Munchkin Number 3

8:52 AM Edit This 17 Comments »
I kind of don't have any words to tell you what it was like to be there when he was born. I still get goosebumps all over my body whenever I think about it. In fact, I have them right now. Holding her hand while she was doing the hard work. Tears streaming down everyone's faces, because you just couldn't NOT. His little mewling cries. How when they put him on her chest, he just settled into her while she said, "Shhh. Shhhh." And then he quieted. Like he already knew that everything would be All Right.

Holding him. This brand New Life.

But the image I have burned into my consciousness is the one that would have been completely wrong to photograph. Cowgirl. Sitting in the rocker; back and forth, back and forth. Eyes closed, silent, mouth pursed in breathing, tears coming down her cheeks as she labored through the night. Waiting. An internal job. A woman's job. One that is so private and consuming that just holding her hand made me feel like I was intruding. But she grasped it, so I held on. And together, we brought this baby into the world. A gift that she gave me. One for which there is no price tag.


17 comments:

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Awww, congratulations Auntie Kate. This is such a grand achievement!

Bob said...

both of our kids were born on Crete, in a maternity clinic. There was no family, friends - only the two of us. I can't think of a more intense, focused event in our marriage. nothing else existed but she and I - and our child.

It IS a gift to be there.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations all around!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to you and Cowgirl. How special that she and her hub shared that moment with you!! And congrats to #1 and #2 on getting a beautiful little baby brother :)

Lemon Gloria said...

Ah, Kate, you just made me cry. Congratulations to all of you!

Unknown said...

This was a magnificent and beautiful post. It brought tears to my eyes. Congrats on the new arrival.

Susan Carpenter Sims said...

This is so moving. I have tears in my eyes and chills on my skin. What an incredible blessing for you.

artemisia said...

Congrats.

So, you description. Just made me what to have a baby. THAT NEVER HAPPENS. Ever.

I am so glad you were there.

kelly said...

Every time I read or hear of a birth story I remember my own... Thank you for sharing.

Congratulations!

Non Sequitur Chica said...

Awww. What a special moment to share with Cowgirl! It's nice that it didn't make you want to run for the hills. :-)

justme said...

how exciting and special. what a great day and i'm so glad you were able to be there

Mel said...

An absolutely beautiful description - yeah!

The Good Cook said...

What a beautiful post and perfect memory. The birth experience is so intimate, so intense, so personal - how honored you must feel that Cowgirl and hubs shared it with you.

Every woman who has ever labored to bring a child into this world can relate to this post. I know I just had to take a moment to reflect back on my childrens' births. And yes, now I have tears in my eyes.

Congrats to everyone! What is the little fellow's name? How much did he weigh? He looks like a healthy little guy...

carrster said...

Awww Kate, that is beautiful. Congratulations to Cowgirl (& to you for being such an awesome friend to be there with her!)

Anonymous said...

I am now crying at work. thankyouverymuch.

So wonderful! Congrats!!

Sparkling Red said...

That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you that you could be there.

Shelley said...

Congratulations!