Scarlett Jocelyn Strobelt

One day. That simple thought has been on my mind since I married Nick. That one day, when I was older and more mature, I would be a mother. It is what I thought about back in July when I put up her bassinet in our bedroom and what I thought about as I hung up her clothes after my baby shower. Every time I walked past a baby item in the past nine months I could not fathom that one day, very soon, I would have a baby of my own. But that day has finally come and I don't feel much older or any more mature. December 17 ( yes it has taken me a while to post) little Scarlett came screaming into this world at 5:47 pm. She was super tiny, only 6 pounds 2 ounces and 19.5 inches long.
I was hoping and praying she would come before Christmas. My brother Brady is coming into town for Christmas and I wanted him to see her. But mostly, I did not want to be in the hospital over Christmas. My mother said I had nothing to worry about since I would most definitely go to my due date of January 3. But I kept on hoping. She came on the most perfect day. Earlier in the week I was super busy. Monday I had an important dentist appointment, Tuesday Nick's graduation, and Wednesday my cute kitty Dixie was getting "fixed". All of this had to happen and everything did. I went into labor on Thursday! I was not feeling well Tuesday and Wednesday. I was having occasional painful contractions and I just felt achy and weird. Wednesday morning was pretty bad with irregular contractions and some spotting but by 8 am everything was fine. So I went to work. I was fine all day and night. 5 am Thursday I woke up from some severely bad contractions. I got up and walked around. I checked on Dixie and snuggled with her (remember she had surgery the day before and needed love). I went back to bed around 6 o'clock and then felt a sudden gush. I was in denial for about 30 minutes but my water really had broken. It was funny because the day before I was telling Nick that most women don't break go to the hospital because their water breaks. Only around 12 percent of women break their water naturally ( interesting fact). So when I woke up Nick and told him my water broke he laughed. Nick wanted to quickly get in the car and go screaming down the road to the hospital like in the movies. I told him I was still not sure if my water had really broken and that my contractions were not that bad ( like I said I was in denial). I took a shower and got all ready to go. Then we sat down and timed my contractions. Sure enough around 3 minutes apart and by then their was no denying the water breakage. We got to the hospital right at 7 am, just in time to watch all the nurses give report. They put me in triage after looking at my funny. I guess I was too calm when I told them I was in labor. They checked and sure enough I was in full blown labor dialated to a 3cm. They took me to my room and within the hour I had an IV and epidural ( which was painless, thanks to all who totally freaked me out). Then I was not dialating fast enough so I got pitocin, which is nasty stuff. The pitocin really increased the pain of the contractions and soon my epidural was not even working. For 45 minutes every contraction was so painful I almost fainted. I have no idea how my older sister Kimberly had 4 natural deliveries. Wow, she is amazing! Nick finally asked the nurse for help. Relief came quick with a nice bolus of "epidural stuff". Nothing really happened after that. To be honest my labor was long ( 12 hours) but it was so smooth and really enjoyable. During the 12 hours my family came and visited with me. My sisters, Caity and Clarah, were so excited they left school early. It was so exciting to tell every one that I was in labor and that our baby was finally coming.The best part of the day really was the delivery. I pushed for about 30 minutes with just Nick and my nurse. It was amazing to have Nick right there and help me push and be key part of the delivery. I prayed for nine months that I would have an experienced and calming nurse. My prays were answered, she could not have been better. ( Nurses really are amazing people with an amazing calling). My doctor came and within 2 contractions I heard the most glorius sound, my daughter's first cry. They layed her on my stomach and tried her off. The first thing I said when I saw her was " Nick, she looks just like you". And she does. I am so blessed to have had such a near perfect pregnancy, labor and delivery. I really would do it over again in a heart beat. It was the best day. It is amazing how quickly my life changed with that first cry. I am now a mother. The day that seemed so far away has arrived and I could not be more grateful.

This is the last pregnancy picture. Nick took it right before leaving for the hospital. I am exactly 38 weeks.



For some reason I love this sign. It is such a "nursey" thing to write stuff like this. It makes me just love that I am a nurse. Nurses really have the best job and can have such an impact on the whole delivery.

First picture of baby Scarlett. Her cry was so loud and then she cried for about 5 minutes after. She is a fiesty one for sure.

First family photo. Nick and I have never been happier that we were right then. To have Scarlett here and be so perfect.

Mother and daughter together at last. It is so weird to think that it was her along. Her that made me sick for 6 weeks, who always kicked me in the ribs, and ruined my nice abs. She is so,so worth it!

I have never seen Nick smile so big or be more excited then when Scarlett was born. He always wants to hold her (and smell her, he thinks she smells beautiful).

My sisters and dad were outside the door when she was born. Sadly, my mom was in Salt Lake but my dad held up his phone through the door and she got to hear Scarlett's first cry. They came in right after. I am so glad they were there. They made the experience that much more meaningful. I really felt loved that day with all the family and friend support.

After her first bath in the hospital. She is long and skinny, like her mom :) (or like I used to be)

About to go home. First time in the car seat and happy as a clam.

Home at last. We spent only a day in the hospital. I was feeling great and Scarlett could not have been healthier. Welcome home baby girl!

Everytime I look at her I am feeled with the most amazing graditude to my Heavely Father. To see how perfect she is I know that Nick and I's prayers have been answered. To see her perfect fingers and toes and to hear her make those soft baby sounds I know that I must always love and protect this little being. She is the best and most glorious Christmas gift. Ever other gift with be a far second to the one I have been given. I look at her and I feel the true meaning of Christmas... Love!