The Rayment Reader

Alex

Well, it's almost been a week since Colin entered our family and what an amazing week it has been. God has definitely blessed us every step of the way. We've also seen in many ways this week that God's plan is way better than ours if we just can trust Him. First of all, had Colin been born two weeks ago like I wanted, the OB floor was totally full and overflowing so I wouldn't have had the wonderful attention we got this week. There was only one other baby on the floor the night Colin was born and he left the next day so we had the nurse's one on one attention until we left on Weds. He also knew what a blessing it would be for me to have my Bible study leader be my OB nurse during the delivery and first night. She is a wonderful prayer warrior and came in an hour early once she found out I was in labor. I know with her prayers for me and the prayers of our family and friends, I was able to do something that I thought I'd never be able to do - deliver Colin naturally.

The second blessing came when I went into labor on Colin's great-great grandma Lichty's birthday. She was the prayer warrior in Chris' family and it is really special that they share birthdays. Labor began around 6 pm so I wasn't sure he'd actually be born on her birthday, but everything went unimaginably fast and he made it with 34 minutes to spare. I didn't let Chris know I was having contractions because I knew as soon as I did, he'd start spazzing and I didn't want that to happen until I knew this was the real thing. Alex's friends came over and asked him to go out and play so shortly after that I told Chris this was for real and we finished packing the bags, camera, CD's etc. My contractions were about 3-5 minutes apart, lasting a 45-60 seconds. I called Krista, a wonderful friend who offered to take care of Alex for us, and let her know how things were going. Alex came back in from outside and got all concerned when he saw me go through a contraction, but then started running all over excitedly when we told him the baby was coming. Even though he'd gotten in trouble at school that day and had TV taken away, I had to finally put in a movie to calm him down so we could get ready.

We dropped Alex off at Krista's and were going to come back home for awhile, but when we got home and I barely got out of the car, I decided to climb right back in and head to the hospital. It's a good thing we did, because when the nurse got me settled and checked me shortly after 9, I as already dilated to 7. She called the doctor to come in and check me and when he got there 10 minutes later, I was already at 8. This was the first surprise this baby had for us because the nurse could have swore I'd only be at 4-5 since I'd walked in on my own and was still talking through the contractions. She knew I wanted to labor in the jacuzzi tub and it took a half hour to fill so she got started. I got in it around 10ish and that's pretty much "all she wrote". After about 30 minutes in there I was feeling a lot more pressure and when they checked me again, I was at 10 cm. I had just been debating whether or not to get some meds but finding out I was at 10 answered those questions. It wasn't even an option anymore. I really wish that the hospital Alex was born at had a tub like that...it was wonderful!

Anyway, they got me out and situated in the delivery room again and broke my water. Almost instantly I was ready to push. This delivery was so much better, despite the pain, than Alex's because I could actually feel where to push and from what the doctor and nurses have said, I had a lot more control. At 11:26 pm, Colin Christopher was born. It was a blessing in disguise that this labor was so short, because we really can't afford the extra costs for the anesthesiologist and meds, but had it gone any longer I would have asked for it and somehow dealt with the cost later. And now I can say I did it naturally. God was really with me that whole time, because it couldn't have been me in control. I had no clue what I was doing.

The best blessing of all is that we have been given a beautiful baby boy to take care. He has been a wonderful baby... so much calmer and more relaxed than Alex was. It probably helps that we are more comfortable the second time around, but I'm sure that's not all of it. He's just a really good baby. My in-laws have been here for a few days and have helped a lot around the house and have taken Alex back to the hotel each night so we can get the rest we've needed. A big thanks to them! My parents come in a couple weeks and that will be nice too, because I'm sure it will be at just the right time for a much needed break!

Sorry for the novella, but I'm sure there are those of you out there, like me, who love getting all the details! Hope you've enjoyed all the pics and videos Chris has put on the blog. He's done a great job!

I know I've posted a lot of video and pics, but I just can't help it. I must tell you that no amount of pics or video can quite express how proud Alex is of his baby brother. Here's another video that may help you get the picture.

Here are a couple of videos when Alex got to meet Colin for the first time. We've added more pics too, so please check them out by clicking the FLICKR slideshow to the left.

Here you go! Our dearest family and friends! We would like to welcome to the world, Colin Christopher.

Wgt: 7lbs 7oz
Hgt: 20 inches
Time of Birth: 11:26pm (CST) April 9, 2007

My wife was so awesome. She didn't need any medication and the doctor even said "Are you sure someone didn't slip an epidural to you in the parking lot?"

Amy was so amazing! And God is even more amazing to allow this precious gift of life. Take a look at Flicker for more pics. Don't forget to check out the video too!

Here is a brief video clip. If you are just trying to view it at 12:47am 4/10/07. Please be patient for YouTube to process. Thanks!

I know there are many of you that are checking this site periodically. Amy notified me around 7pm (CST) that she was having some major contractions.

I got a little giddy for 30 seconds then I calmed down. Alex went outside to play with friends while we packed everything up. I'm sitting here waiting for Amy to tell me its time to go.

When I actually post this we will be on our way to the hospital. Don't worry, we are only .08 miles from the hospital.

We are definitely excited. We just told Alex and he's bouncing around everywhere and he's ready to go to his friend Kamrin's house.

We love you and will very much appreciate your prayers.

This is one of the better pics of Alex from Saturday night. He was being silly and gave us some very interesting looks and smiles while we were coloring eggs. He participated in 3 egg hunts, at school, home and church and had a blast. He thought the Easter Bunny was very silly for putting plastic eggs in the apple bowl and the baby's play pen. Check out Flickr for more pics.

These are just a couple of the beautiful birds we've been watching from our living room windows. I washed the feeder and put it up on Sat. thinking it would take awhile for them to be brave enough to come and for the clean smell to go away. Not so, just a few hours later, a brave little chickadee showed up. Alex has had fun using his "binoculars" to see them and trying to take pictures as well. Hopefully the hummingbirds will also return this year once the warmer weather returns.

We'd like to send a big CONGRATS out to the parents of Sarah Fannin, Melanie Prince and Alayna Hammerle! They are all babies who have been born in the past few weeks to our friends! Guess the girls were a bit more anxious to enter the world. Deven... it's down to our two boys now! Hmmm.. wonder what that means about guys?!?!?! Well, since Chris still has his big day ahead of him as my labor coach, I won't go any farther than that for now! LOL!

Just got back from my 38 week check up and my progress has doubled from last week. I'm at 3 cm, 50% effaced and the baby is still at 0 station. So I just need some good contractions to get things going and we'll have a baby!!!!