Melanie Carla Thornock

Melanie Carla Thornock was born this morning (August 23, 2014) at 7:03 am!!

Last night at about 10:40 my water broke. I was surprised, because I had not been feeling any contractions, but I immediately knew what it was when I felt the little snap before the gush. I ran to the bathroom and sat on the toilet, giving Spencer directions of the last minute things we had to take with us and we headed out the door! 

The picture's not very good, but don't we look excited?! We're on our way!

Checking in!  

And here we go! Last pregnant pictures! (There were still no contractions at this point.)

 After a series of pokes, prods, and tests, I got up to walk around for a while to get things moving along. Spencer walked with me for a while, around 2 am I told him he should get some sleep while he still could. He looks comfy, doesn't he?

 Eventually we got him some sheets and he pulled out the sleeper bed. Note the clock: 4:30am. He didn't know it, but he only had 30 minutes left before things got crazy!

From there, things progressed pretty quickly. I was dilated to a three when I was admitted (I had been at a one on Tuesday). Because my water had already broken, they said they would start a Pitocin drip to get contractions going at 5am if I wasn't showing good progress by then. They checked me around 4:50 and I was at a five. I figured I'd wake Spencer up at 5, but between 4:50 and 5 my contractions REALLY picked up and I decided I needed his support right then. They checked me at 5, and I was at an 8! At this point, I was ready for some pain killers, but I was informed that I was moving too quickly and they didn't want to risk them effecting the baby. By 6:30 I was ready to start pushing, and out she came at 7:03! It was really hard, but at least it was fast. Spencer and the nurses and doctor were all awesome at supporting me. They kept telling me that I was making great progress and the nurses coached me through the whole thing. Right when we got checked into the hospital Spencer gave me a blessing that I'd have the strength to do this, and that blessing was all that got me through at some points. I had to rely on that blessing, because everything else in me was exhausted. I did it in the end, and they put our little girl on my stomach as they started to clean her up and stitch me up. I was just completely awe-struck. Our baby was actually here.

She weighed in at 7 pounds 12 ounces and is 19.5 inches long.

Spencer was awesome. He held my hand and reassured me. And he nearly passed out when she was born. In the commotion right after she came out I heard him say that he was feeling kinda light headed, but nobody else heard him and I was a little preoccupied. He said it again a minute later and nurse sat him down and got him some orange juice. :) He sat by me and held my hand through all the work they had to do on me afterward. I tore fairly badly, so it took them forever to stitch me up and take care of all the post-baby stuff. It was painful (they did give me some pain meds eventually, but not until I was well into the recovery stuff) and I was totally worn out and it was just about all I could do not to cry.

After they took some measurements and did some tests, they gave her back to me for some skin to skin contact. She's a miracle.

He is one proud, tired Daddy.

The rest of the morning is a bit of a blur. Spencer and I held her a lot. We texted our families and I dozed a little bit between nurses popping in and out to check on me or Melanie. Eventually we decided on her name, and we signed her birth certificate and some other documents.

A little before lunch they moved us from the delivery room to the recovery room, where we will be staying until Monday. Spencer held Melanie a lot and I finally got a couple hours of sleep. Once I got some sleep and ate lunch, I was feeling much better. I'm still very sore, but every time I look over and see Melanie in Spencer's arms or look down at her in mine, I can't help but smile. Here are some pictures of our little girl.

She has hair! Lots of it!

She totally has Spencer's nose and hair, but when she cries she sometimes snorts. And that definitely comes from me. haha

 Long fingers.

And tiny, cute toes.

Every once in a while she lets out this "EEEP!", like a little chick. Just one. Then she proceeds to make a bunch of faces like she's choking, but she's still breathing.

 Spencer's Mom and Dad, Katy, Josh, Carrina, Collin, and Brigham came to visit tonight for a while. They took Spencer out for dinner, since he doesn't get hospital food like me. Oh, and I finally took a shower before they came!

We are so excited to have Melanie here! She is healthy and beautiful and absolutely perfect. :) I'm feeling good, all things considered. Recovery is going well. Thanks so much for all the prayers and support!