One of the most fascinating things I did during my pregnancy was read birth stories. There’s a wide blogging community of folks who take the time to write up beautifully scripted and photographed posts documenting their births, and I knew from the start that I wanted to remember all the little details about Baby Eberle’s arrival. What I didn’t expect was that it would take me a full year to get the words down. So here we are — on Claire’s first birthday — remembering July 22, 2013.

The most miraculous day of my life started just like in the movies: My water broke at 1:30 a.m. while I was fast asleep. Unlike the movies, though, it broke with just a trickle — not the gush I expected. I woke Adam and we walked around a bit before deciding it was probably a false alarm. Unable to go back to sleep, I went downstairs…cleaned a little…sent a few work emails…talked to Pinot kitty. After about an hour I started having regular back pain and decided to wake Adam again.

This time we called the OB, who told me to come on to the hospital! I called my Dad and Margie (who booked the first flight out of Minnesota) and Mom, Erin, and Haley (who had each been ready for weeks). Then, while I showered, Adam called Michael, Mary Kay, and Bob to let them know it was go time!

We pulled into the hospital parking lot about 4:30 a.m. and said a quick prayer before going inside. We went up to the labor and delivery floor and before they’d admit us, the nurses decided to check my fluids to confirm whether my water did indeed break. They instructed us to walk a few laps around the floor while they ran the sample. By the time we came back to the desk, they told us it was positive. We were officially admitted and I measured 5 cm!

At that point we were approaching shift change, and we were introduced to Tisha (the GREATEST L&D nurse!) and told that Dr. Gorsuch would be delivering us. My contractions lasted through the morning at a manageable rate. Adam and I walked the halls for hours and I spent a while rocking on the exercise ball in our room. Every two hours they’d get me back in the bed to check our heart rates (mine and baby’s, not Adam’s!), but otherwise it was nice to have a little freedom to labor gradually.

We got word that Dad and Margie made their flight, and Mom, Erin, Haley, and Mari-Jo arrived just a few hours after we got to the hospital. They claimed a big space in the waiting room, and took turns coming to sit and talk with me. What a wonderful distraction!

Throughout the day we watched coverage of the Royal Family. As it turned out, Prince George was born the same day — just a few hours earlier.

Soon, Mary Kay, Dad, Margie, and Mary Pat all arrived, and I had the chance to hug, kiss, and visit with them, too. At 12:30 p.m. I was still only measuring 7 cm, and my OB realized that although my water technically broke, the baby’s head was so low that only a small amount had drained. That explained the less-movie-like wake-up…and the slow down in my dilation progression. The fix? A long tool and a quick (painless) pop. What wasn’t painless? The crazy intense contractions that began coming in waves moments later.

Suddenly I understood what the hype was about. I wanted music — then no music. I wanted touched — then no touch. I wanted to talk — then silence. I was super shaky during the transition period, and no matter what I did, I couldn’t get comfortable.

By 2 p.m. I was flat out exhausted, and although the nurses told me they thought I could make it through without an epidural, I decided to order one. I simply didn’t have the energy I felt I’d need to push — and my biggest fear was that I’d end up with an unplanned C-section. Unfortunately it took nearly a full hour for the anesthesiologist to arrive (the hospital was hoppin’, they told me), and I felt every single one of those 60 minutes. The good news was that my body was responding to the contractions…and by the time I got the epidural, I was measuring 9 cm.

From 3 til 3:30 I had an opportunity to rest. BEST DECISION EVER. I closed my eyes for a few minutes, and then Bob, Michael, and Ashley arrived and I had a chance to spend some sweet time with the whole family — such a blessing. What an incredible feeling to know that we had such a great team supporting us just down the hall!

At 3:30, it was time to push. Everyone left and Adam and I had our last few minutes as a family of two. Soon, the nurses put him to work — and Adam was there every step of the way, coaching and holding and counting and helping in more ways than I ever could have imagined. The OB told me it would only take about 30 minutes. Two (full!) hours later, at 5:30 p.m., our 7 pound, 14 ounce baby joined the world.

The nurses placed her directly on my chest, and we delayed clamping the cord for a bit to allow a little extra iron. We heard one loud, short cry, and I was so busy staring at my baby that it didn’t even occur to me that we didn’t yet know gender. Soon, the nurse asked Adam to check. “It’s a girl!” A GIRL. After months and months of saying “Baby Eberle,” Claire Elaine was here!

Adam texted our moms to let them know that baby was here and we were all well, and we enjoyed a little time — just the three of us — filled with tears and prayers and loads of kisses. Claire latched on perfectly and nursed for a few good minutes while Adam made our grand announcement to the waiting room. Let’s just say I could hear the happy screams all the way down the hall.

Everyone came to visit in shifts, and Adam got to walk Claire proudly around the room while I made a few calls to share our news with best friends. After a while the nurses gave Claire her first bath (which she loved!), measurements, and footprints as we prepared to move hospital rooms.

On our way down the hall we got to turn the key that plays Brahm’s Lullaby, a sweet sign to everyone in the hospital that a new life had just begun.

By the time we reached our room, we were absolutely exhausted (and we knew our families were too). Adam pulled out the oh-so-comfy sofa bed and we put our precious baby girl in the basinet between us. As cliche as it sounds, I knew right then what it meant to feel complete.

Our first night in the hospital was wonderful — Claire slept beautifully. The second was a little rough — she was cluster feeding and we stayed up all night. We checked out on Wednesday morning and came home to a decorated house and more love and support than we ever knew possible. God is so great. And our families are too!

We’ll be back later tonight with Claire’s 12-month picture!