My due date of February 2nd came and went. As many of you know once you go over the magical due date the end-of-pregnancy misery amplifies. My third trimester was spent mostly on the couch from exhaustion and muscle aches and pains. Going over my due date was not part of my plan and hadn’t happened in my prior five pregnancies. I comforted myself that Amelia would come in the Lord’s perfect time. During my overdue week I had three nights of intense contractions that kept me up for hours, but lost strength and rhythm by morning. Finally on the morning of February 9th I awoke at 5:45 a.m. with an intense contraction. I thought that I would time the contractions starting with the next one. That time never came because less than two minutes later came my next contraction. By the time I made it down the stairs (without falling down 
) to the bathroom I had several contractions. I called to my husband that we had no time to wait around and time these puppies – we best go now!
During the 15 minutes that it took for us to get out the door and in our van I had seven contractions and was coming to terms with the fact that I might have this baby on the side of the road. I was praying that the Lord would help us get to the hospital so I could actually have her there. The fact that my water hadn’t broken yet gave me some peace. Although I felt the moment that it would break I would be out of time.
Now, this is how you know that for us bloggers blogging really does touch many aspects of our lives. I had just read my friend Amy’s (Raising Arrows) birth story for her sweet baby Creed. In Amy’s birth story she mentioned how from experience they wanted to call ahead to the ER and give them a heads up that they were coming in so they wouldn’t have to stand around at the check-in desk (of course her story has a different twist ) As Trav was flying down the road, and my contractions are coming strong one minute apart, Amy’s blog post came to mind and I called the ER in a flash and told them the following:
Hi, there. In about ten minutes a big van is going to pull up outside and a wild pregnant woman in a fuzzy blue bathrobe is going to be rolling out with contractions one minute a part. Oh, yeah – this is my sixth baby. I need someone standing there waiting to take me upstairs to OB or we may be delivering the baby on the sidewalk.
The hospital staff were on their toes that morning. When we pulled up they had two nurses and a paramedic waiting with a stretcher. I think they were actually disappointed that I wasn’t going to have a sidewalk delivery as they had time to whisk me upstairs to labor and delivery. Once upstairs they had the L&D room ready for both the baby and I. My midwife was ready for action but I was shocked to find out that I was only 5 cm dilated. My midwife explained what happened was I had a large bulge of water under the baby’s head. This was causing my body to speed up and get ready for delivery. She ordered my epidural which was very anointed as it has been with all of my births. My water broke on its own a few minutes later, and to my great relief my contractions spaced back out. I had time to rest and put on my make-up before delivery. (I like to feel human when at all possible.) My mom, Travis, and Naomi where in with me for the delivery and at 11:37 a.m. Amelia Elaine was born weighing 9.6 lbs and 21 inches long!
Amelia is a joy and delight. We all have enjoyed every coo and burp from this beautiful little creation from the Lord. Her name means “handiwork of the Lord,” and we see this each day. Our youngest sons, Liam (2) and Gabriel (3), are on official baby watch. If Amelia twiddles a mitten off or has a spit bubble they join together to shout the news. We hear “awwww, baby” throughout the day. Naomi (6) is out-of-her-gourd with happiness about having a baby sister. Jadin (12) and Zion (9) are sure to remind me when they haven’t had a recent turn holding their sweet little sister.
Now that I’ve been delivered from my hardest (but worth it 
) third trimester to date you’ll be seeing more of me here at Holy Spirit-led Homeschooling. I’m refreshed, revived, and beyond ready to start sharing more of our journey here!
Also, please join me this Friday for the return of the Beautiful Family Friday link-up!! Come and link your best posts from the week that will encourage faith, family, homemaking, and of course homeschool.
{Special Note: “A mans mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure” Proverbs 16:9 AMP. I had shared how my goal with this pregnancy was to do something different and have Amelia at a natural birthing center in the water. This was the plan until I fell down our flight of stairs at 36-weeks pregnant. When we were at the hospital after my fall my husband expressed that he felt he’d rather me have the baby with the same mid-wives, in the same hospital, that we’d had our other children in. I know that I have many readers who have chosen alternative birthing experiences for various reasons. Like I do in all decisions I trusted my husband’s judgment and submitted to what he felt was best. I know that the Lord leads our family through my husband’s leadership and that was just another situation where I know God’s blessing was on us.}
What a beautiful story, and such a beautiful baby. Thank you so much for sharing with us and for being such an inspiration to wives and mothers such as I, to remember that God rested tremendous responsibility on our husbands’ shoulders and that we should trust in their leadership decisions. God bless you and your family.
Ohhhh, I love reading birth stories. Each one is so special and precious. Thanks for sharing Amelia’s!
SO awesome how God worked everything out for you to deliver in the hospital with your familiar midwives. That is one beautiful baby, the older kids are cute too. LOL Thanks for sharing!
She is absolutely gorgeous and I am soooo very happy for you and your family! What a blessing and what a fun story!
Can’t wait to meet her in person very soon!
Thank you for taking the time to share! What a true blessing! This is very random but when you get back to blogging, can we hear more about your cow and all that? lol You have inspired me to get one when we get out in the country( hopefully this year) so I am wondering about all the ins and outs that go along with that. Thanks and God Bless!!
Oh my goodness sweetie…we don’t have a cow
We DO live in the country, and our neighbors have cows (so we have access to milk!!). Our only animals are children, fish/crayfish/frogs in the pond, and too many cats. To show you how behind we are in this country living we had our first real vegetable garden last year. I’m sure I can learn a lot from you!
I have been looking forward to reading your birth story and so glad you are feeling refreshed and energized. Blessings over these new baby days!
YOU are a delight and an inspiration sweet friend .. just gorgeous xxxx
Your little one is beautiful. May God Bless your Family and enjoy your new little blessing each day!
Congratulations! What a beautiful birth story and baby…she is precious and I love the name!! So glad you are feeling well and refreshed and survived going overdue
. So this is your 2nd girl and a first sister for you daughter? I really enjoy reading your blog posts Jamerrill!
Thank you, Sandi. Yes, Amelia is our 2nd daughter and Naomi’s first sister. Our birthing pattern thus
far has been two boys and one girl, then two boys and one girl. We have to keep going to see if we can keep keep this pattern up!
How exciting for Naomi (and all of you!). Our son has 5 sisters and we would love for him to be able to have a brother one day if it’s the Lord’s will. It will be neat to see if your pattern continues
. As a sidenote, I appreciate the free kindle books you always bring to my attention to on your other blog as well…thanks Jamerrill!
jamerrill,, amelia is as cute as she can be… wonderful granddaughter as are all the others.. i am proud of them all.. love you all
Congratulations!! We just had our fourth baby (second daughter) on Feb. 3rd.
She is just beautiful, as is the rest of your children.
Beautiful baby and beautiful story
That’s a beautiful story. I’ve had three lovely hospital births and while I’d love to deliver “non-traditionally” one day, I prefer knowing doctors are on hand if an emergency happens.
Beautiful story! I love reading birth stories. I am due May 21st with our 4th baby. Reading your story makes me wish I was holding my new little baby! God bless you and your family during this special time.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story…especially the special note at the end. I also recognize God’s leading of our family through my wonderful husband, Shawn. He is right now sensing the need to change his career path and I am trusting the Lord to take care of us as He has abundantly done for as long as I can remember. God bless you and your beautiful family….
You did great sweet momma! I never tire of baby stories. The only thing we “make” that is truly eternal.
Congratulations! Glad the day has come and another testimony of God working right on time
.
Loved reading your story. She is beautiful. What a blessing
Congratulations Jamerrill!
Beautiful story! Made me tear up! Congratulations on your little blessing! She’s as beautiful as her mama and sister! Love to you and your precious family! Thank you for all you do to bless others like me!
So sweet! Congratulations! We have a baby Amelia, too! She is our fifth little one.
Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby girl! I love the name Amelia! How did you find the meaning “handiwork of the Lord?” I love that meaning but all I’ve ever seen for the name is “industrious” or “work.”