Welcome to the World, Beckett King Smith

Beckett King Smith made his arrival Tuesday, July 19, 2011! Exactly 2 weeks early and not exactly the way I expected, but it was just as well. I was supposed to work through Friday, July 22nd, but was off Tuesday, July 19th because I had worked the weekend. So, I thought I'd take advantage of my day off (maybe this was my form of "nesting"), clean a little, and cook/prepare some meals to freeze before Beckett arrived. I spent a couple of hours digging through some magazines, websites and my all-inspiring sister-in-law's blog (Stephanie) to find some good "starter" easy, freezable recipes! And after my morning walk, I met my mom at Target to do a little shopping/grocery shopping prepared with a list and all, I managed to begin to tackle one of my fears...shopping to actually COOK. What a concept!

I don't cook.

I'm a dietitian and I don't cook. Yes, it happens to the best (or worst) of us! My poor (not really) husband has only been honored with about 3 meals in the 4 years we've been married! Such suffering, I know!

anyway, in the middle of preparing the first 2 meals I was attempting, I thought I was feeling what may be my water leaking. I won't describe it, but it's different. I mean, you lose a little control of a few bodily functions when you're pregnant, but this was different. I didn't want to believe it though. I was in denial, but again, thankful that I had my 38 week doctor's appointment that afternoon. So, continued on...I got 1 meal prepared and ready to freeze and left the other in the crock pot while I headed to the doctor.

And I never got to go home!... The visit with the doctor confirmed that my water was leaking and they wheeled me to the hospital, admitted me and hooked me up to IVs immediately! EEK!!!

I had secretly, excitedly anticipated each day that my water would break and I would go into labor, but at the same time was SO torn on when exactly when I wanted this to happen. AS IF, I got any say in the matter! HA!! I had beat my inner self up with "when is the best time/when do I want to/when does Justin want to/when is a good time to have the baby" scenarios! Most of this because:

1) i had planned to work until the 22nd, and was going to be off work for a good solid week before my due date - and THAT I was looking forward to. Maybe there would be some R&R and some planning and prepping before I actually had the baby!

2) Justin was leaving Sunday, July 24th to take the Bar exam...in Baton Rouge...and would be gone until Wed, July 27th!!

Ok. You see the dilemma?! My husband would HAVE to be gone for 4 days with about a week until my due date!!! YIKES!! a whole set of issues!!

1) will I have the baby while he's gone?

2) will he lack focus for his exam if he's worried about me

a) having a baby while he's gone or

b) at home w/ a baby

3) if i have him early, will he still be able to get some final studying? ...the list got endless in my mind!

(did you catch all of that...crazy thoughts in my head don't always make sense on paper!)

so, God took care of it all and Beckett arrived safely, smoothly and as easy as anyone could ask for! I was in labor for about 9 hrs and only pushed for 4 minutes. yes, 4 minutes!!

So, meet Beckett King Smith!

Born: 10:07pm, 8lbs 6oz, 20 in (not a small man!)

Ready to head home!!