So Blessed!

Greetings everyone! I'm a mama! Thanks to my wonderful sister Sarah, you have all hopefully been adequately updated about all the latest happenings. I have been recovering all day, sleeping an hour here and there between feedings and cuddles. Eli has been so sweet and wonderful. We just love to sit and stare at him. Sometimes, when he kicks his legs out, I just think about how many sleepless nights I have had with him kicking inside my belly!

The Lord has been so gracious to us and we feel so blessed by the way everything turned out. We were at a restaurant Wednesday night when I started getting harder contractions and had to leave. It was getting embarrassing! We went home, and things quickly started to change. I was in hard labor from about 6pm Wednesday night until 6:16am the next morning. Labor was a lot harder than I had ever expected, but I had such an amazing team of helpers, especially Dan. He was an amazing coach and encouragement to me. Most times, it was enough for me to just stay focussed on his eyes to get through a hard contraction. I was in the pool for much of labor, and it was so great. Its amazing how much the warm water relieved the pain. Near the end, I got out of the tub for the last 30 minutes of pushing and delivered little Elijah on the bed. It was just too difficult for me to get a grip and be able to push while in the water. I kept sliding around!!!

It was such an amazing moment when he finally entered the world. My mom caught him and brought him to my chest, Dan burst into tears, I screamed in relief. We had a wonderful time just marveling at Elijah's handsome face. Elijah came out with his little hand right on his cheek. He immediately started to make squeak and then latched right on and started to feed. We were encouraged by this and thought it would help bring the placenta out, but the Lord had other plans.

It was discouraging to still have to be working so hard to birth the placenta. It was like still being in labor after I had just given birth. I was so looking forward to relaxing and holding my new little guy. I was VERY exhausted and hungry, but I think that it kept me calm during transport and waiting at the E.R. When we left for the hospital, I was very sad thinking about what an amazing home birth I had just had, just to get in the car and head for the hospital. But, God was SO incredibly gracious to us and provided an amazing doctor. He wasn't condesending about the home birth at all, and was really intent on trying to get the placenta out without medication. He was great and very gentle with me, even though it still hurt A LOT!!!!

We were SO thankful and excited about getting back home to our little man. He held up well, being in good hands while we were gone. He fed well upon our arrival and has been nothing but perfect ever since. Last night was long, but I didn't mind losing sleep so I could hold him and feed him. Dan slept more than I did, but was quick to get up to make me food and change Eli whenever I asked him. He has gotten more sleep today, so hopefully he can be more awake tonight and I will get some rest.

During the hardest moments, it was SUCH an encouragement to know that so many people were praying for us, some of you throughout the night! It was great having Sarah come in every few hours with new comments of encouragement and support from all of you. Seriously, it helped me get through it! The Lord has blessed us beyond belief and we are just so thankful to be on the other side now, recovering and holding our new little guy, Elijah Forrest Goodnight Robbins. May God have all the glory!