The arrival of the First Alaskan Baby for 2016
Carter Langdon Daugherty
Saved the best part of our Alaska trip for last...my sister was very pregnant when we arrived. Doctors sent her home early in the week with false labor.
In an effort to speed things up, Sarah would let us rub her belly and wake him. Aaron always loved helping us do that!
I remember being pregnant enjoying momma rubbing my belly. I'm one of those "get in your bubble" people who love pregnant bellies. There is something about new life that intrigues me - and the creation of life is at the top! Sarah enjoyed the belly rubs as much as I did :) No complaints from her or me!!
We got up early and went to the gym looking ROUGH but trying to walk the baby out....when that didn't work, we tried other things....
Bouncing on the yoga ball
Sitting on the yoga ball - laughing and even picking up weights! Carter was nice and comfy inside that belly of his mommy!!
In the evening while I rubbed Carter in Sarah's belly, Grandpa would let Aaron ride on his back. Dad loved every minute of it as did Aaron. This is written in my tear ducts forever!! The laughter seeped from dad and Arron all while Aaron said "do it again grandpa!"
We hoped and prayed Carter would arrive before we went home. The night we packed up to leave, New Years Eve, we conceited to the fact he wasn't ready to come. So we laid down to prepare for an early departure, missing the fireworks and ringing in the New Year. Around 10:45pm mom came in and woke me, "Rachel, we are going to have a baby tonight, get up!" And so, I did. As I walked upstairs, my sister was quiet and meek - only looking distressed. I rubbed her back while mom and Tim got ready.
I was very nervous for her - labor isn't for the faint. She had a slight look of being unsure she was ready as she had never gone into labor with Aaron outside of the hospital and things seemed to be progressing so very fast. I kept reminding her to breath and she would look deep into my eyes and breath with me. I cannot express to you what that did for the soul within me. Experiencing labor first hand with your baby sister is something that changes you. Life seems simple yet fragile. New life is exciting yet painful, hard yet rewarding and scary yet life changing!
It was a whirlwind from that moment on. I wasn't supposed to be there for the delivery, but my sister granted my presence - and I cannot express or even put into words the urgency and gratitude felt in that moment. Stumbling trying to put on snow boots...and grabbing bags...walking down steps that were iced over...calling out to be sure we had everything while keeping ourselves together because a new life was on the way!
We got in the truck, Sarah leaning her seat back and telling Tim to hurry. Mom and I holding on in the backseat ready for whatever the night held. It was 12:07 am when I looked at the clock. There were fireworks going off everywhere. From the backseat we reminded her that Carter's arrival was being celebrated by everyone - a New Year's baby and already fireworks were going off. In that moment she found no humor in it - but now, we laugh at it. Trying to get to the stop sign on her street proved to be quite an adventure. The neighbors were having a big party across the street - if it were not for Tim's awesome driving abilities, I'm not sure some of those cars would have been drivable. The road was practically blocked but he managed.
There were at LEAST contractions every few minutes on the short, yet long drive to the hospital. As one hit, my sister would hold her head back and breathe loudly. I ached for her from the backseat and mom said "we are having a baby tonight - you are doing great Sarah"! Her intuition was right on point!
At the hospital Tim parked, and this part is quite hilarious to me - and may not be to others, but here it goes. It's well after midnight (it is before 12:20am but not much) and Tim parks in the front of the hospital in the parking lot. Like many hospitals that isn't the emergency exit. Mom and I looked at each other when the question came, "Sarah, do you want me to drop you off or do you want me to stay parked?" Sarah, as calmly as possible replies, "I don't care just get me inside!" And with that, he got out and helped her with her door. I grabbed the bags and we headed to the front door.
Upon making it to the front door (maybe 30-40 yards), the doors were closed and there was the famous sign "after hours report to the emergency room". There was a moment of panic on Tim's face and Sarah's also. We stopped as she let a contraction pass. Let me pause here, labor is hard - especially active labor - and Sarah was full blown active labor with contractions less than 2 minutes apart. The walk to the front door of 30-40 yards required 2 stops for contractions. Hearts racing we had to break it to Sarah that she had to get back to the truck but before we could do that Tim said "you want to walk around to the back of the hospital or drive?" I'm telling you, in that moment it wasn't funny - but now it is hilarious! She opted to go back to the truck - the emergency room was around the building down a small hill (much further than 30-40 yards).
As we were walking back something caught my eye - a lady in the front lobby - what are the odds?? She let us in!! Thank you LORD JESUS! Tim went to get her checked in downstairs and mom got Sarah into the labor and delivery triage. They took me to her room where she would have the baby. I found a corner and waited for Sarah to get there. I sat on her bed and prayed for a fast and smooth delivery - for the hedge to be on her, the baby and those helping with the delivery. God is a good God for sure! I texted our middle sister to tell her about the delivery - that was approximately 12:22 am.
She came in and time sped up even more. She's wanting pain medicine and the nurse is telling her she has to be checked, changed into a hospital gown and the doctor on call has to get there. So mom helps her change, she is having contractions like crazy. Mom mouthed the words to me I was afraid of "this baby is coming fast!"
The nurse came in to check Sarah and told her she was 5 cm dilated. We congratulated Sarah and told her that she was doing great (5 is a HUGE number in natural labor progression - it's not easy)! Sarah was not impressed...just get me some pain medicine she said!
As the nurse tried to start her IV, Sarah would have a contraction and therefore it couldn't be started. In just a few moments, Sarah said "OMG my water just broke!" I'm not sure my heart ever raced so fast. Tim asked mom "where is her pain medicine" because we all knew it was just a matter of time. Mom knew and told Tim "its too late, that baby is coming now!"
About that moment, the ER doctor walked in (mind you it MIGHT be 12:40am) and checked Sarah again - she was totally dilated!!
Then the words from Sarah's mouth as she looked at me in the corner "OMG I have TO PUSH!!! I can't do this!!"
As I searched for words the only thing that came to mind was "Sarah you ARE doing this, now breathe with me".
And so she did. Big breaths in and out - fear was in her eyes. Neither she nor I could believe he was coming so fast!!
The ER doctor began talking her through what to expect. The OB doctor finally came in (and he was 10-15 minutes out at 12:25 am) and said "Guess we are having a baby?!"
The nurse said she was going to try to put the bed down and the doctor said "let me see where we are."
Sarah said again "I HAVE TO PUSH NOW!"
The doctor said, "we are leaving the bed up, get everything else ready." He took the time to ask Sarah to not push until he was ready - and she bravely did.
They gave her oxygen and standing in that corner time finally stood still. As they told her what to do, she looked at me. I mouthed the words "breathe and push - you are having a baby and I could not be prouder of you!"
One push and this 8 pound 6 ounce baby made his grand entrance! His time of delivery was noted at 12:57am...but he was here right at 12:51am!!
It was so surreal. As they were getting the baby cleaned up and Sarah situated she asked me to come stand by the bed. As I walked that way, life was the most precious gift I've ever watched happen. I told her what a warrior she was and how proud of her I was. She kept saying "I can't believe I just had a baby with no medicine. I can't believe that just happened. It happened so fast!" I thanked her for allowing me this moment - it is truly one of the greatest moment's of my life to experience with her.
This post also receives a huge shout out to our mother. A woman of huge courage and drive. One who is quiet and takes all things in before speaking. One who has the strength of David and the heart of a warrior. She is the pillar we draw from when in need. She is the driving force of reassurance that even though it is hard, victory is coming. When she speaks it makes sense - it resonates in the innermost parts of our soul and we believe every word. Thank you momma bear for being the mother God blessed us with - when everything else fails, your strength never does.
I finally got to hold Carter. He barely cried and just grunted and stretched. He sure was beautiful the moment he entered the world. Perfect color. Perfect complexion. Perfect fingers and toes. Bald. Alert. Easy going. Just perfect in all ways. Ray-Ray will never forget that day - the day of his new life.
"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for." ~Unknown
Babies don't keep - so cherish them in every stage!
Chandler and Haley were unable to go to the maternity wing to see the baby - hospital policy because they were under the age of 18 and not biological siblings. They were totally bummed but understood. Sarah skyped with them while we were in the airport.
Aaron never slept that night. He sensed something was happening and although Grandpa tried to get him to sleep, the hi-pad kept him occupied until his daddy got home to tell him about Carter. It was priceless knowing his love and awareness kept him awake!
