Parents

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4Potato’s Birth Story

4Potato’s arrival was the longest anticipated birth. We thought she was due December 29^th but she did not arrive until January 20^th.

She was born at 10:12 a.m. Jan 20th after 14 hours of labor. Out of those 14 hours only 2+ hours seemed like hard labor. I went into labor between 7 & 8 p.m. on Wednesday night. We called Paul’s parents over to spend the night after several false calls. I had been feeling like my body was preparing for labor although I hadn’t actually been having contractions yet… Things weren’t too intense but I was definitely in labor. We went to bed for awhile and things picked up around 2 am. We called the midwife to come over. Labor was pretty intense for an hour or so after Donna got here but then let up. So we went back to bed for awhile. I can’t really remember what happened after this. At some point after the sun came up my labor picked back up and I took a shower. Donna checked me afterward and I was at 7 cm as usual. She got ready for the baby’s arrival much earlier this time since 3potato had surprised her. After a couple of pushes we had another beautiful girl at 10:12 am. She weighed 7 lbs and was 21 inches long. Although she was later than we expected the midwife commented that she actually looked early. We were just off on our due date and I was so glad that we waited on God’s timing instead of inducing labor based on our timing.

This poem helped me get through the very long wait for 4potato’s arrival.

Waiting

by Robin Jones Gunn

Dear Baby, here beneath my heart,

I thought that you might come today;

The timing seemed just right.

But the stars are out

And the moon is high

And sheepishly I wonder why

I try to arrange the plans

of God.

For now I know

You will not come

Until the One who holds eternity

Rustles your soft cocoon

And whispers in tones that I will not hear,

“It’s time, precious gift.”

“Now it’s time.”