The arrival of Simon Churchill

Ok so I should probably be sleeping.

But, it's so vital for me to write down this sweet story of my 3rd son's arrival.

It's completely been a life-altering one (not like my other 2 weren't) but something really beautiful was gifted to me through this unexpected but SO desired son.

With a much more intense and painful pregnancy, I was eager for lots of those symptoms to disappear.  I did know that with waving goodbye to heartburn, shortness of breath & increased potty visits, I was also saying hello to sleepless nights & little to no productivity.

I was ready, though.

After what felt like months of nesting and preparing to celebrate Jude's birthday (a couple times), complete a photo shoot we wanted our boys to be on, see some family I hadn't seen in a while, and really celebrate our 9th Anniversary...I mentally hoped to stay pregnant until May 27th.  Amazing how those mental 'dates' you give yourself prove powerful.

Sunday, May 27th contractions began.  Erratic and unreliable.  They went away with a few glasses of water and a soak in the tub.

Monday, May 28th - Memorial Day - woke up with no contractions.  I decided to take it easy and rest/drink fluids and possibly prepare to labor but also possibly prepare for it to be 'nothing at all'

11:00am - a few sporadic contractions.  Nothing I would consider real. 

12:00pm - They started to come closer but the pain was very manageable with movement.

1:00pm - They started to get tougher....just a little bit and I could tell this was probably it. 

2:00pm - I started to have difficulty walking/talking through them and I hopped into the tub....only to watch them get WAY more intense and closer together.  I'm talking 1 minute-2minute apart consistently.

Joel got intense and basically told me we were going to the hospital even though I kept thinking, 'Geesh, I'm going to get there and they are going to tell me I'm 2cm and then I'll be hooked up to everything and will not be able to labor how I envisioned.'

Good thing he got firm with me and started packing the car.  He walked me out as I moaned and 'shhhhhh'd' through each contraction.  The 91 degree day wasn't helping as my face was melting off from both the heat and from working really really hard.

Getting to the hospital was frustrating.

It just feels like everyone is moving in slow motion when you are in pain.  Granted they aren't.  It feels that way.  Probably because they are NOT in pain and YOU are.  I gave attitude to some various personnel and yelled at a few random strangers.

Apparently, a bunch of babies wanted to be born that day as there were no rooms left.  I felt like Mary & Joseph finding no room at the Inn - we were in a measly little triage unit with a curtain that gave little to no privacy of this girls' moans & groans.  When I finally got checked, I sat there just hoping to hear a number higher than 7....

What I heard:  "You are nearly 9cm; station -1"

HOLY COW!!!!

I did it.  I labored at home.

I just wish I could push this baby out in a 'real' delivery room with a spot for my baby to be but who knew how long it would be.

The doctor moved things quick and while everyone and their mother asked me if I wanted an epidural, I moved on through and said, 'No'. 

Finally in my bed and trying to stay comfortable....ice chips galore and a husband who lovingly affirmed me the whole way....I wasn't in that delivery room for 3 minutes when I 'wanted to push' and I mean, 'REALLY' wanted to push.  The doctor (who had just arrived) checked me, said I was at 10 and told me to go for it.

8 pushes later.

Simon Churchill was born at a perfect 7lbs 9oz and 20.5 inches long.

Surreal.  Beautiful.  Intense.  Perfect.

Arrival at Hospital: 2:45pm
Birth of Simon: 3:22pm

THIRTY-SEVEN MINUTES.  OMG.

I want to preface my next paragraph by stating that my goal in having a natural delivery had NOTHING to do with earning a star or being that Mom that brags about how "I went natural...."  It was about connecting my body to my mind to my baby and seeing how truly beautiful and intimate it can be to allow your body to do and feel.

What I will most certainly take away from this quick labor and delivery....was that I have never been so in tune with my own self.  The self-dialogue was major.  The 'telling myself' how important this pain was and how it would mean the moment of meeting my Simon would be near.  I loved watching and experiencing how my body just 'did it' and if I listened to it, it'd be right every time. 

The recovery was so easy.  He nurses like he took a class inutero on it. He is up alot at night just like most babies but WOW, he's here. 

His brothers are freaking me out with their insane love & interest.  Jude's tender side has never been more revealed or expressed than it is with his next brother.  My Leland loves to hold him and kiss him and I won't lie, he is so jealous but he's handling it well and every free moment I have, I hold that Leland tight and remind him of my love.  J & L have been such eye openers to us about life, patience, and sacrifice.  We are ready to learn our next lesson from Simon....who right now appears to be about as content a baby can be. 

HUGE thanks to all who prayed for us, encouraged us, brought a meal to us or a sweet gift....we're feeling your love and I wanted to take a moment to tell Simon's beautiful (and quick!) story....he's here and fits in just great.