How I Persevered in Love, Laughter, and Storm

Two weeks later I feel like I can’t settle downI finally got around to telling my body, “Okay, I’m ready now.” I am ready to meet my daughter. Ready to release control. But of course, there wasn’t a long list of things that were quietly bothering me in the back of my head.

Although I told myself that I was “hopeless” when it came, I whispered in my stomach: “August 2nd to 5th will be a good time. big time for you to show up.” Our older kids were starting school that week and if they waited too long, things would get…difficult.

At 38 weeks in labor in Charlotte, I joked, “I won’t be at the meeting next week—I’ll see you this weekend.” I just knew they would come soon. After all, our children have an example– they arrive in the midst of storms. And that weekend, the forecast was full of thunderstorms.

But when I woke up August 5very pregnant, I groaned in frustration for the first time in my entire pregnancy. I put my hand on my stomach slowly before opening my eyes and thought, “Uh…I’m pregnant.”

We love it Back to school day for Bentley that morning, and he was ready to start school the next day. I also told my midwives at that time that, “The next time I see you, it will be at my house.”

That evening, I met a hypnobirthing eggplant parmesan The secret (you know) is to send it to Ian. He made the most beautiful food—full of flavor, love, and real desperation. I ate a piece before bed, with no real hope that it would work.

Ian and I had made a deal that if I had insomnia, I would take Bentley to school. I would sleep, he would. At 5:45 AM, I woke up and saw a cough. One that made me stop.

After a few minutes, another hit. I heard Ian’s alarm go off. When I thought I was in the air, I was ready for the Bentley. While they ate breakfast, I was in the kitchen holding the counter, breathing slowly, quietly texting my birthday party: “Something’s happening. Stay close to your phone.”

By 6:45 AM, I told Ian to get the Bentley. I was to argue. By 7:15, the kids were out the door, and I was home alone—to work quickly. My pain increased so quickly, I remember hugging my birthday ball and thinking, “Wait… is this happening… fast?!”

I called my doula. He texted my photographer. He texted my midwife. I could feel my legs shaking.

Ian came in again at 8:00 AM to find me in the shower. He heard me rub his throat and immediately began to fill the birthing pool. My midwife texted me to come. I wasn’t sure—but interestingly, he read between the lines and came out.

By 8:20 AM, our photographer arrived.

I crawled into the delivery room. Ian followed, forcing me to desperately important. I had two obstacles.

My midwife dropped her bag, turned to grab all her things—and that’s when I screamed:

“I know!” he called again.

In the next moment, my water broke. One kick—his head. One more thing – his shoulders.

Elliana was born at 8:37 AMas the storm flooded the streets of Charlotte. My doula walked in a few minutes later. An assistant midwife, who actually was he left firsthe arrived shortly after.

Bentley was born in an ice storm. Railynn during the storm. And now Elliana-in the flood. Obviously, our children have an amazing ability to penetrate.

At 9:15, our midwife asked if we wanted to cut the cord. I wanted our children there. Ian zipped off to pick up the Bentley on his first day at school—just two hours after school. When asked by his coach why he had to leave early, Bentley replied, “I think my sister was born.”

He arrived home, full of curiosity and great joy.

Railynn told me every day for a week how proud she was of me.

Bentley kept saying, “You just had a baby?”

These words – spoken by the two children who made me a mother – will be engraved in my heart forever.

Railynn grabbed Elliana first. Bentley cut the cord. And for a few golden minutes, time stood still. I felt watched. I felt trapped. I heard powerful.

If you are an expectant mother in Charlotte you are looking doula, night nurse, or postpartum careI can tell you this:

You deserve to be cared for. Your birth story is important. And the right team can help you write better.

🍼 Mama Bear & Newborn Care is here when you are ready.