I thought it was about time that I get on here – {pretty, happy, real weddings} and {bits & pieces} aside – just to say hi and give you an updated glimpse of my little man. (As for the latest {b&p} – thank you for all that advice re: cloth diapering! I had a feeling you would come through for me. I have been studying all your suggestions!)
Thank you all so much for your well wishes and excitement upon his arrival! It certainly was an exciting arrival.
Little Eamon is two months old today. I got a bit mixed up about his age recently and told some friends that he was 8 weeks when he was actually just 7. I later felt a little relieved that time isn't flying by at quite the ridiculously intense rate that I was thinking it was. Just a moderately ridiculously intense rate, it turns out.
As some of you mentioned you'd like to hear the birth story from my perspective, here's a bit of a review of that morning as I recall it.
Basically, for whatever mysterious combination of reasons, all of my warm-up labor was just very subtle and happened mostly overnight. So subtle, in fact, that I became fully aware of it only in hindsight. It was aided by an herbal tincture, provided by my midwife, that turned out to have a very strong effect on me!
6am – I woke up knowing that my body was in action, knowing that this would be The Day. I decided to take a shower and get myself ready for what I assumed would be a long, tiring workout. I took another dose of the aforementioned tincture.
7am – After a long, relaxing shower, during which I frequently leaned against the wall to breathe through surges, I got myself dressed and headed down for breakfast.
7:30am – Having finished a small breakfast and checked my email and Facebook (just to get that out of the way as more preparation for my Big Day), I realized that I wasn't feeling responsive while Habou was chatting with me. I decided I should go upstairs to be by myself and focus.
8am – The Artist and the others having arrived home from morning Mass, I decided to check in with him to let him know I'd like his company while I tried to relax through what I felt was early labor. He said he'd just have some quick breakfast and come upstairs to join me, which sounded good to me. I went back up and lay down on the bed.
8:15am – Called the midwife and told her I was in labor. Only fully acknowledged the fact once I said it aloud. She must have heard something in my voice because she knew instinctively to step on it, and was in her car a matter of moments later.
8:16am – Phoned downstairs to request a glass of water.
8:17am – My mom came up with a glass of water and I burst into tears, not understanding why (later, Suki said, “Oh, so you cried because you were in transition.” Apparently.).
8:18am – Released a bellow. Heard myself release said bellow and thought, “oh wow, I recognize that sound. That is the sound that I made when I was in full-on labor the last time.” I didn't feel it; I heard it. That sense of being in a sound and realizing that the sound is coming from oneself.
The Artist appeared, having also heard this sound and recognized its meaning.
{here follows a period of confusion, of groaning and of roaring, during which I was completely alert and never in much pain, but certainly in a state of massive surprise and a few moments of panic. Should we draw a bath? Is this the real thing? Do I need to use the toilet? [no really – very confused on that front] Maybe a bath would help me relax? But mom I don't think I can get in the bath? But Deirdre maybe it would help you relax? The Artist thinks we really should go to the bed and not be in the bathroom. But can I move right now I'm not sure? Oh my oh my oh my that is the head right there. GET CINDY ON THE PHONE MOM CALL CINDY CALL CINDY And that is my water breaking and that is his head. Whoa whoa whoa whoa just get over to the bed okay I can do this yes let's go over to the bed that sounds good towel Cindy's on speakerphone lie down breathe deep breaths okay I can do this this is happening Cindy is not going to make it in time okay okay John get warm washcloths okay Deirdre breathe deep breaths for your baby okay this is happening right now this is happening right now}
9:02am (or something like that. None of us is 100% sure of the exact time of birth) – My darling Eamon is born into his grandmother's capable hands.
When the Artist ran downstairs to say “It's a boy!” Habou had no idea what he was talking about.
Later I said I thought it was two pushes. The Artist corrected me and said it was more like seven.
In a way I think that it was more intense for my mom and The Artist, because they were there with me and had to figure out what to do and how to cope. They were quick on their feet while doing their best to comfort me and not panic. I, on the other hand, had a straightforward job to do… a job that was more going to do itself to me than that I was going to do. It was just happening.
It just happened.
And now we're settled in back home, with a little boy getting bigger every day, very much in love.
He is spoiling me. He is the sweetest little boy I've ever known. You may recall that Molly was Rosie's Angel Baby. Turns out that Eamon is mine.
Last week, The Artist and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary with two little muffins. So blessed.
Had to enjoy the quilt from Habipti with some matching chevron!
And now, dear readers, it's my plan to switch over to referring to this little guy by his prenatal nickname “Peabodee.” And you'll be seeing less of him (and his big sister) on here, in general.
Maybe sometime I'll sit down and articulate all our reasons for being reticent with kiddo pictures and updates. In the meantime, I hope you know that it's not for any lack of appreciation of the kindness and friendliness that you shower on us via your reading and commenting! There is a very big part of me that would like to share a daily update on these two munchkins, using their real names (I happen to think they're quite bright and pretty cute and that they have great names), but for now I think it's best for us if I keep them out of the LMLD “limelight.”
Lots of love from the Chesternest!
Rachel says
He is such a pretty little baby! I love reading birth stories and you were right…yours is quick! Congratulations again!
Katherine says
Whew! What a story.
Your body remembers, doesn’t it? I could not exactly describe the sounds and feelings of labor but every time it is familiar, all over again.
Congrats on a beautiful little boy!
Mary says
Love this!! What a perfect birth and how special that Grandma got to catch him!! He’s just perfect! Great job, Deirdre!
Annie Dill says
These photos are absolutely precious and heartwarming! Congratulations! ( I share the distinction with Eamon of being born so quickly that it happened in my parent’s bedroom:)
Kelsey says
What a great story!
Deirdre, did you study HypnoBirthing? I’m just asking because of the reference to “surges” instead of “contractions.”
Also:
1. My husband and I just celebrated our third anniversary.
2. We have two children, a girl first and then a boy.
3. Our boy was born very quickly, is also angelic.
4. Our daughter wears an amber necklace. (Or did until we lost it for a week or so and now she’s not sure how she feels about it, hmmm.)
5. I promise I’m not a bizarro stalker.
6. Friends?
Deirdre says
Kelsey, we should totally be friends! Do you happen to live in NH? 🙂
And yes, we did prepare for both births hypno-style. I am a big fan and I think that it helped me in many ways, throughout each pregnancy. But neither experience has been like the experience than Mongan describes in her book: my first childbirth was a combination of stressful and then intense/loud/a major workout; my second was so quick and intense that I felt that we didn’t get a chance to use our techniques to relax! But who knows – maybe all the relaxation practice is what made the early labor go by so subtly. Birth is so mysterious!
Gwenny says
Please, please, please share this amazing “herbal tincture.” Please.
Deirdre says
Hi Gwenny!
Let me just first state the obvious (as I’m sure you’re quite aware) that I am not a medical professional or anything close to an authority on the use of herbs. So I’ll just share this but not as a recommendation: what she gave me was black cherry juice with red raspberry leaf and – key ingredient – partridgeberry. I don’t know the proportions. There was about a total of a cup and a half and I took three doses several hours apart (two the night before; one that morning as I mentioned) of 1/4 C each. I felt action right away after just the first dose! Then she had me take all the rest after I gave birth to help with dispelling the placenta.
I hope that helps!
Emily D. says
Wonderful! And Deirdre, your HAIR! I love the braids!
Deirdre says
Thanks, Emily! I’ve been going heavy on the braids, lately, because it’s one of the few hairstyles that keeps all my post-partum frizz out of my face! 🙂 Pregnancy and childbearing has changed my hair so much that I often don’t know what to do with it anymore!
April L. says
He is truly one of the most beautiful babies I’ve ever seen! What an amazing story! Thank God for Auntie Leila–I’m afraid my poor mother would pass out.
Barbara says
He is such a beautiful baby. Both your children are darling. I think if I was present to catch my grandson, I could say “I’m ready Lord!” What a joy for your mom!
Teresa says
Oh Dierde – what a sweet and happy story! What joy for your whole family. Wake up, refresh yourself, and have a baby. God is so good. And sweet Eamon is a darling bundle of preciousness. Blessings to you and your dear family!
Jenny says
Welcome to the precipitous labor club! It’s a quirky place. The first time is mind-blowing because you look back and wonder, “What just happened here?”
Woman of the House says
Wow, Deirdre. Wow. What a story! Both of your little munchkins are adorable! So sweet!
Annalisa says
Yes! That bellow that suddenly alerts you to the reality of your present situation. I laughed so hard as I felt again what you described. My third baby came at the end of a day of thinking I was coming down with the bug that the whole family had only just barely gotten through. Then my water broke, seemingly out of nowhere, we went from zero to sixty by the time the phone calls were hastily made, and she was born an hour and a half later. I felt like I was riding a run away train. Thanks for sharing your story with us. I also hesitate to put much about my kids out there on the internet for all to see.
Deirdre says
A run away train is a good comparison, I think!
Jennie Cooper says
Oh, gosh, he’s a beautiful boy!
Diana says
I loved this! Thank you for sharing!
I had a very similar birth with our latest, born last November. She came so quickly that we did not have time even to call the midwife, and my husband only made it because he hit the ground at a dead run. But all in all, I totally prefer that to the long drawn-out type!! 🙂
Congratulations again!
Paula says
He’s ADORABLE ! As is big sister! And I completely understand about the photos on the net. Great story1
Amanda says
This reminds me of our third birth! Our little girl was born in 2 hours, 45 minutes and the midwife barely made it on time even though I called her the second I was sure the contractions were real about 20 minutes in and she started driving right away. Our baby girl was also our little angel baby, never even cried at the birth and has always been such a sweet, easygoing baby.
You sound much more calm than I was at the end there, I’m afraid I did well until the last 45 minutes or so and then lost it!
I must know this tincture though! Pretty please? We’re considering inducing labor this time around my due date because no midwives live close enough to arrive in time for another fast birth and I’d love to have some natural ways to get things going so I’m not relying on pitocin.
Deirdre says
Hi Amanda,
I shared about the tincture with Gwenny, above! I hope that you have a peaceful experience with your upcoming birth!
Amanda says
Thank you!
Lindsay says
One of my favorite birth stories, ever, and your chi,dren are just darling. I love that your husband had the temerity to eat breakfast, didn’t he know what was happening?! 🙂 I’ve had two precips, and with my first was convinced that it was just mild food poisoning until he started crowning. I learned with my next one that early labor, for me, = transition. Not a bad problem to have.
Deirdre says
Thanks, Lindsay!
Yes, obviously neither of us knew what we were in for, since I agreed that he had time to have some breakfast and then come join me for what I thought would be some quiet relaxation/early labor time… 🙂
Deirdre says
…and he never did get to eat that breakfast after all.
Libby Jane says
Wow. That is awesome. Alleluia.
M. says
What a beautiful baby and birth story. Thank you so much for sharing. God is good!
Robin says
Thanks for taking the time to tell the story from your perspective, Deirdre! My third came in a very similar fashion and was caught by his dad–in the bathroom, after I realized that No, I Cannot make it to the bed right now. Eamon is just perfect! But you knew that already. 🙂
Also, I wanted to let you know that while I very much enjoy following everybody else’s families and all the adorable baby pictures on the blog, I so very much respect your decision to keep your little family a little more private. Thanks for the little glimpse, though! Blessings on all of you.
Meghan says
Surges? Not realizing you’re about to give birth until the baby is crowning? Painless labor? I agree, it sounds like a hypnobirth (and also very much like me laboring with my son!) I’d also like to echo the requests for that tincture recipe.
Deirdre says
Yep, you were on to me, Meghan! I’ve done hypno prep for both births and I’m a big fan. But I wouldn’t have described this as a hypnobirth because is wasn’t calm and gentle the way she describes! Looking back though, I see that perhaps all my prep played into it going so smoothly and even the unexpectedness of it.
You can see my response to Gwenny, above, about the tincture. 🙂
Nancy says
Congratulations-sounds like the home birth was an excellent experience.
Anabelle Hazard says
Congratulations! I loved the birth story… wish mine was that quick and awesome, and wish I knew about this tincture three months ago. Totally LOLed that Habou didn’t know what the Artist was talking about. and everyone looks beautiful. I’m bummed but totally understand your need for privacy. I too hide the kids from the limelight.
Catie H says
Oh Dierdre, thank you so much for genuinely making me laugh out loud with this line:
“When the Artist ran downstairs to say “It’s a boy!” Habou had no idea what he was talking about.”
It must’ve been fast and unexpected!
Enjoy every sweet newborn second (sounds like you already are!:)