Isabelle 06/08/2011

In the middle of the night on Tuesday, I awoke with contractions. My due date wasn’t until the 15th of June so I wasn’t sure it was the real thing. Thankfully, I was able to fall back asleep in between contractions until about 5 a.m. when they became more consistent. I went downstairs to walk around a bit and drink some water. Around 6:30 a.m., Dan’s alarm went off and that’s about the time I wanted to get into the shower and have warm water on my back. He came into the bathroom and I said, Honey I think I am in labor? It’s a week early so I am going to wait and see if they slow down. I told him to go into work and that I would keep him posted on how I was doing. My mom, who lives nine hours away decided to come down a week before my due date and at first I was concerned she wouldn’t be here when I gave birth…but call it “Mother’s Intuition”, because Isabelle did indeed come early, and I definitely needed my mom here now. She took the girls to my brother’s house to swim while I was laboring. I continued to have contractions throughout the day, about every five minutes. I started to keep track but soon realized this was not where I needed to focus my energy. I needed to get through each contraction as they came. I couldn’t just sit around so I walked around and vacuumed my house, stopping and turning off the vacuum to breathe through each contraction. I cleaned the bathrooms, also stopping when I needed to.

At times I cried. I even began to doubt. But God was with me and I just prayed he would get me through. In my weakest moments, the devil would attack my spirit, putting negative thoughts into my mind…Give up, you can’t do this…As I prayed through it, calling on Jesus for my strength, I could feel God’s presence and He is just so faithful! Around 11 or so I called Clarice and told her that we were going to come in around 3p.m. I also texted Dan and told him to get home as soon as he could. I knew that we needed to get to the Greenhouse soon.

I felt like I was having back labor, so when my husband arrived home, we hopped into the car and drove to Okemos Family Chiropractic. I have been getting adjusted throughout my entire pregnancy and knew it was the best thing to do for my body before the baby came. A healthier pregnancy means easier labor, delivery and a better transition for the baby into this world. We called Dr. Kirby and told him we were on our way. He got us adjusted right away, having patience with me when I had to stop for a moment to get through my contractions. Then off we were to meet Clarice. We got to the Greenhouse and the tub was all ready for me! I honestly could’ve dove right in--- water for me during labor is the best thing ever! I wanted Clarice to check me to see how far I progressed at home and at that point I was dilated to a 5-6 and the time was about 3:30p.m. I got into the tub and my husband put on the CD I choose to listen to. The CD is called "Healing Love" by Julie True and it couldn’t have been a more perfect choice for what I was going through. These were the songs that were playing…only for a short time because a little before 4 p.m. little Isabelle was born.

1. Worthy- You alone God are so WORTHY of my praise, even in my hardest moments!

2. My Hope is in You- the title explains it all.

3. Enter in- Thanking God for his goodness! Thanking Him for allowing me to bring a new life into this world!

4. Reflections on your Goodness- the melody of this song helped me lean on God to get me through the birthing process, praying for the baby to come smoothly into this world.

With God by my side, my wonderful husband and awesome midwives, little Isabelle Christine was born. Her tiny little body fit so perfectly into my arms, all 7 pounds 9 ounces of her. That moment I felt her little head crowning it was as if God was saying to me… Here you are my Daughter I am entrusting this new life to you and Dan to raise up, love and guide in this world below! What an honor God, Thank you! Dan and I are so blessed to have our third, perfectly healthy baby girl.

Isabelle’s big sisters are Serafina, 3 1/2, and AnnaSofia, 2 . They both are so excited to have a new sister! We all love her dearly.

Hugs and God Bless,
Karen

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
~ Psalm 139:13 from NIV

Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.
~ Psalm 127:5 from KJV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...
~ James 1:17 From KJV