E's arrival:

I had been insisting for weeks, in spite of baby boy #3's due date being July 11, that he would in fact come in June.  The end of the month crept closer and closer and my body was having LOTS preparing contractions/surges. The plan was to have a lovely baby shower on June 30th in the morning, therefore I gave him ample warning... come before then, or after, but please not on the 30th.  The morning of the 30th arrives, with a good nights rest behind us, the normal Braxton Hicks were active during breakfast, however I had another telling sign... told hubby and my midwife... but I knew he wouldn't be there in the next few hours so I enjoyed a lovely baby shower with all my dear friends, all the while secretly in the early stages of labor.

While the boys played in the pool, my afternoon held a lovely nap at my moms house. During the nap the surges continued in a pattern confirming the labor was commencing! In order to help this process along, our family of four stopped at the (cringe) mall- for the kids to have a little more indoor play and mommy could make serious business of walking! By the time I walked from one end around the edges completely to the other end where the kids and daddy were I gave Steve the 'look' of "yeah, I'm ready to be home now..." So of course we took the extra half hour to walk to the food court and feed the boys some sort of Asian fare. And then we drove home.  

To this point I really was comfortable but aware of the shift of energy in my body, but completely comfortable and not in pain.

We rallied the two helpers who would attend us and shortly they were at our home.  I cranked my favorite band and danced around the house while my mom put the boys through the bedtime routine, and my sister and husband chatted and readied the birth pool. When the children were asleep, we changed to my more subtle birth playlist. At approximately 9 pm my surges were bringing me to a place of concentration and focus but I was surprisingly 'human' in between each. I enjoyed walking around and talking as normal between them.

At 10:30 my midwife and friend arrived, I suggested that she check my progress. As a midwife it was no surprise to me that I was dilated 5-6 cm. Almost as clockwork, my contractions picked up in pressure intensity. I worked through each using a variety of techniques: TKM, hypnobirthing visualizations, counting and spiraling my mid-section. It was amazing the difference a positive mindset and attitude had to bring me to a place of 'mind over matter' in labor. I remember between surges wandering over to my mom and musing to her it 'wasn't hurting, just lots of pressure.'

At this point I was having closer and stronger surges- knowing when I entered the water I would be ready to push, I allowed myself three contractions more to 'work up to it mentally'.  When I stepped in at 1130pm I wasn't sure I was ready, but guided with love I sank in the warm water and immediately relaxed all of my muscles! My body enjoyed a time of rest just limply floating in the pool supported by my hubby, for about fifteen or twenty minutes. As I was enjoying my rest before the culmination of all the work my little Peanut, once again, had the hiccups. The top of the water was jumping with each of his little hiccups!

As I relaxed I watched the clock on my kitchen wall. Noting that we were getting very close to midnight, I chided: 'Little turkey! He is just waiting for July!' Moments later, the surges returned and I doubted my ability to cope, the pulling and pressure was great- even completely limp and relaxed in the warm water... we were close. I continued to talk to my baby and continually prayed! I felt his position change with each of the remaining three contractions. I was the first to touch him as he entered this world and with a shout of... um... victory(?) he was born! I felt pure elation and praise to Yahweh who gave us our son at 00:01 July 1st!

July 1st, 2013 00:01

Weight 6lb 14 oz 

20 inches Long

37.5 hours..

I love birth.

I love the glorious first squall from a little one who still is glistening!

I like births that last through the night however I dislike the day after... so what better way to treat the day after than by NOT going to sleep. I mean it's really quite overrated. Ask me how I know this. This time around I decided to just go on with my planned day. Caffeine was my friend.

But the results are amazing... here are a few from the past few months...

Today Mama Worked

Every so often I am blessed to get to do my job! Being a midwife is my passion but my family currently trumphs even that! So, it's a blessing to get to attend a birth, even if it is sporadic and obviously, unplanned. While I was gone Daddy held down the fort! And this is proof that he did a great job... 'Look Ma, no TEARS!'

First Encounter:

The question that haunts parents nationwide:

How do you introduce the first child to the new sibling in a way to foster love and not resentment???

We tried a few 'tricks' folks had recommended and I think it worked well enough. Along with reading lots of family/new baby books prior to N's birth, L spent more and more quality time with his daddy and we talked about the baby needing mommy a lot. We planned the initial meet and greet to include: present for baby from L, present for L from baby, first moments of visual contact with baby lying on the bed in neutral territory.

It went off without a hitch and I'd say there is minimal emotional scarring involved (just kidding!) L has been very accepting of mommy taking care of the baby, and he has be especially connected with his daddy. I have been very conscientious to give L eye contact and lots of hugs and kisses as well as keeping the standard of obedience at the same level in an attempt to head off any boundary pushing.

We are extremely blessed that N is a 'good' baby... i.e. he hardly cries at all! This is making it much easier on mom and dad. I am realizing though that my diet needs to reflect the new baby tummy preferences so that we avoid the colicky nights some experience. No more bell peppers and limited dairy! It's worth the sacrifice. He's worth the sacrifice.. if you hadn't heard, N is AWESOME!

Here you see L meeting N for the first time!

Welcome Little One:

We want to share our wonderful new addition:

Arrived March 11, 2010

01:19am

Weighing in at 8lb 3oz and 21 1/8" long

He was born gently into the world at home

Sept 17th: Welcome Baby Clara!

On September 17th we welcomed our newest family member, Anna Clara! She is a darling little bundle! We wish she didn't live so far away, but were blessed with the time we were able to spend with her and her mom and dad. I will brag on both of them, they're great!

What we've been up to...

I have great guilt for not keeping up with posting.  I want to share with family and friends the things that are going on in our lives.. it just seems in the meantime life happens! You know, like 3 births in one week. (That's my life.) Steve is a champ in moments like those, and L. is a trooper even though he'd rather have his mommy! 

Here's some cute pictures from the camera we were late on uploading...

April 9th: enjoying the outdoors: 

"outside... ride... bike... tree... bug... whoa..." 

are just some of the things L. says at 18 months..

April 21st 09: Happily playing on the front porch in the nice weather

May 3rd: Ride with J. on the bikyle (bike/motercycle)

May 6th A glimps of a birth:

Jami (who just licensed!!), myself, the baby, and our  midwife/teacher Susan.

Do we look as tired as we were?

May12th 09 Mellissa and Doug Fun:

(L. can also say "train... puzzle... truck... bus...")

Five days old and loving life!

My son...... The most beautiful baby boy in the universe. We are simply loving our time with him day and night. We're over the humps most ladies face in breastfeeding and now we're just enjoying each moment as it comes. Currently L. is dosing on my chest as I recline on the sofa... suppressing sleep so as to update this blog.

There are no words to describe being a mother. And it is very true you don't understand a mother's love until you are one. It's the weight of the world in love. I would give anything for this little guy. And I appreciate my own mother and all that she has done for me through the years.

Last night as we watched him sleep I asked L. to say 5 days old forever.. to which my husband frowned and said he wanted him to grow up so he could do all the father-son things. Playing catch, learning about outdoors, camping, bugs. S. is such an awesome man. He's so present in our lives. He isn't off somewhere mentally- spaced out on what really matters. And until L. grows bigger Papa will have to be patient and love him like he is below.

L. is priority Number 1! And how could he not be with a face like an angel...


We are thrilled that he is here and he is entrusted to our care. May God find us to be faithful stewards of His precious little creation.

WE HAVE A SON!!!

Announcing L.
Born October 17th, 2007 at 10:44pm
Weighing in at 8 lbs. 6 oz. and 20 3/4 in. long!!
We are incredibly blessed!

More details from the birth upon request!