Lincoln's Birth Day

On Monday, March 16, at 6:30 a.m. we checked in at Floyd Memorial Hospital to be induced. About an hour later, Dr. Riley put me on a pitocin drip and broke my water. I'd been having regular contractions even before arriving at the hospital and they quickly intensified after getting the pitocin. By late morning the pain from the contractions became so excrutiating that I vomited a few times. It was pain unlike anything I've ever felt before. By early afternoon a nurse gave me some medication to take the edge off the pain but it had little effect. It was like tossing a cup of water on a forest fire. As I contined to vomit, an epidural started to sound better and better. Although it wasn't in our original birth plan, we decided an epidural was the way to go. I immediately felt better--even good enough to visit with some family and friends who'd been in the waiting room.

Everything was going according to plan until late afternoon when the epidural stopped working. The nurses couldn't offer a clear explanation for why this happened. One of them guessed that it could have been that Lincoln was in a position that was blocking the drug from circulating. At any rate, the pain had returned with avengence. What kept me going is believing that Lincoln's arrival was imminent. Based on what the nurses were telling us, I reasoned that it all would soon be over. I was wrong. It wasn't until after midnight that Dr. Riley was called to the room, and around 1:30 a.m. she gave me the OK to start pushing. Again, I believed the end was near. And again I was wrong. The good news was that by 2 a.m. the epidural began working again. The bad news was that an hour later they turned it off so I could push better.

Dr. Riley had left us with two nurses through most of the labor process. They instructed me on when to push and for how long. It was exhausting. At around 3 a.m., a nurse called Dr. Riley back to the room where she coached me through the rest of the labor. She was extremely encouraging and professional. We couldn't have asked for a better doctor.

The best coach by far though was my husband. I couldn't have gone through the labor without him. He stayed by my side the entire time encouraging me, getting me ice chips, counting through my contractions, and so much more. A few people were worried that Chris might pass out during labor but he was amazing! He did tell me later that there were a few moments during the night he thought he was going to pass out. Towards the end of the night one of the nurses asked, "Are you alright?" Chris responded, "Yes. I'm okay." Then he realized that the nurse was actually talking to me :)

Shortly before 4 a.m., the atmosphere in the room became even more intense. Doctor Riley was counting me through contractions ... 1, 2, 3, 4 ... I was sweating, breathing, pushing ... the nurses were holding my legs ... Chris was reminding me to breathe ... Mom was watching and praying. The pain was unbelievable but this time I knew the end was in sight.

At 4:11 a.m., a screaming Lincoln Michael Birke arrived into the world. Seeing him for the first time was everything I heard and believed it would be. He is a beautiful boy who God has given us the privilege to raise.

Our first couple days as parents also have been what others said they would be ... a little scary, sleepless nights, uncertainty about how to calm a crying baby at times ... and wonderful. Chris has been everything a husband and father should be. He has helped me so much with everything--from getting up with Lincoln so that I can rest, to cooking chili. He is the best dad already. Everything we've been through in this journey has been entirely worth the blessing of our little Lincoln.

Before I end this post, I need to admit to something. For several months, Chris and I have been telling everyone that Lincoln's middle name was going to be Everest. We were lying. Actually, we like to think of it as setting our family up for a surprise. We especially wanted to surprise my dad and we knew the only way we could do that was by making up a middle name. We chose Everest partly because we knew it was a name that would be hated by many. We've enjoyed watching the reaction of people when we shared the name Everest with them. I especially enjoyed watching a person search his brain for something polite to say ... "Oh, Everest, now that's different" is usually the best they could come up with.







My Aunt Chrissy was our first visitor. We checked in at 6:30 a.m. She showed up a few hours later with a doggie for Lincoln and a huge balloon. She also brought tons of snacks for the people in the waiting room.








Lincoln was 22 inches long and weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces.



I'm not sure what his head measured but believe me ... it was huge!



Hearing Lincoln cry after he was born was a sweet sound.



Immediately after being born, a nurse took Lincoln's foot print.









Bonding with Lincoln right after his birth was a tender moment.



Lincoln has a tight grip on his Daddy's thumb.



My mom watches her first grandchild.



Daddy Chris holds Lincoln for the first time.



Great-grandma King holds Lincoln. She and Papaw King spent the entire night at the hospital to see Lincoln.



My dad is now a grandfather. Actually, he prefers to be called Poppy King!



After his first feeding, Lincoln shows his eyes. We've come to realize that being burped is his favorite pastime.



My Papaw Jones stopped in to visit with Lincoln a few hours after his was born.






This is one of our favorite pictures of Lincoln.



At dawn, I cuddle with my newest snuggle buddy.



Chris' parents, Denny and Kathy, visit Lincoln the day after he's born. They also had spent most of the night at the hospital.



Chris Morgan was bummed that he was out of town when Lincoln came into the world, but he did visit a few days later. By the way, thanks Chris Morgan for letting us borrow your super nice camera to record these special moments. It took great photos and we are grateful that you were so generous.