Ten weeks ago yesterday I held my son in my arms for the very first time, I can’t begin to tell you the joy of that moment. I know Daniel has already blogged about the birth, but I want to write a little as well. I will try not to share too much, but enough for those of you who wanted more. I had the first contraction a little before 5:00pm Tuesday evening November the 23rd; I had already called my midwife earlier and told her I felt it would be soon. She said she would go home and get some sleep and to call her when I need her. As Daniel said in his post, because of cancellations our last night of birth class was that night. We decided to go ahead and go (I did not want to just sit around waiting) I think part of me was still afraid this wasn’t the real thing even though the signs were all there, I had been having pre-labor contractions for about two weeks. During the birth class the contractions became stronger and I found I had a hard time concentrating for the realty that soon Shelden would be here. We came home and I took a shower and went to be to see if we could get any rest. I believe Daniel said he got some, but between contractions and excitement I was wide awake. At 10:00pm my contractions started coming at four minutes apart constantly. After two hours of this I called Jackie while Daniel began setting up the birth pool. My mom had come over earlier in the day to start preparing our Thanksgiving meal and had just stayed when we realized I was going into labor. Jackie arrived at 1:30am and checked me. Things were progressing nicely, I was at 4cm. Jackie went go lie down, telling me she would check no me a little later and to call her if we need her. The next few hours were a wonderful time of bonding with Daniel. I can’t tell you what a help and encourage he was to me, with his gentle reminders to relax and breath, whispered scripture and his loving arms of support. He stayed with though all 20+ hours of labor and I can honestly say I do think I could have done it without him. He also impressed the midwives with how he stayed by my side for the whole time. At 6:00 Wednesday morning Jackie told me I was already at 8cm. I remember being surprised, I think I even asked Jackie if it shouldn't be harder than this, don’t get me wrong, it was by no means easy, but to that point I hadn’t found it that difficult. At 11:00am Shelden still hadn’t come so Jackie asked me if I would like for her to break my water, to which I replied, "yes." The Lord only knows why things at that point slowed to a crawl and my contractions spaced out to ten minutes apart. Jackie kept a constant check on Shelden’s heart rate which was always great, I remember her saying once after checking it, “Here is my take on your son, that he is steady and dependable.” :) I never had the sensation to push and from noon on was having such horrible back labor it didn’t seem worth it to push. In early labor Daniel had quoted me Psalms 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” And that is what I had to do – be still and know that the Lord was in control and rely on Him. I know in those last few hours it was His strength and not mine that brought Shelden into the world because after pushing for three and a half hours, I had none of me own. I remember thinking I wasn’t sure if I was going to be there at the end of it all and if I had had to push one more time I am not sure I would have been. At 5:52pm Wednesday November the 24th, 2011 Shelden James Falkenstine arrived into the world, weighing 7lb 7oz and 20 1/2in long. I was blessed to have Daniel, my absolutely wonderful midwife Jackie Griggs and my mom (who was an immense help) there with me to greet him. Like I said above, the joy of holding my son in my arms for the first time was indescribable. He truly was/is a Thanksgiving blessing. I did hemorrhage, but after having a shot of Pitocin, was fine. You may ask why we didn’t go to the hospital. Well there were several reasons, but I am so thankful I wasn’t in the hospital. For one thing, I would have been a C-section, but above all I got to feel the Lord’s strength in a way I have never felt before. I think it also gave me a new understanding that everything really and truly is in His hands, and what it means that, “His strength is perfect when our strength is gone, He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on.” There is a verse in Isaiah I have liked for a while, but now love in a new way. Isaiah 49:15-16, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." That may not explain things but that is a little of what I have felt and learned lately. Two weeks after Shelden’s birth I had to have a DNC. I was running a 103 fever after over 24 hours on antibiotics. We are thankful for the Lord protection though it all.
The last two months have flown. Our little man has grown and changed so much. At his eight week checkup he weighed 14lb 5oz and was 24in long. He has been such an easy baby. He now smiles, coos, laughs and blows bubbles. He loves to be held, his bath time and kisses even leaning towards them. He is very inquisitive and always curious about his surroundings. I could go on and on about our Sheldy but this post is already long and "little man" is wanting cuddles so I will leave you with some pictures taken for him with all his pandas at two months and one day.
