Double Birthday

Submitted by kbarko on Sat, 2006-05-06 18:30

Tuesday May 2nd at 4 a.m. my wife woke me up to tell me the exciting news that she was going into labor. We were both excited by the prospect that it wouldn't be long to see our new son. We didn't expect that it would take as long as it did.

After a hard labor that lasted over 24 hours, my wife finally gave birth to a healthy, 9 lb, 20 in, beautiful baby boy on May 3rd, 2006 at 4:20 a.m. She gave birth to him at home in a birthing pool. She didn't take any pain medications which is a bit unusual given the highly medicated society we live in today. This was planned as she didn't want our son being drugged upon arrival. Her plan proved to be worth it. As Elijah sat with his Grandpa only a few hours after being born, he spent about an hour wide eyed and looking around the room.

Both mother and son are doing well. Incidentally, both mother and son share the same birthday, May 3rd. I am proud of my wife. Throughout her pregnancy she was adamant about eating healthy, taking her vitamins, not taking medications, exercising, and doing all that was humanly possible to ensure the healthiest baby she could deliver. At the end of her labor when she was getting fatigued and we were beginning to wonder if she would have the energy to push the baby out, she didn't quit. She persevered and delivered the biggest blessing we've ever had. She is my hero and I love both her and Elijah dearly.

To see pictures of Elijah, click here.

 

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shanatoly's picture

shanatoly says:

It was a little over a week ago that I found myself driving north on interstate 81, at 5:00 in the morning crying the whole way home. "NOT SO" you say. It's true. although I have never claimed to be a mushpot, there I was crying like a baby BECAUSE of a baby. Isn't that crazy? The experience of witnessing the birth of your baby has begun to fade a little, and yet I continue to think to myself, what an incredible honor to have been just the tiniest part of that day! I can truly say that it is probably on my top 5 list of honors.

That feeling has also forced me to acknowledge that seeing and taking part (very minisculy - I have no idea how to spell that - where are the english teachers?) in the birthing process is not the most honored thing I have experienced. Every day I have a chance to see the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of those who don't know the Gospel. God even gives me the honor of planting a seed, or watering a plant, that might one day be fruit!! How often have I truly desired to be present when a person is being born into God's incredible love? I am sad to think that there have been many times when I have seen God working in someone's life and have gone home without a tear, without even pondering the miracle. Do I have any idea of what an honor it is to be in God's service.

I pray that those tears of joy that I had for the birth of your baby Elijah, will multiply as I begin to see those around me who don't know God as miracles waiting to happen. Maybe God will give me a little piece of the process of those miracles -at least to just be present!

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