He has arrived!!!!! This little brave took his time to make sure he was ready for the world, 10 days late. His birth was quick and beautiful and hard.
The evening consists of getting Jane to bed, cleaning the kitchen, doing the checklist of making sure we're ready when he decides to come, talking wih James and other do-dads. This night was much like all the rest. Except we were naughty and stayed up late. Then in the wee hour of 3:15 am I woke up to use the restroom and felt some pretty strong and consistent contractions. I had already experienced a few contractions throughout the last two weeks so thought maybe it was yet another false alarm, but no! These were consistent and strong. I tried going back to bed for a bit but they were not letting me. Attempting to wake up James I realized he'd need strength to help me when it got too hard, so I let him sleep for another half hour.
Timing began to get very close and I told Mister it was time to prepare to go to the birth center, around 5:45. I did not want an awful drive too late in the game plan. So we called my sweet neighbor who was to watch Miss Jane and she came over to take Jane for the day once she awoke. We informed the midwives that we'd be on our way and we packed up. The drive was beautiful. A glorious Idaho sunrise lit up the sky as we drove to bring a new little man into the world. Oh how lovely was the morning...William came into the world.
We got to the birth center and waited for a bit in the car as our great midwives traveled to meet us. Contractions were getting quite strong and close at this point and sweet James was my anchor. Once in the birth center I stood through all the first waves of pressure, leaning (hanging) on James or the bed. Then I got into the warm water of the bath. We had thought about a water birth and decided we would really like to experience and try it. The warm soothing water seemed I really help take the weight off of my aching limbs and soothed the pain. I hung over the edge with James right by. Then things started to pick up and we changed positions with James' legs in the water, sitting on the edge of the tub. It's amazing how long it feels for that opening to get big enough for he pushing to begin. Patiently breathing and relaxing is key, and is hard to do. Keeping focused is so important!
Then I felt the strong urges of pushing. Women who have had a baby naturally can relate to the excitement and utter exhaustion of this step. It takes EVERYTHING you've got to keep pushing through the pain and working with your body. I felt extremely exhausted having not slept a ton or eaten in a long while (both of which I learned a lesson from to never do again). But the mind is powerful and the woman's body is incredible. The desire to end the pain and to meet my little brave pushed me through (no pun intended ;), or maybe intended). I was hanging in James' arms and he truly added great strength and confidence in one of the hardest moments of my life. Good Husbands and Fathers are so important to Wives and Mothers! They truly add a strength just by their presence and touch. How grateful I am for my man.
Having William born was amazing, when you feel the body of your baby finally exit it is the most relieving and spiritual thing. He was born at 9:30 and was a little angel! He was peaceful, alert and perfect. I can't believe he's mine! I just kept telling him he was handsome, perfect and a brother! And I couldn't stop thanking James!
James got to clamp and cut the chord which was awesome. His chord was perfect and was the neatest twisty shape, we even got to feel the pulse of the blood still going to William. Placentas and chords are incredible, they provide life to a baby for 9 months!!! They are heavenly made for sure. It took me a while to "birth" my placenta because I was so exhausted and supposedly a water birth can make it take a little bit longer. But once that is out you feel empty and free. James got to have some sweet holding time while I got all washed up and then we both got to just be with William for a bit.
James went and got us breakfast sandwiches at Subway and I fed little William, who has a mighty good latch! It was special to just lay there and take him in. The midwives checked me and decided I'd need a few stitches, ugh. So I got to get all shot up and sewed which isn't the funnest, but a necessary evil after birth sometimes. Then it was time for the new born exam.
We were quite impressed at how calm little William was. He got his feet stamped, his body tugged and measured and weighed. He was a whopping 9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess that's what we get for a late baby, I was shocked he was that big. He seems quite grown up already and is so very alert and mature seeming. We love and adore this sweet bundle! We all took a little nap and then packed up to go home. So from beginning to end it was about a 12 hour process from start to finish of being back in our own home.
Our sweet neighbor brought Jane and dinner over and we got to introduce Jane to her baby brother. It was really sweet and she kept waving and saying "hi" to him. I hope and pray that they will be the best of buds! I also got a hand delivered beautiful bouquet from James' mother which made me feel so special!! It was a special little homecoming.
Little William fits right into our family and we love him so much already. He instantly captured his Daddy and Mommy's hearts forever!!! We love you our little brave boy!
