Mike, Katelynn and I would like to introduce our newest edition, Michael Aaron Robert Nathan. He was born 8 days early on Thursday, May 17th at 7:41 p.m. He weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces (1 lb, 10 oz less than his sister!) and measured 20 inches long. He's got a perfect little head with only a little light colored peach fuzz on top. His eyes aren't blue either! The outside color is a deep dark brown and the inside color is a dark hazel. We can't wait to see what shade it changes to.

We had a home birth that was attended by 2 midwives, Eli and Dawn and a doula, Lisa. They were absolutely fantastic! It was a harder birth than with Katelynn because Michael Aaron was originally posterior (nose facing up) so my contraction pains were heightened and there was a lot of back labour that last hour especially. They all say that I did beautifully and though I don't think I did, if I did, it was all because of their wonderful, helpful, loving, and caring support.

My labour with Michael Aaron began at exactly midnight on Thursday a.m. and had a good momentum until the early afternoon where the contractions were barely 15 minutes apart. Eli advised me to go for a walk so that's what Katelynn and I did. When we returned, Lisa had me apply some clary sage (sp?) to my hands and then stomach and drink lots of raspberry tea. Within 30 minutes my contractions were back into full swing!

As my labour progressed I was sure that because of the intense pain that I was experiencing, that I was nearly completely dialated only to be told the one time that I was only at 5 centimeters and then a little later at 7 centimeters. Let me tell you...I was in PAIN!!! Of course when Eli told me that I was "only" dialated to 7 I felt frightened and overwhelmed to say the least. The contractions were so close together, I was experiencing horrid pains not only in my abdomen but all across my back as well. My contractions were reducing me to a puddle on the floor when they hit (literally!).

My midwives and doula were still coaching me and encouraging me on and suggested that I keep moving and trying different positions to get my water to break. They said as soon as my water broke, the rest (Baby being born) would come rather quickly. Well, within probably 15 minutes, I had a HARD contraction, my water broke, they got me back up on my hands and knees (THE BEST POSITION FOR A POSTERIOR BIRTH!!!!!). Well, 9 minutes and 3 pushes later out came Michael Aaron!