I always say that my son, Mason, was an "unplanned blessing." You know the 99.9 % effectiveness of the birth control pill? Mason is here because of that other 0.01 % (so, yes, it happens). I was at a place in my life that was about as far away from being a parent as you can possibly get. But, God works in mysterious ways! And then, I had no idea I was pregnant until I was 17 weeks pregnant! I KNOW! I had gone off the pill after the relationship ended, and because I had been on it for so long, my doctor told me to expect that my body would go nuts. I spotted for 3 months and had sore breasts, so I chalked it up to stopping the pill. Soon, I could not ignore the AGONIZING breast soreness, pickle cravings, and weight gain. The doctor asked when the last REGULAR period I had was, and it had been in May (this was October). She said, "I think we will skip the blood test, and go straight to the ultrasound machine!" And the most amazing moment of my life up to that point: I heard Mason's heartbeat and saw him moving. He was already not shy: he had his legs spread wide open, and the doctor said, "well, it is definitely a boy!" The next day I felt him kick for the first time. My pregnancy was wonderful, although I had contractions in the 6th and 7th months, and had to rest and drink more water. Then at 39 weeks, the week of St. Patrick's day, my blood pressure had shot up, so the doctor sent me for an emergency test at Huntsville Hospital. When they called my OB with the results, she decided to induce me. They gave me Cervadil, and then several hours later started the Pitocin. By the time I got to 3 cm, I was in a great deal of pain, and had no pain meds (and they said it wasn't time for the epidural). I was holding/squeezing my Mama's hand, and she was an angel...talking very softly, moving my hair out of my face, smiling at me telling me how strong I was. I couldn't have asked for more at that time. The pain got so bad I started crying. I sent my Dad and Stepdad out of the room because I needed complete quiet.! After I had been in labor for 24 hours (yeah), I had only gotten to 4cm, and the doctor said we had to do a C-section. I was so upset and scared, but I had no time to worry before they were prepping me. The hardest part (okay, not really, after 24 hrs. of labor) was being seperated from my Mom. I was so scared. Then Mama came and held my hand. I remember thinking about the irony of being 30 yrs.old and needing my Mom so much in the process of becoming a Mom myself. I felt lots of tugging, and then they pulled Mason out. There were a couple of seconds of silence, and I asked Mama if he was okay. Right about then, he started crying, and so did I and so did Mama! It was the most wonderful moment of my life. Thank God for His miracles, and for those things that He gives us that WE NEVER KNEW WE ALWAYS WANTED. My little Mason miracle is 6 1/2 mos. old now, and very happy and healthy. My cup overflows!