The Castellon Family: Happy Birthday, Daniel!

One year ago today, I had the most wonderful experience of my life thus far, by giving birth to my beautiful little boy! I woke up that morning just like any other day, got a bowl of cereal, and sat down to catch up on TV shows. As I was eating, I felt a POP, and a little wetness, but just thought I laughed too hard and sprung a leak (prego probs). I finish my cereal and go to the bathroom to feel that I was "peeing" for such a long time! I noticed something was off and started searching up "how do you know if your water breaks". I then got off the toilet to go wash my hands and a GUSH of water streamed down my legs..Water Broke! I called my husband, who was in school at this time, and he DID NOT believe me, and accused me of playing an April Fools Prank (you could imagine, a pregnant woman whose water just broke, followed by sudden painful contractions, hearing that she is JOKING) I could have killed the poor guy if he was in the same room as me. Needless to say, he was convinced and came home! In that time I took a nice shower, blow-dried my hair, did my make-up, and ate a snack. I called my best friend who out of town (just a couple hours north) and told her to get her butt home! I also called my mom, and Alex called his. OUR BABY WAS COMING! Around 12-1 p.m. we head to the hospital, signed in, and got settled in our delivery room. I was 3cm when I arrived, got everything done that the hospital needed, and asked for the epidural. However, they set it up so that I would get a little at a time, because I did not want the whole thing. This way, it took the edge off, but I still felt what was going on. I progressed fairly quick, and felt that "urge" to push around 7:30. The nurses still said I needed to dilate a little more, but we all knew that was not happening! The contractions were coming in HOT at this point and I literally felt like he was just going to fly out any second. Soon, the doctor came in and it was go time. I started pushing around 7:45 and getting used to the way to push correctly. I only had 3 people in the room, but everyone else was in the waiting room, and we had them on speaker phone through the whole thing (so awesome)! At 8:18 out came our BEAUTIFUL son! It was such a rush of emotions, so much love and happiness. I was able to grab him and pull him onto my chest with the last push, and that was the best moment of my life. If you are pregnant, DO IT!

This year has gone by way too fast, and I am honestly not ready for him to keep growing up! He has been the light in my darkest hours, and the instant smile I always need. Every day is a learning experience, for both of us, but I wouldn't trade this for anything else.