Birth Day

Yesterday, a new little life took her first breath. Meagan had her baby girl, Nevaeh Emory, a few minutes after 2pm. If you'd have told me that I'd have been in on all that mix 9 months ago: sitting in the lobby with my kids, Travis, Meagan's mom, Shelly, and the baby's father and family who we had never met until that moment, I'd probably have laughed in your face, but things are different now. So there we ALL were. It was an odd situation. I looked around at kind of the mess it seemed to be: SO many different families and lifestyles and personalities and values...and then, in just 8 hours after Meagan arrived, there's this tiny, sweet, beautiful baby girl. We heard her before we saw her. Tiny cries from lungs just minutes into working. And I thought, isn't that what Jesus did? Came as this tiny, innocent baby right into our mess and dysfunction. How sweet is she?

I felt so many different emotions. When I walked into the room, I realized this was the same room where I had the child that's now looking down at the new baby here. It was surreal.

Meagan is doing really well, and thus far is nursing her, which I personally am REALLY encouraging her to do. I'm not one of those people that push natural births (You guys that do that are annoying if you try to push it on me), but I definitely believe in breastfeeding. She's doing a great job.

You can't see a brand new baby and not cry...not minutes after their arrival. It's impossible. At least, it is for me. But I don't think I'm the minority there. Sage's first glimpse up close. She was intimidated by all of the people that she'd never seen before and wouldn't get too close until I told Travis to take her over there.

It was overwhelming to be in that room because there were SO many people. Meagan had the fastest, easiest labor and delivery of anyone I've ever known (seriously, today, she is in NO pain. None. I cannot even fathom the thought. I thought I was falling apart!), but she was tired. And I remember how I felt when everyone was around me seconds after I gave birth, so we didn't stay long then. But we came back later that night so we could see little Miss up close and personal. She is so pretty. Funny story: on the way out, TRAVIS said, "Love you, Meagan. Good luck on your first night. You don't have to hold her the whole time. Lay her down. It's okay to let her cry so she's not thinking she has to be held all the time. Teach her to sleep." I cut him off and said, "UM NO! You pick her up every time she cries because she is HOURS old and not manipulating you to stay awake and have a good time. She needs to eat all the time at first and feel secure that you are there. Do not listen to him." Travis laughed and said, "Oh okay. yeah, pick her up. Don't listen to me."

Eek! I have a weakness for baby girls in headbands. I bought her this one. So precious.

Sage LOVES to hold her and asked me if we could have a baby, too.

On the way home, she even went as far as to demand who would watch her and Jaggar when I was in the hospital after having the baby. When I told her that I didn't know (I've not really worked out the details of a nonexistent pregnancy thus far), she got MAD that I didn't have someone booked for this appointment. :)

My poor baby was SO tired. He slept until 7 this morning and both Jaggar and Sage took a 3 hour nap today to catch up from yesterday. It was a LONG day.

Is there anything sweeter than holding a brand new baby?

And then...something he's never done: JAGGAR held the baby.

This melts my heart. Look at his face. I remember when Kylie was born, and Sage was very...almost jealous. She didn't like Travis holding her, and whatever we did with her, she would do with her baby doll. Jaggar? He couldn't have cared less. He acknowledged her, but he was just happy to be there. We asked if he'd like to hold her, and he said, "Yes." This face is the sweetest thing ever. He has since asked about it and asked me if we could have a baby. I'm so glad we got to be a part of Nevaeh's first day. She is a precious, beautiful girl.