It's a Birth Story. Consider Yourselves Warned.

Don't worry.  I'll try to spare you all the gorey details...

When Roon and I were married, we always knew we wanted kids.  We also knew that we did NOT want to have a baby right away.  Some people are "honeymoon baby" people, some people aren't.  Roon and I, were NOT.

After several bouts of trial and error, we found a "temporary" birth control that worked for us. 

If you know anything about the "Depo shot", you know that it lasts for 3 months, and then you have to have it again.  So, when you're on it, you not only have to think about what your current plans are, but what your plans are for 3 months from then.

8 months into our marriage, Roon and I saw babies EVERYWHERE.  Sure, we lived in Rexburg, land of multiplying like rabbits, but since our school was only a 2 year school at the time, married students were less common, so it seemed RIDICULOUS how many babies we would spot on a trip to the grocery store. 

So, we started talking about it.  We were one month away from needing a "booster" shot, so we decided that we would have one more shot, and then see how we felt from there. 

Except, by the end of that month, Roon suggested that the last shot I had, should have been my last shot. 

And just like that, 9 months into our marriage, we were "trying".

We thought it would be easy.

We thought wrong.

Turns out, Depo works a little TOO well. 

After the first few months of trying, and not succeeding, we tried not to panic.  After all, it had only been a few months.  We decided not to let ourselves get too worried until we reached a year of trying with no result.  Then, and only then, would we seek out the help of medical professionals. 

But we never actually believed it would reach that point.

A year, and several false alarms later, we didn't let ourselves get too excited when I was late.  It had happened before.  Two weeks passed, and I finally gave in and bought a test.  Friday, May 3, 2002 I found out I was going to be a mommy. 

My pregnancy progressed normally.  I was VERY sick, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.  5 months into my pregnancy, Roon and I made the trek to Salt Lake City to be seen by a specialist to evaluate the baby's heart (because I'm a freak of nature), and as an added bonus, we were to learn the sex.

Before my next appointment, my doctor passed away.  The transition to his business partner was smooth and painless.  I didn't learn until months later how disastrous it really was. 

My due date was originally January 1st.  It was later moved to December 29th.  A few days before Christmas, I had my last check up, during which I asked some routine questions pertaining to my heart defects and induction.  My doctor was stunned.  He had NO IDEA what I was talking about.  He scrambled to try to figure out if I could even deliver the baby naturally, or if I would require a C-Section. 

A plan was put into place, and my induction date was set for the day after Christmas. 

Roon and I hardly slept the night before.  We went to the hospital bright and early, and checked in. 

Highlights from the day include:  My family playing games in the delivery room, a less than friendly nurse anesthetist, and a hilarious analysis of the pain chart. 

At 6:37 p.m., after a little less than 12 hours of labor, Sissy was born, weighing in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces.

She was worth the wait.

This year, our baby turned 8.  In our church, turning 8 is a very important milestone. 

On her birthday, she was baptized and confirmed a member of our church.  It was beautiful. 

To celebrate her special day, and to serve as a distraction while she got changed after her baptism, Roon made a slideshow in honor of her. 

Here is just the first portion of it, for your viewing pleasure. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SISSY!  WE LOVE YOU!