Thursday, November 19th, Grant and I packed our bags into the truck and headed to Woman's Hospital. I was anxious, nervous and excited all at the same time and I could tell Grant was too. This after all would be a huge turning point in our lives -- one that we had anticipated for way too long. I couldn't believe the time was actually here! We checked in at the nurses station and had to wait in a holding area for almost an hour. This hour felt like five and I was getting very antsy! Mom, Dad and Michelle came up to labor and delivery to see us before I went in for surgery. Bittersweet I'll tell you.... dad can make me cry at the drop of a hat and I knew the waterworks would be flowing. Our nurse finally came by and it was time for Harper to make her debut! Relief, anxiety and happiness flooded my my mind. Grant had to go back to the holding area while I received the epidural in the operating room and he says that felt like an eternity. I had a little hiccup with the epidural -- I didn't like the fact that I couldn't feel my chest rise and fall and I kept telling them I wasn't breathing. Weird and scary feeling I'll tell you. They gave me a Little epinephrine to calm my nerves and we were on our way. Grant came in and they had already started the incision. The next thing I knew I heard the precious cry of Harper Caroline Nail. She was born at 12:32 pm, weighing 7 lbs 12 oz and 19.75 inches long - PERFECT! Daddy got to go stand by her warmer and she must have felt like she was in Hollywood. I told him to take all the pictures that he could and I don't think he missed a shot. Harper cried and cried as they did her apgar scoring etc -- she was one upset little girl. When they were done mom and dad finally got to hold their little girl. She was beautiful -- as swollen as she was -- she was perfectly and wonderfully made.
After an hour or so in recovery I was wheeled to my post-partum room and my parents and mother-in-law were able to join us. Harper had to be in the nursery for four hours but at 4:30pm the nurses brought her to my room and I was able to really hold her for the first time. I smelled her, loved her, kissed her - you name it. I couldn't believe that I actually was holding my daughter, what a blessing -- what a miracle!
