So much has happened this past week with the birth of the newest Smith addition! 

My labor started on Tuesday morning, July 30, and I felt a little leakage (I was thinking this was the start of my water breaking) and contractions were regular, but manageable.  I was relieved my body was going to labor on its own since I had an induction scheduled the same morning due to the estimated weight of the baby (8 lbs., 14 oz) and my gestational diabetes.

To make a long day and story short, I walked the hospital halls for most of the day with my husband (my awesome labor coach) and was gradually making progress moving from 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 cm. with my cervical changes.   Eventually, when I was ready to push, Baby Smith's head was sideways, instead of face down so when I was pushing, the baby was not moving. :-(  I did not have any pain meds so this was my 5th natural birth and it was the toughest due to this little "complication."  I was so ready to push, but the labor nurse and my husband kept saying breathe through the hard contractions!  Aaaaaaa!!!!!! I was so tired, not eating since breakfast, and it was getting to be 4:00 in the afternoon.
Finally, Baby Smith turned in the correct delivery position and SHE came out to meet us at 6:04 PM!  It was an unexpected long and hard labor since I thought with baby #5 my labor would be alot shorter and quicker.  But, we are so thankful she was healthy and strong and what a wonderful blessing!      

Leah Therese (pronounced "Ter-rez" in honor of St. Therese of Lisieux) a.k.a. Cupcake #5, was born on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 6:04 PM weighing 8 lbs., 11 oz., 21 in. long.