(Big) Blessings

I've been absent from my little corner of the Interwebs longer than I intended -- the truth is, though I had a few projects to share, I was just ready to have my baby. And if past experience were any indication, I was due to deliver any day (my first three were 12, 16, and 16 days early). Sixteen days before my due date came and went. So did twelve. One week before my due date and all I had to show were a handful of Braxton Hicks contractions (which I'd never experienced in previous pregnancies). When my due date came and went, I already felt two weeks overdue and the word "induction" was introduced to my consciousness. I felt huge and incredibly uncomfortable, and a cashier asked if I were having twins! Finally, finally, a full week after my due date, it was time. 

Contractions started suddenly and violently, less than five minutes apart. We called the midwifery center, grabbed a few last-minute essentials, and hopped in the car. By the time we reached the ER to be admitted, I was feeling a bit "pushy." Up to the room, and a few contractions later it was time for our little guy to make his appearance. My midwife was great, coaching me through and encouraging me. My husband always seems to know what to do (namely, just being there when I need him, and letting me squeeze his hand as tightly as I can!). Pushing was harder than I remembered it being with my second and third babies, but in reality it wasn't that long. In fact, the entire labor was just under an hour and a half from start to finish! Granted, at my last appointment I was over half-way dilated and almost fully effaced -- so I didn't have that far to go. 

The midwife and nurse commented on how big he was, and after we'd had an hour or so of "just us" the nurse came back to weigh, measure, and clean him. She guessed over ten pounds, my husband guessed ten even, and I guessed nine-and-change because I couldn't fathom him being any larger than that. Imagine our surprise (shock, rather) when he tipped the scales at a hair over eleven pounds! No wonder I'd been a bit... uncomfortable... over the past few weeks! All of my previous babies were seven pounds and some odd ounces -- though they'd been increasing a few ounces in size each time, and I jested at Laddie's birth that the next baby would be over eight pounds. Well, I was right!

It's so good to finally have him here, our little "Scout" (as he'll be called on the blog). I still call him "little," even though the nurse had to go grab the size 1 diapers to replace the newborn diapers she'd had ready. I'd been concerned about the possibility of a c-section if induction was required, but as it turns out his large size was actually more of a risk. I am so grateful that labor was so swift, and that we didn't have any issues with shoulder dystocia. I'm also grateful I had no idea how big he was before the birth -- that would have been intimidating, to say the least!

After three very similar births, Scout has certainly changed things up -- I realized in those last agonizing weeks that I'd never had to wait for a baby before. All three of my older children had arrived before I really expected them to. Guess what? I'm not good at waiting!

But I'm already enjoy some of the "perks" -- for instance, Laddie was always congested, and required frequent suctioning for the first several months. In fact, I could never let him cry it out, because he would become so congested that he could barely breathe. There's a strong possibility that's related to his arriving 16 days before his due date. Scout, on the other hand, hasn't need any help in the respiratory department. Being "Large for Gestational Age" carried a few concerns (big babies have their blood sugars checked before their first twelve feedings), but Scout passed all of his checks with flying colors and seems perfectly healthy. And no, I didn't have gestational diabetes -- in fact, my blood sugar was exceptional when I was tested! He's just... big.

Every baby is a blessing, but I can honestly say I didn't expect such a "big" blessing from the Lord! I'm trying to rest and recover, basking in the newborn snuggles -- it's such a fleeting season (and one of my favorites). It's such a joy to see Scout's older siblings being so sweet and loving. They've been so excited about his arrival, and now that he's here they can't get enough of him! Especially sweet is the way Scout seems so calm when Rosa holds him -- which she wants to do frequently. I think the only thing I have to worry about is Scout being smothered with affection! Perhaps that's why God knitted him together on a slightly larger scale...

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you."

Jeremiah 1:5a