Simon Anthony's Birth-Day

On the day you were born, Simon, I was both busy here at the farm and determined to meet you. Saturday morning, May 11th, 2013, I woke up with some anxiety about the fact that you still weren't here...at that point you were nine days past your estimated due date and I had less than a week to give birth to you at home (at 42 weeks, we would have to go to the hospital according to Natalie, our midwife). Your grandma had been staying at our house for two weeks by then and we were all so excited for you to come. I told your dad that morning that I was going to get serious about going into labor...and I did. I used castor oil and your grandma and I made some delicious Eggplant Parmesan the night before which I ate and ate. After breakfast, Grammie, Stella and and I, enormously pregnant, went to the Serenbe Farmer's Market for some walking (good for going into labor) and some tasty baked goods (just good). Later, after we got home, we all went on a pasture walk. Stella and Daddy went out into the woods a bit while I walked the pasture with ant killer. While we were out there I noticed Sue had a weird bug bite reaction. After a chat with the vet, I headed to CVS for some Benadryl which I promptly administered upon my return. While walking up from the barn (now it was about 6:00pm) I was thinking laborious thoughts...asking for those contractions to kick in, and feeling a bit crampy. By the time I got up to the house, I had a feeling and I told Grammie with a lot of trepidation "don't get too excited but I think I'm in labor." Grammie was really excited but tried to be cool. I sat on my birthing ball and promptly sprung a leak. In the bathroom I called to Grammie to get me a pad because my water had broken. "REALLY?" she asked with sincere excitement. "Yes!" Then Daddy came up from the basement and I told him I was in labor. He looked at me skeptically and asked "how do you know, sweetie?" Pretty shortly after that strong contractions kicked in lasting 30 seconds and 2 1/2 minutes apart. Your sister acted as my doula, never showing any fear during contractions but sitting quietly next to me during most of them. During the breaks I talked to her about what was happening and told her soon she would be a big sister. Somehow, she seemed to understand although she was only two! After one hour of the same contractions I texted Natalie to give her a head's up. She thought they might just be cramps and so asked me to call her back in an hour. At 8:00pm Grammie was getting worried. She said the sounds I was making were intense. I took a shower then, got out and called Natalie. She said she was on her way but still sounded like she didn't really expect I was giving birth anytime soon. It was just still so early compared to labor with your sister...I felt like maybe I was being too wimpy and that I still had a ways to go. At that point, I felt so bad for Stella because of how tired she was so I took her to her room and tried to nurse her down; I had a HUGE contraction and yelled to your dad that I might poop your sissy's bed. In a panic he got me up and to the potty where I declared "I don't think I can do this again!!!" That is the transition phrase and it signaled to your dad that I was about to have a toilet baby. "Get up sweetie! Get to the bed!!" he pulled me up and helped me to the bed where he said he could almost see your head. At that point my body was pushing, Natalie came in through the door and about ten minutes later, at 8:54pm, I pushed you out in about four pushes. It was incredible and so, so fast. I was really happy you were here. You came out "roaring" as your Grammie says. You had all this thick, black hair and a huge cry. You were as perfect and gorgeous as a baby could be. Your sister, dad, grandmother and midwife were all in attendance. Your dad cut your cord after all the blood went to your tiny body. It was tied as the happiest day of my life (with your sister's birth). We named you the very next day. I love you, Simon!