The Circle is Now Complete

Well, today marks 2 weeks from Clark2B's arrival who we now affectionately refer to as Brooklynn Elizabeth. It's been an exciting and educational journey. When I look back at the posts and remember the excitement of Nancy first starting to show to hearing the heartbeat for the first time and then first feeling the baby move, what great memories these have been.

Of course, the birth was memorable too... Don't forget to breathe Daddy...

Being a part of this miracle was second to nothing else I've ever done. There aren't too many dads out there that get to actually help deliver their child into this world. It was exciting to see her placed on Nancy for the first time and still not knowing yet was our baby a boy or girl. After a minute or so, I finally took a peek and was the first to announce we had a baby girl!

I don't know which I was more nervous about...pulling her out to complete her delivery or cutting the cord! Yes, that's me with the scissors!

I made a clean cut, and she was all ready for me to finally hold her.

Here we are, a happy looking family, not quite knowing was true sleep deprivation really is. Ha ha.

It's hard to believe that I once was a child and now I have a child. And so, quoting one of my favorite movies, Star Wars, "The circle is now complete."

And just like my favorite movie, the story doesn't stop here. Clark2B has a name thus Clark2B comes to an end. Maybe someday a new Clark2B adventure will be followed, but for now, Brooklynn's story will continue along with the rest of us at ClarksRUs.

See you there!

And Now a Word From Our Sponsor...

It's hard to believe Brooklynn is only 2 weeks old. It feels like she's been here longer. Maybe that's because I don't have much sense of day or night anymore. I live my life by the "itzbeen". If you're not familiar with this handy device, check it out at http://www.itzbeen.com/. Thanks to Auntie Kimberly for bringing us this new master we now serve.


While I was pregnant, I would ask questions like, "How will I know when I'm in labor", or "How will I know when to push", and I would always be told, "Oh, you'll know". Well, I'm happy to report that now I know.


The week started off with a lot of anticipation. Brooklynn was running late and both my birthday and anniversary were approaching. Both passed by with nothing to show but some false labor sensations. But then, all the anticipation that built up since last May started a new anticipation at 3:45 a.m. on March 1st.

This was the hardest thing I've ever done. I never said during the labor that I couldn't do this, but I definitely had thoughts of being content with this being our only child. The labor was just under 12 hours and we were so happy to have Brooklynn delivered at home in the presence of family and with Christopher "catching" her as she was born. "Catching" her was actually a bit misleading. Christopher was all set to catch her as I made my final push, but was soon instructed that Brooklynn wasn't going to just come out on her own, he was going to have to pull her out! As soon as he did, the midwife took her and placed her on my chest. She was finally here!

Since then, we've been blessed with smiles, cooing and lots of dirty diapers! I never realized people could function on such little sleep either! Our cat, Piggy, is still adjusting to our new family member. She'll walk up to Brooklynn and sniff her a little and then walk away. I think she's getting the impression that she's here to stay.

Many women say labor is a pain you soon forget. I don't think I'll quite forget it, but I am looking forward to adding to our family. Just give me a year (or two)!

Too bright to sleep?

Sleepin' with the Momma

Brooklynn in her swing

So, What's the Middle Name?

Okay, so I know it's been a few days since we announced the arrival of Brooklynn. At the time we hadn't finalized a middle name for her yet. In the meantime, it's been extremely busy adjusting to the flury of new activity.

One of the downsides to a home birth is the lack of constant after-care you receive in the hospital. Between taking temperatures every 4 hours, to sitz baths 3 times a day, to hot water bottles to keep Nancy Lynn sterilized, to sunning the baby twice a day for jaundice prevention, to getting plenty of calories in Nancy Lynn so she doesn't widdle down to nothing...it's been busy! That's not to mention the "normal" baby care that will be a part of our lives from now on!

Through it all, Nancy's done great and is healing well. She's been in bed since Saturday and hasn't left the bedroom yet. The midwife will be by today and hopefully update us on how mobile Nancy can start being. Brooklynn is a very happy baby and rarely cries (yet). She's a feeding monster and rarely even gets to 2 hours between feedings before she's hungry again.

We had some great support from Nancy's parents and my mom and sister the first few days. At this time, it's just my mom helping us and she plans to be here until next Monday. Reality will definitely hit when it's just Nancy and I with Brooklynn.

So...what's the middle name you ask? Nancy and I have decided on Brooklynn Elizabeth Clark. Elizabeth means "Consecrated to God" and we wouldn't have it any other way. During our two miscarriges, one of the thoughts that helped us through was knowing that everything we have are just gifts from God. So, if God chooses not to give or decides to take back a gift, it was His to begin with. So, now that God has decided to bless us with Brooklynn even after our losses, Brooklynn is still His, and we'll be reminded of that every time we speak her name.

As soon as Nancy feels up to it, I'll have her update the blog with some of her thoughts and feelings about the birth. In the meantime, enjoy some of these new pictures!




Brooklynn Elizabeth getting her hair cleaned about an hour after arriving to this new world

Momma holding her new daughter

Grandma Sunshine holding Brooklynn Elizabeth

Grandpa Brooks holding Brooklynn Elizabeth

Grandmama holding her first granddaughter

Auntie Kimberly holding her first blood niece

Cousin Rylen looking at his new cousin

Welcome Brooklynn Clark!

Brooklynn Clark was born at 3:17 p.m. at her parents home in Round Rock, TX. Brooklynn was 6 lbs. 15 oz. and measured 19.75 inches long. She has light brown eyes, dark black hair and chubby cheeks.

Brooklynn's name comes from her mom's maiden name "Brooks" and her mom's middle name "Lynn". Her middle name is being narrowed down and will be shared soon.

Congratulations to those who voted "Girl" and "What's the Rush" and "No Sharing with Mom or Dad"! You win the right to tell everyone else, "I told you so!"

Thanks to everyone who has followed along with our progress on the blog and shared their support. We were so blessed to have the birth at home just as we had hoped and planned for.

Although this blog will soon end now that Clark2B has a name, we'll go out with a bang with plenty of pictures and tidbits soon!

It's a Girl!

Nancy and I are proud to announce that our baby girl arrived at 3:17 p.m. this afternoon. Both baby and mom are doing great. More details to follow!

Half Way There

The midwife just examined Nancy and she's 5 1/2 cm. dialated now. Our midwife is on her way to take over and should be here within the hour. Nancy is doing great...breathing through the contractions and relaxing.

Something that's changed with the baby is that there's now a bag of water on top of the baby's head. This isn't really good or bad, but it will protect the baby's head while it exits.

My sister and and nephew arrived a little while ago from Houston. Clark2B is quite the draw right now!

Progressing

The midwife just checked Nancy and she's 4 cm. now. She also checked the baby's heartbeat and it was slightly raised (150's) but nothing to be alarmed about. The midwife will check Nancy again in a couple hours.

Houston, We Have Confirmed Labor

The backup midwife performed her exam on Nancy. The baby is positioned just as it needs to be and the heartbeat sounds great. Nancy's 3 cm. dialated now and is having contractions about every 3 minutes. The midwife suggested at this stage that Nancy rest for now and allow the contractions to do their work.

Midwife on the way!

Nancy's been having contractions since about 3:45 a.m. this morning. They've been about 5 minutes apart and somewhat intense.

Right now, our midwife is with another lady that went into labor yesterday, so she's sent a backup midwife to our house to do an examination and check Nancy's progression and how the baby is doing.

My mom is filling up the kiddie pool and I'm with Nancy timing contractions and helping her remember to breathe. I've got my scrubs on and I'm ready to roll!