Announcing — Eamon Jude! Born Thursday morning to Deirdre and John! Nine whole pounds and an ounce over!
These girls of mine. Timing. Pace yourselves!
Ah well, it’s all good. We have a bit of a story to tell you! You know I went to Oklahoma to help out with Rosie (along with the Chief and Bridget) — and Nora came along nicely — you didn’t miss that in the flurry of Holy Week, did you? Then back here, where Deirdre, the Artist, and Finnabee (you know that is not her real name, right?) took up residence preparatory to the home birth they were planning.
In our area we have a wonderful midwife who takes care of many of my friends. She has delivered close to 2000 babies. (I mean, I don’t know all of her clientele.) She is amazing. Sometime I’m going to do a post on what it’s like to have her take care of you. Unfortunately I never got to take advantage of her expertise but I still have something to say about her. And Deirdre really wanted to have her baby with Cindy, no doubt about it.
Plus, my house turns out to be fairly ideal for this purpose, if you don’t mind things being old fashioned.
Can you make any sense of this at all? The key learning is that you can be using the guest room (on the left there) and have your birthing room (the “rec” room in the middle) all set up and waiting for you, accessible via the walk-through closet (which all my rooms have). Chances are no one will want to play foosball at that moment. I covered the foosball table with this thing I bought for $10 at some household goods store — it’s a round table top (folds up) that you put over a card table, say, for extra seating. It makes a perfect staging area for all the things you will need to take care of laboring mom and new baby. And then you can continue right through to the bathroom, where there is a non-glamorous jacuzzi bathtub —
IF you have time for it.
Which Deirdre didn’t.
And that’s the story. She went from zero to sixty like a Nissan GTR. Cindy is good, but she can’t apparate. When I got her on the phone, she told me, “I won’t be there in time — put the phone on speaker and I’ll help you!”
And so that is how I came to catch this speedy little guy, with John as heavy lifter and Deirdre as mama on a mission, determined and serene, really. The Chief and Habou did Finnabee duty. Thank goodness there are this many of us! Because that’s how many it took! And then Cindy did get here, phew.
No crazy car rides, no hospital, no IVs, no nothing! Just resting at home!
Two days later, Aunt Bridget (who is honorable Godmother-to-be) came to visit on a quick jaunt from school. This little guy is super calm and peaceful, secure in the knowledge that he made his entrance with enough drama to rest on his laurels from now on!
Such gratitude here for all that God gives. Who would have known? Who could have predicted? Amazing.
Congratulations all around! Yeah for home births!! I had all my children born at home and I am so thankful. It is wonderful to be done and in your own bed with all your family. Such a blessing.
Well done, Deirdre and Leila! And welcome Eamon! And I have to say your home lighting sure makes for wonderful photos (as opposed to the hospital)–doesn’t hurt to have beautiful people too :)
GORGEOUS! Every last bit of that story and every last one of Deirdre’s family!! ALL of you, actually!! So happy for you all!
Congratulations! Sweet and wonderful pictures.
How long was the labor? I am a precipitous labor veteran. It’s a strange and crazy club to join.
Jenny, I did have labor overnight the previous night, but that morning it was probably three hours all told… but I didn’t realize until a couple of hours in that it was the real deal!
Congratulations! My daughter is Finnabee’s age, and we had our boy January 31st. He was also eager to arrive! Only 2.5 hours of labor from start to finish, though I did get to the birthing center. Maybe yours was even shorter, Dierdre? I’m curious as to your thoughts on how it compared to the first. With our daughter I was in labor about 12 hours, and though both births were quite smooth, I did feel a bit like I was caught in an avalanche with that last one!
Kelsey, mine was about three hours altogether, but I just didn’t realize until I was pretty much in transition that it was serious labor — I thought I had hours to go! I might write out the whole story sometime soon from my perspective… but yes, it was a very different experience from No. 1! In a way it was more shocking but it was also much more peaceful overall than my hospital experience.
Congratulations on the births of BOTH of your grandchildren this month. What beauties they are, and how blessed you all are to have each other. God bless!
I am confident that you were the very model of “grace under pressure”. Welcome to the big, wide world, sweet Eamon! Hoping for a blissful baby-moon and recovery for the new momma.
Congrats to Deirdre, Leila and the whole family. what a beautiful little boy.
Beautiful boy and beautiful family! Can’t wait to hear Deirdre’s version of the story. I had 3 of my 6 at home, one precipitously and unattended by the Faithful Midwife. She knew she wouldn’t make it either. Congratulations to everyone on a job well done!
I wonder if she’s the same Cindy who delivered my brothers, twenty-something years ago.
Congratulations to all! Enjoyed the posting on the home birth. In fact, last spring while my daughter was giving birth in a hospital, I got into an argument with the nurse…pushing pain medicine on my daughter, when she was doing just fine.
Congratulations!!! What a story… Wasn’t Molly a Rush Delivery too? You girls sure know how to get the job done :-)
I envy Deirdre’s serenity: I’m preparing myself mentally for my 4th c-section, and there’s nothing I dread more than those 4 days at the hospital…
I just love this and all of you there to welcome him. Congratulations!!
oh my goodness….that photo of Dierdre and her son – she looks sooo composed and calm, as if the angels just sort of drop-shipped him into bed amidst blowsy clouds of sweetness and tranquility. If there was drama, it doesn’t show at all! Congratulations and a little prayer of thanksgiving for your newest blessing!
I loved your choice of words: “drop-shipped amidst blowsy clouds of sweetness and tranquility” :D
An especially lovely mother baby picture.
Aw, haha thank you! I assure you that there were some very non-serene moments in the whole process!! But yes, being at home has been amazingly restful!
Ditto on everything others have said : ) Thank you for sharing that warm fuzzy fizzy happiness that a new baby brings. What a lovely family. Congratulations to all.
Congratulations!! What a beautiful birth and family! Praying our next (home)birth coming up is just as smooth and lovely. There is nothing like being at home in your own space, especially afterwards. That photo in the bed is just perfection.
Congratulation! What a beautiful family and blessing!
Congratulations and welcome to little Eamon! Such a beautiful family!
I’m really impressed when I hear birth stories like this, because I think it takes a lot of self-control and competence not to freak out!
Congratulations! What a beautiful family!
So Deirdre has two little E’s now?! Love the name, such a sweet baby. So many sweet babies for your family – congratulations on the great blessings!
Congratulations!!! Dierdre looks so peaceful and beautiful. Eamon is a unique and wonderful name (I have a nephew with that name and I can never remember whether the E or A comes first and if there are one or two “m”s).
My first homebirth was drama. When I went into labour, my midwife was at court paying a traffic ticket (for speeding to a birth) and then got stuck in traffic. We were at my parents’ house and my husband and father caught the baby. They were both pretty calm. My mother, on the other hand, called 911. My midwife arrived just after the paramedics. It was slightly embarrassing to be dishabille with four strange men standing around my bed. One of them waved oxygen under my son’s nose (unnecessary because he was fine) and the others stood around awkwardly or chatted with my husband. My midwife shooed them all out, delivered the placenta, checked out the baby, stitched me up (my son was 9.5 lbs and came quickly, so I tore) and took care of me. Then we all settled in for a good meal my mother had made. My husband began calling family with his (second) son in his arms, bragging about catching the baby. He came into the world with flair and drama, but this son is actually my most mellow and easy child.
Kate, what an incredible experience! The paramedics traipsing about must’ve been somewhat disconcerting indeed, but it’s good to hear all turned out so well, and I admit I got a good, if sympathetic, laugh at the thought of the midwife arriving late to a speedy birth… because of having gotten a speeding ticket… for speeding to a birth!
That is awesome!!
Congratulations to all! Deirdre looks glowy! A lovely baby.
How charming! Congratulations to you all!
Congratulations to all! He’s beautiful!
Congratulations! What a beautiful little boy!
I had 3 of my babies at home and loved it! It was so peaceful. We’d love to hear Deirdre’s story!
How absolutely wonderful and lovely. Congratulations!
another beautiful blessing! congratulations to the whole clan!!
Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations! Beautiful!!
Our last baby came just like that – my husband almost missed the birth too! Love precipitous births.
Love all these new babies!!
What a handome fella!!!! Congratulations to you all, it’s so exciting. I’m very happy for you and I hope Deirdre is feeling well and recovering nicely. They are such a beautiful family.
I love new baby news.
Congratulations! Life is amazing and crazy. Two of ours have come with just my husband and I in the house. I’m so glad it all went well and everyone is glowsy. Enjoy those newborns.
Oh how exciting and wonderful! I’m so happy for all of y’all!
I’ve never seen such a relaxed looking Mama. What a beautiful family and a beautiful way to bring a child into the world. All the very best!
amazing story! Momma looks beautiful, just glowing. Congrats, love the name.
Congratulations! What a great story for the family history, and what a beautiful family you are.
What a lovely way to arrive! So happy for everyone in your family.
Yay for home births! My midwife walked through our door less than 30 minutes before my son shot out into the world. So surprising to have such a fast birth!
What a great story! And sweet and beautiful photos. Congratulations!!
Wow! How remarkable to have been caught by his grandmother upon his grand entrance into the world! And how wonderful to have a family so centered and composed and full of the wisdom to work all together to welcome him into the world in such a good manner! Both the story and the photos are lovely and brought tears to my eyes. Congratulations to Deirdre and to the whole family!
(Being duly impressed by the Lawler way of things, we now, of course, all also await news of his baptism with happy anticipation!) :)
Amazing and beautiful!! Congrats!! Next time I have a baby I want you to be my momma!!!
Congratulations! That is a very beautiful boy!
My favorite homebirth so far was the one where my midwife didn’t quite make it, and she coached my husband through a surprise breech over the phone. She walked through the door just as we wrapped up. It was beautiful and simple and uncomplicated! I loved reading this today, as I’m due in just another few weeks and feeling very excited.
Whoa! I’m impressed with your husband!
Congratulations, added to so many well wishes. I look forward to the time when my children become mothers, and hope for the chance to be there too. Birth is such a beautiful thing. Great capture with that photo.
I look forward to the midwife story too. What stories she must be able to tell after 2000 births. Wisdom like that isn’t found everywhere. Thanks for sharing.
Oh my goodness!! You caught the baby?!?! What a blessing!! And oh my goodness talk about adrenaline and instinct and all kicking in. Speakerphone?! Wow. God bless you all. And I love the name; he is just beautiful.
Blessings—xoxox
Congratulations! 2 of my 4 have been precip births, caught by my husband. My third was a planned homebirth, but labor was 1.5 hours, and the midwife arrived 10 minutes after he was born (she had a 45 minute drive, and I woke her up at 1am). We thought he was a fluke, and with the fourth, we lived 10 minutes from the hospital. What could go wrong? Well, she was caught by her daddy in the front seat of our van just outside the doors to the emergency room. Labor less than an hour, and most of that mild. If there’s a fifth, we’re back at home! It’s a crazy but wonderful club!
And I must say, your house is indeed perfect for birthing! You could open a B&B/birth center!
Congratulations! What a memorable story, it made me cry. God Bless the family.
Leila – Pregnant with our sixth and moved to tears at your beautiful experience. Thank you for being a model mother and grandmother! Congratulations Deirdre, he’s beautiful!
The ultimate use of the Collective Memory! Yay, Leila! Deo Gratias! Congratulations to all of you! The happy family looks so peaceful and beautiful. (my husband caught my fifth in the car – looks much more serene at home ;-) )
Oh, frabjous day!
Congratulations!
Oh! Congrats! You MUST read my Madeleine birth story – my husband caught her at home!
http://www.tacywilliamsbeck.com/2013/07/pregnancy-update-365-weeks-madeleines.html
Wow, that is an awesome story, Tacy! My experiencewas very similar in many ways
Wow, that is an awesome story, Tacy! My experience was very similar in many ways!
Breathtaking and beautiful. Congratulations!
Congratulations to all of you! What a beautiful boy he is — and a radiant mother. And what a splendid gift God gave you, Leila, to help bring your own grandchild into the world. It was the plan all along — you know the phrase “man plans and God laughs!” Glory to God!
Congrats to all! What a beautiful baby and a beautiful story! My fourth son was born outside on the lawn, a couple feet from the car we were going to take to the hospital, caught by my mom. Thank goodness it was a mild May night! That may have been one of the highlights of my mom’s life. =)
Oh my! Sounds very exciting!!
Oh so beautiful. :) Good job all, especially that little guy with the amazing head of hair!
Thanks, Emily. His big sister is especially taken with his “dark hair.” :)
Best story ever and beautiful pictures! Congratulations Dierdre and congratulations Leila on the unexpected baby-catching! :)
Congrats all!
And I hope for an Ask Auntie Leila on the topic of “Choosing the Old Paths” when naming children. All the Lawler descendants have such classic/classy names. Beautiful.
Oh, so good! Congratulations! I was beginning to hope that the quiet on your end meant a baby. So many good things coming together in this birth: home birth, four generations lovingly participating in the beginning of a new life, a smoother (would you call it so, given the speed?) second birth than the first. What a blessing for all who were part of it. Deirdre, John and Finnabee, may you enjoy a peaceful and joyful first few weeks with Eamon! He looks just perfect.
Hearty congratulations all around! What a wonderful story and a beautiful memory.
Best regards-Jamie
Beautiful! Deirdre is just glowing! Can i ask how home birth compares economically to other options? Are the fees/charges less? Does insurance cover it? I am still paying off costs from our 5th baby last year (after insurance). But i might consider the home birth idea if it meant less cost!
I suppose it will vary based on one’s insurance situation, but a natural homebirth is objectively more economical: no hospital stay, no price for various interventions, etc. In our case, it’s definitely the more affordable option and the overall bill is far lower than what we/our insurance paid for the birth of our first. The Artist and I are now actually members of Samaritan Ministries rather than having insurance (www.samaritanministries.org). I might write about it sometime…
And thank you! :)
Wow!! I kept reading this story saying “wow.” This is so beautiful and you all just shored up some MAJOR collective memory wisdom. So holy beautiful…congratulations!! Blessings from Alaska
Might we be able to hear what Finnabee’s real name is?
Meghan, although I opted to go a bit secretive with my little girl’s identity (and will probably do the same with Eamon), we did disclose her real name in the original birth announcement post. :) http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2013/08/pretty-happy-funny-real-baby/
Congratulations! I’m glad everything worked out well. The photos are beautiful too!
Deidre – you look amazing!
Leila – I enjoyed listening to you on the radio last week. I had never heard your conversion story before so that was especially interesting.
Am I doing my match correctly and you know have as many grandchildren as children? Congratulations!
My #2 baby was fast like that too. Caught me completely unawares. I ended up pushing my boy out while standing up braced against the dresser. Jason came in from behind to do the catch. What a whirlwind. Hurt like hell but then DONE and I had crazy energy afterward. A great birth really.
Welcome baby Eamon! I love that you caught the baby Leila and that afterwards all looks so serene. I will go now and try to deny my bad case of baby envy and hope that all goes well for everyone!
Wonderful! I had a homebirth with my son in November, and it was truly the most beautiful thing. So lovely to rest in your own bed afterwards, eat your own food, and not disrupt the schedules of your other children too much.
Thank you, everyone, for all the well wishes and compliments! You are so kind. We are overjoyed and so very grateful for all the support from the family!
I’m a little late… I read this the day it was posted then wasn’t able to post until today… such is life sometimes. But my heartiest congratulations! I am so impressed with the home birth! WOW!! I hope you have plenty of time together as a new (+1) family. :)
Wow, Auntie Leila, you got to catch your own grandbaby! That is all kinds of awesome. What a great story to tell!
I’m adding my story to the “precipitous labor” club — although our home birth was unplanned! My behemoth baby (10 1/2 lbs) decided when he was ready to come out, he was ready NOW. My other kids love telling the story of how he was born in our bathroom. (I was trying to get to the car!) As fast as it was, I think it was my best birth. Once you accept that you’re just along for the ride, it’s amazing how peaceful you can become. It’s everyone else around you who’s freaking out!
Well done, everyone! Congratulations all! Love that little fuzzy head. And Deirdre, you are absolutely radiant.
Oh congratulations! And he is beautiful, I can say that cause even though he’s a boy he is a baby still, haha! And Deirdre, wow, she beats Kate Middleton for serene beauty post-birth! I usually look exhausted and puffy-faced.
I had my third at home and it was lovely to deliver at home with no rushed drive to the hospital or birth center, no stress. My midwife did make it but just barely (2 hour, 45 minute labor from first contraction) but since I was at home it felt less worrisome than when I was in the hospital and they made me stop pushing because the on-call doctor wasn’t there yet for my first.
It’s funny my home birthed girl was the calmest newborn I’d ever seen, she never even cried at the birth, and I just always thought she was more serene because she was born in the peaceful morning hours with dim lights and just my husband, me, and the two midwives there.
Now I’m kinda wishing I could do another home birth for this baby but alas, precipitous labor history + 2 hour drive for the midwife doesn’t really work I suppose. Unless Auntie Leila wants to start offering her services as doula, lol!