Home birth rocks!

If you didn't know that we were planning on doing a home birth don't feel left, out we didn't really tell anyone. Here are some of the reasons that we didn't really tell anyone. First, for some people we knew that it would cause a lot of stress and we didn't want to tell some people and not tell others. Second, we were very excited and very confident in our decision to do a home birth that we didn't want to hear negative feedback about our decision. We knew the risks we were taking and those that we would have taken by going to the hospital. We were very prepared for the birth with all the necessary supplies and a very qualified midwife (she's delivered over 850 babies at home) and it was every thing we had hoped for and more. For everyone that thought I was delivering at Northside hospital we would have had the baby there had there been complications. I had an OB that I was working with that knew I was going to have a home birth and he was my back up if I needed medical intervention. Thankfully, I didn't but it felt nice to be prepared. We didn't plan on doing a home birth for the beginning of the pregnancy, it wasn't until about 5 months along and not looking forward to the birth and going to the hospital that we found Debbie and decided to do it at home.

Here is our birth story
At 12:30 am I was sleeping when my water broke. I was extremely exciting because I was one week over due. My official due date was September 27th but I have almost gone two weeks late with my other kids so I figured it would come more like the 5th of October (I was wishing that it would not be too late.) I just happened to pick the right date. I called Debbie (my midwife). I was not having any contractions so she told me that they would start and to get some sleep until they did and of course to call when I wanted her to come. Derek and I got everything cleaned up and as soon as we laid down to go back to bed my contractions started coming 2 minutes apart. My labor started at 1:15 am and 3 and a half hours later Elsie was born. I can't even say it enough how pleasant it was to be at home. No one told me what to do, Derek and I were able to work though contractions and I was always asked before anything happened. After the birth was over and I was stitched up and I was clean I got into bed, the kids woke up. They slept through the whole event which was great. Siesa's face when she woke up was priceless. She walked out of her room turned around, Debbie held the baby up to her as we told her what had happened she looked all wide eyed and smiled. Jensen was just as excited. Debbie gave him a tutorial about the placenta and sack, he didn't want to touch it but found it very cool to be able to see what the baby was in while in my tummy. I also thought it was pretty cool to see. Most of labor I was giddy, I am still amazed at how our bodies can create life, and after nine months of living in water a perfectly formed baby comes out and starts to breathe. I want to thank Derek for all he did I could not have done it with out him, he is a great birth coach. Even my midwife was impressed. I love you!
The proud papa

Debbie weighing the baby

Just a few hours after Elsie was born another priceless moment. Sitting on the bed seeing the baby. Our first family photo being a family of five Can you tell the kids just woke up? It was great to have the kids be apart of the experience.

Jensen told Siesa that Elsie would "be a baby for a long time" or in other words, she can't play or do anything fun so let's just go play some soccer.

Siesa can't get enough of the baby. She constantly wants to hold her, touch her and give her lots of kisses.

Elsie's First Bath

One cool moment was Elsie's first bath. Derek and the kids were able to give it to her. The kids were both very excited about it.

Elsie's First Birthday cake

Becca Yancey a good friend of ours was also here for the birth, she was on kid duty. Thankfully, they slept through the whole thing. We were so grateful she came and was here for the birth. After the baby was born she went down stairs and iced Elsie's first birthday cake. Thank you for everything Sister Yancey!

Grandma Jensen, Siesa and Elsie. We are very glad that grandma can spent the week with us.