Two Weeks Old

Abigail had her first dr. appointment today. She weighed in at 8lb 1oz, a full pound over her discharge weight. That was a relief to me since this is my first sleepy baby.

William and Lily continue to adore her. Of course it helps that she sleeps almost all the time. Only Bingley seems jealous. (Suggestions, anyone?) I'm tired, but doing well. I'm so grateful for all the help we've had.

The Most Meaningful Gift

A number of people have asked me this week if we need anything for the baby. Quite honestly, the answer is no. We already had lots of baby items from the first two kids, and family and church friends have blessed us with lots of presents already.

What would be very meaningful for those of you who want to share our joy, is for you to take the $5-10 you would spend on a cute outfit or two and instead donate it to Hamlin Fistula. Everyone has a cause dear to their heart. For me, it's vesicovaginal fistulas (VVFs). We don't know if the fact that William went into distress during labor caused or contributed to any of his special needs. But we do know for sure that if I hadn't had an emergency c-section, he would not be with us today, and I would probably have a VVF as a result.

Without treatment, that means incontinence and consequentially becoming a social outcast with no hope of childbearing again. And yet the treatment is usually simple. This is one of those issues where the medical science is available, it's just a matter of financial provision. So a donation can make a significant difference.

If you want to read a short article about Dr. Catherine Hamlin, check out this Christianity Today blog post. To learn more about Hamlin Fistula, you can visit their website. It is my hope that some day Abby will feel honored that her birth helped bring about the relief of others' suffering.

Bringing Home Baby

God's Gift

God totally answered all our prayers for this baby's arrival. Last Friday night, Eric gave her a little talk in utero. ("Abigail, this is your father speaking. It's time for you to make your appearance.") That night I woke up to contractions about midnight, and by a little after 5am, we were holding our newest daughter. I was able to have another successful VBAC. Abigail was and is totally healthy and strong as well as beautiful. And she's eating well and sleeping even more. God didn't need to make it all that easy. It was simply His kindness. We are so grateful! Thank you all so much for your prayers.

Getting Acquainted

Introducing...

Abigail Rose
Born Saturday, March 5th at 5:02am
7.4 lbs 19.5 in

Biblical Perspective of Childbirth

Last weekend Eric and I took a tour of the hospital where I will be having the baby. That experience, along with all the childbirth conversations my big belly tends to bring up these days, has reminded me how much unbiblical thinking often surrounds childbirth, even for Christians.

I am no theologian, but I thought I'd state a few clear Scriptural truths on the topic in case they're helpful for anyone:

1. Childbirth, while a natural part of life, has been directly effected by the Fall. Just like sickness and death effect people in other seasons of life, they can easily touch mom and baby in this season. How kind of God that many births don't involve either sickness or death. But we should remember that that is not always the case; God has given us no guarantee.

2. Doctors, hospitals, medication, and surgeries are the products of humanity and, as such, are effected by sin, limitations, and weakness. We should not expect them to be perfect.

3. At the same time, these same doctors, hospitals, medications, and surgeries are also major means of God's common grace to counteract sickness and death, and that's true in the area of childbirth just as much as it is on other areas.

4. In addition, pain during childbirth is specifically mentioned in Genesis as a part of the Curse. (For me, personally, this truth frees me from feeling the need to experience that pain unnecessarily.)

5. The goal during childbirth, just like during in any other life event, is to glorify God and care (physically, emotionally, spiritually) for those around us. What that means will look different in different situations, but we must keep that goal in mind so we're not distracted by worldly goals like the "ideal" birth, whatever that means to us.