3:33 - a story of levi's birth day

When I think about the day Levi was born I will forever remember 3:33 AM. 

What happened at 3:33, you might ask? You would probably guess that it's the time he was born. But, no.

3:33 was the moment in the stillness of the wee hours of the morning when I woke during my very first contraction.

Three days past my due date, I was the only person in our home that was awake. 

The only person with an inkling of what the day might bring.

The only person looking at the clock wondering how long this process would take.

All by myself, for a little while I was able to savor the excitement, to pray over my soon-to-be-born babe.

And slowly, ever so slowly, the world around me began to wake up. 

The sun peeked over the horizon. 

My mom woke to do her early-morning exercises.

And the contractions intensified.

Eventually I woke Aaron up. He began timing the contractions. They weren't very consistent, but were certainly no piece of cake.

And I also woke up Megan, who was sleeping in her "bedroom" in the little nook under the stairs.

Before I knew it we were on the phone with the hospital, asking if we should head in to the birth center. And before we had even reached the nurse I knew that we'd better get in the car and go.

When we got there, the labor and delivery nurses acted very nonchalantly, in no hurry to get me ready and check my progress. I think those were the longest minutes of my life. 

And when they finally got their act together and checked me, they realized that I was already in "transition." Which, for those of you who have never had a baby, means THE BABY IS COMING SOON!

The room was a-flutter.

Everything happened at lightning speed.

"Keep the monitor on."

"I can't! I can't lay on my back!"

They kept strapping it around my belly.

I kept moving.

The doctor finally came in.

"I need an epidural!"

"You can't. You're too far progressed. Can you lay on your back so I can check you?"

"Not unless you give me an epidural. I cannot birth this baby laying on my back."

I got an epidural.

Relief.

Everything slowed down.

And just a little bit later, at 12:28 PM (I time I can never seem to remember), our sweet Levi joined our family.

Turns out he had been facing up instead of down, which is what had been causing me so much back pain during labor.

A year has now passed.
For a year we've been blessed by Levi's infectious giggles. We have basked in his snuggles.
From day one he stole our hearts.

And for many years to come we will watch him grow and develop into the person God has created him to be. We will love on him, encourage him, pray for him.

Happy birthday, Levi! What a blessing you are!