The Alcorn Story: A New Beginning

A lot has happened since our last post in December. Love has increased. Lives have changed. Magic has happened. Previous posts to this one covered a different chapter in our lives. A chapter in which our posts now seem to have been inferior, mundane and, at times even silly. We had a great time the past few years as we were able to grow closer together as a couple and develop charity towards each other. We have been able to travel, try new things and be spontaneous, but now we happily move on to the next novel of our lives, parenthood.

On Thursday, March 8, 2012 at approximately 2:00 AM a soft nudge on my shoulder interrupted my dream and brought me to reality.

"I think my water just broke!" The urgent voice belonged to my sweet, very pregnant wife. The tiredness in my eyes immediately left me. I was not expecting this interruption for a few more weeks, for Jolene had not yet begun to have any type of contraction and her due date was not until March 24th.

"Are you serious?" Was my reply as I sat up in bed. The latter end of this morning's conversation and everything else is kind of a blur. I remember grabbing the bag that we had already packed for the hospital and a few other things and getting in the car. The drive was not anything like I had seen in movies, I drove slow, almost dreamlike. I still was trying to convince myself that this was really happening. Once we arrived at the hospital, they took her into a room and tested to make sure that her water broke. It did. This was real.

By around 4:30 Jolene was still not in that much pain. Her contractions were weak and irregular so they gave her a small dose of pitocin to help the contractions become stronger and hurry up her labor. By 5:30 Jolene began to feel pain, but didn't feel like it was too extreme. She wanted to wait to get an epidural just in case she felt like she could handle the labor. To make the long story short, she ended up getting an epidural around 8:15 and immediately had to push until our little baby boy was born at 9:47 AM.

Logan Shane Alcorn weighed 7 lbs 6 oz and was 18.5 inches long. He was a healthy little boy and the only immediate concern that the doctor, Dr. Ludlow, had was that he did not cry that much. But after testing his oxygen levels, they came to the conclusion that he was just happy to finally be out. :) The hospital stay was relatively easy and we enjoyed seeing everyone that came to visit us and see Logan. We left the hospital Saturday morning with one more person than we arrived to the hospital with. Weird, but great!

We have enjoyed our little family and have had a wonderful first week with Logan. We are so thankful for all the help that everyone has offered and has given. My mom and dad were able to come down and spend the first weekend here as well as Jolene's mom and dad (they will have stayed for about 2 weeks this Saturday). This week and a half has been full of "firsts." We have learned a lot about Logan and I think he has been learning a lot about us.

We love Logan with all of our hearts. We would do anything for him. I just want him to be safe and grow up into a great person, just like his mommy is. Jolene has been so amazing. I look up to her for everything that she has gone through and done. She is the most amazing mommy that I could have possibly found. I love her with all my heart.

I thank my Heavenly Father for the trust that he has in us to raise such a special spirit. I sometimes am in awe of the task that He has given us, but I feel different now. For the first time in my life I feel ready to raise a child. I just hope that we can help our little guy gain his own testimony of the restored gospel and develop a strong love for our Savior. I understand a little more now of what Mary and Joseph went through in that little stable in Bethlehem. What a miraculous event that occurred that night! I know that Christ lives and helps us each day in our lives. If we are willing, he will help us change for the better every day. He will guide us and lead us until our hearts have become more in tune with His.

Enjoy the following pictures of our special little guy's first week at home!