Owen is here!

I love this picture of Owen. I'm wondering if this is what he thought of the whole birth process. Or maybe it's when the Doctor said that he was going to stick a vacuum on the top of his little head to help suction him out. What ever he was thinking I bet he's glad to be out and meet his momma, daddy and big sister. Plus me of course:)

Owen was born March 16th, 2010 at 12:52 pm the afternoon after momma being in contraction labor since about 2:30 am. He was 7 pounds 12 oz, 20 inches long. The day before I had thought Rachel had called me because Larry was on the phone and I asked him if Rach had called and was I suppose to call her back. He told me yes so I tried a few times but she was't answering. I thought she had called me after her appointment to let me know how things were going. Come to find out later she did not call and she did not want to talk to anyone because of what she found out at her appointment plus just the beginning of her whole day did not start well. Or should I say her car didn't start well. I received a phone call from Misty later in the day letting me know that Rachel texted her and to let me know that she is ignoring phone calls because she was overdue, their was no progress since last week and her car is broken down. I said ok... I figured then that I had at least one more day at home before I left for where she lives. The doctor set up a day to induce Rachel if she didn't go into labor by Friday. I decided  that I was going to drive up on Wednesday so I could go to Gabe's acting performance then spend Thursday doing anything Rachel wanted to do to distract her in the fact that she was still pregnant.

      Monday evening I went to the Young Single Adult Family Home Evening and played a little bit of Ultimate Frisbee afterwards. I thought I'd better not stay to late just in case Rach called even though Rach didn't think she was going to. On the way home I got the "feeling" that I should fill the tank up with gas so I did. Got to bed and the phone rings at 5:00 am. Rachel is that you? You know how it is when you get awakened up from a phone call your brain is a little foggy plus she was crying just a bit. She said that she was in labor and I should come now. She didn't want to call me too soon or if she was having false labor but she had been on the phone with Misty and they decided together to call me. I quickly gathered the rest of my things ( I had packed a few days earlier) and got dressed and loaded up the car. I called Rachel when I left and she told me to go straight to the hospital. So I said a prayer for her, the baby and me to get there safely. As I was walking out the door Larry was walking in. I'm glad I was able to see him and give him a hug before I left for the week.
     I was able to get to her in 2 1/2 hours. I have to admit I was pretty good about not speeding until I got to the 2 lane freeway and the sun was out then I hit the gas and sometimes got up to about 80. Whew! I made it in time for the birth by a few hours even. Rachel was having back labor and Misty and Sean were taking turns rubbing shoulders and lower back. I stepped in and started taking my turn.  I'm so proud of my girl's in the fact that they have their children naturally with no drugs or epidurals. They are Superstars as Rachel's Doctor kept telling Rachel that she was. He also told her that she is doing better with out the drugs then a lot of women do with the drugs. Way to Go! Anyway back to the story. I found out when I got there that one of Rachel's best friends from Middle School on was two doors down having her baby at the same time. They even have the same Doctor. So the race was on to see who would have the little one first.
    My job was just to keep rubbing the lower back or shoulders and I found out that she didn't want any conversation or distraction of a conversation. She would work her way through the contractions and was doing great. For this labor she wasn't on Pit like her first and so their were breaks in between the contractions and it was so nice for her to regroup. Then the time came for her to start pushing. It took a few more pushes to get Owen out but as soon as the Doctor started putting on the suction cup to help him come out, because they were concerned about the cord being wrapped around his neck and his heart rate dropping, they needed him out sooner than later.  He then popped right out. Owen cried a bit at first then stopped and was blue but the nurses got him breathing right away and he did great! The poor little guy came out side ways though and he had a smashed black and blue nose. But that didn't last too long. He looks a lot like his daddy and resembles Mae when she was born too. He's a handsome little guy and I'm so thankful he's in our family!
Now the best part... Pictures!
I have to admit that I almost ( you noticed I said almost) feel like an intruder in tender moments such as these. I am so grateful to have been able to have been there. I know I'm blessed in that regard and I don't take it for granted at all.
Rachel getting to hold Owen for the first time.

Sean holding his son for the first time. He was such a support to Rachel in her labor. He didn't mind talking to me;) *wink*

Whenever a baby is born in this hospital as they are moving out of the delivery room into the room they will be staying in the dad gets to ring the chimes to announce the birth of their child. It's as simple as pushing a button but they were still pretty to listen too.

O.K. O.K. it's my turn! I'm holding my 10th grandchild. I love it! I do want to insert a comment Aria told me while I was at their house after Owen was born. For some reason she started talking about how old I was and that I was 20 years older than her mom, Misty. After a little bit though she says Grandma you may be 50 but you don't look 50 you look 42. I thanked her and told her I'd pay her later. Thanks Aria!

Owen is looking at Sean like... "ok dad do you remember how to do this?"

Mae was sooooooo excited to meet her new baby brother. She loves him and was not afraid to show him that either. Mae's other grandma was watching her until Rachel.,Sean and Owen were ready for her to come. Rachel wanted to have Mae come in by herself so they could spend time as a family and introduce Mae to Owen without anyone else there. But at the same time Grandma Mac brought Mae their were people there to draw Rachel's blood and they didn't want to leave and so I finally had to tell them that Rachel and Sean wanted to have a special family time by themselves and they needed to come back later to get her blood. It didn't work out exactly how it was planned but I sure hope it was still special for Rachel. Grandma Mac and I stayed out in the hallway visiting until Sean came to get us. And Mae was all smiles.

Is he all there?

Mae found everything was just right.

Most likely Mae is listening to her momma tell her that she isn't allowed to pick up baby brother all by herself.

Kisses and more kisses.

I love love love this picture.

Aria meeting Owen for the first time. Sweetness and love.

Misty is usually the one on the other side of the camera so I wanted to make sure that I got a picture of her holding Owen. I'm pretty sure Owen is going to love his Aunt Misty as much as his big sister does.

The next day Owen was able to go home. Yea! Now the rest of the story...