer and closer together. The midwife kept increasing the Pitocen every 15 minutes or so. I was curious to see how much pain I could take. Of course, I have been told over and over that Pitocen makes the contractions so much worse than “natural” contractions, but what was I to do? I wanted this baby out!

After about an hour of contractions, my water broke. That is when the pain skyrocketed. Wow!! I tried to brave it out for a while, but then my midwife suggested that maybe I should think about an epidural. I love epidurals and was planning to have one, but I wanted to tough it out as long as I could. Still . . . we called the anesthesiologist. In the meantime, the midwife gave me something to take the edge off. Oh, blessed relief! My wonderful painkiller lasted about 20 minutes, then SLAM. I could hardly breathe, the contractions hurt so bad. The epidural was administered and I started pushing the little button. Again, I wanted to be brave, so I didn’t push the button as often as I could have. My midwife encouraged me to push the darn thing! By the time I was ready, though, it was too late. The baby was coming!!

I will spare you all of the details, but let me just say that it was very painful and totally worth it. I would not change a single thing. I got to actually pull my baby out (sounds gross, but it isn’t) and they put him on my chest right away. I couldn’t control the tears as I held my beautiful baby boy. I was totally overwhelmed with love for him from the very beginning. I still marvel . . .

Anyway, Mitch went out to tell his parents the good news and while he was gone, they weighed Cole Robert Ratzlaff. He was 9 pounds, 4 ounces!! My goodness! I had no idea I could have a baby that big! I was very proud.

What a wonderful, exciting year it has been. I can’t believe how quickly the months have gone by. I feel so blessed to have two such beautiful little boys and an amazing husband. One year ago today, my family was completed (unless, of course, I change my mind, but that is not likely!).