Baby's Birth Date: March 22, 2007
Baby's Weight: 4 pounds, 12 ounces
Baby's Height: 17 inches
Palmyra, PA

"Our estimated due date was Mother's Day 2007! The first trimester passed, along with the second, and then the 3rd hit!"

"On March 18th, a year to the day my pappy passed away my water broke. I was at the end of my 7th month, just 3 more days to my 8th month! We rushed to the hospital after talking to the OB on call."

"Dr. Eugene made sure my water had indeed broke. The nurses immediately hooked me up on machines to monitor Clayton and my contractions. They also gave me a steroid shot for his lungs, to help them mature."

" The next day I had an amnio done, the doctor was great, he reassured me that he would not hurt the baby and everything would be ok and it was! I had no infection to cause premature labor, so back down to Labor and Delivery I went."

"The NICU doctor came down to speak with us and told us that a baby born at 8 months has the same chance as a full term baby. So that really relieved us! But they did tell me that when he was born, he would probably be whisked away to the NICU before I could see him. My OB also told me that if I don't go into labor in 2 weeks, they would induce me on 4/11. I hoped and prayed that Clayton would stay in there a little longer."

"Wednesday they moved me up to the Post Maternity Ward, my husband went home for the first time in days. Later that night, my nurse came in and did a NST to make sure everything was okay. At one time Clayton's heart rate dipped down and she became concerned, but when she talked to the OB he reassured her and me that all was well! My nurse was nice enough to let the machine run, so I could have a copy of his heart rate for my scrapbook."

"Thursday morning around 2am, I went into full blown labor. The nurses were so great, they had me down to Labor and Delivery before I could even call my husband. Angela was my nurse, I'll never forget her. She is definitely an angel!! At 6am I received my epidural and fell back to sleep until noon. At 12:15pm, I started to push, Angela and my husband cheered me on as I gave birth to a 4lb 12oz, 17 inch long baby boy with a full head of hair, he came out screaming and much to our surprise I got to hold and cuddle him, before heading up to the NICU. "

"Clayton ended up spending 13 days in the NICU before being sent home. The NICU nurses were so great, they explained everything to my husband and I. They didn't get mad when I would call and ask how his 8 pm feeding went. They reassured me and taught me so much! I will be forever grateful to all my nurses, they all went above and beyond their duty to make me comfortable and to make my birthing experience the best it could be."

"To the nurses I say thank you so much!"

"Clayton is now 5 months old, 15lbs 8oz, 25 inches long and is doing wonderful."