Besides the joy of getting to lay our eyes on Baby J, I must say I am incredibly thankful not to be pregnant anymore. For the past month, I have known that the little human in my abdomen was not so little. The main giveaway was the constant throbbing in my ribcage as a result of his rump being lodged right against my left ribs. My hunch was confirmed when Jonathan was born at an impressive 9lb 4oz and 22 inches long.
Jonathan's birth story is one that has brought such joy and awe...
You may recall that Caleb was born via C-section after an induction and epidural led to distress. This was hard news to swallow 20 months ago, especially as I feared this meant I would never have the opportunity to deliver a baby naturally (something I realized I really desired). Over the past 9 months, we had discussed the possibility of a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) with my doctor on multiple occasions. He, like many doctors, was wary of this option as it has its share of risks - a ruptured uterus at the spot of the cesarean incision being one of the largest risks. He did say that a VBAC was an option, but only if everything went perfectly. "Perfectly" basically meant that most everything would have to be different than the labor and delivery of Caleb - this baby would have to come early (Caleb was 12 days late), this baby could not be induced (Caleb's labor required pitocin to induce contractions), this baby had to respond favorably to the epidural (Caleb's heart rate plummeted as a result of my epidural), and so on.
As you can imagine, I was not overly hopeful that a VBAC was part of the plan. In fact, I had basically given up on the idea by the end of my pregnancy.
My doctor did not want me to go past my due date, but was okay with giving my body every opportunity to go into labor before then, and so we scheduled a C-section for my due date, Friday, November 8th. It was not until the Tuesday before that I remembered just how badly I wanted to give birth to a baby naturally. I know that a healthy baby is really all that matters in the end, but there was just something about a natural birth that I so badly desired (plus, you're not supposed to lift anything heavier than the baby for 6 weeks after a C-section... how was I supposed to do that with a 30lb toddler??)
And so, it was on that Tuesday that I began pleading with God that I would go into labor before Friday. I can't recall a time in my life that I have prayed with such fervor, boldness and expectancy as I did in the three days leading up to Friday. Now I must admit that I am still unsure of the exact power of prayer... was it really my prayers (and the prayers of all those interceding on our behalf) that brought about this natural birth? Did these prayers change the plan as it was originally designed? Who am I to say? What I will say though is that I am so thankful that God placed it on my heart to pray in the way that I did. I am full of joy and wonder and awe at how He brought His child, Jonathan David, into this world and entrusted him to our care. Had I not prayed for this outcome perhaps I would not be so quick to praise and glorify the One that made it happen.
As I said, we had a C-section scheduled for Friday the 8th. With our bags packed and after a few tears shed (tears of both excitement and a bit of sorrow as we ended this sweet chapter with just one child), we called it a night. To my surprise, at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday my water broke, a mere 7 hours before we were to leave for the hospital for the C-section! We drove to the hospital unsure of whether the doctor would let me labor or perform the C-section as scheduled. Thankfully, he approved the former and so for the next 7 hours I labored. Can I just say that labor sucks! It's amazing that I did not remember that from the first time around, but it's so true. In between prayers that God would give me to the strength to endure the next contraction were curses at Eve for eating that damn apple! Thankfully though, the doctor came in at 7:00 that morning and informed me that I was 7cm dilated and all was going well. Because of the risks involved in a VBAC (the ruptured uterus being the main one), he was very forward about his recommendation that I get the epidural so that if something were to happen and an emergency C-section were required, the numbing agent would already be in place and no delays would be necessary. Initially (before labor) I was very hesitant to an epidural as it was the epidural in Caleb's labor that began his distress. But honestly, after 7 hours of contractions, my arm required very little twisting before I conceded to the epidural. And WOW, am I glad I had one! Even though laying in bed for another 9 hours was less than ideal, I was amazed and relieved each time I saw a contraction starting on the monitor, knowing that it meant we were one step closer to meeting our boy, but thankful that I was not going to feel the pain of that progress :)
And so, after 15 hours of labor it was time to push... 35 minutes and five pushes later, a crying, bloody, chunky and adorable Jonathan David was born to two very proud, exhausted and hungry parents!!
That's Jonathan's (long) birth story. And on the other side of the story is our eldest son. How has Caleb handled Jonathan's birth? I am so thankful to say that he has handled it incredibly well. We had high hopes knowing how much he loves babies and how eager he was to give Baby J (my belly) hugs when I was pregnant, but we were still worried how he would really react once there was another child with which he had to share our attention and affections. But he has been a champ! Granted this is likely due to how spoiled he has been by the attention of both sets of grandparents and Tim so far. The real test will be in a couple weeks when the company is gone, Tim is back at work full time, and it's just mom and the two boys at home. I'll update you then :)
Here's life so far as the new and improved family of four:
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| Jonathan's first moments |
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| Caleb was more interested in the food than the baby at this point :) |
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| A very tired and frazzled mom |
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| A doting dad |
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| And a shocked babe |
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| Skin to skin with pops |
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| Grammy and Grampa were in town for the first weekend, meaning we came home from the hospital to a spotless house, a perfectly groomed yard, a clean car, laundry done and dinner in the oven. We can't thank you two enough! |
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| Sizing each other up |
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| The dudes |
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| First doctor appointment. Thankfully Jonathan only lost 3% of his body weight which just proved what we already knew... this boy can eat! |
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| He loves his brother! |
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| First bath - wasn't a fan |
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| Caleb and Jonathan's Poppy and Gagu were in town for the 2nd week... can I just say I hit the jackpot when it comes to in-laws? Once again, we enjoyed a week of meals prepared, dishes cleaned, clothes washed and Caleb entertained. THANK YOU!! |
And here is the picture evidence of why Caleb is handling this transition so well:
A photo shoot with dad at the hospital:
A trip to the Dupage Children's Museum with Poppy & Gagu:
Daily viewings of Thomas the Tank Engine:
Swimming with Poppy & Dada:
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| He loved the bubbles |
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| This was one of his less graceful exits from the pool |
