Ezekiel Paul Arrives

Wednesday, October 2nd. Mommy wakes up, walks her two miles to help those swollen feet, gets a shower like every morning while mentally reviewing all that needs to be done on this day. She and Simon need to get to the grocery one more time before this Baby decides to come. Suddenly, she thinks, "Wow...I have clearly lost all bladder control at this point." But moments later it becomes very clear this is more than a baby sitting on her bladder, her water broke. This was the first time this happened before labor started! The problem was no contractions. Nothing. The morning changed immediately. Tim called Sarah's mom to let her know that her day was about to take a turn. The girls were informed that today was the day that Baby would arrive. It killed them a little to have to go to school! But on the other hand...then they could share their news with their friends!

Tim asked for the grocery list...he wasn't interested in finding out what happens when you send your in labor-ish wife to Kroger. He took the girls to school and then went to the store. Sarah and Simon wandered around the house, tidying. Waiting for some contractions. Tim texted the doctor. She was happy to let us labor (or not) at home. It didn't seem like this baby was particularly interested in coming out, broken water or not.

Simon and Mommy collected 4 o'clock seeds and swept the front porch.

Sarah's mom came to get Simon. Which only made her cry. This was really happening. Simon wouldn't be our baby anymore. We've done this enough times to know new babies shake up the family enough to make toddlers crazy and older kids feeling left out.

So Sarah labored alone. A little. On the front porch, in the kitchen, wandering around the neighborhood. Walking made the contractions stop. Sitting on the porch, they might be every five minutes. It was the most relaxing labor imaginable. Tim worked from home in the office, checking in occasionally with the doctor to make sure we were okay to continue on this path of slow and steady. Eventually the girls came home from school. Tim was ready to call it - time for the hospital. No contractions on that drive.

The nurses were very nice, as usual, when we arrived. They were sure that this baby would be maybe an hour. But they were wrong. We hung around, now truly in labor. The nurses changed duty. Our original nurse checked in to see what we had...but we still hadn't met anyone. Bets were being made about baby's arrival time. Mommy knew it was going to be a while. Would Baby even arrive the today? Weren't labors supposed to get faster with each child? Does this baby not realize this is the 5th? But, like all babies, the time did come. And we know that you're not supposed to want a boy or a girl, just a healthy baby. But we wanted a boy for Simon. And God must have thought Simon needed a brother, too. Ezekiel Paul was born at  11:13 PM, 7 lb 14 oz, 21oz. He was very quiet until he was alone and cold for weight and vitals. Holding Dad's hand helped. And he figured out nursing very quickly.

We managed to calm down enough to get a little sleep. And then we woke up to take all the pictures of a new, sweet baby and introduce him to his siblings. They were a bit tardy for school, but some things are worth it.

Miriam almost dropped her baby brother on the floor when he spit up on her. Luckily, Tim was sitting close enough to catch him.

Our hospital was recently acquired by a larger nearby hospital. So recently that Ezekiel was the first baby born under the new name!

Which was a marketing opportunity...our baby was Facebook Famous for a day.

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit. Grandma was staying with the kids while we were in the hospital. Tim's mom normally covers this duty, but she and Papa were in Miami so Grandma was called in. The kids loved having her with them.

Tim had to leave the hospital for a first grade field trip to the apple orchard with Felicity. She was so excited he was still able to be there!

Mommy was excited to have baby Ezekiel all to herself for a bit.

Soon enough it was time to go!

We got home right before bedtime. The neighbor girl was excited to meet the new baby, too.

And within a day, the adjustment period began. Notice Felicity's tears? She wasn't the only one crying or pouting over the next two weeks. But none of them were ever mad at the baby, just Mommy for not being able to manage all the things exactly as they were pre-Ezekiel.

And doesn't he already look like them, a part of their team, one of the set? And very loved.