Had we not been in our van driving to the hospital, little Evie would have been born on her due date. I think I was in labor denial. Oh, these contractions aren't that bad. This is supposed to hurt so much worse. Those were the kind of thoughts that I was having while I was in.... what I know now... labor. By the time I realized that I was in labor, I was in transition. And by the time we were half way to the hospital, litte Evelynn was half way out. Ladies, have you ever tried to not push when you are delivering a child? It's virtually impossible. My poor husband was praying to God, saying, "No, God. Please. No. I can't do this. No God!" And I was saying, "You're gonna have to do this! Call 911!" The dispatcher was of no help to my completely stressed husband. They told him to pick a hospital; either drive to the intended one, or turn around and go to the one that was closer. I told Seth to turn around and go the the one that was closer... aaaaaand.... he didn't know how to get there. So I have a baby almost sitting on the seat with me, and I had to give directions to my poor husband. We were both trying to stay calm for the other at that point. (Which was not working. At all.) We finally made it to the hospital, (with my midwife and friend who was to take pictures at the other hospital), and, after trying to go in the wrong door, we went to the ER where I was wheeled in a wheel chair while on all fours into labor and delivery. And yes. There were people in the ER waiting to be seen by a physician while I was grunting and making all sorts of... birthing noises. We got to our room, all sorts of nurses rushed to my aid to help me undress so the baby would NOT be born in my pants, I laid down, and Evelynn came out. The first thing that came out of my mouth was, "That was ridiculous." I was so grateful to be in a hospital and not in the front seat of our Sienna. And my husband, who I'm sure had an extremely unhealthy blood pressure level, totally missed the whole thing. He was in hall, texting my friend, telling her that we would not be at the hospital she was waiting for us at. There was no doctor available to deliver Baby E that morning, but the Lord provided a nurse who had delivered babies in Africa for ten years! She was a missionary there, and informed us later that she was glad there was no doctor there because she loved to deliver babies. :) God is so faithful. We were scared out of our minds flying through the night, not knowing what was in store for us, all the while God was watching, saying, "I've got this, kids! I've got you."
Well, the story gets even better. Evelynn ended up being really jaundice, so we had to stay at the hospital an extra day. Then, two of my older children got sick. Then the day after I got home from the hospital, while hooking up the baby to the bili blanket, my husband discovered that my eldest had a head full of lice. Like, he could see bugs crawling. We had been informed that a family had it at our home school co-op, but I never thought that any of my kids would get it. Shows you how naive I am about bugs that live in your hair. The night of our discovery, we spent three hours pulling eggs out of our daughter's mane, then about two hours the next night. All in all, we've probably spent about fifteen to twenty hours on her hair, making sure that there is nothing living left on her head. Poor girl. All this while nursing and caring for a helpless newborn, and other little children who have needs running around. My husband kept telling me, "We'll get through this. We're gonna get through this." I'm so thankful for him and his trust in the Lord.
It's been a little overwhelming here, but it's been good. God has provided such an awesome support system for our family through our church body. We have had meals coming to our home two weeks before the baby was born, and they are still coming. We have had people take our children for the day, and more people offering daily to help. I feel like five children is a lot, but I feel confirmation from the Lord that we are doing His will. Having numerous children is a step of faith for us; one that we feel is a step to really trust the Lord... to see His hand. We have put ourselves in a position where we absolutely need Him. And He has come through. He has provided for us in every way possible.
Philipians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
We are blessed.
Little Evelynn's name means Life. Her names together mean Life and Hope. That is our prayer; that baby E will be a testimony of the life and hope that Christ has to offer the world around her.
Welcome, little girl! God has great things in store for you to do already!
