11:30 p.m.

Alright guys we are getting soooooo close.  Melissa is a 9+.  The nurse is going to check her at midnight and if she is a 10, the pushing begins!!!!  Looks like it is going to be tomorrow before the little guy gets here.  That means that he will be born on my mom's birthday.  We are kind of exited about that actually because his birth date will be 2-1-12.  A date that will be very easy to remember!  Anywho...if there are still people following, hang in there!  Nixon will be here before you know it!  Pictures are soon to follow!

10:37 p.m.

The nurse came in yet again.  Melissa is now at an 8+...We are getting more and more anxious!!!!  Thanks so much for all the support from everyone.  We hope this has made it easier for everyone to keep in touch.  Melissa is still loving the epidural...she said the needle poke was definitely worth the pain relief!

9:30 p.m.

The nurse came in again and checked Melissa.  She is at a 7 now.  She is ready to be done do keep saying your prayers.  Nixon's heart beat is all over the place with Melissa's contractions.

8:41 p.m.

Melissa is progressing much faster now.  The nurse just came in and checked her.  She is already at a 6!!  Only 4 more cm to go.  Both of our parents are in town now so she can have it any time.  Tyler I agree with you...I think the baby is still coming by today!  Melissa still feels great and is very anxious to see this little guy.  For everyone who doesn't know, his name is going to be Nixon!

7:27 p.m.

Alright...Melissa's epidural has fully kicked in and she is on cloud nine!  She has finally been able to get comfortable and is loving life.  The nurse just barely checked her and she is dilated to a 4+.  That means in the last hour she dilated more than a centimeter!!  WOOT!! Hopefully that means she will progress fast from now on!  Thanks for everyones prayers and thoughts.  I will continue to keep you posted!

Pictures of the Trooper!

She is doing awesome people.  Keep praying for her though!

5:53

Alright people, Melissa has now had her epidural.  She held off as long as she could before she had it.  We were here for 9 hours before she got it.  Her legs are slowly going numb and she said they feel weird when I touch them.  She is still dilated to about a 3 and progressing still.  We are going to have a long night and the doctor guessed that the baby will come on Feb 1st.  My mom is pretty excited because that is her birthday.  Now with no pain hopefully Melissa can get some sleep.  She is starving because all they will let her have is ice, suckers and popsicles!