Just for fun...

Baby Post #1

Baby Post #2

Baby Post #3

Third Little Post

We have been blessed again with a wonderful healthy baby boy. The birth was a manifestation of prayers and tender mercies.
 

Birth Story:
A light discomfort in my lower back and lower abs began around 10:30pm Wednesday night. It felt stronger then the previous times I had thought I was having the baby (like three weeks ago). Yeah! I checked my bags to make sure I had everything and laid down to sleep. I was able to sleep with the light discomfort until 1pm. I laid in bed for another three hours with regular contractions in my back, trying to relax, imagining open spaces, the mountains, butterflies...by 4am I woke Seth up and told him I was tired of doing this by myself and needed him awake. He timed my contractions to make sure it was really time. Sure enough they were less then three minutes apart. He called my midwife Betty and told her we would be at the Birthing center in an hour. Through contractions I concentrated on breathing, and being open while my mom rubbed my lower back. Seth dropped the kids off at a friends, picked us up and we were on our way.

It was a 25 minute drive to the birthing center, but was not as bad as I had expected. After two contractions, I decided I needed to rest to have energy to push the baby out. So I rested. With conscious effort, I relaxed my whole body and focused on breathing. I think I had one or two more contractions that I just relaxed through, breathing. We took the exit and I felt a little pressure to push, "Oh, dear" I thought. We had about eight more minutes before we got there.

Once we got to the birthing center Betty wanted to check me on the examining table but shortly noticed I was in transition and I got in the tub. The warm water with lavender was awesome. I was surprised when she said I was only dilated to a 7 because I really thought I was ready to push. I asked what I should do and she said just try to relax and my body will know what to do. So I did. I leaned up against the edge of the tub rested my head on a tub pillow and relaxed. It was hard for Seth to tell when a contraction came on because I wasn't giving my usual cues, moaning, clenching, yelling, etc.

It took a lot of concentration to relax. I thought about the baby descending, opening up to make room for the little guy. I felt a little shift in pressure and hoped it meant it was time to push. I had my mom get Betty, who then instructed me to turn to one end of the tub. I was so ready. Betty confirmed it would be best to push when I had a contraction. I think it was three pushes and the baby was born. I was so happy. He was adorable. The cutest little face and long arms and legs. I double checked to make sure it was a boy and just loved him. He cried, but it was beautiful. Betty said she never had someone breath through pushing before. Seth said I made it look easy. EASY! I thought. It was really good, not sure about easy, but I know I had been blessed with an awesome birth.

Ian Ezra was born at 6:10am, 45minutes after we arrived at the Birthing center. He weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and measured 21 inches long. He has light brown hair with dark blue eyes.

We came home later Thursday morning. Little Miss loves to hold him while we are always reminding Gub to be careful, gentle, soft etc.

Three days old. Finally got the big boy to sit still enough to hold the baby.

Little miss and Ian the day he was born.

I give thanks to those who prayed for me and the baby, for a friend who had loaned me a Hypnobaby birthing manual which taught relaxation techniques. I also found the book "Ina May guild to childbirth" once again very encouraging.

Today (3 days old)

        Special thanks to my mom. She is amazing. She has attended the births of all three of my children. She gives such comfort and support. I really appreciated her help with projects we were able to complete while waiting for Ian's arrival and now her help with my kids, while taking care of the demands a household requires.Thank you.

July Birthdays

Little guy, 1 week old, little miss 2.

The month of July is, and will always be a big month for our family. We celebrated the birth of our two babies this week.  Little miss has a few more weeks before she is actually four, but with the arrival of number three, we decided to celebrate hers early (they share the same due date). 

 

Good friend, having babies around the same time. Eight more days baby!