On the morning of Sunday, August 28th I started having contractions that were very consistent every 4-5 minutes. The rule is to head to the hospital once you've had contractions every 5 minutes for an hour, so off we went. This is a quick picture we took just before jumping in the car.
We were so excited that our baby was finally going to arrive! We got to the hospital and I was hooked up to the monitors and sure enough the contractions were real! Unfortunately, they weren't progressing much. After an hour of speed walking in the hospital (Aaron timed my laps and I was able to beat my time with each one!) we went back in to check on the progress. We were very disappointed to hear that there was minimal change - BOOO! They sent us home, but said they were sure they'd see us later that day. My parents headed down from Moscow so they'd be here in time for the baby's arrival.
The contractions got mildly stronger - just enough to keep me from sleeping Sunday night, but not enough to make me feel like I should rush into the hospital. I saw the doctor Monday morning and things had progressed a little, but she said to go home so I wouldn't have to spend all day in the hospital. She was sure the baby would be born later that day though. By that evening I was really frustrated that we still weren't in the hospital and that maybe my parents made the 6 hour trip for no reason. After we got Zoë to bed Monday night, Aaron and I decided to go on a brisk walk. Somehow he convinced me to do some jogging intervals (40 seconds of jogging, then 1 minute of walking) for about 1/2 hour. Let me tell you, that got the contractions going! At about midnight I woke him and said we should probably head to the hospital. Here's a picture of me arriving at the hospital and hoping that they would decide to keep me there!
The monitors showed that I was definitely having stronger contractions every 2-5 minutes, but they still made me go walk for an hour before they would decide that I needed to stay. I was so relieved when they told me I could stay and have my baby!!!!
Unfortunately, my labor then slowed again, so at 8:00 Tuesday morning (after a second night of no sleep) my doctor broke my water. Labor picked up after that and Liam was born at 1:21pm!
This is how Liam enjoys most of his stroller rides
Here are Zoë and Liam testing out the double stroller for the first time. This has worked very well and Zoë loves having Liam sitting next to her where she can keep an eye on him.
Liam has been practicing waving and making all sorts of faces!
We spend much of our time admiring Liam.
Zoë likes to take her baby for a walk just like mommy does with Liam
Liam hanging out with his cousin Naomi who is 2 1/2 weeks older than him.
Looking for squirrels in the shade of our back yard.
Napping
Hanging out with friends and their babies/toddlers. These are two of Aaron's good friends from high school. Tony has Ambrose (12 weeks old) and Joe has Jack (2 1/2 years old) and Luke (2 weeks old - 1 day older than Liam)
Even though it takes us a lot longer to get out the door now, we still manage to make it to the park most days!
Zoë Liam 
Zoë Liam 
Liam Zoë 
Liam Zoë 
Here's our little man getting ready to head home from the hospital.
The monitors showed that I was definitely having stronger contractions every 2-5 minutes, but they still made me go walk for an hour before they would decide that I needed to stay. I was so relieved when they told me I could stay and have my baby!!!! 
