...Jeremiah is one month old!!

It is crazy how quickly the last month has gone by. Here is his one month picture. :)

...we are a family of three!

Here are a few new pictures of Jeremiah. My cousin, Becca, took these photos and they turned out great! Thanks Becca!

The Regal Family - we are such a good looking group!

This is my favorite photo of Jeremiah and me (so far)! I love his expression!

Daddy and Jeremiah

...I am FINALLY a mom!

Jeremiah Thomas Regal was born on August 30, 2009 at 9:08 pm. He measured 21.5 inches and weighed 8 pounds 8 ounces. The circumference of his head measured 13.5 inches. He is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen (if I do say so myself)! He was born on Dave's Dad's birthday, which is pretty fun.

Dave and I went to the Twins game on Saturday, Aug. 29th for Eric and Aimee's bachelor/ette party. I had been having contractions since about 2 pm, but they were not constant. At 7:15 pm, I started having contractions every 5 minutes for 45 minutes. Then they were 3 minutes apart. We left the Twins game (they lost by the way) and headed home to grab our bags.

When we went to the hospital that night, I was only dilated to a 3 cm. They sent me home with a couple of pills to help me sleep. This didn't help, because I was still having contractions, so every few minutes I was awake again.

The next morning, Aug. 30th, I woke at about 6 am and continued to have contractions. I took a shower, a short nap and just went with them. Dave woke up at about 8 am and we went to the hospital again.

I was 3-4 cm when we got to the hospital that morning. They started me on pitocin and the contractions instantly became about 3 minutes apart and VERY INTENSE! It was hard, but I knew the baby was on his/her way.

Dave was WONDERFUL! He was so supportive! He did exactly what I wanted and needed. He was encouraging and loving. I couldn't have asked for a better coach and husband!

I had decided not to get an epidural, but the contractions were so intense and close together and I really needed to get some sleep. I ended up getting an epidural at about 6 pm. I had made it to 8 cm without a contraction and 7 cm during a contraction. I was pretty proud of myself for getting that far. Cindy (our nurse) said she thought it was best, because I would enjoy the birth much more and she was right.

I was able to rest for a couple of hours. Then the baby decided he/she wanted to come, so I had to start pushing. Cindy predicted that I would have the baby at 9:07 pm - she was wrong though and he decided to come at 9:08 pm. It was wonderful!

He was the most beautiful person I have ever seen, he still is. :) I only pushed for 37 minutes (which is really short according to Cindy). After the birth, Jeremiah was placed on my chest and we bonded for awhile. When the doctor (Dr. Goralski) told us it was a boy, we weren't very surprised. Dave said he was like great, but not surprised at all.

I had a lot of tearing, which really stinks, but it is worth it! The breastfeeding was easy right away in the hospital. It had gotten harder when we got home, but is getting better every day.

Well, that is all I can really think to write about right now. I just wanted a record of one of the best days of my entire life - August 30th, 2009!! More photos and stories to come.

...I am 5 days over due.

I thought for sure that I would be going early, but I guess not. This baby seems to be really stuborn about coming out into the world.

The nice thing is that I have been able to do a lot of stuff I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do this week...fair and Twins game tonight for Eric and Aimee's bachelor/ette party.

I am being induced on Sunday night (only about a day and a half from now), which I am looking forward to, but not at the same time. I really hope the baby decides to start coming before the induction, so that I can have less intervention, but it is also nice to have an ending in sight.

Come on Baby Regal! We want to meet you!

...I was able to go to the fair this year.

We have family friends in town this week (Linda, Lanie and Al) and now my uncle, Dale, just showed up yesterday. Last year, Linda and Lanie were visiting us and I talked about the State Fair and how it is one of the best things about Minnesota (which in my opinion it is :) ).

Anyway, they decided they were going to make another trip to MN and bring Al along to see this fair. I was really worried that I wasn't going to be able to join them when they went to the fair this year and I really don't think they believed me 100% about some of the things I told them, but they do now!

Well, they do now!! We went to the fair on opening day and had a blast! They seemed to get a huge kick out of all the people, food, animals and such. They didn't even get to see everything, so they will be returning (without me) next week.

I was there from about 11:30 am until about 6 pm. It was A LOT of walking, but nice. I was really hoping all the walking would help bring Baby Regal into the world a little faster, but so far no luck.

I ate THE BEST thing I ever ate at the fair too. It is the deep friend banana split. It was awesome!! It is located at Ole and Lena's cart right across from the beer garden and in front of the horse barn...just down from the midway. Everyone should give it a try.

I am so glad I was able to go to the fair this year, especially with our special guests who travelled here especially. :)

...I passed my due date.

My due date was Aug. 24th and today is Aug. 25th (well technically it is Aug. 26th as I write this, but the 25th is over). I had been hoping to give birth to the baby early, but it didn't happen.

As of my doctor's appointment on Aug. 24th at about 10 am, I was 1-2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I have to reach 10 cm dilated and 100% effaced. Effaced means "ripened". Dr. McEllistrem will induce me the night of Sunday, Aug. 30th (Dave's Dad's birthday) if I do not go into labor on my own this week.

I am glad to have an end in sight. I am really looking forward to meeting the baby, but I am getting impatient. Everyone keeps texting, calling or emailing me and asking me if the baby is here yet. It is getting annoying! I keep thinking (and I said it to Dave)...seriously if I had the baby you would know....it isn't like I am going to give birth and run away without telling anyone.

Anyway, just thought a little update would be nice.

...I have a crib in my house.

Today, Dave and I put together the baby's crib. It was a lot easier than I expected, although, I didn't do much. Here are some photos of the process.

Here is dad-to-be getting ready to get started.

Dave is getting started. He is even reading the directions!

Leg one is on and ready to go.

I even helped a little with the construction. But mostly, I read the directions and supervised. :)

Dad did a GREAT job putting the crib together! It looks awesome!

Now it is the mom-to-be's turn to work on the crib. I think I got the easy job...just laundry and decoration. :)

The final product! Now, all we need is the baby!! Hopefully, he/she will make his/her entrance into the world VERY soon!