Labor & Delivery. Welcome, Baby Haven.

October 03, 2010

There is nothing that compares to the miracle of a new life. I love birth/labor stories. I've said a million times that I hated being pregnant - minus feeling my baby move inside me - but I LOVE labor. I could do without the mood swings, being hot all the time, swelling, in my case - cholestasis, feeling like a whale, etc. but I absolutely love the anticipation of meeting your baby for the first time and the whole labor experience. I could even go through the pain a million times over - seriously. Love it. Since having my own babies, I can also cry at the drop of a hat watching any tv show relating to giving birth. I remember being pregnant and coming home from work watching "A Baby Story", "Birth Day", "Labor and Delivery", etc. every single day. I would watch anything I could get my hands on, pertaining to pregnancy and birth. I'd put up my feet, grab a snack and maybe a box of kleenex and I was set. I was fascinated by it and couldn't wait for my own experience. So yeah, I guess I'm a softy - I can't help it. When I hear someone is in labor, I just get so excited for them, knowing that they get to have that experience and joy of being a mommy. There's no words to describe what it's like when you become a mom the first time, or any time after that. It's magical. It's life-changing. It's a true miracle.

That being said, my friend, Nichole Dykmans, asked me if I would be at the hospital to take photos when her baby girl, Haven, was born. My answer - of course!! She called me Thursday, September 30, sometime around 9:00 in the morning to tell me she was on the way to the hospital. All of the sudden, on the inside, I panicked. What do I do? How do I go about this? Where do I take the boys? I have to go get the camera from Dusty. Will I get there in time?

For anyone that's been in labor, you know most of the time it can take a l.o.n.g. time. It's not like Haven was going to pop out in 10 minutes - why was I panicking? I think it was my excitement. So, I called around to find someone to watch the boys. I couldn't just leave them at school, otherwise I'd have to come pick them up at 12:30 p.m. Thankfully, Nichole Allen, my fabulous cousin-in-law, graciously said she'd watch them. I felt terrible, because she has 3 of her own kids and 3 + 2 = 5. Yes, five kids! I don't want to do that to anyone. I cannot thank her enough and already told her, Nichole, I own you one - a BIG one! After dropping the boys off, I had to go by Dusty's office to pick up the camera. Once I got the cameras, I was on my way! Hurray!

Later that evening, Silas called me. I thought it was so cute when he asked me, "Momma, is the baby here yet?" I responded, "No, Silas, not yet." He said - wait, are you ready for this, because this came out of the mouth of my 4 year old - "That's okay Momma. God's not ready yet. When He's ready, she will come." Seriously?? He is so sweet and so right. I am amazed at his thoughts and I love him!

Really, it turned out to be a long day. I didn't leave the hospital until around 7:45 p.m. but it was worth every single second. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to be there and be a part of the experience. Thanks, Nichole, for letting me be a part of your joyous day! Below is a link to the video I made from the photos I took. Congratulations, Ryan, Nichole and Brett on your sweet little addition, Haven Nichole. I love you guys!!

http://animoto.com/play/gtYLKLDBGWI0GZUH0sRWUQ

(Here's the video link, but you have to cut & paste it.)

And here's a few photos...