the birth story, part 1

The week leading up to your birth day was the hardest of my entire pregnancy. I was so ready to meet you and so full of anticipation. I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions for most of the week, so when I went in for my check-up on your due date, I was praying that the doctor would tell me that you were coming soon. Instead, she told me that I hadn’t progressed at all and because your dad had to go to back to work in just a few days, she scheduled us for an induction on Monday. I was discouraged, but thankful for a weekend together with your dad.

The rest of the day at home was pretty quiet. That evening, we went for a walk with Rudy. We walked and walked and walked – I was determined to get you out! Someone stopped to ask me when I was due and said she couldn’t believe how great I looked when I told her. And that made your mama feel good.

I took a bath while your dad went to the store for milk and Frosted Flakes, since that’s all I wanted for dinner. I prayed that you’d come soon and cried when I thought about all of the similar, tender moments between God and his other daughters when they reached that point in their pregnancy where all they wanted was to meet their child. I know He must have been so excited to know how soon you were coming to see me.

I didn’t sleep well that night and even had some contractions that made me wonder if I should wake up your dad, but I eventually drifted off. When I woke up the next morning, I was a little sad that I hadn’t gone into labor overnight.

On Saturday morning, we ate breakfast and decided to go for another walk. It was a beautiful, warm day and everyone was out and about in the neighborhood. I remember thinking how odd it seemed that people were doing such mundane things like mowing the grass and walking their dogs when I was so close to this grand moment of bringing my son into the world. I felt like they should be lining the sidewalk instead, cheering me on.

The rest of the day was long. I couldn’t get comfortable, but I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep. I went back and forth from the couch to the exercise ball to the bed. Your dad picked up Chinese food for lunch and I joked that maybe the General Tso’s chicken would kick you out. We took another walk before it got dark, watched some TV and got in bed around 11pm. I wondered out loud if you'd come overnight and your dad joked that it would be nice if you waited until the morning so we could at least get a good night’s sleep.

And before he could finish that sentence, my water broke.