I think I'm going to have trouble keeping up with this blog for awhile. I've been wanting to write this post since Janey was born, and I've had to start it and stop it for the last five days. But there are some things I don't want to forget and one of them was the day she was born.
On the 22nd, we woke up early to celebrate Andrew's 9th birthday. Can you tell he's a bit excited?
He wanted more than ever, a motor scooter. He's so independent and has asked me all summer if he could ride into town. No way is he ready for that, so around the block will do him, and I love watching him take off. (PS. He always wears a helmet but this is him trying the scooter out quickly before we leave for the day.)
Jeff took Abbey off to the bus and Isaac finished packing the car. We all jumped in and drove a couple hours to drop off Isaac at college. I can't believe I made it to this day-as uncomfortable as the ride was, I am lucky that I was able to go.
Here we are in his tiny, hot dorm room helping him unpack.
After Isaac was settled, we ate lunch together and parked at a far corner of the campus, away from all the move-in hoopla and said our goodbyes. :(
We came home, had a birthday dinner and cake and the kids went to bed.
At about 11:30 I told Jeff I was having contractions and thought maybe we should go into the hospital, but I wasn't sure. That meant to Jeff that we were going to the hospital. When Patrick was born, I waited too long and although we made it to the hospital it was sort of a disaster-midwife not showing up till the last minute, super crabby doctor on call having to be called, everything frantic, etc. We didn't want that repeated.
Abbey really wanted to come with us and see the birth and we felt she was old enough, so we woke up her poor tired soul, and she came with us. I had called the answering service for my doctor, but she said to just come in, and they would call the doctor once I was checked. Jeff called on the way and told them to send her now to the hospital, so she could meet us there. He was so worried about the last experience being repeated.
From this moment on, the entire birth process could not have been more perfect. It was exactly what I wanted. Peaceful, controlled, beautiful.
Someone (I think Jeff?) shouted, "It's a girl!" as they laid her on top of me (and where she stayed for a good hour.) And we all cried (Abbey, Jeff and I) and said, "It's a girl!!! Oh my gosh, it's a girl!" or versions of that statement about 25 more times till I'm sure everyone in that room thought we were really slow learners.
Abbey cut the cord, how cool is that.
Abbey and Jeff stayed for a couple more hours, then went home to the boys, who were so excited.
I was up on adrenaline for the rest of the night and the next day just holding her and feeling so grateful and so lucky.
The boys came by and I had to share her with her brothers.
Look at the pure joy on Patrick's face.
We are at home now, and I'm enjoying every minute of my babymoon, till Jeff goes back to work and I have to deal with real life.
Wow! She is absolutely gorgeous! Congrats to you all! Glad that your birth went as smooth as it could and that you got to take Isaac to college too. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteTears of joy, from me to you. What a sweet, special family you have. Congrats!
ReplyDeletemany, many congratulations! she is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful! What a blessing to be so celebrated. Such a gift to your other children to give them another sibling. (I'm #6 myself) Patrick won the statistic guessing game right?
ReplyDeleteShe's beautiful and you are one amazing mother! I love the enthusiasm and energy you put into mothering your family. Have a wonderful "babymoon." The first weeks are the best!
ReplyDeleteI love birth stories! Thanks for sharing yours! Janey is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSarah she is so beautiful! She look like Patrick! SO happy for all of you. I can't imagine your fortitude managing such milestones on the same day! (and all natural..you go girl!)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy soaking up all of these moments! THANK YOU for posting!!
She is beautiful! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI love birth stories. I love family. I love focusing on what is real and important and lasting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. Not only this story but so many others.
Happy and humble congratulations.
Beautiful baby! Beautiful story... just inspiring. Mom's are amazing. Wow! I'm in awe of this happing in one day! Congratulations on all the milestones!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! She is beautiful and couldn't be part of a better family!
ReplyDeletetears over here! nothing beats a birth story and i am so thrilled to read yours. what a sweet, sweet, GIRL! many congratulations...
ReplyDeleteMan oh man, I have tears running down my face reading this. So incredibly happy for you and moved by your birth story, so awesome that abbey was there and cut the cord. Seeing Patrick's face when he is holding her made me cry the hardest.
ReplyDeleteSHE IS BEAUTIFUL!
Sooo happy for all of you, Sarah. Your sweet little one is beautiful. And all that in one day! Now you can sit back, relax, and hold that little blessing!
ReplyDeleteThe picture of Patrick holding her---made me cry, it did.
ReplyDeleteThis post brought tears to my eyes. Such pure joy on Patrick's little face. And what a precious experience for Abbey. Congratulations on your Janey....she is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, she is so perfect and beautiful!! Good luck and God Bless!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that beautiful story! She is a doll! And if you can drop a kid off at college, celebrate a birthday and give birth all in the same 24 hours - you can handle anything!
ReplyDeleteI have tears in my eyes Sarah, So beautiful. So glad Abbey was able to experience God's Miracle. Hope came with us too during our last birth. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteShe is so beautiful!! I can't imagine very many mothers can say they dropped off one child at university and delivered a new baby all in the same day!!
ReplyDeleteoh she's perfect!! what a day. :) good job, sarah!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day {and a beautiful girl!!} Congrats and Joy!!
ReplyDeleteCheers
~ Jillian
www.hersplitends.com
First I want to say that.....Sarah you look just beautiful in those photos. Thank you for sharing your story. I read this with tears. Patrick, dear Patrick oh he is just so thrilled isn't he? I wish I could just hug him through my computer screen!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love her sweet cheeks and precious little newborn head -- oh, I can just smell that sweet baby smell looking at her pictures! I CRIED reading your birth story -- so very precious -- what a wonderful thing that Abbey got to be there for her baby sister's birth. Amazing. Enjoy every second!
ReplyDeleteOh, Sarah...how beautiful....
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you and your family. Thanks for sharing her with us.
ReplyDeleteI love her blond hair.
You are so very very blessed. She will bring so much joy to your family.
Tears. What a beautiful family you have!!
ReplyDeleteshe is BEAUTIFUL!!!...Im so glad that it was a safe arrival!!!...congrats
ReplyDeleteJaney is just absolutely precious!! And one of my favorite names. Blessings to all. I'm being selfish here, but please continue the blog...you have such a wonderful family. Enjoy your baby!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a darling baby! So happy you had your perfect delivery.
ReplyDeleteTears of joy are streaming down my face for you, and for me. YOu remind me of me of me in the way that we raise our kids. I love mothers like you, and we need more of us! Take care, and enjoy that precious daughter of God...they grow up way too fast! Of course you already know that with a son at college! xo
ReplyDeleteloved reading about her birth, she is amazing and so are you!
ReplyDeleteHOLY COW... you win the busiest day EVER award! So many life changers in one day! She is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh so sweet birth story! I only have 1 child and her birth was an emergency c-section 3 weeks early. Not too fun, but I cherished every minute! So happy Abbey got to join.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Janey and mom! Lovely, just lovely!
ReplyDeleteOh she is just the cutest little thing, Sarah! What a wonderful story and her timing was absolutely perfect! God is so good! Can't wait to see more pics of your little love...xo!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blog post! Huge congratulations to you all. How lovely that Abby got to go and that she cut the chord. Em ♥
ReplyDeleteOhhh, is she beautiful, or what? My baby hunger alarm is going off loud and clear right now. What a beautiful birth story - just the way it should be. Congratulations on your wonderful huge family!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!!!! How wonderful and beautiful and blessed your family is! This post was great--some tears, some smiles, some, "Awwww"s. Thank you for sharing with us! May God Bless you exceedingly abundantly beyond anything you could ask or think!
ReplyDeleteI cried when you dropped Isaac off at school...and how Janey entered the world. So precious and so powerful.
ReplyDeleteShe is just so beautiful, Sarah... its no wonder you took a while to write this when you have such a precious bundle to cuddle (though to be honest I'm impressed you've written at all!) Congratulations and how wonderful that Abbey got to be there to experience it all. Thinking of you all in these early days!
ReplyDeleteClaire
www.clarinascontemplations.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you for sharing your very special day and life with us. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you posted this! Amazing! What a wonderful birth story! So happy for you and your whole family! Miss Janey is simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely depiction of your little girls' birth! And it just is so crazy to me how you just kept going thru it all. One day you were dropping one off to college, and the next having another- like it was no big deal. You're amazing!! Congratulations on your new addition, she's beautiful!
ReplyDeletePrecious! She is just precious! Your body/baby knew that you needed to go to drop off Isaac. Wow. I love the propped up/sleeping picture. She is beautiful!
ReplyDelete-W
Oh how wonderfully beautiful and special that Abbey was able to be there for Janey's birth! Wow, so marvelous!
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds wonderful and perfect, I am so happy for you! Way to go Mama! :-) (I've always said that I didn't really 'learn' how to give birth until the fourth time, then it all clicked and went so well for me). Anyway, every woman is different and every time is different -- just so glad for you that it was lovely and smoothe.
She is absolutely beautiful! I love every single thing about this post, it is just all the goodness of family life wrapped up into one!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you made it to take Isaac to college, and Abbey was able to bein the room when you delivered. Patrick is enraptured for sure, and I just love her name. See? I love it all:-)
Congratulations, again!
Gosh, you are wonderful! and amazing and beautiful. Those photos and your birth story just have me in tears. Thank you so much for sharing your mothering on this blog.
ReplyDeleteShe's so beautiful and I love your story! Tears in my eyes! I hope Isaac sees her soon so he bonds with her too! So, if it was a boy, what were you going to name him?! I'm so glad you had a girl though! And how awesome Abbey was there.
ReplyDeleteLove hearing other natural birth stories. Makes me feel like it was yesterday that mine were born. So glad that it went well. What a treasure to have Abby with you.
ReplyDeleteYou amaze me! Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing these precious moments with us!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful birth story. Such a wonderful forever connection between sisters. What a blessing to your family.
ReplyDeleteshe's perfect
ReplyDeleteand you are a rock star!
love the birth story. just lovely
congratulations
enjoy :)
What a big day!! I'm still in the process of deciding when is a good time for me and my husband to start thinking about kids. We are both not financially where we'd like to be. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteP.S. she's beautiful, as is your family and Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteOh, you've got me all teary eyed! What a beautiful experience! And what a neat thing for Abbey to be there when her little sister FINALLY arrived! I just can't get over it--how lucky are you than on the day you had one little bird leave the nest, another one arrived? I just love those pictures of the boys holding their baby sister. Those looks of adoration are answer enough--right there--for people that wonder why you have had another baby. Look how much that baby is wanted and loved! Could there be any better start in the world for a little human? No thanks for giving me a bad case of IWAN today, but many thanks for giving me this glimpse of Heaven.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I love to hear other moms birth stories. She is beautiful. I can see Patrick in her face and a lot of you too Mama. I'm glad everything went well and she is healthy. Congrats again!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! She is so precious. There is nothing more beautiful to me than a sleeping, peaceful baby.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You look so radiant and gorgeous, and she is so so pretty. Congratulations again, this is an answer to my prayers!!
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your birth story. I love each and every one of mine and I am glad I recorded mine also, I never want to forget those moments. Your baby girl is beautiful! I had my third girl on the 9th. I know you adore your boys, but I am so glad you had 1 more girl. And so excited that Abbey got to be there! Enjoy every minute of your time with sweet, janey!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a pretty newborn!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful story and experience! I've been so anxious to hear about it.
ReplyDeleteThat's so neat that you had Abbey there.
Your sweet baby is absolutely stunning.
Congrats!
oh sarah, she is beautiful... thank you so much for sharing your birth story with us! when i think of someone who consistently takes life as it comes with grace and strength, i picture you. i am so happy for you! my mom's name is jane and if crawford had been a girl i had janie in mind for her name :) enjoy every minute!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! She looks like Patrick! Pretty cool how you knocked out two major life events in one day! Congrats again
ReplyDeleteI just have tears streaming down my face.....happy, happy tears. I watched my youngest siblings birth when I was 16, cut the cord and everything too. This just took me back in time. Could not be happier for you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What a beautiful family and beautiful addition.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! She is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet! Congrats!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy babymoon! She is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! So, glad everything went smoothly! Enjoy your babymoon and I'm sure everyone will still be here when you get back!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story, and what a BEAUTIFUL baby! I love happy birth stories... yours brought tears to my eyes. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI am SOOOO happy for you!! She is beautiful and looks just like you and Patrick to me. Enjoy every minute Sarah. My baby is already 8 months and at 42years old I still yearn for another. Such a blessing. I'm just over the moon happy for you.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a baby for 16 years, but reading your description of natural childbirth brings it all flooding back and I feel so good to say I did it naturally. And we always wanted to meet our daughter/son and have it be truly a surprise. You did an amazing job! Look at your family fall in love with their baby GIRL! All the best to you in your sweet babymoon!
ReplyDeleteTears are streaming down my face reading this and seeing the beautiful pictures. Laughed out loud at the "slow learners" comment! So thrilled for all of you! Thanks so much for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI think we are all crying with you! What a beautiful story and perfect brith, it reminded me of our last delivery (our fifth)...I also was visualizying the beach and the sound of the ocean.
ReplyDeleteWAY TO GO SARAH! So proud of you! Abbey's presence makes it all more special. Janey is an angel. Simply PERFECT in every way.
Blessings to you all!
Giulia
She is beautiful! What a wonderful birth story. I am glad everything went so smoothly for you. And your older daughter cutting the cord--brought tears to my eyes!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations again!
This was so sweet, it made me cry... How awesome that Abbey got to be there for the birth! Love that. Congrats again!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. She is just precious! And what a perfect day to have her...sending the oldest off to college, bringing the newest into the world. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful baby and story! Not to mention her name! :) Congrats and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI was waiting to hear the story! It all worked out perfectly. I am so happy for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I have goosebumps from reading that Sarah! I am so, so, so incredibly happy for you and your family. I know that this pregnancy started out SO difficult and that there must have been many, many moments where it was difficult to keep in mind what it was all for. You have worked so hard and little Janey is just perfect. I am thrilled that you were able to have the delivery you hoped for with her - what a blessing that is! I know you are sucking every bit of joy out of this special time and it makes me smile for you. Thanks again for sharing with us, I've been dying to know how it all went. :)
ReplyDeleteHow awesome!! Congratulations, she is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful!
ReplyDeleteTears! Thanks for sharing! She is perfect! I'm 16 wks - & we have a daughter & 3 sons - wonder if we will have a little girl?? We love them all dearly... We'll see
ReplyDeleteI got a little choked up reading this. I'm so happy for you! I had my last baby at age 42 and he's now about to turn 7. Wish I had at least one more little one. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful, and amazing, and perfect...all of it! Huge congratulations to you and much happiness to your family!
ReplyDeleteSarah, YOU are amazing. Only a mom could possibly understand the magnitude of the day Janey was born...
ReplyDeleteIt's unbelievable and God is so good and so loving...I can totally see His hand in every part of that special, special day. A birth day, a birthday and sending your oldest off to college....what a wonderful and memorable story.
You are such an inspiration.
Someday could you write about how to *really* talk to your daughter about periods, the birds and the bees and everything in-between?? You know when your finished eating bons-bons?
Sending love and hugs!!!!!!!!!!
Love you...Congrats you ROCK!
Amy W
Chicago
I had all mine natural, too, it is an amazing experience. She is gorgeous! How wonderful Janey's big sister was there, I love that. Rest and nurse and enjoy : )
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Just beautiful. Miraculous, in fact. Teary-eyed at this beautiful story. Thanks so much for allowing us to share in your family's joy and incredible blessing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a truly beautiful day! I'm so happy for you. The whole day sounds amazing. From dropping your oldest off at college to the birth of your baby girl. That is so neat that your daughter could be there!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a day! One you won't forget in a hurry. Congratulations, and I think it was so cool having your daughter there to experience it with you. x
ReplyDeleteYou are super woman! Moving your oldest to college and having a baby on the same day...Wow! She is such a beautiful baby...Congratulations again!
ReplyDeleteSo very, very happy for you that I have tears in my eyes! My littlest is now 13 months, can't believe a year ago this was me!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations - you have a wonderful looking family x
ReplyDeleteDivine :) I lurk on your blog and have been checking for the arrival of this baby every night! So beautiful - and I love that Abbey was there to see what sounds like an awesome natural birth experience! How amazing for all of you! Congratulations - she is edible...
ReplyDeleteNever left you a blog comment before, but I've e-mailed you about our mutual doc! ;) Such an amazing story. Congrats to the whole family! What a beautiful baby girl.
ReplyDeleteI started crying when I read that Abbey cut the cord! That is beautiful! How sweet!! Abbey has a sister!! it is going to be such a special wonderful bond !
ReplyDeleteWow what a day!! She is a beautiful, precious bundle! May this transition time go peacefully for you! You nailed it when you said you would have one leaving and another one entering... Who knew it would all happen on the same day!
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful. I have cherished my birthing experiences and reading your account makes me remember why. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite possibly the fullest day ever! What a rollercoaster of emotions with birthday and college and baby!
ReplyDeletei love your words of the day.
Your words of labor and delivery.
Beautiful
She is perfect. I cried reading your birth story. So sacred & awesome! My fourth (last) birth was amazing, just like that, quiet and dark and serene. One of the top treasured experiences of my life.
ReplyDeleteThose babymoon pictures are tugging at me! Love her precious lips.
p.s. How special for Abbey to be there. She'll never forget! What a good, strong example you were to her of the miracle and normalcy of birth.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness she is beautiful! Look at that adorable face! So happy for y'all!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for Abbey to be there. What a beautiful baby. So happy you got to go with Issac. Is he in Mi or Ohio?
ReplyDeleteI really need to stop reading your blog. As soon as I think I am 100% finished having babies, I check in here and suddenly I need just one more! ;)
ReplyDeleteReally, thanks so much for sharing your birth story and the sweet pictures of that baby girl. Enjoy these tiny newborn days!
It's a Girl!
ReplyDeleteShe is just beautiful. Enjoy every minute. Bless her all the days of her life. Thanks for sharing your story. You really got a lot done in one day Sarah!
Sarah, you were all crying in the delivery room, and I cried when I read this post! I will be eager to read more whenever you feel like posting. We all understand that you can't make it here to post very often--but we're so glad for you to record your memories here! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sara~
ReplyDeleteI have a quick story to tell you. I am good friends with Erin from the Sunnysideupblog. A few years ago Erin's mom Bonnie showed me your blog of baby girl names. I had tried for TEN years to get pregnant, finally I gave up and then I got pregnant without any medical intervention. Anyways I was looking at your blog with Bonnie and came across the name Janey. I feel in love with that name. My little Janie (ie after Bonnie) is 2 1/2 years old and is our little miracle. Congratulations on your new arrival. I am sure your Janey will bring you so much joy, just like our little Janie has.
She is absolutely beautiful! I knew it was going to be a girl!
ReplyDeleteShe's sooooooooo sweet! Her little lips are precious! I enjoyed this post so much - the beautiful picture of you with your boys in the dorm room, the photo of Abbey cutting the cord, and the excitement of big brother Patrick. Your family warms my heart! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteLove that your narrative included that one line about all that quiet time you spent feeling blessed and lucky. My throat got all lumpy at that part. When we have a sleepy newborn in our arms it is easy to see that we lack nothing, that our family relationships are all that matters. So happy for you.
ReplyDeleteDon't bloggers take maternity leave? It only seems right.
Loved this post! Janey is gorgeous. So cool that you had Abbey cut the cord. Enjoy every little minute!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your beautiful baby girl!!! She is so cute. You just made me want another newborn baby, except the part where you described that last BIG contraction. I try to forget that part. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful story. Thank you for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteshe is so precious! congrats!
ReplyDeleteThis post made me cry and laugh! I had a drug-free birth with my youngest two children. It was amazing and so worth the pain to be able to feel everything. I can't explain the feeling to people who haven't experienced it, but it is worth the pain. Little Janey is precious and looks like Patrick I think. Thank you for your inspiration and candor. You feel like a good friend and mentor. I look forward to new posts. You may have even inspired a fifth baby in our household;)
ReplyDeleteoh sara, that was so beautiful. tears just flowed out of my eyeballs as i read your words. i'm still wiping tears as i type. my thoughts went to this is an amazing woman who is taking in and sharing the very last moment she will experience this. my tears also fell as i remembered nine months ago when my 22 year old daughter gave birth for the very first time: no drugs and in 14 hours from start to finish. i stand in awe of her. and i am so filled with joy for you IT'S A GIRL and i thank you for sharing this very special moment with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your amazing story! What an adventure! I am soooo happy for all of you!
ReplyDeleteOh. I cried like a baby through this whole post. Incredible. I had a natural birth with my last, a year ago. While the support I had was awful ... Abusive midwife, believe it or not... The birth process was so powerful, so amazing. Your post reminded me of that. Thank you for sharing. I love the look on Patrick's face! Congratulations! What a day! You did so much and baked a cake, to boot. What a full day, so productive, so amazingly full.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! What a precious little bundle!!! I am so completely happy for you and your family :)
ReplyDeleteHow perfect! You couldn't ask for anything better for your last one. She's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou are inspiring in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteThat quiet, calm, beautiful labour and birth, taking your big boy to college, having a b'day in the midst of all of this and one sweet and perfect baby girl.
A Mum to six! Wow. Impressive!!
You make me want to have #5 :)
Isn't she pretty!
ReplyDeleteShe's perfect. She looks so calm and so grown up! How lovely so pleased its a girl.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birth story and pictures. How wonderful that the day was filled with so many milestones!
ReplyDeleteI am crying with how happy I am for you, how perfect her birth was and how you reminded me of my beautiful baby girl's birth just 9 months ago. Enjoy every minute, you of all people know how quickly these days go past. Congratulations again. SO happy for you all :)
ReplyDeleteCutie Pie! Look at her hair! Love it : ) Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing day. I love that Abbey was able to join you for such a magical time in life. She will forever have a special bond with her little sister. And I just love the picture where you captured Patrick's face...so so precious! Congratulations on your new blessing!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a 24 hours you had!!! Taking Issac to college and bringing Janey into the world. That is an amazing story. It gives me chills. Thank you for sharing. i just loved it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gift from God.
ReplyDeleteThis post gave me chills. Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl. A blessed family for sure. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! And, thank you for sharing your journey.
ReplyDeleteI think she looks like her mama! Awesome that Abbey was allowed to be such a big part of the special day. Those two girls are going to be so close!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and enjoy your babymoon.
Thank you so much for sharing this story! I am so inspired by your natural births and your peaceful, knowing approach to delivery. When it is my time, I hope to be able to channel some of your grace.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you and your beautiful, expanded family!
Wow, that's a lot of change all at once for everyone, but I can feel how gracefully you've embraced it all and it's inspiring. Beautifully written. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJaney is BEAUTIFUL. I love it that Abbey was there. Makes me wish Hazel had come to Peter's birth. What a beautiful thing to experience the birth of a sibling.
Now I want to go and give birth to another baby, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.
Sending my love and hope that you can relish your babymoon.
She is so gorgeous! You are my hero for having a natural childbirth-holy smokes, I don't know if I could take that pain. You're awesome! And I love that Abbey was there-what a moment for her!
ReplyDeleteJaney is so beautiful. I am so excited that Abbey could witness her birth, what a wonderful gift. While I was obsessively checking for news of the baby's birth, I was also waiting for this post about Issac moving in to school. I do not know how you did it. I was a crying mess just reading about it. I agree, it is the next step but it is a doozey of a step. Enjoy your time with your teeny baby. Looking forward to lots of updates as she grows.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful birth story! Thank you so much for sharing. To be honest this post made me cry. What a wide range of events in the matter of a few days! I love that Abbey was there for the birth. I think it's so important for our daughters to have positive experiences surrounding pregnancy and birth. Janey is perfectly beautiful. I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, and so wonderful that Abbey could be there for the birth too :) Thank you for sharing your lovely birth story. Also glad that you got Isaac safely off to college, and hopefully he is settling in well. I don't think anyone will be expecting regular blog updates for awhile--you have plenty of other things to focus on now!
ReplyDelete"Oh what a day" is right!
ReplyDeleteFrom college to birth...wow. I am so happy for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteSO happy for you and your sweet family Sarah. What beautiful daughters you have. Sending lots of love from one who admires you. Jill B.
ReplyDeleteWhat a rollercoaster ride!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE the pure joy look on Patrick's face, priceless.
Janey is such a cutie pie. She looks just like Patrick (I think anyway).
She's so perfect. I love her name (my baby is Jane, but we call her Janey). Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteWhat a day! What a gorgeous baby girl! And what an amazing mother!
ReplyDeleteCongratulation.
So , so pretty! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteAwe, that is so wonderful. Welcome to the world beautiful baby girl!
ReplyDeleteWow, Sarah, she is quite possibly the most beautiful newborn I have ever seen - and that includes mine! (Newborns are rather ugly, don't you think?) The entire day - wow - just a normal day in a big family! I am glad you got to be a part of Isaac's drop off and amazing that Abbey was a part of your birth experience. What a marvelous recounting of the experience. I love that you truly experienced the birth process and were in such control. I loved that about my deliveries....except I'm sure I didn't visualize as well as you did. Nor did I have the counting down....but I did like the sense of control. When it is such an overwhelming physical/emotional process and in a strange environment....it's hard to feel any control. But when you have a good dr., nurses, family to support you - it's a blessing.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your little bundle!!! She's so sweet!
So sweet. Her lips are just kissable.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your pink little bundle. We welcomed our sixth baby last January and the joy he has brought into our home has been amazing. I'm sure you will feel the same... oh, the falling in love!!! There is just nothing better. (I have a Janey too! Lovely girl!)
ReplyDeleteamazing post. Thanks for sharing and congrats. She is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteShe is so beautiful, so perfect! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! I was crying reading Janey's birth story. Thank you for sharing, it was so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful baby!! What amazing, kissable lips she has!! And I LOVE your Patrick's face in the 2 pictures of him meeting his baby sister! Priceless!! What a special time for your family :)
ReplyDeletePretty Janey!! How lucky she is to be born into a loving family with lots and lots of helpers. This makes me so happy!! I can't wait until I'm lucky enough to have my fourth. :-) Enjoy your babymoon and tell us all about it when you have the time. So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHugs from Kansas,
Amber
Congrats, congrats, congrats! I love her perfect little mouth! Enjoy her! :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful, she is just beautiful! Congrats! what a day- oldest off to college, a birthday and a new baby! WOW! Enjoy your babymoon! IT never lasts long enough!
ReplyDeleteShe is just the sweetest little bundle of love! I am so happy that it all went just as you hoped! Congratulations to all of you! Janey is a lucky little girl to have such a wonderful family! :) Take care!!
ReplyDeleteGosh, she is so sweet. I can almost smell her and feel her silky skin!!! Those last two pictures remind me of my youngest, also a girl after 3 boys, and I will still never forget how silky she was in those early days. She even had the little worry wrinkles between her eyebrows (or lack thereof) and the slightly downturned mouth. Oh, the sweetness!! Enjoy. I hope you are all adjusting well, getting some rest and soaking it all in.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the birth went so well and that you were able to see your oldest off to college. I had one curiosity...you didn't mention who watched the kids while you were at the hospital? Did someone come over or did you have to drop them off somewhere? Was it an emotional time leaving them or sending them off? This was always a huge emotional thing for me, because I always knew the family would be in for a change when either I returned from the hospital or they returned home from relatives (I had two hospital births and two homebirths). I was just curious
So, who won the bet....the list you posted from off your fridgerator? ;-) She's adorable!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got to take Isaac to college! Your new daughter is beautiful, just like the rest of your children! Enjoy every moment :)
ReplyDeleteI love your story! So glad Janey is here to be snuggled and loved. I'm snuggling a 7 week old right now and being amazed at how the time is flying by already. They are precious gifts!
ReplyDeleteThe timing of your kids: One out, one in. You're so efficient. Just kidding.
ReplyDeleteShe's an absolute doll. Enjoy your babymoon. Mine is turning four months old tomorrow and it makes me want to cry every single time I think about it.
Wow! What a 24 hours you had...I could not imagine sending my oldest off to college and then giving birth....you truly are a super woman...who I admire so much. Congratulations to the whole family!
ReplyDeleteI had a girl after 3 brothers this last year. It has been so special watching my oldest daughter bond with a sister. I was nervous going into 5 kids but it has simply been the sweetest, most rewarding experience and I couldn't imagine life without her. I hope this holds true for your lovely family as well. Congratulations she is beautiful! Oh and in our case birth weight 8lb 10oz = good baby/super sleeper. Hoping the same for you :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats, she is so beautiful!! Her sweet little lips!
ReplyDeleteBoth of my babies were also natural births and I am so grateful for the experiences. :) I absolutely love that your daughter cut her cord!
xoxo,
Lisa
Congratulations! Patrick in the photos made me smile, but the love on Matt's face made me cry. Such an incredibly sweet family with more more beautiful addition. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your newest little one! I love so many things about your story- especially that you let Abbey share this experience and learn from an expert what an amazing experience giving birth can be.
ReplyDeleteShe's SO beautiful. And I LOVE that Abbey was there... And cut the cord?! This all makes me so happy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful baby girl, you are so blessed. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Thank you for sharing your beautiful birth story. It's amazing what your body and mind are capable of. Janey is precious.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been by in awhile and just wanted to say congrat's! She is just beautiful and such a blessing. I am thrilled that the birth went just the way you wanted. Enjoy
ReplyDeleteXO
Kristin