Welcome Baby Anna!

This morning started out like any other morning... I woke up sometime around 6:45 and began my normal routine. However, I did notice that I was feeling slightly uncomfortable... I wasn't really having contractions but I was feeling some pressure. Chris woke up around 7:30, and I got him up and gave him some breakfast. But by the time I got him settled the pressure was increasing. I still wasn't sure that it was real labor because it didn't seem like real contractions and even though the pressure was coming and going every few minutes, it didn't seem too regular. But, it was definitely getting more uncomfortable. So at about 8:00 I called my midwife Pam, and she said she'd be right over. Fortunately Mark had overslept, so he was still home. He immediately started making up the bed and getting everything ready, including Chris. At this point I was just kind of pacing back and forth in our room, and every time the pressure increased I would lean over on the bed - it was the only position that felt "good". I was getting more and more uncomfortable, and was wondering what in the world I was thinking when I planned to do this without drugs! My midwife arrived and immediately began scurrying around getting all of her supplies ready. Someone suggested that I get up in the bed, but that was not an option - it felt a lot better to be standing. A friend arrived to get Chris, but by that point I had no idea what was going on - all I could do was lean on the bed and moan. A few times I found myself on the verge of panic, but when I told my midwife I couldn't do it she told me "yes, you can, just stay on top of it." And that was the perfect advice - I started mentally picturing myself literally on top of the pain. And fortunately this labor seemed a bit easier than when I had Chris, as this time the Lord mercifully gave me some breaks in between the contractions. I had a worship cd playing, so in the "breaks" I was able to focus on the music. However, all of a sudden the pressure really increased and I yelled out "She's coming!" Everyone really moved then! My midwife spread some plastic under me, as I was still standing and not about to move. With the next contraction I started pushing... I can't remember exactly how long it took, but I think I pushed 2-3 times before I heard "the head is out!" Pushing the rest of her out was a bit harder, but just as I was about to ask Pam to just pull her out my baby girl was born (at 8:52 am)! Mark held her while Pam cut the cord, and then I got up on the bed and held her for the first time. She is just perfect! She didn't cry, but rather was just very peaceful. I tried nursing her, but while the first time she wasn't interested the second time I tried she latched right on and nursed like a pro! I think she did it for an hour before I decided she'd probably had enough. My midwife took her measurements: 7 lb. 4 oz (exactly the same as Chris!) and 20 inches long (I think Chris was 20 1/4). We got her dressed and wrapped up, and she went right to sleep. The rest of the morning/early afternoon I got to just lay in bed and cuddle my little girl - being at home is wonderful! Mark and I are just enjoying a quiet afternoon, and I don't think I could be happier. Chris will be home soon to meet his new sister, and I am so excited for his reaction.

The whole process was just amazing. I am in awe of the way that God created our bodies to do exactly what they are supposed to! I am so thankful that He took care of us and she arrived safely. I am thankful for my midwife and her daughter who knew exactly what to do and say each step of the way. I am so incredibly thankful for a loving husband who is working so hard to take care of us. He is holding her right now on the couch, and the way he smiles at her melts my heart! I am thankful for my friend Alyson who came over to help during the birth (and who is bringing us dinner tonight!!), and for my friend Keenan who has kept Chris for us. I am so thankful that I was able to give birth in the comfort of my own home. I am just so blessed.

Please don't hesitate to call or come by to meet baby Anna! And I promise to post more pictures later.