Friday, September 23, 2011

Peaceful

We are all doing wonderfully.  I feel great and Emily is a sweet and peaceful baby, yet very alert, strong and nursing well.  My eyes have been shedding some happy tears when I gaze at her and am in awe over the amazing gift we have been given.

I have had all seven babies in a hospital with a midwife.  I have some history of bleeding and never could get over the what ifs as much as I agree that home is also a wonderful place to birth.  

At 11 days over and with some scheduling conflicts, my midwife called Monday afternoon and asked if it would work out to come in on Tuesday morning.

Mike and I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 am and my midwife arrived by 8:00 to break my water.  
I was also overjoyed to find that a woman from our town that I know was the nurse who would be with me for the birth.  Kitty is an amazing woman that sometimes joined in with our knitting group.  She is kind, patient  and I felt immediately at ease knowing she would be with us for the day.

This is my birthing gown that I have worn for all 7 births.

I am not going to get into the details of the birth on the blog but it was the most peaceful one I have had and I was so happy to not have to have any sort of intervention or needles or anything.   It was quite empowering to labor through with  God through prayer, Mike - my husband (an amazing birthing partner), Kitty and Lesley (the midwife), and the strength of my body to do what it was naturally intended to do.  Emily was born at 4:50 that afternoon.

I requested to go home at the 24 hour after birth mark and this Emily at just 24 hours old.


 It was just about dinner time when my family came to get me.  The hospital staff had brought a meal which I hadn't ordered.  Isaac and Abraham decided to help themselves to the milk.






Thank you for all of the kind wishes and thoughts.
Blessings,
Tonya

36 comments:

  1. What lovely pictures! One of the things I remember most when I had my sixth, was watching my older kids hold their little brother, most especially my older boys. I had such an unexpected response to seeing them be so gentle and present. I just love the picture of your sons with Emily. Congratulations to you all.

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  2. What a beautiful witness to the joy of new life! Congratulations!

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  3. BEAUTIFUL!!! You are indeed blessed! Thanks for sharing some of that total perfection and innocence! :o)

    Mary:)

    http://lundkids.blogspot.com

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  4. Congratulations again on the birth of Emily. Such a sweet little one. So pleased to hear everything went well for everyone.

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  5. Congratulations Tonya, she's so beautiful! Best wishes to your lovely family as you all settle in to your new groove!

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  6. I'm so glad to hear that Emily's birth was a peaceful and enjoyable one for you. Now, please remember that you need to rest, even if you feel great! I have found that it's so easy to overdo it those first few weeks.

    You must feel so incredibly blessed, surrounded by all your lovely, healthy children, and with your husband by your side. :)

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  7. Oh Tonya, what a wonderful and blessed story! Thank you for sharing.

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  8. What lovely family pictures, everyone looks so content! stay safe. xx

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  9. Lovely picture... Thank's for sharing!

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  10. What joyful photos of your happy family! I'm so glad all went well. She is a beautiful baby!

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  11. Oh she is gorgeous! So glad that you are both well,

    grace arthousemum.blogspot.com

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  12. Beautiful and healthy - such a miracle, and such a blessing. :) Congratulations!

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  13. What sweet pictures of your older children with Emily! Glad to hear all is going well. Blessings on you all.

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  14. What a blessing your beautiful family must be! Many compliments to you and your husband! Enjoy some quiet time with Emily and the others!!!Ask for help every now and then...

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  15. Blessings on your baby. She is precious and will be so very loved.

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  16. Congratulations on the birth of Emily! She is just beautiful!

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  17. Beautiful! I love the photo of you in your birthing gown. Congratulations dear Mama. May you all find plenty of snug and cosy time together and be well nourished in every way.

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  18. Visiting via Down to Earth and have been enjoying reading your blog. Congratulations on a beautiful little girl. Gorgeous name too.

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  19. Your last picture is so poignant to me. How sweet to see big brothers with her baby sister. Reading to her? Thanks for sharing.

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  20. so wonderful to hear all went well. She is lovely!

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  21. I'm smiling my face off right now... how absolutely lovely! I find it so reassuring and joyful whenever I see pictures of siblings delighting in their newest addition; it takes me right back to my own joy in new siblings, and to my children's joys when they met the newest member of the household. I think those joys are truly universal and timeless. Thank you for a bit of joy this morning!

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  22. Love, love, love to hear your story & see your wonderful pictures. Congratulations again. What a special time for your family right now.

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  23. Congratulations to you all! This really is what it's all about - a baby, it's Mum and family. Warm wishes to you all.

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  24. Such a sweet baby! So happy for you! Best wishes!

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  25. Beautiful!
    So happy for your family :) Sending much love ~
    xo

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  26. oh how wonderful, tonya. i'm so happy for you all and for emily to be joining your family.

    congratulations, i'm smiling to you from here!

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  27. CONGRATULATIONS! Really! What a wonderful new blessing!

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  28. Congratulations to you and your family. :) Emily is gorgeous and I can only imagine that you all are totally in love with her.

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  29. Emily is beautiful...and you look so peaceful as you await her birth. So glad all is well. Hugs to all of you as you enjoy this new little life.

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  30. Congratulations. Your family is truly blessed.

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  31. I had this feeling in my heart she was here and then I stopped by and SHE IS!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!! What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl <3 <3

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  32. yay! So glad you had such a lovely birth experience...so important to start out that way. Where was she born? I had my babies at Gifford in Randolf...a lovely small place with great midwives.

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  33. You have a beautiful family. Congratulations! You are truly blessed.

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  34. Congratulations Tonya!
    So pleased to hear all went well. You all look wonderful together.
    Love and prayers XXX

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