His dark hair, his gray eyes, his serious stare, his long fingers (and toes!), his wrinkled forehead and dimpled chin. I'm in love with it all. I think we all are here in this house.
His birth was amazing. Fast and breath taking (literally). I guess, according to Andy it sounded like I got the wind knocked out of me while pushing. I do remember that feeling and the sound in my head when he spring-boarded off of my diaphragm entering into the world in record time.
Here, I'll just tell you the whole story...
Friday night 7:00pm: We had just finished a yummy dinner at my parents house. Contractions began slowly and not very intense. I had had contractions all week starting about this time so I wasn't overly concerned.
About 20 minutes later they had picked up, so we packed up. There was a plan in order for my mom to come to our house when we headed to the hospital. I suspected middle of the night, 2:00-3:00am.
8:15pm: We were home. Andy placed sleeping daughters in bed (other than Cassidy who helped by keeping my water glass full and my rice pack hot). I showered and dressed for bed/drive to hospital.
8:45pm: I was now able to time my contractions to about 5 minutes apart.
8:50pm: Oh wait, that one was only three minutes apart....and that one too.
8:51pm: Andy phones my mom. She arrives quickly.
9:30pm: At the hospital. Check in. Contraction. Elevator. Contraction. Weight check. Contraction. Gown. Contraction. Monitor hookup. Cervical check, 5 centimeters. Contraction. Contraction. What? Two in a row? That wasn't fair!
10:15: Contraction. Contraction. Contraction. Okay, that was three. Prayers. As painful, as intense, and at times overwhelmingly scared I felt, I was grateful for the opportunity to be in labor and to have another baby. I prayed quietly whispering, thank you, thank you. At one point the nurse looked at me like I was crazy wondering if I was thanking her or maybe not really in labor. Ha!
10:30pm: One breath in, one breath out is all I hear the Lord instruct me. Giving me just the right focus at just the right time. I have Andy buzz the nurse to check my progression. I could tell something big had happened from all those contractions in a row, although I prepared my mind for no change in dilation. In case I was wrong I did not want to lose focus.
10:32pm: Shocked nurse looks at me and yells to other nurse, "She's 8 and progressing quickly better call the Dr. back and tell him to come now!"
10:35pm: Contraction. Contraction. Water breaks. Contraction. Me: "I'm pushing" Nurse: "It might feel like that, and that's okay. You're doing great. You said you didn't want an IV, we called the Dr. he would like you to at least have one put in, we don't have to hook you up to any meds." Me: "No IV. I'm pushing."
10:40pm: I flop back (really hard as I recall) onto the bed and start pushing. The nurse yells to the other nurse for help. Things are being thrown around. I see gloves and tools on a table being arranged, but I just keep pushing.
10:48pm: Simon is born! All I can say is, "I can't believe he's here!"
11:00pm: The Dr. arrives. Smiles and says, "well at least I get to deliver the placenta."
11:01pm: Andy takes off his gloves...."I thought I was going to have to do that." He says.
I can not find the words to describe how God met me that night. He knew my fears and he had compassion. He understood the pain and sped the process. He heard our prayers (weeks beforehand that this would be as quick as possible) and agreed. Thank you Jesus.
So that's it folks, Simon's happy birthday story!
Simon Richard Baxter
