Flashback to the Birth

Lydah Christine was born at 4:51 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2006. Courtney pulled through like a real champion. Because her amniotic fluid was low, the nurses decided to induce labor early (the due date had been the 19th). They actually administered petocin on Friday night, but because progress was slow, they decided to put her labor "on pause" and start again on Saturday with the pitocin. Courtney was truly amazing that day. She never screamed or cried out, but just closed her eyes and gripped the railing to her bed. Labor was most intense from about noon to 4:30 and then the pushing began. She only had to push for about 20 minutes all together since she had refused to have an epidural. After the delivery, the nurse who had 17 years of experience in her line of work, said, "That was the best I've ever seen a woman handle labor."

I actually got to catch Lydah as she came out of her mommy. Our midwife, Nancy, asked me if I wanted to do it and I immediately said, "No way!" But then she said, "Oh, c'mon. You can do it." So I said alright and held my hands out. I know it's cliche to call the birth a miracle, but there is no better way to describe it. Seeing that little body come out of my wife's womb is an experience I'll never forget. I also have a newfound respect for Courtney; I'm truly married to a superwoman.