To my sweet Nora Simone, here is the story of the day you were born…
We had been prepping for a homebirth for the past weeks gathering all of our supplies; birthing tub, hose and sink connectors, clean towels, plastic to cover the floor and bed, birthing sheets, music playlists, candles, aromatherapy. I had been doing yoga, and took a “birthing from within class” to prepare myself for the birth. Sheila Watson was our midwife and she was going to deliver you at home. Your due date was the 17th of October. I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions for months now, so I thought nothing of them. They were painless contractions that I noticed, but they didn't really bother me. On Friday October 14th, I woke up, played with your big sister Sadie, and we started our day. We took a shower where I noticed that I was having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, but they still didn't hurt. I called Sheila to let her know, but went on with my day. We had lunch with Grandpa at Roasters and Toasters, although I wasn't very hungry. After, Sadie and I (and you in my tummy) went to Whole Foods to get picnic food for the concert we were going to that night. Sadie and I got home and played/relaxed in the front yard, and prepared for the concert/picnic. On the way to Bayfront Park I had a few contractions that felt a little stronger, and thought for a second, maybe I shouldn't be going to a concert. Nonsense-I had to dance and listen to music before you were born!!! At 6:01PM I texted Sheila, “At the concert. Feeling pretty crampy.” We had our picnic, danced to the Spam All Stars, and enjoyed the Ocean Breeze. We got home around 9PM, put Sadie to bed, showered, watched some Family Guy and went to sleep. At around 11:30, I woke to go to the bathroom, and again at 11:45, and again a bit later. Daddy was now suspecting that I was in labor but I was still in denial. At 12:36AM I texted Sheila, “OK. Something is going on now. Trying to figure out a pattern and then I’ll call you. I don’t want to wake you up for nothing.” I timed the contractions and then called Sheila at 1:07 to tell her that the contractions were strong, but not too strong lasting a minute and were 7 minute apart. We decided to be in touch in an hour. I layed in bed trying to rest between contractions. When one would come, I would concentrate on my out breath and if they got bad I would moan “ooooowwwwwwww” or “shiiiiiiiiiiiiiit” but it was still tolerable. I got up to pee, and kiss Sadie and for some reason when I did that the contractions came one after another and they were more painful than the ones in bed. I got back in bed and Daddy called Sheila at 1:33 to tell her that the contractions are stronger and she should start heading over this way. A couple of minutes later I felt the urge to push. 1:36, Daddy called Sheila to tell her I felt like pushing-I called out in the background, “Sheila, hurry.” I had a feeling she wouldn’t make it. Daddy dragged the birthing tub over and started to inflate it. I told him to stop; I couldn’t control the urge to push. After one push in bed, we went into the bathroom, and I hovered over the toilet, holding on to Daddy’s shoulders. After a few pushes your head was out at 1:46. You were facing back, and I could feel your little body turning so that your shoulders and body could be born. You turned to the side, and one more push and you were out at 1:47AM. Daddy caught you and handed you right over to me, where I held you squatting on the floor waiting for you to take your first breath. It was taking a little while, so Daddy blew a breath into your mouth and you started to cry. Daddy stayed soo calm through all of this. We were both in shock, and in love with you immediately. I felt the urge to push again, and told daddy to go get a bowl from the kitchen. At 2:03am the placenta came out—the cord was cut at 3am. Sheila arrived soon after the placenta. We are soo happy to welcome you to our little family. We love you Nora Simone!
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