Brooklyn Ruth Riggs

After a rather difficult pregnancy our sweet little girl came to us on March 10th after a very short induced labor. (Or as Jackson has been explaining, "Mom went to the Dentist and got her baby out.")

I have been contracting quite frequently (anywhere between 4-20 min apart since about 25 weeks) and was put on medications to help stop the contractions. I was lucky that I didn't start to dilate until 31 weeks and was then told to "take it easy." Which everyone with children knows is  impossible. My sweet neighborhood ladies were nice to entertain my boys a few times a week so I was able to keep off my feet pretty well. There were many nights that I would debate going in to the hospital as my contractions were so close and painful, but ultimately I decided to hold off as it would slow down several hours later. I slowly started dilating over the next 7 weeks and was so grateful that we made it over 37 weeks and she was big enough to come at any time. I know that without all the priesthood blessings and prayers our little family would not have made it. I am truly grateful for loving family and friends.

At my 38 week appointment I was getting a little annoyed at hearing that I was 5 cm and 80% effaced but not in full labor, so they could not admit me to the hospital to have the baby. So miserably we carried on until our much anticipated induction date, March 10th.

We dropped the boys off at my mom's house the night before and John and I had a nice time going out to our favorite Chinese Restaurant, New Dragon Diner. 6:30 on D-day came early as it was day light saving time, but I was so ready and excited to meet this little girl I didn't mind.

Upon admission I found out I had dilated to 6 cm and 90% effaced. I immediately order my epidural as I was so excited at the thought of relief from those horrible contractions which constantly plagued me for so long. After I was nice and comfortable they started the Pitocin and we waited for Dr. Langer to be available to break my water. About an hour later she came in and broke my water. 45 min later I felt a lot of pressure, the room was set up, everyone was there and ready and within 3 contractions Brooklyn was here at 11:29 am.

It seemed to take forever until she started to cry, but soon after she made her presence known for quite some time.

Brooklyn Ruth Riggs

8 lbs 14 oz

19 1/4 in

Dr. Langer was surprised to hear that she was so large and said she would have never guessed that I would have had a baby that large.

Proud parents...we just love her already!

I am thrilled that she seems to have brown hair, I finally have some sort of claim on the appearance on 1 of our 3 children! I happily put a pale pink bow in her hair after her bath, I'm so excited to have a little girl! John just laughs that I get so gitty doing "girly" things with her already.

 Aunt Mari, Grandma and Grandpa Riggs and Lily were the first to come a see her.

Aunt Lauren and Uncle Dave came next... 

Great Grandma (aka Nana), Mom, me and Brooklyn...four generations. I am so blessed to have these ladies in my life!

 Then my little family of 5 now! The boys were surprised to see that my belly still looked like I had a baby in there, but were pleased that "she came out." Jackson in particular was very excited to hold her. Bradley just rolled with the flow and said cheese nonstop until we were done getting pictures. Unfortunately it was way past their bedtime and they started to fall apart toward the end of their visit. I am so thankful for my mom to take such good care of them while I was in the hospital.