Asher Sylvan Klein
Born 12/6/14 at 3:02am
8 lbs .5 oz
Today Julia, Eden, and I are celebrating the safe and happy
arrival of our new baby, Asher.
This pregnancy had been stressful for us because of years of
struggle to have another baby as well as the complicating reality that this one
was breech and decidedly not flipping over. For those of you unfamiliar, breech
(head up, butt down) position of the baby presents a few more complications for
delivery that require thoughtfulness. Though we had our hearts set on home
birth, we ultimately decided that that because of the excellent midwives at our
hospital and their respect for our desires in the birth we would have the baby naturally
at the hospital. This way there was back-up help just in case of complications.
The decision was a hard one for us but it ultimately worked out beautifully.
Julia had been laboring the past three weeks making slow
progress. Though it was a tedious edge of your seat time, we eventually found
peace in the waiting time.
This past Friday morning, Julia woke up with
contractions that were unlike those of the past few weeks. These were strong
and forced her to pause and catch her breath. Eden played at a friend’s house
all morning while I wrapped a few things up at the studio. We felt pretty
confident baby was on the move.
That afternoon and evening Julia and I spent sitting,
reading, and working through her contractions.
Around 8 pm, it was time to make a move. We arrived at the hospital and
Julia was 5 cm dilated. With the help and support of our doula, Pam, we had the
lights low, everything very quiet, and the birth tub full. Julia spent the majority
of the time laboring in the tub.
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Around 1 am, things were getting close to pushing time and we
made our way to the OR. Unfortunately, in order to utilize the last minute “just
in case” tools, Julia needed to deliver in the OR. Everyone was great and very
respectful of the peacefulness we needed for the birth. Even in this unfamiliar
environment and under the watching eyes of a handful of strangers, Julia did an
amazing job moving to whatever position she felt she needed and concentrated focusing
inward. Afterward, the whole staff remarked at how well Julia embraced the
contractions and kept her head as labor got more intense. I think they were impressed... I know I was.
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The pushing stage lasted a total of two hours. It was pretty
amazing seeing that little butt crowning. After a while, the legs popped out
and shortly thereafter the rest slipped out in one contraction. We had a happy
healthy delivery at 3:02 am. Eden was
the first one to see the little guy. The look on his face was priceless. He was
wide eyed and only half committed to smiling. When asked what he thought of his
little brother, all he could muster was, “Good.”
All vitals checked out perfect and we went home that
afternoon. It was wonderful to be home and rest together. Eden is so proud to
be a big brother and Mama and I are obviously smitten.
Names are significant to us. Eden’s full name is Eden Rivers
Klein. Eden is an obvious reference to
the garden of Eden but the word means “pleasure”. Rivers is a reference to Ps
36:7-8 “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O
God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of
Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of
Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.”
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Asher is Hebrew for “blessed” or “happy” and Sylvan means “wood”
or “forest”. In Scripture, names are
often not only descriptive but also benedictory. Right alongside our first born
child of “pleasure” we want #2 to be a “blessed and happy” one. We chose Sylvan
as a middle name because it means “wood”. The preindustrial world was made of
wood. It is hard to come up with a material so fundamental and ubiquitous in
the manmade world as timber. The reason for this is that wood is strong for
structure and yet easy to work. It is our prayer that our “blessed” one will be
strong yet easily worked in the hands of the Master.
We are home resting now enjoying our family and celebrating
God’s goodness and grace toward us in these times. Thank you for your prayers
and love, friends. We received a lot of positive encouragement and notes from
you and we want you to know not one was overlooked. May the God of blessing and
pleasure return to you the kindness you extended to us.