Ah. Now I'm a bit more comfortable. OK Kim, now what. Oh yeah, write down the contraction times.
By 6:30, we were headed out the door for King Edward Memorial Hospital. I marvel at the way Kim can be so prepared. Yes, I know that every expecting mom is told to have a bag ready, but not only did she have her bag ready, she also had the other three kids ready with a bag, snacks for dad, and breakfast to go!
Kim waited in triage for assessment. The kids and I ate donuts while watching Good Morning Australia.
Like I said, she's on the ball!
At 9:30, Kim was admitted and I called up a friend to come and get the kids.
For the past three deliveries, Kim's been the trooper and had all of them naturally - without any pain killer, because they didn't have it in Indo. This time, however, she used laughing gas. She started out laughing at about 10:00am (and those of you who know Kim that whenever she's in pain, she usually doesn't cry, but she laughs - so you can imagine. The midwives loved her) . . . but by 11:00am, she wasn't laughing any more. It didn't really take the pain away, just kind of distracted her.
At 12:00pm, his heart rate dropped significantly. The midwives went into action, moving Kim from side to side. The doctor came in and they broke her waters, which got his heart rate back up to normal. And then at 1:02pm, after 15 minutes of pushing, Ethan graced us with his presence.
Anu and Kelly were the mid-wives who were with us for the entire labor and delivery. We had heard that the midwife program in Western Australia is the best in all of Australia (and one of the best in the world), and now we can agree from experience. Anu is actually in training, and she is the one that delivered Ethan.
At 5:30pm, Kim was moved to her room for the night. The handiwork of God all around us - Ethan in our arms and the sun setting over Perth. Just beyond the ridge is the Indian Ocean.
Waking up the grandparents back in the USA to tell them the good news. I guess Kim could have taken this picture, but for some reason, she was busy. So I snapped this of myself in the mirror.
At 6:00pm, the kids eagerly joined us to meet Ethan for the first time on this side of the womb.
Aidan got the first hold. He's our little otter - always lookin for fun - and especially with his brother. He broke into tears because he wanted to be with Ethan over night.
Brienzi - the perfect older sister. God has uniquely gifted her with a sensitive and caring heart. She will be a big help for mom.
Delaney is no longer the little baby, but the doting sister. She said she may even give up her blanket for him! That would be a miracle.
Uncle Roger. How could we have managed without all the help here in Perth? Roger sacrificed his day to have the kids at his house even though his wife was in Singapore . . . of course, they had to work for their room and board, helping him paint the house.
And now, we're 6.
Psalm 127
3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.
5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
