Brayton Thomas O'Neil

Our sweet little boy was born on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 7:54 PM. He weighed 8.0 lbs and was 21 inches long. We are so happy to have him in our family!
It took a bit of discussion between Jeremy and I before we agreed on his name, as we had some ideas, but nothing concrete. Brayton is after the street on which the Anchorage LDS Temple is, where Jeremy and I were married for time & eternity. I always thought it would be a good boy's name. Thomas is a family name, however, we gave it to Brayton after our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who was ordained just after we found out we were pregnant.
Here's the labor & delivery time line for Thursday:
3:45 PM - I'm in the kitchen looking for something to eat and I feel a kick/pop at the top of my tummy and then 2 seconds later comes a gush. "Uh, Jeremy...my water broke!" We quickly pack a bag for me (yes, I totally procrastinated on that one) and the girls and find a place for them to go. Thank you so much Brent & Michelle!!!
4:15 PM - We head out and drop the girls off with the Johnstons then head to the hospital. By now, contractions have started but aren't too bad or too close.
4:30 PM - I'm checked in and go to triage to see if I'm in labor and to monitor contractions and the baby until I can get cleared to head to the labor room.
6:00 PM - I'm in my room and get to walk around a bit before getting strapped into monitors.
6:20 PM - The nurse says I'm dilated to 3cm...not too great of news since I am now in much more pain with each contraction and from the last 2 experiences, I know I've got a ways to go. I let Jeremy go to grab some dinner for himself since I figure I've got time.
7:00 PM - I ask for an epidural (again - I asked for it when I got to triage) and the nurse goes to see where the anesthesiologist is.
7:20 PM - A new nurse arrives and still no epidural...still in pain...bed-gripping, praying for relief, take-your-breath-away pain. I want that epidural!
7:30 PM - The anesthesiologist arrives and gives me an epidural. Jeremy gets back from dinner and gets to watch the procedure.
7:40 PM - I'm in total agony still. My legs are numb, but nothing else and a 2nd anesthesiologist arrives to put in his 2 cents - he says, "If your legs are numb, it's working." No, it's not. I feel EVERYTHING! He assures me it'll kick in. I'm not assured.
7:45 PM - I'm ticked off at the anesthesiologists because I just have numb legs and the contractions are getting way intense. They leave, still assuring me that it will kick in. The nurse decides to check me again and says I'm completely dilated and effaced (which is why the epidural is NOT taking any affect), but she wants another nurse to double-check and calls someone.
7:50 PM - The second nurse checks and concurs with the first nurse; yes, I'm at a 10! Where is the doctor?! They scramble to find Dr. Babin (who was on call that evening) and I'm feeling like I need to push NOW!
7:52 PM - The doctor arrives just in time to deliver Brayton.
7:54 PM - Brayton is here! He was gave a good cry & pinked up right away. It was the quickest labor & delivery thus far. I was a bit disappointed that I had to wait for the failed epidural to wear off so I could feel my legs again, but I was up and at 'em and in a lot less pain afterwards than I was with the girls. Third time's a charm I suppose!
Brayton is such a good eater and sleeper and is just a calm little baby. He loves to be swaddled and held close as he cries when he's unwrapped for a diaper change. He didn't even cry during the circumcision today! He just sucked on his pacifier (yup, he loves that too, just like Maddie) and did great.

The girls love him and want to smother him with hugs and kisses ALL the time. They have had a few tiffs over who gets to hold him. Maddie would cover him up with a blanket and give him his pacifier, then Abbie would come and take them away so she could kiss and love him. Maddie would follow behind and cover him up again. So far it hasn't been too bad with 3 kiddos. It is only the first day home though :)