Charlotte

Tonight is the eve of my third child's birth. I thought maybe I would write about her birth. Tomorrow she will one. Hardly seems like it's already a year ago that she would have been born. Charlotte Elizabeth, I must say is one of the best surprises God ever gave me. We had been planning on having a little more space between number two and three, but the Lord had other plans. I thought it might be fun to memorialize her birth because it was an unusual experience. I guess all births are. My firstborn because she was my first, Alaina because her daddy delivered her, and Charlotte because I went into false labor twice before actually delivering. It wouldn't have been so bad except that we have our babies at home, and both times my wonderful midwives had to make the hour trek out here for nothing. Plus, my due date was to be around the end of March, and Charlotte didn't come until the 8th of April. You want to be careful when talking to an overdue pregnant woman!!!
But yes, Saturday evening the 7th I started having contactions. My mom was already here because the baby was supposed to have come two weeks earlier. When I mentioned that I was having consistent contractions and that I thought maybe she should take the girls down to my mother-in-law's for the night, I remember my mom looking at me and asking, "Are you sure?" Oh, I hoped it was for real! False labor really plays on your emotions. So she took the girls and left. Nate and I went for a walk to encourage my labor along. My midwives showed up around 9 p.m., and the waiting game began. I labored all night until about 5:30 a.m. the next morning. Finally, my contractions were coming on top of each other, and I decided to get into my birthing tub, which in my opinion, is the best thing ever. It's full of hot water, and just relaxes me like nothing else. (Well, as relaxed as you can be when you are in pain!) At 6:00 a.m. Stephanie, my midwife checked me and I was a nine. I got back in the tub, felt the burn, and knew it wouldn't be long. At 6:10 a.m. Charlotte Elizabeth was brought into the world. She came out into the water, her eyes wide open, and she spread her arms and legs out like she was going to swim to me. It was the coolest thing ever. My midwife suggested videoing our next birth. (But I don't think so. I don't think I could watch it.)
Her name is special too. I found the name Charlotte in a baby name book, and it means "Woman of the Lord." Now, I liked that because she was definitely the Lord's plan. Not that all babies aren't, but we weren't in on this plan, so it felt very fitting for her name. And in a way, it was as if the Lord was affirming her name because our baby girl was born on Sunday. Not just any Sunday, but Easter Sunday last year. I just love that. And she has been the sweetest, happiest, most even tempered baby. The Lord has definitely blessed us with her, even when we weren't expecting it. But isn't that just like Him? He always knows best.