OK...while Oliver is down and Elliott is in the midst of a milk coma, I am going to finally share the story of December 20th, 2010.

So, on the afternoon of the 19th, I was pretty certain that "tonight was the night". I spent a few hours feeling pretty crampy and very aware that something was happening. I even went so far as to call my mom and my sister to give them the heads up that they will probably be getting a phone call sometime overnight. I went on a long walk with a girlfriend and I was really getting excited...the reality of what was going to take place was sinking in and I was just so pumped and ready to meet this new little one. Our Bible Study Christmas party was planned for that night and although I thought about not going, Sean thought it would be a good excuse to get out of the house and kill some time while I was still pretty comfortable and I agreed. The party was so much fun and I am glad we went but almost as soon as we arrived, all the feelings I had been feeling went right out the window...not even a little hint of a contraction.....and I was so bummed! The timing would have been ideal (Sean was off from work, Ollie could go down for bed and not even know that I was gone and Sean's mom and her husband were even in Sacramento for a wedding and were available to watch Oliver if needed) but it was not to be. Sean's mom and her husband Gary even stopped by later that night before heading back to the Bay Area and asked if I wanted them to stay just in case and I said no- I felt so not-in-labor that I was totally convinced that I still had a few more days to go.

But as it turned out...

That would not be the case!

After a good night's sleep for Sean and Oliver (of course I couldn't sleep), I had some nice regular contractions starting at about 8am and I knew by 8:30 that THIS WAS IT!!! I had no idea what to expect as far as how much time I had so we just went about our usual activities, secretly enjoying the fact that today would be the day we would get to meet our baby...we just didn't know when. As usual, we went to Starbucks and then took Oliver to the park across the street to run around and play before the rains came again. By now, it was pretty clear to me that things were picking up but I could hear Sean telling people on the phone that "it looks like things are getting started but it is just the beginning and we still have a long time" and although I wanted to kill him, I was too focused on getting through my contractions to really care. We came home from the park around 11:30 and gave Ollie a bath and then fed him some lunch.

I was so impressed and touched by my little boy- he seemed to know instinctively that something was going on but instead of selfishly wanting me to give him more attention or hold him or act out, he was completely protective of me. He stood no further than 2 feet from me all day and he was very gentle and sweet. I could tell that he was concerned for me. Looking back, even this was a welcome distraction from the pain. Since I didn't want him to be afraid, I had to smile and talk calmly to him about other things while I was really hurting.

At this time, I really had to focus and I went to lay down on the bed in Oliver's room. And of course, Oliver was right behind me. I was a little frustrated but I knew that there was no better alternative so I just let him join me. He was so sweet and laid down next to me and patted my face and spoke in a soft voice. Then he curled up next to me and called out to Sean to make him a "dadu" (a bottle). It was just about his nap time anyways so Sean brought him a bottle and I got to snuggle him to sleep listening to the lullaby Christmas carols that we put on for him at night. For the last few weeks, every night when I am rocking him to sleep, I wonder to myself if this is the last time I will get to be only Oliver's mommy and not have to divide my attention to anyone else. I spend those minutes just looking at my precious child and cherishing the last few days of our "just-us-ness" and wondering if this is it. Well, this was definitely "it" and it was such a treat to get to snuggle my first born knowing that after today, things would be different, but wonderful in so many other ways, but still different. This moment will stay with me forever and I truly believe it was a little gift from God.

Ok...so now that Oliver was down and I no longer had to focus on making sure he was OK, I knew that things were going to pick up fast from here. It was like my window of opportunity had arrived and psychologically, there was nothing else keeping me from being ready to have this baby. I came out of Oliver's room and told Sean that as soon as his sister returned from the store, that we had better get to the hospital. Although I was trying to labor at home as long as I could, I was planning for a water birth and I really wanted to get settled in and "in the zone" as soon as possible. Since I had Oliver at home, I wasn't sure what the drive to the hospital or the registration situation would be like and I didn't want to have a chaotic experience. When we walked into the birthing center at about 1:30 pm, I don't think that anyone believed me that I was really in labor. They directed me to a room and told me someone would be there to set me up for monitoring....we waited probably for 15 minutes and then I had to get set up and monitored! The protocol is to monitor me for 20 minutes to determine if I am really in labor (uh....let me tell you, I was) and then admit me officially. Well after about 5 minutes of monitoring it was clear to everyone that yes, I was in labor. The midwife checked me and I was at 8 cm, 100% effaced and at +2 station....yes, I was in labor.

After that, things moved pretty quickly: I got into the tub (let me tell you, if you have to be in labor, be in labor in a tub of hot water...it felt so good that I was actually afraid that my labor might stop), my sister and my mom and my best friend showed up to support me and share in our joy and at 3:16pm, 8lb. 12oz. Elliott Gray Holleman was born!!

Here are some pictures from the day:

This was after our trip to the park in the rain. Ollie is fresh out of the tub and is totally naked except for Daddy watch- someone had to time the contractions!

Like I said, one of the best parts of the whole day was getting to spend some last few moments together with my only baby. I love this little guy so much. I am so blessed to be his mama.

Oliver took very good care of me- I love his little spirit.

With Oliver down and Auntie Kalani here to stay with him, it was time to go. (do not be deceived by my casual look- I looked up from a very intense contraction to smile for the camera!)

This is the part where they monitored me to make sure I was actually in labor. By the way, this was my first hospitalization- very different to be the patient in the bed but all the nurses and staff here were amazing!

Elliott is here! It was very, very exciting to see who this little person is and to find out his gender. I was really hoping for a boy and was thrilled to discover that he was. There are simply no words for the love you instantly have for this little, squishy and limp baby from the moment they are born. It is like you knew them and have loved them all along but are finally just meeting for the first time...ah, the miracle of life...so overwhelming and so beautiful.

Just a minute old...

Elliott pooped 3 or 4 times in the first hour of his life so the nurse just put him back in tub for a little bath. She let him "swim" in there for a minute and he seemed to be very relaxed...and very cute :)

I am so glad that my mom was there to witness this part of my life and Elliott's life. My mom always tells us the story of how she always loved the look of a man with a cleft chin and that when my brother Benny was born with one, she felt like it was a little personal gift to her from God. We don't know where in the family DNA it comes from but Elliott has one too!

My beautiful sister Alice and her new nephew. Alice has a gift of knowing what to say and when to say it during labor/delivery and I would not want to go through it without her.

And, my best friend Evangeline- who has 5 children of her own but has never gotten to see a birth. It was such a wonderful time to be surrounded by the most special women in my life.

And the real prize at the end of all that hard work. My beautiful son.

Sean's mom Gloria with her 4th grandson.

And Auntie Kalani

A few hours old and already looking different.

I love his hair and the crossed arms.

And of course, Dada! (my boys are so lucky!!)

Sean and his father, Jack.

Grandma Ellen!

Holleman baby, Round 2....are we really ready for this? :)

Getting ready to go home...

I highly recommend this place!

Good thing we had a boy...this is the outfit I had for whoever it was going to be :)

Let's go Elliott...there is a special person waiting at home to meet you!!