Apr. 10, 2007 - Gloria's Birth Story
Well.....where do I begin? God's plan is so perfect! Baby was due on March 22. I've never had the privilege of delivering early, so when the day came and went, it was no surprise. Soon I was a week overdue and getting "antsy". My to-do list was nearly depleted and what was left to do I had no desire to do! The Saturday after my due date I made 2 batches of bread, cleaned a blue streak and still had some energy left--which made me really think that I was on my way to a baby the next day (which was an absolutely beautiful Sunday!) It didn't happen. I began getting fearful that soon my baby would be too late to deliver at home. But we kept plugging along at our schoolwork and I kept keeping the house in good shape, just in case. Friday night, the 30th, Royce's family all got together for supper at his parents' home. But, before we left for that, my midwife came for a short checkup. She stripped my membranes and told me to set up an appointment for a sonogram on Monday or Tuesday to be sure baby was still thriving and in good shape. We went for supper--a delicious one of lasagna, garlic bread and salad. I had a couple of contractions, but nothing like I was hoping for. When we got home that night, I was feeling rather weepy. I cried to Royce that I would never have this baby, and I didn't want to go for a sonogram, and I didn't want to take castor oil!! I was feeling rather depressed, to say the least. We went to bed and I laid there and worried and kept hoping for contractions to start--which never happened. Saturday morning I got up before the children and was trying to have my devotions when I got a contraction--this was around 8 a.m. It felt different, but wasn't hard. Still, it was different enough that I decided that if it wasn't the real thing, I'd MAKE it real by going for a fast walk (or at least as fast as a 9 month pregnant woman can waddle! ) So off I went, walking around the buildings on our property. I made 3 big circles, and by the 3rd time around, it was too hard to walk through a contraction. Royce had already left for work (which is 1 1/2 hours away) so I called him around 9:30 or so and told him that I was pretty sure something was up and that I'd let him know. He assured me that as soon as I was sure, he'd leave for home. At 10:15 I decided that I better call Mary, my midwife. My contractions were averaging 5-7 minutes apart and she has nearly a 2 hour drive to get to our home. Mary said that she would call Amanda and have her come and check me to see how dilated I was and decide if I was truly in labor (I was 99% sure though!) Amanda is a local friend of mine who has been training for the last 3 years to be a midwife. She came over, and I was at 5 cm!! She contacted Mary, who was already on her way. At noon, I decided it was time for the children to go to my sis-in-law's house. Royce's brother lives directly behind us, within easy walking distance, so the children ran up to their house to stay until the birth was over. They were so excited to know that baby was finally on the way! I called Royce back and told him THIS IS IT and he started wrapping business up as fast as he could. He had several customers at the time, so he tried to answer their questions as briefly and quickly as he could. He finally had to tell the last one that he had to close up the store because his wife was in labor :) Amanda hung around, and I showered. Mary arrived about 12:30 or 12:45. By this time, my contractions were getting harder. I hadn't had much for breakfast so I made myself some eggs and toast and ate them between contractions (they were soooo yummy!). My mom came sometime after that--I don't know what time it was--I wasn't paying much attention to time anymore. I was still laboring in the kitchen, leaning over kitchen chairs, the counter, etc., while Mary and Amanda calmly sat and talked at the table. Royce was still not home and I was starting to feel like I really needed him there with me. I called him and he was about 15 minutes away, close to the mall, and traffic was terrible! He was starting to feel somewhat desperate also, and told me later that he almost put his four-ways on to pass everybody on the shoulder. Finally, around 2:00, I was beginning to feel the urge to bear down--not real strong, but enough to make me want to move upstairs to our bedroom. As I walked through the living room, I was again calling Royce asking WHERE ARE YOU??!!?? HURRY UP!!! He was just a mile up the road, and just after we got to the bedroom, he walked in the door. WHAT A RELIEF! Thank you Jesus! At 2:17 p.m., GLORIA FAITH came into this world!! Oh what a delight!! Royce caught her, and at first glance thought we had another little boy! He even said "It looks like we have another boy!" Then I looked and thought to myself, "No, that's a GIRL!" at the same time that Royce took a second look and confirmed a GIRL!!! I could hardly believe it! I just laid there and half laughed and half cried (you know--that adrenaline/emotional rush of seeing your baby the first time), repeating over and over that we had a girl!
After Gloria nursed, we called the children home to see the new baby. It was around 4:30 and we wanted them to be there when Mary examined her, weighed her, etc. We didn't tell them on the phone what the baby was, so when they walked through the bedroom door, they still had no idea they had a baby sister. They were thrilled! That is, except Justin, who is 3. He stated, "Me want a boy baby!". But that didn't last long either. In a few hours, he was just fine with the idea of a baby sister. It took him a little time to warm up to her, but now he loves her dearly. Gloria weighed in at 8 lbs. 13 oz. and is 20 1/2 inches long--my next to smallest baby.
I still marvel at the fact that she is here with us now! God has been so good to us! Blessed be His name!
Gloria greatly protested at being born! She cried hard for a little while and didn't quiet down until Amanda wrapped her tightly in some blankets. See her Daddy's hand helping her into this world?
Give me my baby! This is Grandma (my mom) handing me my precious bundle, all wrapped in towels and still not too happy about all of this!
Proud Daddy--so thankful that he made it in time!
The children's first glimpses of their new baby sister. Brady is hiding behind Emily and you can barely see him, but he's there too!
Gloria being weighed and measured--still not super happy!
This is my wonderful midwife...Mary! Thank you Mary!
Justin needed some "mommy time". He just wasn't too sure about this new baby thing going on.
I'll post more pictures later in another entry.
Comments
Apr. 10, 2007 - Congrats
Posted by ClagettsFLStyle
Apr. 11, 2007 - Congratulations!
Posted by Anonymous
Please note that I have been having problems with our computer again... that's why my congrats have been so long overdue!!!
Lots of love and prayers,
Cindy
Apr. 11, 2007 - Linda W
Posted by Anonymous
Apr. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
~Ruth
