Luke's Birth Story

I think those times when people are entering this world and leaving this world are most sacred. Luke's birth was no exception. I've had my kids in several different environments, for different reasons: Liza at home, Micah in a free-standing birth center, Sarah at the hospital, and Luke at home again. Needless to say, if you don't enjoy birth stories, this probably isn't the post for you. :)
My fantastic midwife, Melissa Mayo, visited me the evening of Valentine's Day, and I was feeling a little discouraged, being five days overdue already (who really knows, exactly). Well, she had some tricks up her sleeve, and sure enough, I woke up around 12:30am, Feb. 15, in labor (give or take, I didn't have my contacts in to read the clock). I slept in between contractions until they were too strong, 12:58. I put in my contacts, puttered around and ate a couple leftover chocolate covered strawberries. They came 7 minutes apart, then 3 3 3. The real deal.
I went downstairs and woke Ash from his campout w/ the kids, the perfect night for them to be sleeping in the basement. Ashley gave me a much-needed priesthood blessing. We inflated and began filling the tub, called Melissa and she was at our place about 1:45 (I deliver quickly and was nervous she might not make it). Melissa was wearing a black t-shirt that said, "Let's rock and roll." At 2am, I thought this was a hysterical thing to wear to a birth. Soon after, Annie, another midwife, arrived. I remember she smelled great, like lavender. Funny the things you remember. They monitored Luke with the Doppler and he was doing great. Then I called Haylee, my neighbor friend who also just happens to be an amazing photographer. She had agreed to come take some birthday photos. I told her we'd probably need her in a half hour or so. Ten minutes later we were calling her again to come. I delivered Luke in the tub at 3:41 am, the same time of day his brother Micah was born. His arm was tucked up against his chest and he was a tough little guy to push out. Ash and I had a few minutes alone with him and then Ash went to get my brother Kevin, who had come to help out with the kids. He was waiting right outside my bedroom door, what a sweetie. He woke the kids and they came in to meet little Luke. It took Sarah a good half hour to warm up to him, at which point she said that Luke was cold and put her sock on his head. Eliza was in love from the start. Micah was too, but the poor guy wasn't feeling well that morning and went back to bed soon after the birth. So he's not in as many of the photos. Luke was just perfect--he cried for a few minutes and then was wide awake for about an hour, so that was fun for us all.
It was a great day--a fast, peaceful entrance into the world for Luke, lots of good support with intermittent fetal monitoring, good sibling bonding, and celebrating with more chocolate strawberries afterward, of course. Ashley was the perfect, supportive partner, definitely my rock. Melissa and Annie made every moment more special by things they said and did. It's such a miracle, every time.
We were so grateful that Haylee agreed to come, especially on Luke's crazy timing. She has a calm presence and was such a great part of the whole experience. She made me a neat slideshow with music, here is the second half of it. To see more of her work, click here.