1 Month Old!

1 month old!

 

2 weeks old

Dear Jemima,

Happy one month in our home, little one! What a month it has been, and we are so thankful.

I love to see your cheeks getting rounder, your eyes alert and bright more often, your little arms and legs stretching, and the sweet expressions on your face. Every baby is a miracle, but I realize that very poignantly with you.

At one month...

- You are eating and sleeping very well ... most of the time. Life is still very unpredictable, and the rough nights are still a reality, but in general you settle in for bedtime between 8:30 and 9:30pm and have at least one 5-hour stretch of sleep in the night. 

- Early on, you had a bit of a tongue tie, which made feeding you extremely painful, but since the ENT resolved that, nursing had been so much better. You developed a habit of really emptying your belly with a gully-washer of a spit once or twice a day, but keeping you more upright to eat seems to be helping that. You're getting a little bit speedier too, maybe taking a half hour more often than an hour now. But we really work on burping you afterward, lest you drench yourself with the aforementioned spits.

- You are atune to your surroundings, maybe more than your big brothers were at this stage. But you still snuggle in to snooze even when we are out and about, which is lovely. 

- You love to be outside (even though we're in the middle of record-setting heat), do well in your carseat, love to go on walks, and prefer to be in the Baby K'tan when we're moving (unless you're asleep). You have peaceful, alert awake time often when you're just resting after a diaper change.

- Evenings are often troubled times, with frequent crying between 7pm and bedtime. (When I brought you along to our ladies' small group prayer, you added your own sad background noise most of the time!)

- You are the best little snuggler. I love to hold you while you sleep, and you will snooze for hours on my shoulder. But you are also doing great taking naps in the pack-and-play and settling into your crib for the night. You still sleep 20-22 hours a day, aside from eating.

- Your brothers have been sweet and gentle to you, frequently wanting to peek at you while you sleep or give you a kiss on your head before you go to bed. You are a very blessed little sister!

In women's Bible study this summer, we are just beginning a study on prayer, and it is a fitting focus for this season. Not only was the last year marked by weakness and neediness in many ways, I am still very aware of how much every day and all the areas of life call for God's help, wisdom, and provision. But our huge needs are perfectly matched to God's huge promises of care, response, and goodness.

Moment by moment, as our needs exceed my capacity, I want to lift them right up to God, who hears us, who invites us to bring Him our cares, and who refreshes our hearts with the vision of His own power, love, and mercy.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

My most frequent prayers for you right now are that you will eat well (and not spit it all up again), sleep well, and that God will shape your heart to be a gentle and quiet spirit, trusting in Jesus, fearing God, and doing what is right without being frightened by any other fear. May He cause you to be a strong, faith-filled, and humble woman of God.

What a kind Father we have. May you love, trust, and follow Him all your days!

I love you, little Jem.

Momma

 

Jemima at 2 Weeks (plus the full blue chair line-up)

Jemima at 2 weeks old

 

Calvin at 2 weeks old

Elliot at 2 weeks old

Josiah at 2 weeks old

Victor at 2 weeks old

Be still, my heart. Five little bundles. One saggy-cushioned blue chair, marking the beginnings of our life with five little members of this family.

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:20-21). 

Jemima is doing really well so far. She has had more rocky nights than her brothers, but we are starting to enjoy some 4-hour stretches between feedings at night, which is so luxurious. Nursing was a rough start, but we got a little tongue-tie resolved last week, which has reduced the pain considerably. On Friday she was well-past her birth weight (6 lb 11 oz) to 7 lb 6.5 oz, so bravo little piccolo! 

The big brothers are so sweet to her, making signs to decorate her crib and giving her little kisses on the forehead. We are so thankful for God's mercies in so many directions.

The Name: Jemima Faye

Dear Jemima,

Though you are our "grand finale" baby (we think), your name was perhaps the first one settled on by Daddy and me. Way back when we were thinking of what to call our first baby (who was, I felt quite certain, a girl), the name Jemima was our first choice.

Like each of our kids, your first name is special to us because of what it reminds us about God. 

 

In the Bible, the story of Jemima (ESV "Jemimah") begins with the story of Job. Job was a man who believed in God, served God, taught his children about God, treated his family, employees, and the vulnerable in light of God's love, and feared and revered God (Job 1:1, 5, 23:11, etc). And yet, for reasons that he could not fathom, God sent him suffering of the deepest and most painful kinds.

He lost his livelihood, his possessions, his children, and his health. Even his friends thought that such profound and sustained suffering must be a sign that God was judging him. To walk through deep waters amid such accusations and questions was a trial of the soul like few taste. 

But Job had hope like an anchor in his soul.

Though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him (Job 13:15).

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God (Job 19:25-26).

The real question is, was God trust-worthy?

We get an actual answer to that question in James 5:11:

We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

Indeed, God was and is always worthy of our trust. After Job's anguish, questioning, and outcries, God vindicates his faith and restores his health and prosperity, "and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10). 

Not only that, but, in true resurrection-type joy,

the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. And in all land there were no women so beautiful as Job's daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. (Job 42:12-15)

To us, the name Jemima is a reminder of "joy that comes in the morning," of the indestructible hope that belongs to those who trust in God, even when nothing makes sense, and of the way Jesus' victory over sin, death, and the curse is so absolute that even our deepest sorrows and losses may be transformed to joy in Him.

Dear Jemima, when we look at you, we see a little picture of Jesus' resurrection joy. And we pray that you will know that joy in the fullest measure, as you come to trust in Jesus yourself!

Your middle name, like each of our kids, has a special connection to our family.

My mom's name is Patty Rae. Daddy's mom's name is Meredith Kay. And your middle name, Faye, is in honor of both these amazing grandmas. 

Faye means "faith," and faith is the greatest legacy that Grammy and Grandma Kay have given to our family. Like Paul wrote to Timothy, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well" (2 Timothy 1:5).

To have two grandmothers who faithfully pray for you, model trust in Jesus, and desire to strengthen you in your own faith and life in Christ is a priceless gift that we thank God for.

And, how fitting that you arrived on Mother's Day, when we remember the sacrifice and investment of these women in the lives of their families.

Grammy shows such gentleness and patience to our family, as a wonderful picture of God's lavish grace and love. She is thoughtful about the specific needs and preferences of each one, and she is an unmatched "giver" of time, care, service, and encouragement. 

 

Grandma Kay is a joyful, whole-hearted lover of God. She prays earnestly, seeks God in His word faithfully, and responds to the leading of the Holy Spirit in specific and faith-filled ways, and she is full of joy to be a "trophy of God's grace." 

 

Jemima, we are blessed beyond measure to have these grandmas in our family, and I know you will be the recipient of unmeasured grace because of their investment in your life.

These are the special thoughts behind your name, and we pray that ultimately, your name will be etched in the Lamb's book of life, as a sign of your belonging wholly to Jesus Christ forever! 

Love you, sweet girl,

Momma

Introducing ... Jemima Faye

Dear Jemima,

You were a sweet Mother's Day surprise, arriving a 4 days early (just as Calvin arrived 4 days early, on Father's Day 3 years ago!) on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at 8:39pm. You weighed 6 lb 11 oz (just one ounce bigger than Victor at birth), and you were 19.5" long. 

You appear to have some red hair (more hair than your brothers), and you certainly bear the Katterson family baby resemblance. 

We were disappointed that your brothers couldn't come to meet you in the hospital (because ... Covid), but they are all taken with you nonetheless and shower you with kisses, special cards, and many amazed observations (her eyes are so big! my hand can basically cover her whole face!).

What a road we have been on, especially these last few weeks before your arrival. Every baby is a story, and you, my sweet girl, have come with many an interesting plot twist. 

The verse that comes to mind when I look at you is Psalm 30:5:

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Your name was chosen (over 9 years ago!) especially because of the picture it gives of God's new-life-joy that triumphs over sin, death, and brokenness of all kinds. 

We love you so very much, Miss Jemima Faye, and pray that you will be filled with the pleasures forevermore that are ours in Jesus!

Momma

And then there were...

 

 

 

... 5 Katterson guys. 

And 2 ladies!

 

(Despite Ben's face, he's actually very happy. 😉)

 

Yes, it is quite a mental adjustment to anticipate folding a little girl into this rugged mix of boys.

 

No, it's not triplets (wouldn't that be a game changer!). Ben and I count.

 

Yes, the boys were rooting for another boy. But I think they'll rally.

 

No, I wouldn't have been disappointed to have a basketball team-ful of boys. But we most especially want the child that God wants to plant in our family. 

Yes, my OB was surprised. She said she had to read the ultrasound twice to be sure.

No, I don't have any little girl clothes. Except possibly a real cute onesie that I bought at a garage sale before we had Victor's ultrasound (lo, these 9 years ago), because I was really quite sure that he was a girl. But come to think of it, I think I gave it away a couple years ago...

Yes, I still like the first girl's name we ever picked. But I have to grapple with the reality that there will likely not be a Luke Andrew Katterson joining the family as I had thought!

 

Conversation in the car after celebratory Five Guys dinner:

 

Ben to boys: What is your favorite girl's name?

Victor, after a long pause: I don't think I have one.

Josiah, emphatically: I don't even know any girls.

[Ben reminds him of the girls in our small group, extended family, neighborhood, etc.]

Elliot: Charis. 

 

[Big points for coming up with a girl's name. This vote gained fast traction, since there are already two young Charis/Karis's in our small group.]

Calvin: Cyrus. [Long pause.] Daddy!

 

 

So, there will be some adjustments ahead. Prayers welcomed. 💗

Lord, take this little girl, and make her a follower of Jesus from her very early days.

Grateful New Year

 

I love Christmas. 

But yesterday I realized that now that we've come through the holidays (and a wonderful time it was!), I am so profoundly grateful for so many things.

I'm thankful for my sweet family (on both sides) and the memories made with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

I'm thankful for where God has planted us, part of a body of Christ that we love and that spurs us on toward Jesus. Thankful for places to serve and to invest in something that isn't going to fail or fly away (no matter what unexpected twists the future may hold).

I'm thankful for a new year and a sense of purpose... to serve, teach, and love my boys on a path toward Christlikeness, to be a good helper for Ben and keep in step with his leading, to abide in Jesus and let the Spirit shape me, to love the people around me and not shrink back into a safe and comfortable place of self-absorption. 

I'm thankful for God's evident protection and provision all through the last year (with the troubles and sorrows it held). I'm thankful that we don't walk into the future alone or have to wonder what the end of the story will be. 

And I'm thankful for 21 weeks with a new life growing. For the kicks that are such a sweet gift to me. For whatever God has in store for this new Katterson child.

Tomorrow is our ultrasound. Why have I not posted anything online, made a fun announcement, celebrated this life earlier?

I think it was probably a mixed cup of remnant grief, fear, and a real healthy dose of nausea and headaches. 

But it came to me recently that no matter what God has for this child, whether he (she?) comes to our arms and our home or goes straight to Jesus, this is a gift for which to be grateful.

So, a grateful new year to you! And may we see God's hand wherever He leads.

The Right to Choose

The right to choose is a real a weighty thing.

I choose what I do with my body. That is a great and valuable entrustment.

What difference do those choices make?

There are huge and far-reaching effects.

If I choose to act in compassion, considering others' interests and not just my own, the effects of my choice will be significant. Others will be changed in response to my choice.

If I choose to act in anger, selfishness, or pride, there are consequences to those choices as well. Though I have the right to choose, I cannot manage or control all the results of that choice. There are many factors outside of my control. In addition, the choices I make shape the course of my life and the direction of others. The choices I make matter.

If I choose to harm others with my body, that choice bears fruit. If I should choose to harm my 7-year-old, it would be a terrible and culpable decision. He has certain rights, because he is made in God's image and his body is not my own. Where my choices impact others, there is more to consider than just my own rights.

I also have a 10-month-old baby. He is much smaller than my 7-year-old. He is much more dependent. In fact, he depends on me for nearly all of his care. He doesn't contribute very much to our household, from the standpoint of utilitarian value. His presence impacts my own responsibilities in great ways. It is possible that my own health or sleep or employment may be affected because of the interconnected bonds of our lives. That impact does not mean that his body is under my jurisdiction, that I may do to it what I please. To assert such, to misuse his body in any way, is called abuse, and it is a horrifying reality. That I am stronger than he, more capable than he, more productive than he does not give me permission to use my body to harm him without repercussion.

Slightly more than 10 months ago, my baby was within me. His DNA was the same as it is now. His precious little nose had the same shape. His tiny fingers (already chubby!) had their own unique fingerprint. His little heels jabbed me in the ribs, quite aside from any impulse or effort of my own body.

About 8 months and 8 days earlier than that, his heart was already beating on its own.

Let us not imagine that the decisions I made with my body, the choices I had and have the right to make, were less significant in their consequences on his body than they are now. Nor, in the sight of God, do those decisions have any less weight of responsibility.

That may seem quite a burden. Who of us has perfectly stewarded the right to choose without error? Some have made choices that ended the lives of others. Maybe the others were very tiny and still within their body. Maybe the others were living independently. Some have made choices that did not harm the physical lives of others but harbored anger and hatred for them internally. In a crushing insight, God has said that the heart reality behind anger is the same as behind murder (Matthew 5:21-22). I am guilty. And the hard truth is that my guilt has earned me a consequence. Before a holy God, I have earned death (Romans 6:23).

But this grim, sweeping sentence is not the end of the story. In a shocking move, the Righteous Judge, God Himself, made a choice. He chose to send His only Son, the beloved Son, sent as a helpless baby into His own creation. He lived perfectly but was betrayed. He was judged innocent (John 19:4), yet handed over to death. He could have been delivered (Matthew 26:53), but He chose to give His life. And like a divine exclamation point, God raised Him from the dead to show that the exchange was complete, that the way was opened for us to be made right with God, to receive by faith the perfect record of the Son and by His death the penalty for our sin be paid (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Easter morning dawns tomorrow, reminding us of this cosmic invitation, to trust in One who chose not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. I pray you find eternal joy and comfort in Him, whatever choices you have made before. He is worthy.



 

The Name: Calvin David

Dear Calvin,

You are the fourth little boy God has given to our family, which means that a fair number of boy names have already been employed in our little clan. But nevertheless, we love the name that God gave us for you, and it comes with many prayers for His hand to be strong in your life from your earliest days, to make you a lover of Jesus and pointer to His grace always.

"Calvin," as it turns out, means "bald." It may not seem the noblest of names, as far as that goes (though other worthy men have been called similar things). But the primary reason we chose Calvin for your name is a man named John Calvin, who lived many years ago. He was a pastor, a lover of God and lover of people, and God used him in very great ways.


Here are a few ways we hope that God will shape your heart like your namesake's:

John Calvin saw this world as God’s theater where God's glory is always on display. God's fingerprints in everything--in all of creation and every moment of your life--we pray you will be continually growing in wonder at how big and grand God is.

Calvin was absorbed and convinced that the most important thing in the universe was the glory of God. We are made to revel in that glory ... not to try to snag some of it for ourselves. We will find our hearts' deepest satisfaction and most overflowing joy as we behold His greatness! So our whole lives grow in meaning and gladness when we point others to see and marvel in how great is our God.

Calvin loved God's Word, and in the Bible he saw Jesus lifted up as the greatest One for our hearts to seek after. Every verse has pointers and whispers to the greatness of God and the staggering gift of grace that He has given in His Son.

Calvin was an influencer. As we seek God to be the greatest influence in your life, we also pray that God will use you to move others toward Him as well.

The verse that came to me for you is this:

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).

 May your eyes always be fixed on Jesus and your heart confident, resting fully on His strong grace.

Your middle name "David" is also in honor of a great man. Of course, King David received one of the highest commendations in the Bible, being called "a man after God's own heart." And Daddy has been recently reading about and reflecting on God's work in David's life.

But in fact, you are named after another David, David Livingston, a.k.a. Grandpa David, who has been boss, friend, and one of the "northern parents" God has gifted to me.

Within just a few weeks after I graduated from college in 2004, I began working for Pastor David at Bethlehem. Along with some other pastors over the course of years, I got to work for him clear up to your biggest brother's birth in 2012. He was, of course, a great boss, but more than that he and Karin, with characteristic grace and hospitality, just welcomed me into their home and family and have become irreplaceably dear as counselors, mentors, examples, and friends.

Pastor David gave Daddy a thorough investigation when he first expressed interest in getting to know me, and when God brought us together, Daddy got welcomed into the Livingstons' hearts too.

Pastor David has taught me very much about prayer, showing his own great confidence in God through calling out to him in prayer meetings, hallway conversations, hospital rooms, meetings, and almost any other corner of life. His influence has given me a greater love and desire to be a fervent-pray-er-without-ceasing to our wonderful, hearing God.

Pastor David has demonstrated great love for others, including a pastoral, shepherding heart through many difficult circumstances when it would have been far easier to simply step away from a relationship and pursue another direction altogether. He is tenacious in friendship and remarkable in recall for peoples' names, circumstances, and stories.

David and Karin (Grandpa David and Nana) have already visited you and prayed for you, a gift and legacy of which only eternity will show the full fruit.

So, little son, your names are reminders and pointers to jars of clay who have nevertheless been filled greatly with the grace of God. May He be pleased to take your life and heart and similarly use them to show others His great glory.

We love you so, Calvin David!

Momma

Introducing... Calvin David Katterson

Dear Calvin,

You were a sweet little Father's Day gift to us, born Sunday, June 17 at 4:26pm. And a fitting kick-off to Jr High Summer Camp week (which your papa is missing, so he could be here to meet you). You joined us 4 days ahead of schedule, but at just the right time.

You were 7 lb 10 oz and 20 inches long, with more hair than your big brothers had at this stage. You've been more sleepy than hungry and already a sweet little snuggle bug.

Your big brothers think you are cute and Josiah couldn't stop giving you kisses. Yes, little one, we are so glad you have joined our family!

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow (James 1:17).

We thank God for you, Calvin, and we pray for His hand to write your name in His book of life through the blood of Jesus, so that you may enjoy the deepest joy in His presence forever!

We love you, little one,
Momma

We Have an Announcement...

For those of you who have been on pins and needles, wondering whether the streak of blue will continue or take a surprising turn for pink ... the announcement.

AKA Take 6:



The outtakes:









Another one of these cute little cowboys?

Yep, we're tickled pink.

Very Thankful to Announce...

... a new little Katterson on the way! (ETA June 2018)

One of many reasons for joyful thanks to God on this special Thanksgiving Day.

Memorial Day Weekend and Updates

We've enjoyed a weekend together in Iowa with the cousins and Daddy. Sadly, now Daddy has headed home again for a week of class and training while the littles and I enjoy Grammy and Grandad's company.

Snapshots of the fun so far...

The Middle Name: James

Dear Elliot,

Your middle name is James, as in James Donald Anderson, a.k.a. Grandad. 

Grandad is my daddy. He raised 4 girls and had 2 older sisters … so the life we’re living here in our home is different than his world for many years. He's a very sensitive man because of that!

There are 3 reasons that come to mind for naming you after him.

First, Grandad has had an impact on my life that is difficult to measure. He was the embodiment of what a daddy and husband and real man should be—a model that set the standard for the kind of man I wanted to marry and the biggest picture in my world of what godly leadership looks like.

We always grew up knowing Daddy loves Mommy and Daddy loves us. He was a servant of all of us, from the basics of providing home and food and clothes, to the greater sacrifices (I think) of spending spare time and “costly time” investing in our lives, encouraging us with patience and help during all the challenges from losing basketball games to struggling through calculus, and pointing us to God as the One we need at the center of our world.

 He has consistently put others’ needs ahead of his own, often getting up early, staying up late (well, not too late though), and creating the windows of time in the middle to do not just what needed to be done for work and church and home and cars and family but also what would make all his “girls” feel cherished and cared for.

Second, Grandad is already investing in the lives of his grandchildren—even you! He was here even before you started making your entrance to this world, just to be ready with Grammy to help when we were tired and getting close to labor. He is purposeful to know and bless and play with and care for the needs of all 10 of his grandchildren. He may not be so much of a “baby” guy (he made a deal with Grammy when all his own kids were little … Grammy would do diaper duty, and he would do puke duty!), but he is still ready to drive, play, read, and laugh with all you little ones.

And third (and biggest), he is the kind of man that we pray you will grow to be like. A follower of Jesus. A gentle and kind leader in his family. A servant and leader in the church. A faithful and fruitful worker. One who reaches out to those who need the gospel. A fun and joyful person.

We love Grandad, and we love you, little Elliot!

Elliot's Birth Story

Dear Elliot,

As is often the case, your coming was an adventure!

The last few days before your arrival, I could tell we were getting ready for action. I was not feeling quite normal… lower back aching, sporadic contractions, and generally kind of icky. On Wednesday, Grammy and Grandad checked in to see how things were going, and they decided to get their bases covered at home and come up on Thursday, even though there wasn’t any real activity going on.

Thursday Daddy went to class, and your big brothers and I decided to go walk around Burnsville Center, ride on the toy cars there, and have a little treat. (A flashback to the day before Josiah was born.) During afternoon snoozes, Grammy and Grandad arrived, and it was lots of fun to play with them outside and have a nice evening together. Although I felt kind of bad for them to change their plans and come up before there was any real labor news, it was a relief to have some extra help around already. Grandad joked that midnight on Friday morning was a full moon.

That night, I woke up with a fairly hard contraction around 11pm, and then another came around midnight. For the next hour or so, the contractions were every 20 min, then 15, then 10. They weren’t super hard, though, so I was debating whether to call my doctor. (But I tested positive for the Type B Strep, so they wanted me to get 4 hours of antibiotics during labor, so my doctor had warned me not to wait too long… especially since this was baby #3.) Then I noticed Ben was not in bed.

I went out to the living room to see what he was doing, and he was lying on the floor, massaging his head. He said he’d had a terrible headache since 11:30pm. We decided to go back to bed for a little longer, and I heard his breathing deepen as he fell asleep. But the contractions continued, so I reluctantly went back to the living room, called my doctor, and he said it would probably be good to get checked out at the hospital. So, I called Grammy (they were staying at the Livingstons) and she said they’d put on clothes and head right over. Then I went and woke up poor Daddy, but at least his headache was feeling better by then.

We got to the hospital and settled in to the “maternal assessment” room. After another hour of only moderate, sporadic contractions, I was at “maybe 2.5.” We decided to head home and just go to my scheduled doctor appointment at 8:15am and see what the news was there.

Back at home around 4am, we slept a few hours and then I headed to my normally scheduled checkup. By that time, I was at a 3 or maybe 3.5, but contractions were pretty scattered and short, so we decided to go about our day as normal. Ben went to a coffee shop to do schoolwork, I did a little computer work, and the boys ran some errands with Grandad and Grammy. Around noon I decided to go for a walk, and I got some nice hard contractions doing hills. J It was a beautiful day, and I had sort of forgotten how pleasant it was to take a walk by myself. Back home, contractions died down again.

After a nap on the couch, around 3, I started having some harder contractions. They had come and gone already so much, I pretty much ignored them, but they did seem to be a bit more regular, maybe every 15 min. Ben and I took a walk (which was full of contractions), and then Ben took the boys to a playground while Grandad picked up supper. Around 5, Grammy and I decided to walk out and see the boys, and I was moving very slowly, hard contractions coming quite frequently through the walk. Once we got home and the contractions didn’t slow down, I decided maybe this was the real deal after all, and I told Ben we should probably think about heading to the hospital again. We waited until Grandad got back with supper (because, if possible, a man should go through labor having eaten supper!), but I was definitely ready to go by then.

We got to the hospital around 6:30pm, and this time we were ushered a normal room. It took a long time for a nurse to come and see us, and it was almost time for the “changing of the guard” for shifts, so she said she would just get things started before our real nurse came.  Another nurse came to get things rolling too.

Then she checked me.

“Oh.” 

She double-checked. Then she said to the other nurse, “Um, she’s at about a 9.5.” Well, that was during a contraction, so they decided I was at maybe an 8 otherwise. But the activity in the room picked up considerably.

Oops. Probably not the 4 hours of antibiotics they were hoping for… I thought to myself.

I think that means I don’t get an epidural.

Laboring was a known pain, and the contractions were still spaced a minute or two apart, so I had a little relief between them. I got a fan, which helped a lot, and some nitric oxide, which didn’t.

The doctor arrived, I was fully dilated, about 20 (horrible) min of pushing or so, and at 7:47pm you were here! Your cord was wrapped around your neck, but you cried right away, and what a joy and relief to snuggle you on my chest at last!

We are so thankful for God’s mercy in bringing you to our home and helping us every step of the way!

Some Photos

 Victor and Josiah's "big brother backpacks"