At about six in the morning on the December 31, 2004 I woke up with contractions. I had so much false labor in the previous weeks that I didn't think anything of it. Besides, Emmett was eight days late and today was only my due date. Plus we had bought tickets to First Night Fort Collins that evening. I laid there trying to go back to sleep, but at about seven got up. Dan and Emmett were still sleeping so I putzed around until about 7:30 when Emmett woke up. I decided that I must be in labor as the contractions were about five minutes apart, although freakishly short at 20 seconds. What! In labor on my due date?! On New Years Eve!! But I have plans!! I got into the shower while Dan gave Emmett breakfast. At about 8:15 Dan comes up to our bathroom. He is getting concerned that the contractions are 4 minutes apart. I told him I was fine and just wanted to stay in the shower, and besides the contractions are only 30 seconds long, even if they were very intense. Not taking MY word for it, he calls the Birthing Center to ask them what they thought. They said come in. And my doctor was actually on the unit so he would wait for me to show up. Fine, great, whatever.... I'll get out of my nice shower and go out into the cold to get my cervix checked. Sounds like a good time to me. Dan called our friend Christine to come over and watch Emmett. I was getting dressed and have to kneel with contractions. I must be very vocal with contractions as her eyes were huge and she hurried us out of the house.At the hospital, around 9 , I was so bummed that I was coming on during day shift and didn't know anybody. However our nurse Jen was super sweet. Dr Schmidt checked my cervix and I was 4 cm. What!?! Only four!?! I got out of my shower for this?! I wanted to go back home but Dr. Schmidt said he wasn't OK with it as my cervix was stretchy and I could go fast. He offered to break my amniotic sac to speed things up but I declined. I wasn't comfortable being put on the 24 hour time limit. So Jen filled up the jacuzzi as an incentive and I got in. I spent the next hour or so in the glorious jacuzzi. I think my vocalness was freaking Jen out as she kept coming in to ask me if I needed anything (like an epidural). I told her the contractions were strong, but short and manageable. At about 10:30 I got out of the tub and she checked my cervix. 8 cm! Yeah! I wanted to use the birth ball, so while Jen got it for me I rocked at the side of the bed. I was having some back pain so Dan was applying counter-pressure and I decided to wait on the ball. Jen kept asking me if I needed to push. I was getting a bit snappy with the questions so I told her I would tell her when I was ready. She laid out chux under me (as if I would deliver my baby on the floor!) and went to call Dr. Schmidt. At about 11 I needed to push so I climbed into bed. Jen said I shouldn't push as Dr. Schmidt wasn't there yet. Ha!! Whatever!! Luckily he came through the door with my first push. At the first push, I felt panicked - the baby didn't move down. I tried again - and still nothing. Thank heavens Dr. Schmidt decided to rupture my amniotic sack. With the gush of fluid, the baby moved down. Panic was replaced by the thought that not getting the epidural was a very bad idea. Jenn was telling me to breathe slower and Dr. Schmidt was telling me to push slower and Dan was telling me to breathe deeper and I was thinking "F*** you all, you do it then!". So on the fourth push, Cora Lynn was born at 11:11 am, 7 pound 2 ounces. When they said it was a girl I was so surprised and thrilled. I had assumed it was another boy, since I already knew how to make one of those. She didn't need any oxygen so I could hold her right away. Unfortunately, there was some concern about me bleeding, so with the extra pit in my IV, I was in so much pain I gave her to Dan. The pit was way worse than labor.
So my beautiful little girl turns 4 today. She choose mac and cheese, applesauce and chocolate pudding for her birthday dinner. Comfort food all the way! We went to First Night Fort Collins and watched a magic show, ballerinas, cloggers, a brass band and saw the fireworks. She thinks every year she gets fireworks for her birthday.
Emmett carried his trusty light saber, ready to do battle at a moments notice.
After the walk Dan and I put the kiddos down for a nap and we worked on dinner. Dan Seasoned up the ginormous turkey grown by a local farmer. 29 pounds!! It barely fit in the oven. We also had squash from the garden, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy and fresh bread. 
Then for dessert we had homemade chocolate pudding. Thatcher thought this was the best part of the dinner!
