Along Came a Walker...

I mentioned that life has been a bit of a roller coaster lately.  It's true!  We have had lots of great things happen. 
For instance, Walker's birth was an amazing experience, and one that should be shared.

I found out I was pregnant last July, and immediately called my mom.  We laughed and cried and then she suggested I tell Michael! 
"Oh, yeah," I said. 
I didn't want it to be just a nonchalant insert into a conversation, and I didn't want to just declare it, so I put the test in a ziplock bag and packed it into his lunch.  He pretty much overlooked it, so I removed the napkin covering it, and handed it to him.  His eyes lit up, and he said, "We're having a baby?"

It was a happy time.

I knew I wanted to have a home birth right away.  My older sister had done it numerous times, and it seemed so simple.  She just sent the kids to my parents' house and when they came back, there was a baby!  (If only that were the case!)

I researched midwives of St. George online, thanks to google.  I found Janae and described her website to Michael before calling to set up a consultation.  It was a great step for us.  We visited with her, and she gave us some information on midwifery to take home.  I read the packet, told Michael what I wanted to do, and called Janae back to set up our first prenatal visit!

Morning sickness hit at 6 weeks, and was gone by 12 weeks, with lots of cottage cheese and fresh fruit in between!  It was no fun.  Looking back, it doesn't seem as bad as it did to me then.  It's a good thing.  I got to ride shotgun for every trip, and Michael wasn't allowed to cook bacon or any meat in the house.

Our baby's womb nickname became "Sev," which is short for Severus, who is my favorite Harry Potter character.  An ultrasound confirmed it was a boy, and we were off and running!  Ok, it was more like trotting on slow-mo tortoise legs, because my due date couldn't come soon enough, especially since my BP was high for the last several weeks, and I had to lay down as much as possible!  BO-ring!  Luckily, my boss is super-understanding and I adjusted my work schedule accordingly.  Shout out to my friend, Melissa, who let me borrow some great movies to pass the time.

I nested, I napped and I waited...

I scheduled a maternity shoot with Amy Hummel for about 14 days before my due date.  The shoot was freezing, and pretty quick and very well-timed, as my water broke the next morning!

Again, I called my mom right away.  She said to call Janae.  I called her, and Mike and I waited and cleaned some more...well, he did.  I rested and put on make-up, thinking if Kortney Kardashian could look that good during labor, so could I.  Riiight.

My contractions became stronger and soon felt like one long one, so Janae came over to set things up.  She applied pressure to my lower back, which is where my labor was for its entirety, and taught Mike how to.  He rubbed my back and put some hot towels on it, while I proclaimed over and over how I wanted my mom!  (How her ears must have burned that night!)

I labored in the tub for a while, but a hand and knees position was best for me, so that was how I remained until....it was time to push!

At around midnight, March 1st, we delivered Walker.  As Janae had predicted, I was exhausted.  I remember wanting to just rest until Mike said, "He has a lot of hair, huh?"

The magic words!  I found energy that comes with a new life and a new month, I suppose.  A few minutes later, Walker was born.  Mike got to catch him and cut the cord, Janae weighed and measured him and gave him his first little bath, and I?  Well, I slept in my own bed that night! 

A home birth may not be right for everyone on earth, but it was perfect for us.  I'm so grateful for the strength I got from my husband, my mom and sisters, and even my brothers and dad.  I have such confidence in Janae and even some in myself!

It was a magical experience, and one that I hope to nearly replicate with our new babies who might be waiting and wondering if they can come live with us!