On August 13, 2009 I was induced. I am writing this exactly a month and a few minutes from the time my daughter was born. Matthew and I called the hospital that morning at 5:30 to make sure they had a bed for me. We arrived at 6:30. My midwife came in and broke my water at 7:00. The contractions started to worsen by 11:30. I finally got my epidural at 1:30. It seemed like it took forever. By 4:00, I was at 10 cm and the pushing began. I pushed for 2 1/2 hours and was getting worried because I knew most doctors pulled the plug. I was determined to have this baby, so they let me continue. The next hour and a half the nurses and doctor began to get worried because ella was sunny side up. Her face was also turned forward. They told me at 8:00 that she wouldn't be able to come out vaginally. They prepared me for surgery and off we went. I looked at Matthew and said, "I am scared." It all happened so fast that I didn't have much time to think. Ella was so far down the birth canal that they had to push her all the way back up to get her out. That was the worst of it. 9:33 pm the nurse leaned down and said you have a baby girl. Then I heard her cry. It was so surreal. I couldn't believe after such a long day, she was finally here. They held her up to my face so I could see her, she was so beautiful. As they were cleaning her up, Our eyes met again for the second time. Matthew went out with Ella to get cleaned up, while I was stitched back up. 3 hours later, I got to hold Ella Reese Strickland for the first time. I fell in love with my 7 lbs 2 oz baby girl at that moment. She is now 4 weeks old. I can't believe how the time has passed. My love for her grows more and more each day. She has brought so many blessings to our lives already.