Elliot's Birth Day - 1/27/2016

Beware: some parts might be TMI.

Despite speculation that he will arrive early, Elliot "held in there" until our scheduled induction. I was 6cm dilated that morning when we checked in around 7:30am, and Nurse Diana exclaimed, “how is it that you have not given birth already?!”

“Well, I’m glad that I will today!” I replied.

**

On our drive to the hospital, I reflected that I did not have very much “anticipatory excitement”. I was super looking forward to meeting Elliot, and was filled with joy that I would see him face to face soon. But other than the physiological symptom of sleepless nights the week prior, I was not “counting down” like Arthur nor had butterflies in my stomach.

Maybe it was the fact that it could have happened any day and I did not want to get my hopes up and down on a daily basis, my coping mechanism was to make preparations so I would be ready; and then live each day as “normally” as I possibly could and not think too much about the event happening. “When it happens, it happens” was my mantra.

I wonder if this would not be a good parallel whilst waiting for Jesus – whether after this life or for Him to come again in this one. Get ready and be prepared (this can mean so many things as shown by the parables, but I posit that at the very least is to know and have a relationship with Him), live each day on earth that He has given as faithfully as possible in the “now but not-yet” reality, and then look forward to the joy of seeing Him face to face (so that any loss associated with death or regrets associated with missed opportunities is counted as gain).

**

Things proceeded very smoothly in the hospital. They started me on the oxytocin drip at 8am, Dr. Lee came to break my water bag shortly after and then the contractions began. They got stronger progressively and by 9am, I was ready for the epidural.

I made it a point to share with them my experience with Mya’s birth – the anesthesiologist was careful not to give me too strong a dose because of my height, and I was literally watching the clock so I can push for more epi every 15 minutes. So this time around, they gave me a stronger dose which worked like a charm. Other than pins and needles in my legs, I hardly felt the contractions. I was even able to watch “You’ve got mail” with Arthur and take a short snooze.

Slightly past 12pm, I felt more pressure and called for the nurse who did not come.

And at around 1pm, Nurse Diana came in to check on me. “Oh! The head is right there! Ok time to push soon!”  She paged for Dr. Lee and made the necessary preparations.

Dr. Lee came in at around 1:25pm. I pushed once and then was told to wait for the next contraction. When the next one came, I pushed hard twice and Elliot was born at 1:33pm! Because he came out too fast, Elliot was a tat bruised in his face.

9lbs 1 oz, 22 inches. He was a big baby, but he seemed so little to me. Welcome to the world my son, my little Elliot. I love you, all of you, every bit of you, so very much already.

Susan shared this song with us and it could not come at a better time. Thanks honey for “bugging the forgetful me” to listen to this!

"I Get To Be The One"

Well hello,
Little baby.
Your eyes have never seen the sun
You should know
Little baby
That I am the lucky one

I get to be the one to hold your hand
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones
I'll be there to watch you grow
I get to be the one.

Don't feel alone now,
Little baby.
Do you hear me singing you a song
I can't wait to show you
Little baby
How to crawl
How to walk
And how to run

I get to be the one to hold your hand
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones
I'll be there to watch you grow
I get to be the one.

How does someone so small
Hold my heart so tightly
I don't even know you
I love you completely

I get to be the one to hold your hand
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones
I'll be there to watch you grow
I get to be the one to hold your hand
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones
I'll be there to watch you grow
I get to be the one.