1 month with Eli & a birthing story

* I dont know why some pictures are multiplied on the blog...I am sorry for the inconvenience

(So...I am a bit distraught as I start to write this because my computer has crashed...and all my pictures of new little Eli are on it...as well as 4 years of memories in photos and quite the library of music. But alas, I can find pictures in other ways for now to share with you all)

So this is October 22nd...
September 22nd this little guy came into our life:
Elliot Justice Paulraj

Elliot-  Hebrew for "my God is the Lord" which is significant in an age and nation with so many named gods; also, Raja has always wanted to name a son Elliot after Jim Elliot. His testimony was significant to Raja when he first came to know Abba Father. His story and his wife, Elizabeth Elliot, have ministered greatly to my heart as well.

Justice- mainly after the passage from the book of Micah "He has told you, o man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do JUSTICE, love mercy, walk humbly with your God". We pray that Elliot is extended grace to comprehend the depths of God's love and sovereignty, including His just nature. We also pray that our Lord will give Elliot a heart that longs to see justice outpoured in the nations...thru the blood of His Son.

So this is his 1 month birthday!

He is pretty amazing and quite the peaceful little guy;)

And besides "peaceful"...I would say that hysterical is the other word that captures him:

I still cant figure out who was the bigger surprise...

Regarding their entrance into our lives

But little Eli, you sure were a surprise and we could not be more overjoyed to call you our son

"the great art is to gradually trust that life's interruptions are the places where God is molding you into the person you are called to be." -- Henri Nouwen

You are beautiful

You are funny

You bring me peace

You are challenging your brother already

You shall be precious friends, 

stellar wrestlers

and, I pray, brothers in Him

washed in that precious blood

I love you my dear son

And big brother is getting accustomed...

Adam seriously NEVER stops moving...Eli is impossible to awake most of the time;) 

Makes life funny

And I decided I should share more of his birthing story. 

Because, it gives Him glory.

Because, I love hearing others birthing stories

Often times, labor has a way of terrifying women...stories of others, movies, etc.

But its a beautiful thing...a difficult thing...but so much beauty.

And laughter too.

And having a history working as an L&D nurse...and a love for teaching OB... and a dream of being a midwife...I figure I should share my own.

Because, labor is a natural thing.

That our bodies were designed for.

And though there is pain...there is beauty.

And it can be something to even anticipate and find joy in.

"God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns" -of psalmist david

His mercy was definitely all over my labor experience

He deserves all praise;)

and its fun to laugh about too;)

So Friday night, September 21st, Raja and I were in need of cabinets for our new house.

For we had just moved in 3 days prior and had boxes and clothing and everything else strewn across the floor.

We needed storage quite soonlike;)

So we went.

By motorcycle.

To the local "cabinet maker"

And well...smooth pavement is not exactly a perk of rural India.

So there was lots of jostling here and there.

Then there was lots of walking in the local market to different shops.

There was lots of "Raja, I need to sit and rest a second"....

And basically...I am convinced that our motorcycle ride and walking induced labor...

We got back around 10pm that night

3 am...I woke up with tightening...a little crampy but not painful really

4 am... woke Raja up as I was getting more uncomfortable and needing to move around a lot

Raja fixed me some fruit and crackers with peanut butter

I consumed it eagerly...

And it all came up 15 minutes later.

My OB nursing mind immediately thought "vomiting...this typically happens in transition stage...surely I am not in that stage..."

5 am...Really uncomfortable and trying anything to ease the discomfort...walking upstairs, doing all the labor positions, hot shower, music, Scripture, etc.

6 am... contractions increased in frequency

7am...really thirsty and drank some water

710 am...all the water came back up

730 am...I think I am in labor but it all seems so different than I expected and kinda surprising me with how quick its feeling...so part of me is also doubting that it is real

8am...our OB (who lives downstairs from us conveniently) came to check on me...I somehow managed to be really pleasant (smiling, talking cordially, etc) and I know I didnt appear to be in labor. She stayed with me thru a contraction and recommended coming in a bit later to be checked out.

830 am...call my mom bc I am really getting uncomfortable and am starting to think this may be the real thing

9am...start telling Raja I am feeling that "pressure" feeling that I remember telling moms to look out for. I think I am losing my mind but I can tell my belly has changed in shape as the baby has moved down and I am feeling REALLY uncomfortable. Continuing to try to read the Word, listen to music, walk around...

930 am...I tell Raja that I think I am going to deliver the baby in the house...if he could call the doctor. (poor Raja). At the same time Adam's ostomy bag explodes everywhere and Raja is trying to get the babysitter resituated with an exploded ostomy bag and a fussy Adam. (poor Raja).

945 am... we are ready to walk to hospital but I decide I for sure cant walk...(it is only maybe 300 yards from our house...but I really thought I may deliver the baby enroute)...so we called a friend who left work to come pick us up in his car and drive me the 300 yards...haha (poor friend)

10am... arrive at hospital. OB checks me and I am 6-7 centimeters with a "bulging bag" (bag of water very full and needing to open up to let the baby come...) and past 0 station (for you nurses;)...so that is why I was feeling so much pressure...

1040 am...start pushing

11 am...out comes elliot justice paulraj

1pm...go home

Really, its true. He is good. And it is funny looking back on that all. We are thankful for how smooth and quick it went.

he came out hungry

first picture

you are so lucky to have an earthly father with a heart that longs to imitate our heavenly Father;)