his arrival

warning: may contain details that you don't want to know. if this is you, stop reading and just enjoy the pictures!

let me begin by saying, gabe was three days late. due to this fact, and despite being told otherwise, part of me expected ezra to follow the same pattern and take his sweet time. and although i knew on monday that i was already 2 centimeters dilated (but still made it on the holly jolly christmas trolley!), when my wednesday appointment rolled around, i was not expecting much. that said, i let everyone know that ezra was invited to come on wednesday believing that he would be as responsive as his brother was when i did the same.

at 9:30 wednesday morning, gabe and i went to the midwives' office where i was checked (3 centimeters) and my membranes stripped (and man, that really hurt!). gabe got 2 suckers and we were on our way. and although i went into labor under the exact same circumstances with gabe (3 centimeters and killer membrane stripping), i was still doubtful that it would work.

i contracted a little here and there at first, but by the time steve got home around 6, the contractions had slowed and i was convinced that there was little hope of going into labor anytime soon. we took a little walk downtown and settled in for the night.

six hours and two baths later (the hot water having been so soothing for my laboring body), we headed to the hospital. i got an epidural, cheered right up, and both grandmothers came to keep us company as we waited. it was such a sweet time of rest and excitement as steve and i enjoyed some last minutes of peace together before becoming parents again.

at 6:45 in the morning, the midwife, missy, announced that i was fully dilated and ready to push.

when gabe was born, the midwife (not missy) allowed steve to deliver gabe after his head and shoulders were out. we requested that he be able to deliver ezra the same way, and missy said that she would have no problem with that.

missy suggested that because ezra was sure to be a big boy, i might attempt to deliver him lying on my side (a little unconventional, but a much more effective way to deliver when attempting to avoid tearing). it only took 15 minutes for me to push ezra out in this position, and missy did one better this time and simply talked steve through the delivery of his shoulders and body. and, because the epidural was so much more effective this time around and i truly felt nothing at all, i was even brave enough to watch the delivery.

at 7:03 am on december 10th, our ezra was born a whopping 8 pounds 4 ounces and 20.5 inches long (pretty huge when you consider the fact that he arrived 2 1/2 weeks early). his delivery was one of the most peaceful, incredible experiences i have ever had, and thanks to an amazing anesthesiologist and our phenomenal midwife, i was truly able to enjoy it. and to top it all off, missy's idea worked, and i have been able to enjoy a quick, stitchless recovery.

steve and i both feel so blessed to have two healthy, beautiful boys and are overwhelmed by God's grace in giving us such a wonderful life.