Lullaby

On June 4th, 2009 I sat in the hospital bed with tears streaming down my face. I was in recovery after an emergency D&C. I had lost over 35% of my blood that morning. I had been taken by ambulance to the hospital and soon after taken into surgery. Ben was by my side and we were silently soaking in the events of that terrible day. Our hearts were shattered.

And there it was again. The lullaby. Every time a baby was born, it would play over the speaker. Every time, I would hold my empty stomach, that just that morning had held my 16 week old baby, and cry. My heart was torn. I was numb. I was empty.
It was my Birthday.

At 7:30am on Friday, June 4th 2010, I stepped off the elevator. It was the same hospital, same floor, and I was going to meet the same doctor, exactly one year later...to the day. I had been having contractions for the past 24 hours, and the doctor had decided that if the baby hadn't come by that night, that he would help me out that morning with some pitocin. The baby didn't come that night, and I was in a lot of pain and exhausted. So there I was.

When I got all hooked up, I was already at a 3.5 and 70% effaced. They started the pitocin at 8:30am, and broke my water at 9:30. For whatever reason, Dr. Weary said my water was very stubborn. ha! By 11:00am I was at a 5! Things were progressing quickly and well. Then the contractions hit hard and furious. Because of the help from the pitocin, the contractions were 2 min. apart and I was only getting less than 30 sec. to try to calm down before the next one hit. They administered some great meds. into the I.V. and I held out for another 2 hours. I was in a ton of pain, but I was managing, with the help of a loving husband. By 12:30, I was beginning to shake all over and gasp for air. I just wasn't getting enough recovery time between contractions. So I got an epidural. The guy put it in in record time and he did a great job. It was WONDERFUL!!! Once it was in, I collapsed down on the bed and literally fell asleep. I actually slept while in labor. Crazy! At 3:00, I was awake and very ready to push, but the doc. was in an emergency surgery, and told the nurse to tell me to wait. I pumped up the epidural until I couldn't feel the urge so strongly, and waited. Thank goodness for the epidural. I would have been VERY sad to miss Dr. Weary.

At 3:45 the doctor came walking in. I pushed for less than ten minutes. At 3:58pm, William Wright Maynard was born. The first thing out of Dr. Weary's mouth was, "that is a big boy!" I glanced up and saw him hand off a Roley poly baby to the nurse. I couldn't help but grin. I watched the tears stream down Ben's face. Such a proud and loving daddy. My heart was so full of love for both of my boys in that room. Ben cut the cord and watched as the nurse did all of the baby stuff with William. I was exhausted but so anxious to hold my precious gift. We all watched with anticipation when they placed William on the scale. Everyone cracked up when it showed a whopping 9.3lbs. 20 1/2 inches. He had a head of blonde hair, and an adorable fat kissy face. Perfect in every way.


Finally, they placed him in my arms. Ben and I just stared at our beautiful baby. I thought my heart would explode with the love I had for this baby.
It was June 4th, and as I glanced up for a moment, I saw the beautiful dozen red roses Ben had brought to the hospital for me.
It was my Birthday.
I immediately thought what an amazing day it had turned out to be. I thought of how incredible the timing was. How special it was. How blessed we were. How much the Lord had blessed our lives and healed our hearts.

With so much love and gratitude in my heart, I was overwhelmed. At that moment, Ben looked at me with tear filled eyes, and said, "listen."
And there it was, playing on the speaker. The lullaby.
Our lullaby.
Ben and I let the tears flow.


Don't mind the chubby, fluid filled face of mine. Just look at my hot husband and adorable baby.


Mary loves to hold him, and is so excited. She is a great helper.


In EVERY ultrasound, he was sucking on his hand like this. He still does it. I think it is way too cute.


Sam surprised me with his excitement about the baby. He asked if he could "pet" him, and is really interested in everything. He is gentle with him, and likes to help feed him.


See the sign that says LGA. That means "large," as in large baby. Love it.


Right after he was born. I was so happy! Again...just look at the baby. Obviously, I had just been through labor, and my makeup was long gone.


Edible.


My THREE kids. I love this picture.


There just aren't words for this picture.