There are still so many special thoughts and feelings about Williams birth that I need to put down so I don't forget. So this post is dedicated to the little moments and details.
Our birth team was really James, William and I. I remember, even while in the last stages of labor thinking, "Man this is basically just James and I doing this! And baby boy on the other side." This was such a neat thought to me that we were already being a team even before little William entered the world. Trusting your body, your baby and your spouse really is so key in a natural birth! There is no other way to get you through it. But then we did have our great team of midwives there to make sure we were all safe as well. They really don't step in too much, only to monitor baby's heartbeat and make sure he's doing alright, and then they don't reallllly step in till the very end of pushing. They make sure baby is coming out safely and mama is not hyperventilating ;). I am so grateful for James. In both my babies births he's been right at my head letting me use him as support through the whole process. With not having a Doula this time I really needed him to be extra supportive, loving and strong.
One funny thing I forgot to write in Williams birth story was the wild whirlwind the morning of his birth. Just that evening we had driven all the way to Ashton ID with a trailer to get an outdoor table set from my brother and sister in law who are moving. I picked raspberries and watched Jane while Mister James loaded it all up and then I drove all the way home. We decided we'd unload it al. In the morning so we left it all hooked up. So while I was going through my early morning contractions James had to unload everything and go return the trailer to our sweet friends who let us borrow it. That was kind of a quiet testing moment of my strength because contractions were getting harder and I didn't want to be alone. But it strengthened my understanding of patience and longsuffering and my love for James. He had to load up the car, make all the phone calls and get us to Rigby safely. Maybe this was also a big reminder to always finish a project through ;) ALL the way.
At the end stages of labor there was a point when I felt the strong pushing urges and I remember James saying, "stay relaxed just breath through it." And he said I responded very firmly, "no, I need to push." This is a neat moment to me because a woman's body is built for birth, to know how to get her baby here is instinctual. Women really are not taught to trust in their bodies and the great capabilities they hold. Throughout ALL stages of motherhood trust in your instincts, listen to your baby and keep faith in your team!!!
Another special thing I hope to keep up with all the births of my children is thanking the team! With both births I have James "Daddy Doritos" and then made little "thank you's" for our midwives. This time round I gave them candles and little notepads to tell them thank you for helping us on this bright day (literally) bringing William into the world. I strongly believe in thanking people and want my children to also know how important that is. At our week appointment our head midwife gave me a big hug and said thanks back to me and made my day. Oh little thank you's go a long way!!
When William came out into the world with that final push it felt like he was a rocket hitting the earth. He shot out (or at least at that moment that's what it felt like) and was perfect. When the midwives put him up to my tummy and chest he was so calm. He seemed so mature and grown up from the moment we met him. The sweetest thing was how incredibly strong his neck was and how he wobbled his head about to look right up at me!!!! Just a few minutes old (out of the womb) and he was using his muscles to find his mama. It was so touching to look into his clear precious eyes and know that he knew, I'm his mama!
He was so good with his new baby exam. So still and calm. We so enjoyed those first few hours with just him at the birth center. He has a very calm and beautiful spirit about him. We are so thankful he is our son!
When we got home with William our sweet baby Jane was with a neighbor. We got a little more settled and when they dropped her off it was really special to have her meet her little brother and to be honored with some big sister items. She sweetly waved at her brother and kept saying baby. This first week of him being in our home has been wonderful and so very fast! Jane has been amazing with the change. She has been so patient with my recovery and with the big difference in not seeing me as much. I bought her a special chair and sidewalk chalk to celebrate this new stage of big sister and she loves them! James has been playing outside with the chalk with her and she loves sitting in her green chair! She's had a lot of one on one time with her dada, but she's starting to feel off schedule and needing mama a bit! So needless to say it's starting to get a little hard, so we're glad Grammys on her way today!
