The turning of a page - the end of a chapter

I like to think of myself as a writer. I write mostly for myself, my children, my ancestors. My blog is a personal history of my family, my thoughts, my life. As I sit here in this hospital, I am reflecting on how many other times I have been here and how, as wonderful as it has been, I will never be here for this specific reason again. I am turning a page, ending a chapter of my life. I will never be pregnant again. I know you think you've heard me say this before, but I'm done. I've multiplied and replenished the earth with some of the most beautiful souls I will ever be priveledged to know...my own children.
It is with a sad heart that I end this chapter, but joyful as well. I have been blessed beyond measure with eight of the most beautiful babies you have ever seen, and that doesn't include my two angel babies whom I will meet in the eternities. Early this morning, I gave birth to a sweet little boy named Derek William. My body is older than it was 17 years ago when I started working on our family. I don't remember much from that delivery as I was practically a child and didn't realize how much a little something in my IV to take the edge off would affect me. I have since learned that I don't do well with IV drugs and that epidurals are the thing for me.
I have to say that this was the hardest last 6 weeks of pregnancy I've ever had. Grateful for modern technology and the ability to be induced, I showed up lastnight around 7pm, Ben at my side, as he has been for all of our children. We were in our room and started with the induction by 8:30 or so. I waited until much later than normal to get my epidural for fear of the baby being born on Christmas Day. Had I known it would be 7:47am the next day before he would arrive, I would have asked for it sooner. Early in the morning, after I had not progressed much at all, the Dr. mentioned the possibility of a C-section. I had to assume the baby was too big and was just not going to find its own way out. She gave in to my desire to wait it out a bit longer and she broke my water. I'm so glad we did. A few hours later, I felt that familiar feeling of pressure, and with a fabulous epidural, no pain. I felt that pressure for a long time as we waited for the baby to turn itself the right way to exit. I've never been so uncomfortable in my life. I'm a little embarrassed that by the time I finally knew he was about to arrive, I yelled out, "Get it out! Get it out!" Surrounded by three of my sisters, my mom, and Ben, Derek William made his way into the world.

So here are pics of the last 48 hours, more to come.

The last picture you'll ever see of me in this condition:)

Grandma Whetten was there for most of the 12 hours.

Ben, a proud dad. So glad his wish for one more son came true.

Baby Derek in my arms...finally.

All 9 pounds 15 ounces of him.

Thank you to my sweetheart who was so encouraging and supportive, especially at the end when I said, "I can't do this anymore!"

So lucky to have 3 of my sisters and my mom attend the birth. Donny was there for about 15 minutes, but he left. I'm not sure he liked what was going on about the time he arrived:)