When I found out I was pregnant last July, I immediately called my mom. We laughed and cried and then she suggested I tell Michael! "Oh, yeah," I said.

I didn't want it to be just a nonchalant insert into a conversation, and I didn't want to just declare it, so I put the test in a zip-lock bag and packed it into his lunch. He pretty much overlooked it, so I removed the napkin covering it, and handed it to him. His eyes lit up, and he said, "We're having a baby?"

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to have a home birth. My older sister had done it numerous times, and it seemed so simple. She just sent the kids to my parents' house and when they came back, there was a baby! (Now I know there’s a little more that goes into it).

I researched midwives of St. George online, and thanks to google, I found Janae. Michael and I talked about her and the information on her site before calling to set up a free consultation. It was a great step for us. We visited with her, and she gave us some information on midwifery to take home. I read the packet, told Michael what I wanted to do, and called Janae back to set up our first prenatal visit!

Morning sickness hit at 6 weeks and was gone by 12 weeks (with lots of cottage cheese and fresh fruit in between). It was no fun. Looking back, it doesn't seem as bad as it did to me then. It's a good thing. I got to ride shotgun for every trip, and Michael wasn't allowed to cook bacon or any meat in the house.

We nicknamed our baby "Sev," which is short for Severus, who is my favorite Harry Potter character. An ultrasound confirmed it was a boy, and we were off and running! Ok, it was more like trotting on slow-mo tortoise legs, because my due date couldn't come soon enough, especially since my BP was high for the last several weeks, and I had to lay down as much as possible! BO-ring! Luckily, my boss is super-understanding and I adjusted my work schedule accordingly. Shout out to my friend, Melissa, who let me borrow some great movies to pass the time.

I nested, I napped and I waited...

I scheduled a maternity shoot with Amy Hummel for about 14 days before my due date. The shoot was freezing, and pretty quick and very well timed, as my water broke the next morning!

Again, I called my mom right away. Next I called Janae then Mike. I waited and cleaned some more...well, Mike did. I rested and put on make-up, thinking if Kortney Kardashian could look that good during labor, so could I. Riiight.

My contractions became stronger and soon felt like one long one, so Janae came over to set things up. She applied pressure to my lower back, which is where my labor was for its entirety, and taught Mike how to do it. He rubbed my back and put some hot towels on it, while I proclaimed over and over how I wanted my mom! (How her ears must have burned that night!)

I labored in the tub for a while, but a hand and knees position was best for me, so that was how I remained until.... finally, it was time to push!

At around midnight (March 1st) we delivered Walker. As Janae had predicted, I was exhausted. I remember wanting to just rest until Mike said, "He has a lot of hair, huh?" The magic words! I found the energy that comes with a new life. A few minutes later, Walker was born. Mike got to catch him and cut the cord. Then Janae weighed and measured him and gave him his first little bath, and me? Well, I slept in my own bed that night, with my new baby!

A home birth may not be right for everyone, but it was perfect for us. I'm so grateful for the strength I got from my husband, my mom and sisters, and even my brothers and dad. I have such confidence in Janae and even in myself!

It was a magical experience, and one that I hope to replicate with our future children!