A whole lot of happy

Yesterday afternoon I sat with Isaiah in his Mom's bedroom.  She was not there because she was in the bathroom, or the bathtub more specifically, laboring.  I had never met 4 year old Isaiah before, but in an instant we were friends.  I told him all about the special tools I brought with me to help get ready for his new baby.  He especially liked the "booger" machine (for suctioning baby).  He was nervous, I could tell, and flung around the room chattering on and on.  His sisters were in the front room watching Cinderella waiting for their Grandparents to come by to pick them up before all the action began. Isaiah was very informed.  He know just how the oxygen came out of the tank, what button turned on the "booger machine" and why I was warming baby blankets on a heating pad.  He even explained to me what a contraction was.  I was very impressed. 

Somewhere in the middle of all this discussion, he stopped in mid-sentence and turned towards the doorway.  He could see the TV from where he was sitting and suddenly became transfixed.  He said, "Wait, wait, don't talk.  This is my favorite part."  Being very familiar with the movie myself I asked about what part was playing.  His voice suddenly changed from a very excited, boisterous tone to a soft and dreamy one.  He said the end of the movie was his favorite part, (Cinderella and her Prince were marrying). I asked him why that part was his favorite and he so eloquently put it this way: "Because in the end there is a whole lot of happy".

Well it wasn't long before Isaiah and his sisters were whisked away by their Grandparents and his mother got right down to the business of having a baby.  She was on the bed now and starting to push.  I felt a little ho-hum about all of it and even found myself daydreaming a few times.

The next few minutes were a bit of a blur.   I should leave out most of the details to protect the privacy of the family, but let's just say this baby proceeded to be born in a very unexpected and unconventional way for most home-births.  There were several very tense moments and for a few of them I wanted to run away.  Thankfully, I work beside a wonderful, experienced (25 years) Midwife who handled the situation beautifully.  It was tricky, but the baby came out...and his little cry (after 30 LONG seconds) was music to my ears.  After thorough inspection and without using the "booger machine" the baby was uninjured, pink and snuggling against his mother's warm chest.

 

As I drove home I couldn't help but replay the birth over and over again in my mind. I thanked God for hearing my desperate prayers during the scariest moments.  I also thanked Him for Isaiah and his sweet words that reminded me, "In the end there is a whole lot of happy."