What Stephanie heard of Olivia's delivery...

Mom and I arrived at the hospital around 9:30 p.m. We were so excited (Mom needed to stop to use the restroom, but I told her to wait and we quickly walked to the nurses desk and they directed us to your room.) We knocked on the door and were asked who was it, we responded and heard Christine say in a pained voice, "No, I can't." or maybe it was, "No, don't let them in." (I'm not sure- you sounded in a lot of pain.) We stood outside Christine's delivery room, Mom just around the corner and me by the door. I think it was really hard for Mom to hear her baby in such pain, later she said she almost had to leave because she couldn't bear to hear you hurting so. Your voice had such a pained sound that it was hard to listen to but magical at the same time. I heard the nurses counting to ten and Christine's anguished sigh and pained cry when ten was finally reached. Then with words of encouragement the nurses, Nicholas and the doctor would tell you were doing a good job and to push again when another contraction came. This seemed to continue another 15 minutes or so until the baby was crowning and we heard the doctor call to the nurses station and say, "We're going to have a baby." Then about 2 more nurses entered the room with the bassinet to ready for the eminent delivery. We were so excited. I leaned into the door to listen and could hear Dr. Edwards tell you to wait for a contraction and to push hard. The nurses would count and you sounded in such pain, I didn't hear any words from you except once you said, "It hurts!" and "Oh my God" and then a few minutes later an exasperated whimper and an, "I can't." (Mom and I stood outside with tears in our eyes imagining you with in such pain, working so hard and us being helpless to help you.) The "I can't" didn't stop you or even seem to phase you because in an instant you were pushing again with the nurses counting to 10. (With each count I prayed let Olivia be born with this push.) I heard the doctor tell you that you may have to back off a little so not to tear, but never actually heard him tell you to do this, After about 5-10 minutes of this the nurses would count to 10 and then you said, "Can I keep pushing?" They said, "Yes." And it sounded like you let a little pain and breath escape your lips and you continued to lumber on through painful labor. Finally we heard the doctor say one more push, but I think it took two and then Olivia was born. We didn't hear crying at first but we hear the nurses say, "Congratulations, it's a girl." And we heard you say, "Oh, my God. What a beautiful baby." Then we heard you say, "Come on baby," and Olivia cried, the sweetest sound. We cried and Mom immediately got on the phone to call Dad, Wilson and Heidi with the news of Olivia's birth. We couldn't wait for the details.

We heard you cooing and talking to Olivia telling her how beautiful she was while the doctor continued to work on you. It all still sounded painful as we could hear, "Ohhh... Ahhh.." from you. But now their were joyful sounds also coming from the room and we couldn't wait to see meet the newest member of your family and ours.

About 10-15 minutes after Olivia was born Nicholas and Dr. Edwards came out and gave us the details. Nicholas face beamed, he was so proud of you and Olivia. Dr. Edwards even seem impressed with your natural birth, he said you were a real trooper. (Or something like that.)

When we saw you, Christine, you looked swollen and tired but unbelievably happy. Happier than I have ever seen you. You were so proud of your new baby girl and we are so proud of you.

Congratulations! We love you! Welcome to motherhood!