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10 years ago I changed the pace of life and began enjoying the full befits of motherhood. I cashed in all the morning sickness days and the nights of my belly changing shapes, the belly kisses from Pete, the heartburn and the maternity clothes.
After way too many excruciating hours Amanda joined our couple and made us a family.
Thanks to the help from Annie I came home to a clean house and food to eat for at least a week. Well that was a heck of a ride, Saturday the 18Th of September 1999, was not just another day it was the day. I woke up and had regular contractions coming, they say walking can help with labor so Annie and I walked. At that time Pete and I were living on 100 west in Elmo. Annie and I walked to the farm ( 3 miles ) the contractions were every 5 minutes and I was stopping walking to breathe through them by the time we made it back. Little Ashley went on part of the walk with us but spent most of the time with her favorite Uncle Pete and helped with year old Dusty. When we returned to Elmo I layed down ( if its not labor the contractions should let up ). That didn't last long my contractions were there and regular. We took Ashley and Dusty to my visiting teacher and headed over the mountain to Provo to my Dr and Hospital.
Of course there was road construction. I was in good hands Annie had 2 babies, we took the labor and delivery classes. Well those 2 things weren't near as important as the tootsie rolls Annie had me thinking about. Ya tootsie rolls not m&m's my favorite. Well we reached the hospital in the early evening 6-7. I was only dilated to a 1. My contractions were every 3-4 minutes but not dilated they wouldn't admit me. Living so far from the hospital my Dr did agree to pain meds and gel to help the cervix dilate. Pete and Annnie grabbed Arby's for dinner and we got a room for the night. The L&D said if I was in pain in 1-2 hours come back to be checked, Annie said I'd know if I needed to be there. The night began Pete went right to sleep. Annie timed my contractions till I told her I was ok and off to sleep she went. By midnight I had decided to spend most of my time in the bathroom to try and not wake anyone. I was crying through contractions at this point, but I didn't think it was time. When morning came I had them take me back to L&D to be checked after all that time and pain surely I was well on my way. Only a 1, how could that be. My Dr agreed to start pitocin now and break my water after church. Ok here we go.Even breaking my water didn't help the issues of dilating I stayed a 1 all day.
After lots of tears and a simple "Daddy will you" my parents were on there way to see me. They brought Brian along to see his wife it was their anniversary of getting together. I cried for my Daddy, sang I am a Child Of God and told Pete it wasn't his fault until my parents arrive.
(still a 1 ) My Dad gave me a priesthood blessing and my body relaxed, he said Amen, I puked. The nurse (Liz) came in to clean me up and checked me I was a 9! Less than 20 minutes from a 1. I have to say Delivery was the easy part. With Pete by my side,Annie behind me, Liz Counting and Dr Wolsey ready to catch I gave birth to our beautiful 6 pound 11 ounce little girl. The door didn't take long to open with my family listening to Amanda's first cries.
Pete and I couldn't believe it was real. We had our baby, only 13 months into our marriage. Our life was changing and it hasn't stopped yet. Now Amanda is 10, and the best little girl we could ask for. she is so helpful (and only beats on her brothers when she thinks they need it). We never relized that it would just keep on getting better every day.
