It’s been over two weeks since Graham made his appearance. They have gone faster than any days past and I’m sure that is our future too.
In an effort to remember all the details I am attempting to write out our story of how he came into the world!
Time goes fast and details fade, but I want to remember this season forever.
Oh Graham, may you know that God has had his hand of protection on you since day one. We pray His hand will remain over your life and you will be a faithful follower of Jesus all your days!
8/17/23
Excited to be scheduled for an induction! With prayer and wisdom from our favorite Doctor, Doctor Goggin, we entered into PAR at 11:00pm Wednesday night to begin the process to get a baby in our arms.
Talk about overwhelming joy and anticipation! I spent the day cleaning, Tucker spent the day working, then we went out to one of our favorite restaurants for a last date night as a party of two.
All throughout the day and evening I was listening to worship music and getting in the word. It’s an overwhelming feeling to know you are about to bring your very own child into the world. So day by day, moment by moment, in every situation we set our focus on Jesus. Surrender is a constant battle!
Our prayers for Baby Graham were many, but near the end we specifically asked for peace and wisdom over and over again. I had no idea how desperately I would need those answered in the hours to come. Oh how time with Jesus prepares you for the unknown!
The evening was filled with excitement. We had pretty much everything in order for Graham to come home so we soaked in a good nap, movie, and lots of prayer and journaling.
I sat in the rocker just hours before we left begging God for His peace and wisdom. Telling Him this was the plan we had been given and wanted but we know your way is better. Oh Jesus help us to walk in your ways!
In those moments God steadied my heart. Yes, I was still nervous, but HE was my friend, my comfort, my peace.
We called the hospital to confirm they had a bed for us then prepared to leave.
Before pulling out of the driveway Tucker prayed. As we parked at the hospital we prayed again. Things were getting real.
We walked into the hospital and settled into the room for the night. Through the night I had cytotec every four hours in an effort to induce labor. It was a long night with people in and out constantly. We are so thankful that the Lord blessed us with some amazing nurses and hospital staff. As the night went on it was so hard to sleep with the monitors going. A few hours in I turned on some worship music then the Bible audio to literally calm the noise in the room and in my head!
The next morning I had not progressed at all. Less than 1 cm. It looked like it was going to be a very long road ahead! So, by God’s grace, they let me eat something! Which I was incredibly excited about! After a smoothie and a biscuit they resumed the meditation.
The afternoon consisted of walking, bouncing on the exercise ball, visiting with family, and LOTS of contractions.
During a quick midday nap our sweet Doctor made another unplanned visit to your room because he was in the hospital for another delivery. He began to discuss his concerns that I was not progressing at all and did another check to confirm. Baby Graham was further up than he had been in the office 2 weeks prior. Things were looking like they were going to take a long time. During our conversation the Doctor got called into another room for a delivery. He promised he would be back. this interruption was all God. It gave me and Tucker time to discuss what was most likely about to happen before the Doctor came back in. Tucker and I just looked at each other and said we both knew where he was going. He was probably going to suggest a C-section and we talked about how we felt about it. This was not the way I wanted things to go. But just the night before I had begged God for peace and wisdom for whatever His plan was. I asked Him in the night to guide our path to His plan not our own. The great thing about God is that He sees and knows all things…all the things we can’t possibly know beforehand.
After our talk, and the most encouragement from my sweet Husband, we decided to do whatever the Doctor thought was best. Dr. Goggin came back in and explained our options. He encouraged me that my body would eventually dialate and I could push because that’s what we are made to do, BUT he was concerned about my pelvis size. He said there was a chance that we could end up in a C section in the end anyway. If you know Dr. Goggin you know this was said in a calm tone and kind heart.
In God’s kindness He gave us wisdom and peace that can only come from heaven. Tucker and I said we were not set in how Graham got here as long as it was safely. Of course my desire was to deliver vaginally, but God had prepped my heart for the alternative.
And we prayed. We went to the throne room seeking the only one who knows the future.
At 2:30pm we decided to go that route. In the words of Dr. Goggin “You will not regret this.” We both felt a peace about the decision.
Don’t get me wrong there were emotions of disappointment that we were not going to meet our baby as planned but joy and excitement that we would have him in our arms by the end of the day.
My Mom and Lakyn made it to the hospital before the C section. It was a joy to spend a few moments with them before the crazy started! Tucker’s Mom and sister were also able to visit. In prayer they left us ready to meet Baby Graham!
Everything was scheduled for 5:00pm. The nurses and hospital staff were so gracious to go through everything with us and constantly asked if we had any questions. My biggest question was how willing is everyone going to be to take pictures in the OR?!?!? They assured me they could make that happen. In our hospital tour a few weeks prior I remembered they said the lighting in the OR is great! So my picture loving heart clung to that as a blessing through some unexpected changes.
I literally told Tucker “ at least we’ll get some great pictures and of you in scrubs”.
Right before 5:00pm Tucker and I prayed a last prayer as a family of two begging the Lord to bless this little one we were about to meet.
I put on the hat, gown, and of course we snapped one last picture! Tucker even made me take a “Landis Face” picture before walking off. I’ll treasure it forever.
They took me into the room and got ready to start the spinal tap. Let me tell you that’s a little overwhelming when you think you’re going to get to have an epidural with your Husband there then you are alone for a spinal tap. But God was there, and the kindest nurse helped me through. It was less painful than expected. Glory to God.
As they prepped everything I remember being numb from the chest down. Watching someone move you and you not feel it is crazy! I remember telling myself not to think about it because that could easily make you panic. I quoted this verse probably a hundred times on the table that day:
“May the God of hope, fill you with all the joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I repeated it over and over and over. It was my banner of peace in the midst of chaos.
After probably 15 or less minutes, but it felt like forever, Tucker got to come in. A sign of relief. Those blue eyes under the cap and mask made me smile. We were about to have a baby!!!!!
If you’ve ever had a c section before you know you are awake and present for the event, but the medication can make you feel strange. For me it was ringing in my ears, a headache, difficulty keeping my eyes open, and a very itchy face. Still with a smile and excited heart I was so ready to meet Graham.
Tucker sat by my head held my hand and was the biggest encourager the whole time.
He took pictures before, during, and after which of course thrilled my heart! When he walked in that was one of the first things I asked him. “Did you bring your phone?” Lol, we had to make sure we captured these precious moments.
Everything began. It went slow and fast all at the same time. Tucker peaked behind the curtain. A nurse took some photos on the other side as he was coming out. Then he was here! Immediately crying! As soon as I saw him I couldn’t help it the tears came rushing down. It was such a JOY and love so special it’s hard to describe.
In the moments following they checked him out, cleaned him up, and Tucker got to see him, touch him, and hold him. Then they brought him over to me. I was struggling so hard to stay present but I could not miss those moments. “Holding him” with Tucker’s help was the sweetest. I told Graham how we had loved and prayed for him all this time! Our boy was finally here!
5:46pm
7lbs 11oz
21 inches long
Pure LOVE 💙
It was not till afterwards I found out, or became fully aware of how crucial it was we had a c section. When Graham came out he had the cord wrapped around his neck twice, so tightly. If we had continued with the delivery that we had planned, the outcome could’ve been much worse! We would’ve ultimately ended in a C-section, and it would’ve been much more traumatic after attempting to deliver vaginally. We could’ve never known this. The doctor did not know this. But God did. We praise HIM for His wisdom. All the Glory to God.
In the moments to come Tucker and Graham went back to the room and they finished everything with me.
A little while later they took me back to the room. That hour is a blur. I remember asking Tucker if it really was an hour of skin to skin because it felt like 5 minutes. But it was and it was so precious!
Then by God’s grace and because of some extremely kind staff our families got to come in for a few minutes before they took me to the Mother/Baby side of things. Due to the time of his arrival visiting hours were technically over.
I thank the Lord I have pictures to jog my memory. I was so out of it at that time. Everyone was so in love with him. I barely remember the quick visits. Yet I’m so thankful for every moment.
In the days and nights to come we fell deeper in love with him! Watching your spouse become a parent with you is a new kind of love you didn’t know existed.
There are so many little details, stories, and milestones I still need to document but I will do that separately. I will say the Dr. Denmark schedule has been AMAZING! I would recommend it to any and every mother!
In conclusion I look back, 2 weeks later and still say, THANK YOU JESUS. He knew what we could never have known. He saw the struggles that we could not see and made a way. A safe way for Graham to get here. We praise you God for your wisdom and protection over his life from the very beginning.
May you never remove your hand and your favor from him. Most of all we pray that Graham Leroy Gibson will be SET APART for your glory all the days of his life. Please give me and Tucker the tools to be the parents you want us to be. We trust you. In Jesus name, amen!
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