The Bells: Lincoln's Birth

It was about 1 in the morning, August 27th, 2015 that my water broke. I was just four days away from my due date. It was just a trickle at first, so it was enough to wake me up, but then I was actually thinking, "Oh no! I'm not ready! I need more sleep!" So I laid back down and the water just kept coming. I decided to wake Rob up. He had just gotten into bed an hour earlier (he's a night owl). Then I got up to go to the bathroom and there was a big gush.

I immediately started having contractions, although still not too close. We called my dr. and he told us to go ahead and check into the hospital. Luckily my wonderful friend Angel picked up the phone at that crazy time so we had somewhere to leave the kiddos. I knew they were in great hands. Angel's, well, an angel.

We got to the hospital and already the contractions were getting pretty painful. Here I was feeling huge and oh so tired already, but trying to convince myself that I had enough energy to give birth on just a few hours of sleep. They checked me and determined that my water had in fact broken, no surprise there. I would be having a baby today! Hooray!

The contractions got closer together pretty quickly and I'm so glad I asked for the epidural when I did (at about 5 am), or I would have had to wait a few hours past that, and I don't think I could have endured the pain. You forget how bad that pain is until you're going through it again! It's a good thing it's worth it. :)

My nurse was LDS. I thought I recognized her from stake conference. We had some great conversations about our kids to try to take my mind off the pain while I was waiting for the epidural. When the anesthesiologist came through the door, I wanted to hug and kiss her! I didn't think I could make it another minute. She immediately got to work, meanwhile I was curling up trying not to scream. I was worried because I was feeling numb, but it didn't seem like I was numb enough. I wasn't as numb as with my other babies because I definitely felt the fire when he came through.

I was ready to push at 7 am, but the nurse told me to wait because the dr. was on his way and would be there in about 20 minutes, she said. An hour later, the dr. arrived with an excuse of traffic. I was SO ready to push that baby out! A few pushes later, at 8:15 am, Lincoln Edward Bell arrived, although we still hadn't decided on a name at that time.

He was just SO perfect! The love was instant. My heart just about burst! I cried tears of joy and relief that the pain was over and that he was finally here.

His cry was comforting. Nothing like a healthy scream to let you know baby's doing well. They immediately gave us skin to skin contact and I just snuggled that sweet, tiny little boy! Babies are such a wonderful miracle straight from heaven!

And then daddy got a turn too, once Lincoln was all clean and bundled up.

I just couldn't stop staring at him and smiling. Motherhood is the best!

Fresh from heaven! So innocent and trusting. And he had tons of hair! It was a wonder because my first three kids were pretty much bald.

We decided right off the bat that he was definitely a Blake look alike!

The next afternoon, after daddy had, had a nap, and I wish I could say the same, the kiddos got to come meet their new brother for the first time. Oh how I had missed my other babies! Jane was a proud big sister.

Blake was so excited too, as you can see.

Natalie didn't want to stop holding him. She doted on him over and over.

I can't believe I have four kids!

They all got to watch as the nurse gave Lincoln his first bath.

Jane got to come back the next morning too, to see him. The other kiddos had to go to school, because they'd already missed a day.

When I was alone with him in the room, it was almost hard to sleep, because all I could do was stare and admire! He was so precious and handsome.

And then it was time to go home! He was just a little spot in his carrier.

Jane couldn't wait for momma and baby brother to come home.

And then the kids got in lots of holding and snuggle time.

Proud brother Blake.

Pretty sister Natalie.

In the beginning, he slept all day and was up most of the night. Oh wait, he still does that at almost two months. :) It's not as bad, though.

Oh those little feet and the chicken legs! He filled out fast once my milk came in!

Grandma Bell and Chelsea came to help and made Minion cookies with Jane, and then more with the other kids when they got home from school.

It was so nice to have them here. They were such a big help and spoiled the kids rotten.

That's a look of pure admiration. These brothers love each other.

A sweet yawn.

Total Blake look.

Jane kept asking to hold "baby brother".

They just love their brother.

He sure gets lots of kisses.

After Sherrie and Chelsea left, my wonderful sister Melissa came with her cute little boy Ollie, to help and visit. We had such a great week together. I was so grateful for her help. Getting into a routine with four kids, including a newborn, is not easy!

Melissa got to play some tennis with Rob and the kids. And she got lots of cuddle time in with baby Lincoln. She also made us lots of really yummy food, including her famous chocolate chip cookies. They're the best! Love this girl!