Our Birth Story

Ok I'll try to keep this short, but it was the most amazing 12 hours of my life!

When Kevin and I found out we were expecting he immediately started trying to get me to agree to a homebirth. Let me just say...it took a few arguments, a meeting with the OB/GYN, and lots of education for me to say ok. I was scared to death. I worked in a NICU. What if something went wrong? But once I agreed I was fully on board. I witnessed a dear friend have her baby in the comforts of her home and I was sold. That was what I wanted for my baby. So began my walk of faith, not fear! We took a Bradley Method class which gave us the tools we would need to handle the pains and endurance of birth. We met with our midwife regularly and I absolutely loved her. She made me feel so calm and confident about having this baby. So at 39 weeks and 4 days when I went into labor, we were ready. We didn't worry about complications, pain, or exhaustion. We welcomed each contraction as a sign that soon we would meet our precious miracle. We came together as a couple like we had never before. We communicated without saying a word. Kevin tended to me in such a compassionate way. He encouraged me through the entire night of laboring. We were truly one. And at 8:15AM on December 4, 2008 we welcomed Ayda Grace into our family. The lights were dim, the room warm, soft music playing. It was exactly how we pictured. My mom and two close friends were there for Ayda's first BIRTHday party. Tears in everyone's eyes made it clear this little one was so loved. I felt the Lord's spirit in that room like never before. Almost as if He was saying here is the gift I am blessing you with. Take good care of her. What an honor. In that instant I became a mom. A role I had no clue the intensity it would require. The responsibility beyond anything I imagined. The love I never thought I was capable of having for someone. At 11:30AM everyone had left our house except my mom. She went to the guest room to sleep. And in our room, all snuggled up together in our bed, was our new family. It was the most amazing, peaceful sleep I have had. To hold our sweet baby in my arms. Feel her breath. No interruptions. For 3 hours we slept. Her birthday was exactly what I wanted. No medications. No interventions. Just a family with community around us welcoming a new life into the world. It was perfect!