Myette.org

“And you, my child shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His way.”

- Canticle of Zechariah, Luke 1: 76. Zechariah, father of John the Baptist

Friends–

It is with great joy that Erika, Michael and I write to you about the birth of our newest family member Jacob Zechariah. Mom and baby are happy and healthy and before I babble on here are the quick stats:

We delivered at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park where they have a great alternative birthing center which is geared to natural childbirth and the midwife and hospital staff were wonderful.

Erika was 12 days post due and we were in Oak Park Tuesday morning for a prenatal checkup. We were still in the area when Erika went into labor just after noon so the midwife came over to the hospital and met up with us around 1pm. Michael and Erika’s parents met us at the hospital between 5 and 5:30pm. We had always said we hoped Michael could be part of the labor and birth but were going to play it by ear as to how much he would be there. In the end he was able to be there for the last hour or so of labor and I only sent him out with Erika’s dad for the 15 minutes or so when it got a little intense for a 3 year old. It was great to have him right out in the hall so that as soon as Jacob was born he came right back in probably 20 seconds after the birth.

Erika had a great labor and delivery due in large part to our wonderful midwife Julie and Erika’s choice to try a waterbirth. She labored in the tub for the last hour and delivered in the tub as well. She loved the pain relief, warmth and everything about laboring in the tub. Watching Jacob be born under water was interesting I must say, but he arrived very happy healthy little boy and Erika was in great shape after a totally drug free birth.

We were grateful to be able to share the experience with Erika’s parents who were great supports to us. Erika’s mom got to be present for the birth while Papa had Michael duty and brought him in just after the birth. And of course Michael is the consummate big brother. Before birth he was asking Erika if he could get in the tub and help push, during labor he rubbed Erika’s back and held her hand and after birth he sat on my lap and watched me cut the umbilical cord. We’re pretty lucky people.

Among many other nice things about the Alternative Birthing Center is that the rooms have a queen bed for the family to snuggle together after birth so after Jacob was born we had lots of family snuggling time and Michael got to hold his little brother and smother him with kisses. Michael spent the night with Erika’s parents while I stayed at the hospital and was grateful for the queen bed instead of a fold out hospital chair.

Wednesday morning our friend TJ who is a family practice doc came in a gave Jacob the full check out. Erika is having a great recovery and by the time her mom, dad and Michael arrived had already taken a shower by herself. We had lunch together and then since Erika was feeling so good we started thinking about checking out. We left the hospital around 4:30pm on Wednesday and were grateful to be home at Erika’s parents house to sleep in our beds and start getting adjusted to the new rhythm of our lives.

So here we are on Thursday afternoon, overjoyed with the wonderful experience that has brought Jacob into our lives. We’re looking forward to the arrival of my mom tomorrow night, Christmas time and the opportunity to see many family and friends over the next few weeks. I’m sure people are wondering but we haven’t decided yet when we will be coming to Florida and returning to Honduras, though almost certainly we will have to push our departure date back into January. We are taking a few days to relax and enjoy this time before firming up future plans.

I’ll send out another update once we have a better idea. And last but not least I, of course, have pictures to share with you. I’ve attached a few of my favorites but as always there are thousands more at http://www.myette.org/gallery

Best wishes,

Erika, Michael-John, Michael and Jacob