Welcome to our family, Ireland Genevieve Colvin, born July 21st at 7:04 pm, weighing 9lbs 4oz. I am very thankful first of all to my husband for supporting and encouraging me through her birth. To my kids, who’s excitement at the impending arrival of a new sibling gave me another reason to persevere. To all of my friends and family who prayed me through, enabling me to say that this was by far the smoothest labor experience I have ever had. To my midwife who has been with me through all 6 pregnancies and births, she’s amazing. For all of that I am truly thankful.
It was pretty clear, as mild contractions woke me periodically through the night of the 20th, that our newest Colvin would be born in the next day or two. The contractions never amounted to much more than an inconvenience throughout the night. By morning I was sure it would be awhile so I told Joe he’d be ok to go off to work, but to keep his phone close.
By 2:00 Joe arrived home and my contractions were coming every 3-4 minutes. Having had long labors in the past I knew that it could be a long night. The contractions were bearable but the heat was not. For those of you who remember the really hot day a couple of weeks back when you’re a/c just couldn’t quite keep up, well that was the day Ireland was born. Our air was working hard to keep 80, and I was sweating! We decided to move to the basement where it was cooler. It wasn’t much more than a half an hour before the pain was much worse and I told Joe to call the midwife.
She arrived around 5 and began setting up her supplies and taking care of the necessary paperwork. She and Joe kept a bowl of cold water and a washcloth at the bedside to keep me cool. Joe kept me focused as I reached definite low moments when I was sure I couldn’t handle anymore contractions. It was a surprise to us all when Ireland entered the world at 7:04, especially since I started pushing at roughly 6:55. The kids were all in another room eating dinner when they heard the wonderful sound of a baby crying.
It was a few hours before the midwife and her assistant finished up, washed up my dishes, started the laundry and headed home. The house was quiet as the kids headed to bed and Joe and I shared our thoughts and feelings with each other on the whole event.
Labor is a strange beast. As I told Joe, when you are in the middle of it all you aren’t thinking of the signposts…“I feel like I can’t do this anymore I must be about 9 cm and near the end.” Rather it’s more like, “I feel like I can’t do this anymore, how did I do this 5 times before? I see no end in sight!!! Who’s idea was this anyway???” Then the next thing you know, it’s over, and you’re holding the most beautiful creation in the world thinking, “that wasn’t so bad, I could do that again.”
I guarantee there is no pain like it in the world that brings about so precious a reward. A reward we will treasure for a lifetime. I’d be lying if I told you that I don’t mind the challenge/pain of labor, more that I fear it as the time approaches. But God is truly amazing as He surrounds me with family and friends who love me enough to lift me up in prayer when the need arose and many even before that, and He gave me a husband who is my biggest cheerleader no matter how ridiculous and demanding I can be in the middle of it all….I couldn’t have done it without him, or Him.
Thank you Lord for a husband who loves me, who loves our children and who loves (and takes seriously) his role and responsibility as a father and husband. Thank you for my friends and family and their faithfulness. And thank you Lord for little Ireland. A sweet and precious blessing straight from Heaven. May you give us the strength and wisdom to be her parents. We give you all the glory!
Amen.
Sydney was snapping pictures during early labor. I post this picture because the things going on around me were as blurry in my mind as this picture is.
Everyone was excited:) Joe kept the phone with him to keep all the family posted.
Everyone took turns holding Ireland.
Ireland and her cousin Lincoln…we took a similar picture 11 1/2 years ago with Sydney and her cousin Nicholas.
Ireland and Mamaw (Genevieve) Brookshire.
Welcome little one.
***Photos marked www.rawsii.com : A special thanks to Christ Nelson owner of Rawsii, friend and photographer, for taking these beautiful pictures.