Bursting at the Seams

Snapshots from Henry's Birth Day.

Once again, I am reminded how love expands with each new child. It was so wonderful to hold sweet Henry in my arms immediately after he was born. He was plopped right onto my chest for some skin-to-skin time and I felt so blessed he made it safely. During the last couple of months preceding Henry's arrival, I had been so nervous for the labor and delivery...and nervous about his well-being. Mostly, I was hoping to avoid a c-section this time around.

My labor and delivery was filled with tender mercies from the Lord. I know it, because I felt them and I felt the spirit. Hugh did too. Before leaving for the hospital I was scared and uneasy and my tears started flowing. Hugh gave me a priesthood blessing just outside the car as we were loading up. When we arrived to the hospital I was already dilated to an 8 (a blessing). Then our nurse just happened to be one of my sister's best friends who knew what I wanted and didn't want for this delivery (another blessing). Seeing her bright smiling face put me at ease and I knew everything was going to be okay. After being at the hospital for 40 minutes, my doctor arrived and I was dilated to a 9. He broke my water and about an hour and a half after being admitted, little Hank came into this world, screaming and pink (the best blessing of all). And although my labor was quick and relatively bearable, pushing out my little guy did not come without some major screams...I remember at one point thinking, my poor child has to come into this world hearing his/her mother screaming at the top of her lungs. It was nothing like "breathing your baby out" as the hypnobirthing book described it. I'm grateful for Hugh's encouraging facial expressions, and when I asked "Can you see the head" or "Is the baby close", he ever so convincingly nodded yes. I have since been informed that he had no idea how close Henry was to coming...he was just trying to get me through.

It was a beautiful morning...welcoming our son into the world. It was wonderful to meet the little one who had been growing inside of me for the past 9 months. It was a tender bonding opportunity for Hugh and I to prepare for this labor and delivery together and then actually put our practice to use. And although Ruby did ask where baby sister was, it was so sweet watching Ruby and Henry meet for the first time. I feel loved by my Heavenly Father and so grateful to Him that all is well. And as I look at my Henry and hold him close, I feel his brother close too.