Final part!

I glanced up after that little conversation with Regina about pushing. How do I make it upstairs now. There he stood in doorway. Gabe! I was so relieved to see him. He caught that little conversation too and the look on his face was priceless! He came to my side. "Help me upstairs?"

"Where are the kids?"
"Lisa's"
"How are you?"
"I just want to be done." 

But that baby, still posterior, had me really concerned. What if I push and he's not in a good position? I really think I need to push soon! What if this is just the beginning to this really long labor. I need to push and if he's still posterior what if he gets lodged in there the wrong way!"

It didn't take long at all to realize the position I had thought I wanted to deliver in (laying on my side) was going to be a major no go! Once I switched it up, I could hear them setting up and bustling around. She's not set up. "Can I push? I'm pu...."

My water broke.

More quick bustling around. "Ok, she's pushing."

That unavoidable urge to push took over my fears and even hesitation to push. I quickly rationed in my head that if I had to push, he must be ready. I have no idea when he turned but thank God he did! I'm guessing it was pretty last minute. No one knows for sure. Regina didn't have time to check that or get a base line for heart rate. Things just went too fast. But I remember up until the last leg of it feeling him and still positive those were knees and everything else we had been feeling in the posterior position prior.

One good push for the head. A break. Then I was told to push like never before. He started to make the needed turn sideways in order to get the shoulders out, however he gave the implication of continuing to keep on turning right back to that dreaded posterior position (though preferred for him) which at that point would cause lots of problems, delay delivery, and possibly cause shoulder dislocation. That was pretty much all I needed to hear. I pushed a second time as hard as I could, and out he came!

"Thank you Jesus!" Then shortly after he cried. "Thank you God. " I still didn't know what it was. I was turned away. Honestly, all I cared about was that it was done and he was crying. After a few more seconds I asked what it was. Gabe said, "It's a boy!" 

A beautiful healthy baby boy with dark curly hair (it looked wavy due to being just born) just like in the many dreams I had that in each one it was clear in some way or another:

1) It was a boy
2) His name was Lemuel (despite Gabe's slow to come on board agreement in real life, that's another story, though neat in God's timing and working!)
3) He had dark curly/wavy hair
4) The labor was FAST. Several that I delivered myself. One where I was yelling down the hall for help!

Think God was preparing my heart and giving me some insight into something? Well absolutely!

My parents came the very next day to see us and then took all four kids home with them where two ended up with them, two with my in-laws. We are still enjoying a recoup time with just Lemuel. Well I am. Gabe returned to work today. The four day weekend, just us, was absolutely special in every way. The weather was beautiful. We felt completely overwhelmed by the blessing of our families and the goodness of our God. I am missing the kids and getting ready for their return on Wednesday afternoon. However, I am still very much seeing the great need for this time and even enjoying it thoroughly!

A healthy son is something we just.don't.take.lightly. What a gift! Praise be to our God!

Regina, my midwife.

Boaz very interested and curious as to what the screaming thing was.

Seeing him for the first time!

First time holding Lemuel.

Proud, doesn't even describe it.

Big brother, Asher. He was so precious with this babe.

The face! I can't stand it.

Lots of admiring.

My parents meet Lemuel.

Grampy and the best dad I could have ever asked for!
Love this man!

 

 The chins!

Special visitors 

Proud dad on Father's Day.
4 sons to boot!
And one very extra special princess. Who's role as such just got that much more special!

 

Pretty much ever since we've moved into this house Gabe has wanted a red maple. I told him I wanted him to go pick one out for Father's Day this year. Typically we don't do presents. This just seemed fitting this year! Of course he jumped on the idea and got to work. In honor of Lemuel's birth as well as being the best Dad for our babies! My babies and I are blessed by this man!

He's a keeper for sure!