In honor of Joey's first birthday I thought I would share with you all (in some cases-again) the birth story of my Joseph. I knew he was going to be big but that wasn't enough to convince me to not do this the natural way. Well as natural as possible considering I had to have an IV of pitocin to induce labor, was attached to monitors for 12 hours, had my bag of water artificially ruptured, and was told not to push when I needed to push. But, even with all of those things, going through with labor and delivery without an epidural was, perhaps, one of my most proud and defining moments of my life.

When I was at my OB's office for a annual pap a few months ago, I had the opportunity to ask her what the biggest baby she ever delivered was. She said she had delivered and 11+ pounder before but it was by c-section. She admitted that the largest baby she ever delivered vaginally was my Joseph at 10 pounds 3 ounces! I will take that badge of honor and run with it! I love my big 'ole baby!

Joey's Birth Story complete with high quality labor and delivery pictures compliments of Just Us Two photography.