My mom and I heading into the hospital at 6:30 on a pretty dreary Friday, October 21st morning.
Don't worry Cody didn't miss out on the fun, he's taking the picture.
It was pretty nice showing up to the hospital calmly and in zero pain. Not a bad way to start a labor and delivery. When I got to the hospital I was already around a 3 or 4.
Hanging out waiting for all the IVs to get up and running.
Trying not to smile and look like I'm having a tiring and miserable labor.
It took awhile for the contractions to get to a place of discomfort because they were afraid to turn the pitocin up past a 1 because they were waiting for other medicine to get in me and they knew my past history of fast deliveries. 
They broke my water around 9 am and increased the pitocin. About 10 am found me in increasing amounts of pain and sitting on a birthing ball. No, I did not know Cody was taking this picture because I was busy breathing through a contraction. Not the most flattering picture but it does rightly capture the moment. 
Still in pain but now trying not to laugh.
Up until this moment I was still going back and forth about getting an epidural. Since I've done it twice before, I knew I could probably do it without the drugs. I was also a little (ok, a lot) nervous about getting the needle stuck in my back. But once the contractions started coming on top of each other and I knew what was in front of me I opted for the drugs. I knew I could do it but why go through that pain if you don't have to?! Before the epidural was around a 5.
After the epidural, which was not super fun but also not horrible, kicked in I was feeling pretty awesome and in zero pain. My kind of labor! That lasted for about an hour until around 11:20ish I started feeling some waves of discomfort only on my left side. This of course started happening while Cody, my mom and the nurse were all gone getting lunch. Luckily, before the nurse left she checked me just to make sure and I was around a 7, so she knew not to take too long. When everyone got back I told the nurse (who was amazingly awesome, I really luck out with nurses) and she had me roll onto my left side. The discomfort turned into pretty intense pain and they had someone come and give me another dose of medicine. It did not help at all and they kept losing the baby's heartbeat, so they would have me roll back to my back to find it and then roll back onto my side only to lose it again. I was not worried though because I could still feel Hazel moving. I was feeling all of the labor pain on my left side and nothing on my right side; it was very weird and not too much fun. So the anesthesiologist that put in the epidural came back to see what he could do and gave me another dose of medicine. After a few more contractions and no lessening of pain, my nurse said, "Let me just check and see what is happening with this baby." She quickly announced to the room that we were having a baby right then and ran to get the doctor. Dr. Ross arrived, she also delivered Pepper, and they had to all help me get into the right position because after two extra doses of medicine I could not feel anything from the waist down, except for all the contraction pain on my left side of course. They told me to push with the next contraction. This was the most interesting part for me. I grabbed my legs, put my chin into my chest, held my breath and then...imagined what it would feel like to push. I thought for sure after the first "try" everyone would tell me to stop pretending and actually push but instead they announced that there was a top of the head. Then they told me to wait for the next contraction, THAT I could feel, and then to "push" again. I pretended to push again and presto, Hazel Jean, made her grand entrance into the world screaming with all her might. According to Cody and my mom, as she came out Hazel turned her head from looking at Cody to looking at my mom. And in keeping with the tradition established by her big brother and sister, the first thing Hazel did when placed onto my stomach was to pee all over me. However, Hazel took it one step further and kept peeing on all the nurses as well.
Hazel Jean was born at 12:29 pm.
8 lbs 11 ozs and 20 1/4 in
Gramma's first picture. I was so excited to finally have my mom in the delivery room and she was over-the-moon excited to be a part of the whole process. She was a great distraction and comfort and I only wish she had been there for the other two.
Hazel screaming and the doctor getting the cord ready for Cody to cut.
The moment from Cody's perspective. As always, I could not have gone through this experience without my rock. He is so great about staying calm and supporting me with all the decisions. He is also great about rubbing my back during contractions and telling me I'm doing a great job. Man, I love this man!
Daddy cutting the cord.
Morgan saw this picture and said, "Ugh, look how dirty she is." 
Newborn puffy face.
Having our first skin to skin moment.
Brave face from Mommy. 
First bath for Hazel.
I love how in this hospital everything happens in one room, labor, delivery, recovery and all things to do with baby. They have a cart waiting for her where they weigh and measure her, warm her up, clean her up and do anything else they need. All the doctors and nurses come to you to check on you and the baby. If I hadn't asked the first night for them to take her to the nursery for awhile, which the were reluctant to do, Hazel and I would never have left that room till it was time to go home. 
Taking it easy under the warmers.
A great shot of my IV and Hazel learning to eat. 
Hazel with her "spa" look.
That is the look of total relaxation.
This is also a great shot of her cheeks. One of the nurses said 4 of her 8 lbs were in her cheeks.
Because Hazel weighed a lot for her gestational age they had to test her blood sugar and she was low. After I fed her a little, they tested her again and it was still low so they had to supplement some with formula. I love this look of her just putting up with the whole burping process.
I wish o' wish I could wrap up a baby as well as the nurses.
Such a sweet little Hazel burrito.
Morgan and Pepper were so excited to come see their new little sister. They both kept ooohing and aaahing and wanting to touch her sweet little baby toes. They were both so cute.
My two girls.
Gramma Goodier with my crew.
Our family of five.
Taking a cue from other friends we had some presents ready for Morgan and Pepper from baby Hazel. Morgan showing off his new Captain Rex blaster. 
Baby Hazel brought Morgan and Pepper cameras so that they could take pictures of their new sister. It's a bit blurry but I loved this picture of Pepper taking a photo of Hazel and I.
A shot of Daddy.
Such a proud big brother.
Pepper is so excited to have a baby sister. She kept telling everyone about her baby sister. So cute. 
Super dad!
Poor little baby feet that kept getting pricked in their heels.
On Saturday, when they came to visit, Pepper was starting to have a problem not being able to crawl all over Mommy and have me to herself. I love my big girl's pouty face. Don't you just want to give her lots and lots of kisses?! I do! 
I often say that newborns are not my favorite stage of babies but I LOVE moments like this.
Hazel is turning out to be quite a snuggle bug.
Yay for little baby bums in the air.
By the end of our two day stay we had quite a list of nurses going. I was starting to get a bit confused by who was who but nevertheless I am so grateful to all of them for taking such great care of us.
One of my all time favorite pictures of Cody and one our new babies.
Sunday morning, Cody and Gramma took the kids to church. After sacrament meeting, Cody came up to the hospital to help Hazel and I get ready to go home. The labor and delivery floor got a bit busy right when we were trying to get checked out to go home so we didn't get out of there until after 2pm. I was getting anxious to get home and have our family all together.
Hazel all snuggled into her car seat with Auntie Jill's blanket and the hat we bought for her after we found out she was going to be a little girl.
Ready to roll home.
Hazel's first car trip.
Our first night as a whole family together was on Sunday. Pepper showing off the new trampoline that came home right before Hazel did. I hope this will help keep the kids entertained and tired during these long winter months to come.
Morgan taking it easy with his super manly fuzzy pink sweater vest.
Our family of five hanging out on the couch.
We are so grateful to have baby Hazel here safe and sound and home. She is only a few days old but already turning out to be one awesome little baby. She is a nursing champion and rarely cries, except during diaper changes. I love her sweet little baby spirit and watching how Morgan and Pepper just light up when they talk about her or watch her.
Thank you, baby Hazel for joining our family. We love you!
(I will make another post with videos as soon as I get them uploaded.)
Morgan with his awesome Jedi costume. He changed his mind often as to which Jedi he would be and would change colored lightsabers depending on who he was. I love his stance.
Morgan and Daddy showing off his skills.
Love my big dimpled Jedi.
Pepper was super excited to show off her fairy princess costume. It is safe to say she LOVED it!
A vision in pink.
A friend of mine here offered to help me make a jedi cloak for Morgan. I found the pattern online and mom and I went to get the fabric two days after I got home from the hospital. No rest for a mother of three I guess.
Heidi has some mad skills; big thanks to her as well.
Abby, Jack and Morgan October 2009
October 2010
October 2011
Morgan and Jack have the best "super hero" poses, they just crack me up.
And now for the next round of kids...
Ben and Pepper October 2009 
Ben, Gwendolyn and Pepper October 2010
October 2011
Becky's awesome way of announcing their big news. I love Jerry's, Man in the Yellow Hat, costume. Pepper was so excited to come home and tell me that Ben was Curious George and Jerry was his friend.
Jack and flapper Heather, who won the best costume award.
Pepper taking a water break.
Jedi Master Morgan fighting with Zeus while Pepper yells at them. Sounds like quite a party.
Now for the real fun.
Pepper is a big fan of trick or treating if you couldn't tell.
On Thursday morning, Morgan's school had a Halloween Parade at the end of school that the families could come and attend. At first they sang some songs and played around, and then they walked around and showed off their costumes. Pepper and Gwendolyn were very happy to join Morgan and Jack for all the fun. Luckily, Morgan's teacher is super nice and walked around holding the girls hands.
I have some videos that I will post later.
Akron City had Beggers Night on Saturday night from 5-7 so we invited some friends over to help us celebrate Halloween early and go trick or treating in our neighborhood.
The group is ready to go.
Heather and I stayed home with Hazel and Gwendolyn to hand out candy while the rest of the group went to gather more.
I love how patiently Morgan and Jack are at the door...or not.
No idea but very funny.
I think Morgan is trying to get Pepper to look at the camera. I love how she is just taking it and not screaming. This is her life.
I love my little fairy princess off on her quest for candy.
Hazel was a little lion. 
After all the candy collecting, we had a pizza feast and let the kids run off their sugar high for awhile.
Thanks to everyone for helping our family have a great Halloween and adjust to life with Hazel.
