My midwife expected me to deliver between 36-38 weeks. But school finals came and went. We had a full day to celebrate Alden’s birthday. The Fourth of July went out with a bang and still no baby.

My midwife, Lindsey, encouraged me to naturally induce labor through a sweep. She told me to get out and walk and expected I would go into labor that day sometime.

So I walked over 3 miles, dropping off my visiting teaching newsletters. That evening contractions started to kick in and I knew it was starting. Chad and I started a movie but I couldn’t sit still for more than a few minutes. Chad tried to get some sleep and I walked around the neighborhood to try and keep my mind off of the pain. After two loops I knew it was time to head to the hospital.

Chad grabbed Becky Jessop from next door and we headed out. Chad called Lindsey on the way. We checked into the hospital a little after 1:00 am. At 2:27 am we welcomed our little BOY!

Jasher Chad. 7 pounds 13 ounces, 19 inches long. A head of dark hair. He didn’t cry a bit. He just looked around wide eyed. He was an ugly, puffy, squashed-nose little gnome. And I couldn’t love him more! His first pictures are of quite a different little monster than the beauty is is now, four weeks later. The kids adore him. I was amazed at how quickly Alden learned the name Jasher. We all love being a family of 5.