Micah's Birth Story

There are so many miracles that have happened in the past few months and so much that I want to document.  But, today, I'll begin at his birth.

On Monday, while visiting teaching Heather, I got a phone call.  I didn't answer because I didn't recognize the number and was more concerned about my visit with Heather and Lisa.  Then, Heather's home phone rang.  It was Peggy (my mother-in-law).

"Jenny?  Lindsey's water broke."

I immediately left and called Lindsey.  Sure enough, she was in the hospital and waiting for me to come up.

I drove up to the hospital and hung out with Lindsey and her mom.  There, we waited, and waited.  We played Pictionary, talked, tried to sleep.  We ate a little, laughed, and I finished a blanket (that I was giving to her) right in front of her.  Yeah.  She was a week early...so, I didn't get things done on time (thank you Hailey for helping me).  People came and visited.

Then, contractions.  She had been having them before, but now, they were the real deal and hurting.  It was interesting being in the room with her.  Over the past few months my love for her has grown so much, and it was painful for me to see her in pain.  She was champ though.  Seriously.  A champ.

29 hours after labor, and 22 hours after ACTIVE labor, Micah was born.

I can't explain how incredible it was to be in that room with her.  First of all, I was completely touched that she wanted me to be there with her and her mom.  Her grandma came as well, and so it was this team of women...a room full of so much love.  I was honored to be among this small circle.  In fact, I told Lindsey that I think I was more emotional than she was!  Yes, she was working hard and was focusing on getting the job done (which she had been hoping, I'm sure, had happened 15 hours before).  But seeing her work so hard to bring this little life into the world, and knowing what that meant for our family...I was so overwhelmed.  Often Cindy (Lindsey's mom) would lovingly look over to me as I just cried.  Those moments are priceless to me.  I wish I had the words to explain this all.  Birth is a miracle.  Lindsey is a miracle.

After Micah was born, we stayed in Lindsey's room.  He was weighed, cleaned up, and I was able to hold him skin to skin....all 9 lbs 4 oz of him!  He had a slight fever and had a bit of trouble getting the fluid out of his lungs, but he was fine.

It was a little while before everything was cleaned up and ready before the men-folk were able to come back in.  Marcus had to wait a good 20 minutes before he was allowed in, along with Lindsey's grandpa and father.

I held him.  Marcus held him.  Lindsey, her mom, and her grandma held him.  There was so much love in that room all because of this one little man.

oooo look at that little tongue

First picture of Mommy, Daddy, and Micah
(Remember...about 30 hours without a shower and real sleep)

I instantly fell in love with him.  I credit that all to Lindsey.  With adoption, sometimes the adoptive family misses out on some of the bonding time.  I didn't carry him for 9 months and feel him move.  There's just a lot that the adoptive family "misses" out on.  And when Callie was born, I was prepared by others that it could take some time to bond, that the mother/daughter bond may not be immediate.  I immediately fell in love with her, but it did take me a couple weeks before I felt like she was my daughter.  And the moment when I felt that connection with her was a spiritual one.  I remember exactly where I was sitting, the time of day, and the feeling I had.

When Micah was born, that feeling came the day he was born.  Once Lindsey knew we were her family, she let us into her heart and his life.  She allowed us to experience it all with her, the best she could anyway.  Being in that room with her during the labor and delivery, I know I wasn't doing the work, but I felt a part of it.  I felt like all those adoptions in the past couple years that have fallen through were because we were waiting for him.  It just all felt perfect.  He's perfect.

Going home

Since he's been home, we have loved holding him, cuddling him, feeding him, just being with him.  He's such a blessing...such a joy.  There's a peace that all newborns carry with them.  They are fresh and new.  Pure and clean.  He has slowed down our lives and brought a spirit of love and joy into our home in more abundance.  We look forward to the days ahead and for the years ahead with Lindsey and her family.  This little man is surrounded by so much love.  There are so many people who have been praying for him and loving him before he even made his earthly debut.

Welcome Micah.

We love you.