JUNE LORETTA LANCASTER

I can't believe it.

I can't believe that she is here.

I can't believe how no one can prepare you.

I can't believe we made it through labor and delivery.

I can't believe how much I love this little girl.

She is here. I am going to BLOG all about it. I BRAG all about it. It is going to be a LONG blog post, so grab yourself a snack, get in a comfy chair, and get ready for our story.

Let me take you back to October 18th, 2011....

As many of you know I was complaining non-stop about her not coming, because I was purely expecting her to come early. My mom's flight was scheduled to come in on this day, so I called her and told her no baby. She changed it to the 20th. I went to my Dr. appointment and we decided it would be best to be induced on the 20th of October at 7:00 a.m. So that was the plan. I would go to the hospital the night before at 10:00p.m sleep at the hospital and be induced that morning.

Dan took half a day on Wednesday (the 19th) because I was very nervous so he kept me company and luckily the Ranger's were playing that night so my mind was pre-occupied with the game. (Well Kind of..) I couldn't eat or drink anything until after 4p.m. so Dan took me to a late lunch and we got ready for this baby.

9:50p.m arrives and I am ready to puke because of the excitement and nerves. I knew I wasn't having a baby until later the next day but still....

We got all checked in and they hooked me up to the monitors and we started our night. Not everything went according to plan.

The plan was to give me some medication to start softening my cervix. I can't remember the name.. Not petocine, but something else. It wasn't meant to put me into labor, just to help prepare to be induced on the next day. They knew it would be an uncomfortable night for me so they gave me Ambien to help me sleep through the night. If you have never taken Ambien before it does some crazy things to you.... That is an important part of the story.

So I took my drugs and hung out with Dan until the drugs started to work.

This picture was before anything started. I was just hooked up to the machines ready for a good nights sleep!

I DON'T REMEMBER MUCH....

Dan had to tell me what happened, so a lot of this story is second hand from Dan. Here is why:

The Ambien. It took control over my body. The problem was, was that I went into labor on my own, which was NOT supposed to happen. They took me off all medication and put me on my side to help slow down the contractions until they could get my doctor to the hospital.

(Remember Dan's Words)

I was getting prepared to get my epidural, but supposedly I was very uncooperative. They kept telling me to hold onto the pillow and bend my back, but I guess I was doing the opposite. I remember holding the pillow and wondering why I needed to hold the pillow, so I don't remember getting my epidural at all.

I am telling you it was the weirdest experience of my life. I remember certain parts, them telling me certain things, but Dan said for some reason I kept doing the opposite of what they said. My Doctor came in about 4:00a.m and I was ready to push... But again I wouldn't. Finally Dr. Hoffman (my OBGYN) had to get firm with me and I guess pretty much put me in my place. Dan said it was kinda funny, and I kept appologizing for not cooperating, but I just couldn't think straight in my mind how to do what they were saying. He also said that I was very polite and kept telling everyone thank you for the most random things. Again I do not remember any of this, but Dan said I acted alert and aware of everything!

I do remember the pressure, there was just so much pressure and I remember delivering her and feeling the instant relief. I remember talking to my Doctor about his new house and how moving was going... Guys I seriously do not know where my mind was.

In the end I was on labor for about 5 hours... I remember some labor pains, and I remember holding her in my arms for the first time, but than I was out cold. I don't remember even going into the postpartum room. It was a pretty wild night.

I am VERY SAD about not hearing her first cry, but Dan said she cried right away and that she got perfect scores on all her little tests.

SO INTRODUCING....

JUNE LORETTA LANCASTER

BORN: October 20, 2011

TIME: 4:51 am

WEIGHT: 7 lbs 14 oz

HEIGHT: 18"

So this is what I may have looked like. All smiles, feeling amazing and knowing exactly was was going on.

This is how it really was. I was out of it.

From what I can remember and what the nurses told me, Dan was Dan. AMAZING. He is already an amazing father. He was so supportive and calm.

"ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?" I love this photo. She doesn't cry she just has a very high pitched scream. I know its lovely!

I actually remember this. I was able to sleep off the Ambien and felt like a million bucks. It was an amazing feeling holding her in my arms. It is a feeling that no one can explain. The love I have for this girl the instant that I saw her was so over-powering. It is so true how you ask yourself, how could I have lived for so long with out this little girl in my life?

She has so much hair! She also has Dan's little ears. I am in love with her ears!

Proud Parents.

The look on Dan's face is nothing but pure love. This is one of my favorite pictures of Daddy and Daughter. Ya Dan hung out in the hospital bed a lot with me.

The next two days in the hospital were full of pictures, smilies and love of this little girl.

Here is why Dan is so amazing. The next morning it is just me, him and June in the room, and he pulls out these little diamond earrings. He got them for her when she is old enough for us to pierce her ears. They were so petite and just perfect. He then grabs another box and said that it only makes sense for June and her mother to having matching earrings. I got my very own pair of Diamond earrings to match my little Juniper. I can't express the amount of love I have for this man. No... not because he bought me and my daughter diamond earrings, but because the love that he has for his daughter and her mother. And yes... They're real. :)

GOING HOME: I was BEYOND ready to go home! Let me just say I am SO GRATEFUL for all the nurses who were watching out for June and me, but they were constantly coming in our room. I didn't get lack of sleep because of June, but because of the nurses. Dan and I counted and realized that a nurse was coming in almost every 8 minutes. It was a little much, but I guess necessary.

The first picture in her car seat and getting ready to come home.

Our first family photo.

Coming home to my mom at our place was amazing. The house was spotless she had dinner on and it smelled so good! It was warm and cozy, a perfect way to bring a newborn in the home.

Nana and June

INTRODUCING RANGER TO JUNE:

He was so excited to have us home after being gone for 3 days. He wanted to know what in the world we had in our hands. We tried to introduce them nice and slow.

Range was at a little hesitant at first, but slowly got more courage.

He sniffed for a while, tried to roll on top of her a couple times, but soon started ignoring her.

Now he is protective over her, he follows her everywhere and is always laying by her. It's pretty darn cute!!

This is how we spent the rest of the night.

These are things that I don't want to forget....

My nurse board. I don't think I would have been able to keep them all straight if it weren't for that board.

June's alligator animal from Nana

Dan having to sleep on the couch that turned into a bed. He slept horribly on it, so a lot of the time he spent laying with me.

Her little bed that she slept in. She spent most of the time asleep in my arms. I just couldn't put her down.

My bed that allowed me to go up and down without having to do a thing! It was pretty legit.

My water bottle. I'm not a huge fan of water and I had to drink 4 of those big things a day! It never happened!

We are a family. We are so in love with this little girl. We are tired. My mom has been amazing watching her and letting us get some sleep and plus making us all these meals and cleaning our house and everything else. I don't know how I will ever repay her.

She is now 5 days old. We are doing so well. She is a great little nurser and I feel really blessed that breast feeding is coming so easily for her and me. She is already gained back most of her birth weight. Ya she's a chunk! Everything is great.

I hope your still reading this, and that you enjoyed the story of how June Loretta Lancaster came into the world and has already changed our lives for the better.