Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
Psalm 127:3
For you formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13
That Monday seemed normal initially. Sure, I'd been having contractions for a few hours, but I'd been doing that on and off for weeks. I did finally start to time them and started to think maybe she'd come that night or the next day. Brendan took over the job and was on me like glue (when was I having one, how painful was it, how long since the last one?). The day progressed as any other with chores and school and meals. And Brendan keeping track of every contraction! I was non-chalant with Jay because I didn't want to alarm him seeing as he was in Orange County with a ton of work to do. Finally about 12:30 I called him to come home, but assured him there was no need to rush - stopping for lunch and gas was fine. I put Aaron down for his nap and sat down to read with the girls.
By the time Jay got home at 1:30 they were getting closer together and a bit stronger. It was then I decided to call my mom so she could get on the road and avoid afternoon traffic out of Pasadena. Jay kept saying we needed to go, but I was in no hurry. We left the house about 1:50 for the hospital. Labor progressed very quickly between my house and the hospital (obviously), which is only 8 miles from my house. I was in terrible pain, not able to talk through contractions, by the time we arrived.
I checked in at 2:15.
I got to a L & D room and was 8 cm when the nurse checked me at 2:22.
Jay and the nurse were the only two people in the room. As the nurse was turning on the monitors to hook me up, I pushed my first push and her head came out at 2:23.
The nurse asked me to wait on the pushing so she could get some gloves on, but that wasn't happening. So at 2:24 Jaynie was born, delivered by one nurse with gloves half on. Jay admitted later that he was a tad bit nervous this time around. Can't imagine why?
Jaynie is very docile and easy. She has nursed well right from the start. After two days we came home from the hospital. It was a rough start, not for she and I, but for the other kids. I was at the pediatrician's office the first two days we were home. Gracie, Brendan and Emmie had sinus infections. Aaron had an ear infection and tonsilitis. All four of them went on antibiotics. Keeping them away from the baby was challenging. Aaron was cranky and wanting mommy more so than just adjusting to a new baby.
Yet it was such a sweet and joyful time. I couldn't stop reflecting on how thankful I was. Jaynie was healthy and the delivery went smoothly. The timing worked out so well. Jay was actually able to stay with me one night, which he has never been able to do. It was a quiet time for us to be together and have that experience. He went right back to work, but has not complained. I so appreciate him and the way he provides for us. And he has been good about loving on the others since I'm consumed with baby. My mom has been here ever since, filling in for me in all areas. She has such a servant's heart, asking me what she can do each morning. I want to be like her when I grow up. And we have been so blessed by meals from our homeschool group and church. By the end of the day the three of us adults are wiped out so it's such a relief to not have to worry about dinner.
Her name didn't come right away. It had been on my list all along and was one of Jay's favorites. As we were having our alone time with her after the delivery, we agreed we liked that name best. Rather than the typical spelling of Janie, we put the 'y' in after her daddy. Jay looked up the meaning and we both knew it was her name. JAYNIE means "Jehovah has been gracious; has shown favor." This was especially meaningful to us because over the last couple of years we have come to understand and appreciate God's grace more than ever before. And HOPE was the obvious middle name because our hope is in the Lord - the two names went together so well.
Jaynie Hope Nelson
January 30, 2012
2:24 pm
7 pounds 5 ounces
20 inches
