Thursday, June 4, 2009

Norah's Birth

Because of the false alarm the previous week, I had requested to be induced early in the morning on Friday the 29th. This would insure that Matt would be present at Norah's birth. They admitted me at 6 a.m. and started Pitocin around 7:30.  I knew it would be after noon before I would see my doctor so I settled in for a long morning. Thankfully, I was a 3 and 50% effaced and thus the nurse (sweet Melissa) said I could go ahead and have the epidural. It was honestly the most comfortable I had been in 3 months! 

Melissa continued to check me every hour or so. I was progressing but slowly because my bag of waters was still intact. My nurse said if my water had been broken I probably would have already had her. Before the doctor arrived I maxed out at 6 cm and 60%. At 2:30/3:00 p.m. the doctor broke my water.  At 3:30 they checked me...9.5 cm and completely effaced. I was to have the baby soon. 

I could "feel" the pressure and knew it was close. The nurse checked me (this had to be around 3:50) and immediately said, "oh, we're having a baby!" She called in every available person and my doctor. They got one stirrup up but Norah wasn't having it. She literally delivered her head and shoulders by herself. The doctor was there, thankfully! I remember feeling her in my abdomen, feeling a contraction and then feeling her "disappear!" It was truly wild.  Much to my delight there were no "repairs" to be done. This makes all the difference in recovery!

She weighed in at 7 lbs. 8 oz. (exactly what her Momma predicted) and measured 20 inches. She is beautiful, of course :) I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...






Early that morning




Waiting...epidural was working, if you can't tell :)





Getting ready



She's here!



Daughter & Daddy





Sweet story: Audrey was incredibly tender at this moment. She was literally overwhelmed with joy and awe to the point that she started laughing and crying. So precious...my heart swells every time I think about it! She later told Matt, "Daddy, I feel kinda funny. It's like I could laugh and cry at the same time!" *sniff* *sniff*







31 comments:

Ashley said...

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

coneandmo said...

Sweet story and pictures, thanks for sharing! :) Michele

The Johnstons said...

Congratulations Chandlers! She is beautiful...and a full head of dark hair!!

Cintia Listenbee said...

How awesome! My baby is 5 weeks, so I share your joy with a recent appreciation for the miracle of life! May God continue to bless you!

Magen said...

That last picture of all 3 is so, so, so cute!!! All of your babies have a sweet demeanor on their pretty faces. Enjoy these cuddly few infant months with little Norah. She's sweet as could be! I feel like the last nine months with Anna Grace was about 9 days and now she just wants to move around on her own.

Also, I've never heard of not pushing...I'll look for that to happen with my third someday!

Liz said...

Absolutely Beautiful! Blessings!

The Durham's said...

I mean....seriously!! First, you are by far the most beautiful pregnant woman I have EVER seen! Second, I LOVE her sweet story and I LOVE her....she is so beautiful! Last, Audrey just blessed my heart and made me cry! She is so tender and full of Christ's mercy....she reminds me so much of you:) What a sweet moment for you guys! Congratulations Chandlers!!

Amanda said...

Lauren, she is just beautiful! That is so precious what Audrey said. So, so precious. Congrats to your family!

Jen said...

I love it all!
Audrey's reaction to sweet Norah warms my heart.!
Congrats I can't wait to meet her :O)

Sum said...

These are such great pictures! The one of all three kids is too stinkin' cute. Congrats!!!!

Kat, the Mom said...

Hi, I am Mia Heinrich's sister-in-law... I live in PA, but have been to your church once or twice with my brothers... Mia and I like to share stories like this, and so I hope you dont mind she directed me to yours... how incredible! Praise the Lord for your new little angel! and that it went so well! what a miracle!

Lauren said...

Norah is beautiful, Lauren! Audrey and Reid look like they are really enjoying her. Blessings to you :)

Tigpan said...

Amazing! I agree with Audrey, I am laughing and tears are flowing down my face! Welcome to the World little precious girl, I have prayed over you daily since I heard of your coming and I cannot wait to meet you!

just need me some Jesus said...

Hey, Lauren! We met once in the 'cry' room at church. She is beautiful!! I pray she have a heart for the Lord and that you guys enjoy every second with her! Our Lord is amazing!

julie

Ginger and Seane said...

She's beautiful, Lauren. Congratulations!! Love you.

The Barnyards said...

Lauren!!!!!! She's stunning!! So happy for you guys!! Much love!

Unknown said...

She is absolutely perfect! Congratulations!

Lauren Williams said...

Wow, birth! If i think about it too long my brain locks up. So awesome! What a sweet family :)

Crystal Malek said...

What a story! God is so good to us mommies! The pics are beautiful, but the story with Audrey...priceless! Thanks for sharing with all of us!

Elizabeth said...

She is so gorgeous. I totally understand that feeling of "holy cow, she's out",(except it was teagan)...but my doctor was MIA and the nurses delivered him....Glad that everything went so smoothly!! Sending hugs from Austin.
Elizabeth

Tricia Hoffmann said...

Congratulations! That is a very sweet stroy about Audrey. I can only hope my daughter feels the same way...I am hesitant :) All that black hair is amazing. God's blessings to you all!

KimBeau Hughes said...

Lauren! We are so happy for you guys. I must come over and hold little Norah soon now that she may be getting big enough that I don't have to worry about her head falling off. :) Love you guys.

Nat & Annie said...

She is beautiful and you both look like beaming parents! So great.

Anonymous said...

Lauren!

Praise God! I am so happy she is healthy and already on her way in God's Plan for His Kingdom!!

I also am grateful she came the weekend I decide to finally get back into fellowship (no excuse, sorry.) Been near your church since Aug 2001 ... mercy! Also, my 21-year old daughter is in Florida and yesterday ALSO went to church for first time in years and is in a renewal also!! *Praying for all of us as there is SO MUCH on our plates and I am a testimony to the Prodigal-Syndrome* So easy to see Satan working to derail all of us at any small let down in our guards (though I know God shields us, too)

Sorry for the blast of comment!

~ Jeff Rose

PS Following you guys on Twitter, too!

Anonymous said...

"Fruit of the Womb, Part 3?" Congrats, Lauren & family, and may God continue to protect and guide you daily as this little flock grows and pastures with their Shepherd!

I am thankful I happened to come back into fellowship yesterday - so close to Norah's birth. My 21-year old daughter, Dahlia, also is in Florida this week and she just went to church with a childhood friend yesterday (Dahlia's a student in Richmond, VA) and both of us are so excited!

Kneeling before his Grace and Mercy,

~ Jeff Rose

PS Following you guys on Twitter, too!

Dawntoya and Adam said...

Got a little teary eyed reading about Audrey...

The Tenner Family said...

What a beautiful little blessing. My favorites were the pics of Audrey and Reid with their new little sister. Absolutely priceless. Congrats again, Lauren.

The Rozell Family said...

Hey Chandlers,

Congrats on the new addition! Shes adorable, looking forward to seeing more pics. So glad labor went well Lauren. I saw your dad at Transform over the weekend and he said Norah is a really chill baby, that is awesome! hope you guys are doing well. Everything is going good up in Denton! Transform was incredible on Saturday.

Anonymous said...

Congrats my bruhthuh. I seriously can't believe you have 3. Will this be the last? Anyway, I think we are done at one. Life's just too easy with one. Also, you have made me proud. There's one good pic on there where you are leaning over Lauren and your tricep looks huge. Brought a tear to my eye. So Proud you are carrying on all my training (lol).
Love you man, Jimmy Herford

prin said...

I'm a little late to the party, but congratulations! And seriously, you guys have the prettiest family on the planet. You're all so beautiful.

Take care and God bless. :)

Brandon Smith said...

Tell Matt to get off the 'roids, his triceps are outta control! haha.

You guys have quite the ministry, God bless.