The Graves' Yard: Sidney Catherine

Girls. I have two girls. For the past week and a half I've been getting used to that phrase. "Oh, the girls are doing great." I just love it! When we first realized Sidney was a girl I was completely exhausted from her delivery and it hadn't really sunk in until later on that day. But now, we're elated to have two little girls.

Sidney was born on Sunday morning at 7:50am. I was about 37 1/2 weeks pregnant. The day before I had been in labor all day. My contractions started on Saturday around 5am and around 9am they got to be 5 minutes apart. Since Weslyn was born in about 9 hours from when my contractions began, our doctor was very adamant about us getting to the hospital sooner rather than later since labor and deliveries after your first one tend to be shorter. Also, with my complication we knew we needed to be at the hospital if anything were to go wrong. So we sent Weslyn to Gigi and G'daddy's house for the weekend and headed to the hospital. Well, Saturday was a long day. We stayed at the hospital, walking the halls for 9 hours. My contractions slowed down and almost completely went away by 8pm. We decided to pull the plug and get discharged so we could sleep in the comfort of our own home. I went into the hospital that day 3-4 cm dilated and I left 4-5 cm. After 9 hours, I knew that I needed rest and something to eat! On our way home we stopped for a Jimmy John's sub (best sandwich ever after not eating all day) and then headed to bed. I didn't have any contractions the whole night. I think the Lord knew I needed to get my sleep to prepare me for the next morning. I woke up again at 5am with contractions. 10 min apart, very regular. I went ahead and took a shower and Lawton made me breakfast. By 6:30am we were ready to go and my contractions were more intense and 5 min apart. We got to the hospital at 7am and when I got to my room, I hit the hard part of labor. I felt out of control with intense pain and I was 10 cm dilated. I was floored. How could I go from 5 to 10 cm in that short amount of time?! I didn't care, I just wanted to deliver this baby pronto. After more intense contractions the baby's heart rate was going up and down and the nurses all had concerned looks on their faces. I took some oxygen and had to take deep breathes to try to get her heart rate regulated. After one push we could see the cord was wrapped around her neck. My doctor cut it from her neck and after two more pushes she was out at 7:50am. I felt so much relief, but was getting pretty concerned when they called the neonatal doctor to come. My little girl was blue and not breathing. It was the longest 10-15 seconds of our lives. That first cry brought me to tears as they handed her over to me and called off the neonatal team. Lawton and I looked at each other with amazement and I said, "What are we going to do with TWO girls?" :)

This pregnancy had it's highs and lows. Being on bed rest for 3 months after a placental abruption was a long and difficult process, but we had the most incredible support anyone could ask for. Our family, friends and church stepped up to take care of us throughout the entire 3 months. People watched Weslyn for us, cooked meals and most of all, prayed. People prayed a lot. Not just for the baby, but for all of us. They prayed I wouldn't worry and that I would trust the Lord. They prayed Lawton would have enough energy to be both mommy and daddy when I couldn't do my job. They prayed Weslyn would learn to be patient and content to be at home most days. If there's anything I've learned throughout the process, it's that prayer is powerful. It's not just requests we make to God. It's an act of selflessness which takes time out of our day to do for someone else. It humbles us to see that we can't do it on our own and it brings up to a mindset of submission and recognition that we are not in control. It's no wonder Jesus spent so much time in prayer to the Father.

After a difficult pregnancy and a scary delivery, I've come to the conclusion that the Lord has made Sidney to be a fighter for sure. I'm so excited to see what's to come for her life and to see how her personality will develop. Right now, she's a sleepy, hungry baby with a big sister who adores her. The last week and a half has been so great. I've had help from Lawton and his mom non-stop. There have only been two short times when I've been alone with the girls. My help is nearing the end in a couple days, but I think "the girls" and I are ready to take on our days with just the three of us...Kobe too:) It's been such a blessing to have so much support and I couldn't be more thankful. Sidney, you are dearly loved! Thank you to all of you who have been apart of this process. We can't wait for everyone to meet Sidney!