Jill went into labor about 11:30pm on Thursday, February 17th. We started timing the contractions and felt that she should go to the hospital at about 1:00pm. There was a new fresh layer of snow on the ground, so it took about 50 minutes to get to the hospital (usually takes 30). Marilyn Jackson, our next door neighbor, was good enough to babysit for us.

After checking into the hospital, Jill did not progress (cervix dilation) for the first 3 hours, although the contractions continued. At that point (4:30 AM), the doctor recommended breaking her water, to which Jill agreed. After her water broke, then her cervix dilated from a 3 to a 10 within 2 hours.

The rest was picture perfect. She felt the urge to push at about 6:30, which is when the doctor came into the room and set up shop. Then Jill started pushing and had Parker out within 5 minutes.

See Parker facts for details on Parker's condition at birth.