Giving credit when credits due

Reading my post last night, my fiance was a little put out that I failed to mention his significant role throughout my labor. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to Brody's dad and my wonderful fiance:

Jeff & my mom coaching me through a contraction

We did it!

Very proud daddy!

He did not lose that smile the whole time! Pre-labor I thought I would be the one to keep my cool. We went to baby classes, and had read The Bradley Birthing Method and had tried to educate ourselves as much as possible to have a successful natural birth. Upon arriving at the hospital he announced to the nurse on duty to absolutely not bring up an epidural, 'don't offer it, don't mention it, if we want it we will ask for it'.  He also made it very clear to the staff in our room that I wanted instant skin to skin contact, and when that didn't happen right away he was on top of it telling them to give Brody to  me. Not once did Jeff doubt that I could do it drug free. He was constantly by my side ( I wouldn't let him out of my sight) encouraging me and telling me I could do it, that he knew I could do it. He was completely calm the whole time, massaging my lower back during contractions, reassuring me when I thought I couldn't push a second longer, smiling at me while I let a slew of cuss words fly. And for the record, not once did I yell at him or blame him, instead I felt so bad that I was the one losing my cool I repeatedly told him how much I loved him. With a grin as big as they come, he announced to me when he could see Brody's head, and then before we knew it Brody was out and in our arms. We had both thought we would cry and be emotional in that pivotal moment, but I think we were both in so much shock that all we could do was stare at each other and at our precious baby. We had not been planning on having a baby that day at all, Brody came a week early. And in those early morning hours when I woke up with contractions, I told Jeff and he said ' it's not September' rolled  over and went back to sleep. Nothing could have prepared us for the euphoria we felt that day. I think that until you experience it yourself you never truly understand. It's still hard to put into words. But the moment Brody came into our lives, the moment we could physically hold him, time stopped and we both knew that we would do anything for our little bundle. No amount of staring at him was too much, it's still not, we catch each other just gazing at him all the time. I don't know how long it will take to have it truly set in, but I do know that Jeff and I will do everything in our power to provide for Brody and protect him and love him fiercely.