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Kelli (Stay-at-home mom of Logan 9, and Whitney 7): This week Jen's 3rd baby was born. In honor of that and with memories of the birth of my own two kids, we compiled some "Bringing Home Baby memories" from some of our favorite mothers. Feel free to add your own or send along any advice you have!
Jen (Dual-career mom of Jacob 6, Caleb 3, and Abigail 6 days old): What sticks out most was the birth of my first child and the car ride to the hospital. It was dark and early in the morning. We were the only car on the road and as we crossed the river into East Sac, it really struck me that we were leaving behind our life as a couple and were moving onto life as a family. It was all so surreal until we actually had the baby in the car-seat and were heading back home.
Kelli: First, I will never forget the tears of absolute joy on my husband’s face when he realized the moppy headed little baby I just gave birth to was a boy. Later, still in awe and shock that I was now a mother, I remember being afraid to leave the hospital with
With Whitney, I will never forget my mother’s voice, filled with raw delight announcing, “It’s a GIRL!” With the pain of childbirth still fresh in my mind I remember thinking, “Thank God! Now I don’t have to have any more babies!”
Jan (Mom of Ron 40, Kelli 38, and Sommar forever 6): What I remember about bringing home all three of my babies is they were unique and differently delightful in each homecoming. The first was the son I hoped we were having and my very strong mother's instinct would not accept anything else. I thought he was the most beautiful baby EVER born.
The second pregnancy and homecoming was the daughter I was hoping we would have. And indeed she was a beautiful little girl with lots of hair and I knew we would be best friends from the moment I suspected I was carrying her.
Sommar, the youngest, was not a beautiful little girl, she looked very much like a baby orangutan - honestly! But she was put right smack dab in the middle of a universe that revolved around her and the little orangutan baby face grabbed my heart. She didn't keep the funny little face but she did keep all of our hearts filled with love and laughter for the short time she gave us.
Cathy (DCM of Jen 33, Michelle 31, Ryan 26, and Chris 24): I remember being anxious to meet the new member of our family. It was fun to imagine how the new baby would fit in with the family.
Julie (SAHM of Jack 6, Michael 4, and Ryan 6 months): After several miscarriages and being told by doctors I should consider adoption, it was the most amazing feeling in the world to hear my last little guy's first cry. Hearing his deep baby man voice made it all seem so real. I couldn't stop crying!
When they plopped my first son, Jack, on my belly I remember being so surprised I had given birth to a curly, blond-haired, blue-eyed little guy. (My husband and I both have dark hair and dark eyes). You never know which relative's genes are going to show up.
Kim (SAHM of Hannah 8, Sadie 6, and Carson 4): A few memories about the birth of my children - the look on my husband's face when he held each of them for the first time; my relief the whole ordeal was finally over (but oh no, it had only just begun!); how Hannah calmed her new baby sister by talking softly to her; the realization that with each pregnancy my body would never be the same!
Traci (DCM to Elizabeth 6, and Ben 5): I remember thinking while I was delivering my first, "Why do people do this more than once? This is crazy". Then she came out and I knew exactly why…
Anonymous (SAHM of 3): When my first daughter was born my husband was overseas in the military. I remember thinking, "Oh, my God, how am I going to explain this blonde haired blue eyed baby to him?"
Joni (DCM of Laura, Chris, and Robbie, young adults): It probably sounds cheesy, but "The Miracle of Life" is what overwhelmed me for each of our three births. You would think that after the first one, the other births wouldn't seem so miraculous. But with each subsequent birth the miracle grew larger and even more surreal. How a little tiny fetus can grow and mature into a sweet little baby, with all the perfections and imperfections, is truly a miraculous gift.
Augusta (SAHM mom of Liam 11, Lauren 8, Ronan 6, and Bryn 4): After a text book delivery, our 3rd child was born. As is routine, following the delivery he was taken by the nurses to be "clean-up and examined." As I waited for his return with an overwhelming sense joy and relief that we had another healthy, beautiful baby, and marveling in the feeling of being no longer pregnant, a nurse returned without him. She told told me he had a hole in his lung, and would be staying in intensive care. My happy heart was instantly broken. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of separation from this little person I had been joined to for over nine months.
After a week in the neo-natal ICU, he come home. The experience showed me first hand, what thousand of families go through every day; exhaustive, around the clock, crib-side vigils, praying their tiny babies will be all right.
Lisa (DCM of Coleman, 5): For better or worse my life is no longer about me. My life is about him. Everything from the company I keep, to my career (or lack thereof), from if/when I exercise, to how I spend (or don't) spend money, from the vacations I take (or don't take), to whether or not I go on a "girls' night" to the movies...it's all balanced between my "wants" and his benefit.
Honestly, my "wants" have changed, so it does not feel like a sacrifice, it just "is what it is." My happiness and personal fulfillment do not take the same form they once did. I miss being selfish sometimes, but it quickly passes.
Kathleen (DCM of Michael and Molly, 6): I remember my
On a serious note: My kids were preemies and faced serious health challenges in the first few months. As they were whisked off to the NICU at birth I quickly realized how motherhood is really all about letting go and trusting God.
Molly (DCM of Jack 3, and Cate 1): So what do I remember most about the birth of my children? I would have to say it was the way it felt when the doctor put the baby on my chest for the first time. That warmth of the baby all curled up in the fetal position laying on me… It has to be the best feeling in the world. I was so tired and so miserable up to that point – it’s like you go through all that labor and delivery and it ends with this amazing euphoria when you hold that tiny baby for the first time. It makes it all worth it.
Nicole, (DCM to Nick 14, Elle 11, Jack 7, and Charlie 5): We have special memories about all of our children's births, but here are some of the thoughts that stand out for me: When Charlie was born he had a crease in his ear...like an elf and we knew he was ours, it runs in the family. Jack was a preemie and his tiny perfect face was angelic...he had monitors and lots of wires but I sat with him for 2 1/2 weeks to watch him breathe. There are people that come to the hospital to cuddle babies and I never gave them the opportunity... I was a cuddle hog!! When Elle was born we hadn't found out what the baby would be ahead of time, and we just kept saying "A girl?! How did we get a girl?? We just don't make those species in our family."
Kelli Wheeler is a
Jen Hall is a
YOUR TURN
Share “Bringing Home Baby” memories or any advice for new moms
