“Um…um…I’m gonna have to go.” Lori looked down at me with a white face.
“Are you alright?” I asked as I sucked in a relaxing breath.
“uhhh….yeah…I just gotta go. the smell….” she looked pale, let go of my leg and started turning toward the door.
Lori took two steps toward the door and I laughed. I joked after her….”Lori, that’s the smell of life!”
I saw her round the curtain out of view before I heard a scuffle and a bang. Next thing we knew, a nurse yelled….
“SHE’S DOWN! She’s DOWN!”
Everyone snapped their heads to the door. Feeling faint, Lori had reached for the door frame and her hand had slipped. In her dizzy world, her right cheek grazed the door frame and she landed hard on her bottom. Next thing she knew, her one arm was raised above her head and she was sitting partially on the ground being asked questions about her medical history.
Dr. Tate looked down at me and asked “Is she a fainter?”
“No”, I giggled…”she’s pregnant!”
There was a collective “Ooooh” from people surrounding the bed.
“Well, does she have a doctor yet?” he asked with a smile….
“No but I’m trying to convince her to go to you!”
We continued to chat between pushes. There was enough of a break that conversation was fairly easy. Dr. Tate and the pretty auburn haired resident continued to talk ‘medical stuff’ as I listened, then pushed, then recovered, then listened again. The pushing part reminded me of working out…doing the squat machine with heavy weights or the like. There was a clear beginning, middle and end. The cycle continued…over and over. I kept thinking back to the moments right before Will came into the world. I was being strapped to a bed, people rushing around with a task in mind, it was hustle and bustle. This moment was so different. Dr. Tate was still sporting his street clothes and was calmly talking to the resident about forcep techniques. The nurses were calmly waiting near the wall. I had control over my upper body, feeling the pressure of a contraction coming on and pulling my knees up to my chest. Jeremy was right next to me…encouraging me, holding me.
At one point the nurses brought a mirror in to put at the end of the bed so that I could see what was going on. It was bloodier than I had imagined. I remembered my sister’s birth with Cole and the amount of blood after the birth…but not before.
“You guys should have one of those dentist squirty tools to rinse things off.” I was serious. This amount of blood was gross.
“It would just get bloody again.” Dr Tate said with a smile. “Childbirth isn’t clean.” True. I never really thought about it like that. Probably because my other childbirth experience was completely different.
“Do you mind if I show her how to insert forceps?” He was a teaching doctor and loved his craft. I knew that.
“I don’t need them, right?”
“No” he said…”just would like to show her my insertion technique”. He held up what looked like salad tongs. For a quick second, my brain flashed to the birthing class Jeremy and I took ages ago and the results of a forcep delivery on the video…scratches, bruises…
“Sure.” I trusted this doctor. I saw the board of infant photos in his office. The one filled with all the babies he had delivered in the past. He wouldn’t marr my baby. He quickly showed the resident how to slide the tongs and hook them together. I looked down.
That was a mistake. I shouldn’t have looked. The long metal handles were sticking out of me and there was blood all over. It was straight horror movie kinda gore.
“Um okay…I’m kinda freaking out over that.” Dr. Tate quickly removed the forceps and thanked me for letting him teach. I was glad he got to teach her, I was happy to be an example, I was just mentally not ready to look like an impaled pig on a spigot.
The minutes past. The pushing continued. It seemed like a very short time. I was ready for each push. Welcoming that pressure and feeling. I focused hard on making my body tighten in the right way, focused on where my breathe was, my arms, my head, my everything. It was easy to be excited. It was easy to keep my mind on task. I kept marveling in the fact that my body was working, that this VBAC was working. It was like living in a dream. I saw this whole adventure in my head. like a movie. repeating itself. I saw myself crying into Jeremy’s arms about not getting pregnant. I saw the little positive sign on the pregnancy test and the sciatica pain that had me resting on the couch all summer. I saw Will and the first time he pointed to my belly and said “baby wessen”. I saw the girls faces that came to me, telling me their stories of infertility and of that ache that comes with waiting for their own baby. I saw Will and I power walking around the neighborhood and my feet walking with Jeremy around that hospital hall waiting for labor to pick up. I saw the wait. and the wonder. and the want for it to be here already. It was the ultimate motivation to keep pushing as hard as possible.
An hour and a half of pushing past and finally Dr. Tate threw on a hospital robe over his dress shirt. One final push. I knew it was here. I sucked in a big gust of air and bared down with all that was in me.
I could feel the release, the pressure being let go, the escape of my son.
Those next few moments seemed to last a long time. Our sweet boy was laying on the table getting rubbed, stimulated to life.
“C’mon” someone said quietly. And then there was the first cry. His little body heaved in a breathe of air and turned pink instantly. Jeremy and I looked at each other with filled eyes.
“Oh honey – he looks like you!” I smiled so big at Jeremy’s big blue eyes.
“Look at that hair!” “It’s blonde, right?!” “He looks so different than Will” “He’s not as swollen” “Jeremy those lips…those are your lips!” We bantered back and forth in those first few seconds….taking in every little detail that we could see, celebrating the differences and similarities in our sons, in our newest little Bower boy.
The nurses immediately lifted him up onto my chest. He laid on my skin, stretching from my sternum to my belly, warm and soft. The sense of relief and accomplishment and thankfulness washed over me. My gratitude was overwhelming. He was here. After so many hours of labor and of fear that surgery would be my only option….after feeling stuck in low gear….after planning for the worst and hoping for the best….he was finally here.
“I love you baby Weston” I whispered to him as I rubbed his back. “I love you and I can not wait for you to meet your big brother”.
Jeremy cut the cord. His face beamed. I had to let go of Weston as the nurses took him to the little baby bed to check him. Jeremy stayed by my side as I was getting stitched up. He held my hand and distracted me. He told me little details all over again. Weston’s eyes looked lighter than Will’s. He had dirty blonde hair. He was born sunny side up. He had ten perfect toes and hands and the little skin looked flaky. He had a big head like me and skinny long body.
I was glad the mirror was gone. I was so happy Jeremy was here with me. Helping me. Getting a front row seat into his son’s arrival. Assisting and encouraging.
“Ten pounds three ounces” the announcement floated across the room.
“WHAT?!” Jeremy and I said in unison. We looked at each other with wide eyes and then started laughing.
Even Dr. Tate made them repeat the weight. We all couldn’t stop smiling.
The next half hour involved nursing, recovering, bringing in my sister (who was still recovering from her embarrassing little episode) and Boots, calling family, taking pictures and laughing. Weston needed to be double checked for bacteria so he was taken to the nursery down the hall. Jeremy went with him and I ate.
I was starving. My hunger for food was like my hunger for another baby…I didn’t even realize how much I wanted Weston until I got my first taste….that first moment together was so sweet that it felt like I couldn’t get enough of him. It was such a fulfilling experience. From my months of not getting pregnant to finally celebrating his conception to experiencing this amazing birth to holding him in my arms…I never had dreamt that it would be so hard and so SO good.
Will came the next day. My mom brought him and Cole. Jeremy lifted him up to see Weston who was laying in the little plastic bed.
My face was hurting from smiling so much. I couldn’t believe how sweetly Will looked down at him. Will made no movements to hold him or touch him. He simply lowered his head and took three big sniffs.
We all started laughing.
Will looked up. “I smell him.” He said frankly and lowered his head again toward the bundled blankets to take in his little brothers scent.
We all cracked up again.
Will was excited because he brought Krispy Kreme doughnuts to share. I was excited because Will was here. Because we all were here. Together. Finally. Two weeks late but together.
Will finally made the move that he wanted to hold his brother and we propped pillows up on my bed…moving really slowly because my tailbone was sensitive…we created a little pocket for Will to sit in and still be surrounded with support. Jeremy lowered Weston down into his arms. We kissed him. Showed him the little fingers and lips and ears. Will gently lifted a whisp of Weston’s hair and giggled. We just sat there marveling and touching the soft little bundle.
Then Will kissed him over and over.
He followed the kisses with a big facial lick. The room erupted with laughter again.
It was the purest joy in my life…seeing my boys together. Seeing our family together. Seeing this amazing gift of life. And I looked over at Jeremy and said with tears in my eyes…”This is good. This is the best good I’ve ever had.” And he wrapped his arms around us, pulled us close and we laughed.
Weston Knox Bower was born at 11:22 pm on November 18th, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a 10lb 3 oz, 22.5 inch successful VBAC. I can not thank Dr. Tate, the fine staff and nurses at Emory hospital and friends and family enough for everything they did. Best. Day. Ever.
If you would like to read Will’s birth story, please click here.
Congrats! I had a successful VBAC 8 months ago after 3 previous c-sections… my baby was 10 lbs too!! Such and exhilarating feeling… swoon… you have a gorgeous baby!
I almost cried reading that! Maybe I’m pms-ing lol maybe that’s too much information. What a beautiful family you have, the part that really got me was seeing how joyful everyone in your family was holding baby Weston! Your parents look so proud and happy!
I have warm fuzzies for you. 🙂 Congrats Katie – on your beautiful family and your successful VBAC. You DID it! 🙂
aw. i’m crying at work – thank you for sharing. God Bless your family! Curious how you chose the name Weston. Its a name I’ve always loved, but you don’t hear it often.
Beautiful! I had my first via C-section in Nov. I’m hoping to get to do a VBAC with my next. You are in inspiration to me!
What a beautiful story. I cried! He is gorgeous! Congrats to your sister too by the way!
You will definitely have to show the picture of Will licking Weston at both of their high school graduation parties, wedding slideshows, etc! Such a beautiful story and family – thank you so much for sharing!
Awwww, this is beyond sweet. Sitting here all misty-eyed because I can feel the love for your family in your words. What a beautiful story, even the “pig on a spigot” part because it makes it so complete. I adore you and your gorgeous family. Thank you for sharing. Congratulations!
Oh, and the pictures? Wow, some stunners there…someone is a very talented photographer too!
So happy this was such a good experience for you! And yay for Lori and Boots! Congrats all around!
A beautiful, beautiful story. Congratulations again. By the way, your Mom is just beautiful.
WOW! So is your sister’s pregnancy the reason for the wait??! How exciting!!! Congrats again to your families…
Once again, so touching. So beautifully written Katie. I kept tearing up through out and forgetting i chopped jalapenos earlier, I wiped the tears away with my fingers and my eyes sting so bad!! LOL! But totally worth it.
Thank you for sharing. You have such a gorgeous family. Inside and out.
And now I’m crying at my desk at work. Damn you Katie Bower!!!!
Beautiful story, beautiful baby, beautiful family 😀
Oh Katie Bower..you are so so blessed.. 🙂 thanks for sharing your story..xo
What an amazing story Katie!! I love it!! Congrats to you and your wonderful family!!
P.S- I was OBSESSIVELY following your/Jeremy’s updates on Instagram… even my husband was like “you don’t know them” and I had to yell back “I dont care!! Poor Katie really wants this baby and if I want to be excited for a stranger, I can be excited for a stranger!” Lol so glad everything worked out so beautifully!
What you have…I would love to be given the chance. We’ve been struggling with infertility for three years. 38 negatives on the HPT. Congratulations on your sweet little bundle(s). Such a blessing. Peace for you and your family.
oh mama … I can’t even explain how beyond happy I am for you and all of your boys. boys are the best. bacon’s got nothin’ on them! 😉 love ya!
Oh my goodness. I am so happy and so sad that this is the end of this little series. I know it is real life and everything but oh my, so gripping. I felt like I could read forever! The story…the way you write it…brought me to tears every installment. How happy I am for you and your whole family!!!!
Oh my gosh, Katie! I should NOT have read this at work! I am bawling! Such a beautiful birth story, you really have an amazing gift with words… Thank you for sharing with us! Many more congratulations to you guys and I am so very happy for you =)
(And happy for me, since I got to meet handsome little “Wesson” at FLOR last month!! He is an absolute doll!!)
And, wait- Did you say Lori is PREGNANT? How exciting!!
Beautiful! You’re such a brave strong woman. Stories like yours make me look forward to experiencing the miracle of becoming a mother one day. Your boys are beautiful, I especially liked the part about Will meeting Weston. I’m glad everything worked out so well for you.
And congratulations to your Sister and Boots. I’m sure Cole will be an awesome big brother 🙂
Oh Katie I am left in tears! Such a beautiful story! I struggled for 7 years to get pregnant after my daughter and I now have six weeks to go with another girl. I am hoping to go in to labour before the c section but over here (oz) they won’t induce once you’ve had a c section already and due to some low placenta protein bubs need to come before her due date. Hubby works 600km away and only gets home three days before the cs so I don’t have much time to try and get labour happening but I will try!! So your story has really touched me
Congratulations to your sister too!! How wonderful!
beautiful story. beautiful family. beautiful baby and mama. i love it.
congrats to your sister too! =)
Why yes…I am BAWLING MY EYES OUT! That is the most beautiful birth story I have ever heard. Makes me actually WANT to have babies 🙂
You have such a way with words! If you don’t mind me asking, who was taking the photos during the delivery? What an amazing thing to have all of that captured!!!!
Part three was worth the wait, thanks for sharing!
Such a beautiful story KB!! Happy endings do happen 🙂
Oh and I TOTALLY did not see Lori’s pregnancy coming!!
Yay!!!!! What a lovely birth story. And congratulations to Lori, Boots, and Cole!
Congrats again~ What a beautiful birth story! I love how much your family is in love with eachother- it’s making me cry! The pure happiness is evident in your photos~ LOVE.
Also- on a side note- I have this shirt from Target for my 1st born (he’s 8 now!!) and it says “Weston” on it- it’s some baseball shirt. My second boy (he’s 2.5 now) was just wearing it the other day and I realized it~ I should send it to you!
So WAIT!?!?…Your sister is Pregnant?!? Have I missed that somewhere?!? …or was this the first official announcement?
What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing. You probably already know this but Nov 18 is also Mickey Mouse’s birthday 🙂
Congratulations on Weston’s arrival and what a cutie. Thank you for sharing his birth story. You are an amazing writer.
Beautiful story. Just beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes.
There is nothing more magical than the birth of a baby. I love your writing style, Katie and am happy that you were able to have such a great VBAC experience!
Congrats! I just read all three birth stories. Very nice to read and I’m glad you are all doing well. And of course Weston is a cutie just like his big brother! 🙂
What a beautiful, beautiful story. I bawled all the way through it. So very happy for you and your gorgeous family! Your gratitude is so touching. <3
love love love love love this. you have no idea.
i have to tell you though..a few weeks ago my sister gave birth and I had the privilege (http://drivethirtythree.blogspot.com/2013/02/to-my-sister.html) of being there for the delivery…it as amazing..but i kept thinking of birth story part 2 and “the smell” and was preparing myself so that I wouldn’t faint 🙂
If it weren’t for the lick picture, I’d be sobbing. This is the best birth story EVER. When I was pregnant, I kept thinking “I don’t want to have a birth plan because I don’t want to be disappointed when it doesn’t happen the way I’d like”. I just kept hoping for a healthy baby and a safe delivery. I was (like you) 42 weeks pregnant and in the hospital for 2 whole days before Charlie was born via c-section. Then I was stuck there for 3 more days afterward.
I hated it. I wish it had been different. And I didn’t realize what I really wanted til after it all happened. You’ve given me so much hope that the next time can be amazing.
Congratulations! I think that I have gotten teary reading each installment. Even though we already knew the end of the story (happy family, healthy baby!), you did a great job of writing through the process. It kind of makes me want to have another baby! I love the photographs that you have of the process. Who took them?
Yay yay yay! Thank you for sharing your world with us, Katie and family!
Annnndddd now I’m crying. Beautiful story, Katie. Congratulations to you all.
With love,
Ashley
Such a great birth story. I’m due in about a week and can’t wait for my 3 year old (also over 10 lbs!) to meet his little brother or sister. Such a special moment when your heart multiplies to encompass two little people. Congrats on a successful birth!
Beautiful story Katie! Thank you SO much for sharing with us! I’m sitting at my desk…eyes filled with happiness tears for you and your Family! Just amazing! A blog I read religiously…people I don’t know, but I feel like I do……amazing story……such happiness and love to you guys! And your Sister is pregnant!! How exciting!!!!!
Aside from all of the obvious beauty here….who took all of the pics for you while you were in labor? These are great memories!
Oh, and random but – your mom had the most gorgeous skin!
Congrats Katie! What a beautiful story- I’m jealous you have it so well documented. I looked so disgusting when I gave birth I didn’t want lots of pictures or videos, but now I look back and wish I had just gotten over it…silly. You were beautiful though 🙂
I really like the picture of when they first gave Weston to you ! 🙂
Tears. Congrats to a beautiful family and successful VBAC. And congrats to Lori and Boots! Thanks for sharing your story. As a first time Mommy-to-be, I loved reading these, I hope my experience goes just as smoothly. Much love!
What beautiful words – just a lovely story. Thank you for sharing
Ahh – sitting here crying. Best birth story ever. Congrats on your VBAC!
Isn’t Dr. Tate the best?! He delivered my twins naturally last year even though baby A was breech and I was a first-time mom. I’m so glad you had the birth experience you wanted. Weston looks so much like Jeremy!
You have a wonderful flair for storytelling, and making us feel like we were right there with you!
Congrats on your beautiful little man, he is truly amazing 🙂
Will licking him = cutest thing ever!
Thanks for sharing ♥
Thanks for sharing your story and all those great pictures! Did Jeremy take most of those or did you have someone in the room to take photos for you?
Add me to the Criers Club. Beautiful, wonderful and amazing. Congratulations.
Wow. Thanks for letting us be a part of your family. 🙂
Congrats to Boots, Nornie & Cole!! You are such a wonderful writer, Katie!
Oh, Katie. This ending was definitely worth the wait. I had 2 successful VBACs after my first was taken via section. I remember after having my first VBAC just crying and kissing my son and telling him, “We did it!” You are a blessed woman. I’m so happy for all of you.
So, so sweet! You captured so many beautiful photos of the day, too! Especially love the action shot of Will licking him. Lol 😉
Wow! Our VBAC’s were very different, lol. Pushing felt like I was going to die. I am pretty sure the drugs were not killing the pain enough though so maybe that was it. Thanks for sharing! It is hilarious how much woman love to read about other womans birth!
Katie!!! Thank you so much for sharing this personal story! The way you write is so beautiful. The pace in your story is perfect. Oh & Lori & Boots…Congratulations! What a great way for you to leave us hanging & then let us in on their special news too. Dr Tate, is hilarious “does she have a Dr yet?” while attending to you – LOVE IT. These pictures are great, such a serene post. Thank you for an awesome start to my day! X
Beautiful birth story! amd great that u did aVBAC! Big congratulations to your sister too 🙂 Babies all round
Thank you so much for sharing such a special part of your life! I think that your story is so sweet. I am about to start nursing school so this story not only appeals to my sentimental side, but I also enjoyed hearing about the clinical aspect! Thanks again!
Love this so much and love that you share your life moments with all of us. Crying in celebration for you and your family and can’t stop smiling over Will’s lick. My son is Will’s age and I am anxious for God to bless him with a sibling soon. Until then, I love getting a peek into this special time for your family.
I’ve been reading your blog for quite some time now, and this is the first time I think you’ve ever brought tears to my eyes. So happy for you and wish you the best. All the way from Canada 🙂
I enjoyed following your birth story. I’m so happy for you all! I also followed along on instagram. I love how open you are with your readers 🙂
Congrats to your sister and her family as well, what a nice surprise!
Such a wonderful story! I’m scheduled to be induced on Monday and I’m totally freaked out because I really want to go into labor naturally. You’re story makes me realize that pitocin isn’t the most horrible thing in the world 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!!
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story and precious moment with us.
Wow- that story brought tears to my eyes. After having my son, I wonder how I could love another child as much as him but after reading this and seeing the pictures of Will holding/kissing Weston I can see how adding a second child can make you feel like even more of a family than before. Amazing! I can’t wait for the moment 🙂 Congrats again and thanks for sharing your beautiful story.
I had tears in my eyes a couple times while reading this. You’re such an inspiration! You do such a good job at writing stories! I felt like I was there…without the smell 😉
what a wonderful ending to a wonderful story. i absolutely love will’s reaction between the sniffing and licking- he’s my kind of kid.
What a beautiful story!! Thanks for sharing.
YAY!! I’ve been waiting for Part 3! What a great story! It was worth the wait!
Jeremy took some and I took some. Lori also took ones. It was a tag team effort 🙂
xo – kb
Yes. I feel like I look gross in a lot of photos but in the end, it’s better to look terrible and have it than not at all.
xo – kb
Most of them are from Jeremy, me or Lori.
xo- kb
Most of them are from Jeremy, me or Lori. We were trying to tag team the pics 🙂
xo – kb
Official announcement 🙂
xo – kb
Jeremy took most but I would do a few here and there and also with Lori in the mix for family pics.
xo – kb
Where did you get it?!
xo – kb
Lori is pregnant!!! Yay!!!
xo – kb
I am so blessed. I am gonna pray for ya my dear. It sucks, huh?
xo – kb
Most of the reason. They were waiting and since their announcement was such a big part of our birth story, we wanted to respect their wishes to keep it on the DL.
xo – kb
Yes – Jer is getting really good 🙂
xo – kb
We tried a lot of different names but Weston felt right. We have probably 100 reasons why we chose it but no…it’s not a family name or anything like that.
xo – kb
Amazing. Beautiful. Congratulations to you and Jeremy, and to Lori and Boots!!! How fun that their baby will be so close in age to Weston. Reading your story made me relive my girls births. Had me mushy and teary eyed. LOVE.
Love. Love. Love. Katie, this story was absolutely beautifully written, but this is because it was told from your heart. My heart is so happy that you are so happy!
Thank you so much for sharing that Katie! You can’t MAKE that stuff up!! 😉 Adorable story!
This made me all misty and teary eyed! I have such baby fever it’s ridiculous…but I know it’s better to wait for us. Oh and congratulations to your sister! How exciting!
what a great story! Dr. Tate sounds awesome and I love that he’s Jewish 🙂
This was precious. And all the Will stuff was priceless
Wah, that was so beautiful, I am all teary. You are a wonderful writer. And congratulations Lori, Boots, and Cole!
Congrats to Nornie, Boots and Cole!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve loved reading your birth story, can’t wait to welcome my second son this spring. I hope it goes as well for me as it did for you.
God bless.
Very sweet birth story! I had a VBAC too and I was the only person I knew who had one so it was nice to hear how it was for someone else. Thanks for sharing!!
Tears. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. My baby is 18 months today and you are making we want another. Don’t tell my husband 🙂
You totally look prettier after all that labor than I do after 30 min at the gym. Exercise just isn’t a cute look on me! lol And congrats to your sister 🙂
YAY! Love it! Love the pics! So happy for you all 🙂 and CONGRATS Nornie & Boots! Way to make a sweet story even sweeter!!!!!
PS my fave is will licking Weston. So glad y’all captured that!
Beautiful story! God is great! Congrats to your sister as well!
Part 3 is definitely the best part of the story. Congratulations once again on your very BIG bundle of joy. Thank you so much for sharing your story!
…and your hair is PERFECT. gur. Oh, that little cutie is pretty darn perfect too. Love this story.
Yay! Part 3! It was so sweet to see the pictures of Will with him. Congrats again to your sweet family! Congrats to Nornie, Boots and Cole thats very exciting! I have #2 on the way and can’t wait to have pictures of my sweet boy with our new addition in October! Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful story! Seeing your oldest child come to the hospital to see the new baby is the best ever!! So happy you were able to have a VBAC. God is good!
Wow, you had me crying by the end….it made me think about when my daughter was born. Actually you are making me want to get pregnant again…I wish I could, but my husband is happy with just two. I’m so glad that the vbac was a success for you….it really is amazing to have the experience right?
My first took about 40 minutes of pushing and I remember my mom, my husband, and the midwife all talking so non-chalantly while I was carefully relaxing between contractions. I didn’t mind that they weren’t focused on me, but I just clearly remember thinking it was odd to have such a normal conversation and I was about to have a baby right in front of them! My daughter came much faster (I was lucky to only have to push with two contractions). However, she was healthy and I was able to hold her right away, something I didn’t get to do for the first three days with my son. It was magical and so special to me.
My son was only 16 months old when she was born so he didn’t really understand the whole baby coming into the family then. However, now it just brings me pure joy to see them laughing and playing together. I love his concern for her when he hears her crying in her crib or the fact that he wants to make sure she gets to come along for everything that we do. I hope they will always love and care for each other. Hope that for Will and Weston too…it sounds like they are already off on a good start.
Thanks for posting this…I have been trying to patiently wait for it…I love a good birth story. It really was touching. Oh, and you looked so good while in labor…wish I looked that put together!
This entry made me smile and brought tears to my eyes. You have a gift of expressing your thoughts and feelings so beautifully. So happy for your family and congrats to all of you on the excitement of another baby in the family. I wish the best for Lori, Boots and Cole!!!
You really kept us waiting for the end to this story……. Beautiful!! So worth the wait!, I’m 5 months pregnant with my second girl , so yes this story made me grin and tear up a little…I had my first at Emory as well, you brought back some memories. It was a long drive with labor pains from Alpharetta at 5pm. Awesome to hear it went so smooth. You have a beautiful family!
I love this story! You give me hope that I can have a successful vbac, too! Weston looks so much like his daddy, and he’s every bit as adorable as Will. Congrats to your entire family! xoxo
Congratulations again, Rock Star. So cool about your sister and brother-in-law. What a cool story.
I’m so happy for you and your VBAC. What a great story.
I cried the whole time I was pushing with my first…tears of joy because it was the most incredible experience. With my second I didn’t tear up until later that day when my oldest, my little Lily, came to the hospital to meet her little brother for the first time. I hadn’t realized how much I missed her and I just held her in my arms and cried.
Congrats to your sister and her hubby too!
I normally read this at work but boy am I glad I didn’t! Crying tears of joy for you and your family 🙂 blessings!! And thank you for sharing!
Congratulations to Nornie, Boots and Cole!! (Just to make sure I’m not behind, this IS the first we are hearing this right?!?) an AMAZING story to say the least! I know the feeling of having all your boys together, boys are special, they’re amazing and life will only get better with those three guys taking care of you. Congrats again, I love seeing the two bower boys pop up on the blog now and then…oh and your BF too:) heehee
Congratulations! What an awesome story! He is beautiful! 🙂
i love hearing successful VBAC stories! i had a c-section with my first and everyone was trying to discourage me from doing a VBAC when i was pregnant with my second. i did my research and knew that the risks were not as great as what people were trying to convince me about. . . and now i have TWO successful VBACs under my belt!
you are superwoman, though– i can believe you pushed out a ten-pounder!
Yes – this is the first time I’ve announced it! Norn & Boots were keeping it on the low down till the danger period was over.
xo – kb
Phew! Both my kiddos were over 10lbs (born vaginally!), so i feel your pain! WAY TO GO!
I was wondering who took them. I thought maybe you had hired someone. He’s doing great!
That first hour after bringing birth to my son, holding him on my chest skin to skin, was THE BEST HOUR OF MY LIFE! I was so grateful for the hospital to have given me that experience, because with my first birth (this one was the second) it was still not in practice and I had to wait full 5 hours to see my baby again.
Congratulations to Lori on being pregnant! I was waiting for that news 🙂
I love this. I love how Will reacted to Weston, just precious! I hope that my 3 year old will act that way when she gets a younger brother or sister! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful story and pictures! I am due at the end of this month with my first, and this gives me hope that everything will be ok. I teared up looking at your pictures 🙂
I had to leave my Google reader to come here to say this…congrats on your healing and victorius VBAC. So happy for your family!
Beautiful! My favorite part was when you are holding both of the boys. I have one little girl right now and I dream about the day when she can be a big sister. Thank you for sharing!
Amazing! Congratulations. What a miracle the birth process is. Thank you for sharing it with me, a stranger. The emotion in the pictures is so visible and real. And, the writing style is so effortless and enticing. Continue prayers for you and your family.
I love how you told the story and congrats on such a successful if delayed birth!
Congrats to Lori, Boots and Cole too- babies all around!
How did you decide on the name Weston Knox? I spent months will my best friend trying to decide my Godson’s name.
Congratulations! Weston is a cutie!
Are you planning to do a comparison of the cseection vs. VBAC? I would love to hear your point of view. I am due in May with my second and considering a csection after a difficult vaginal delivery. I would love to hear how your experiences compared, including the recovery!
Ok, Will and Weston got me in the end. I also have two boys, four and almost two, and the moment they met and I held them both together was one of the most overwhelming moments of my life. I could not imagine feeling THAT MUCH LOVE. And then to scroll further and see Weston in the exact same boppy cover we have just made me think all the more of that sweet day. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this story, Katie! You are such a beautiful writer.
How did you choose Weston’s name??
Such a beautiful end to a wonderful story! I absolutely loved how you captured so many amazing pics before/after/during the birth. I have not had the opportunity to have a child yet, but was wondering if you could give some tips or post how you were able to capture those moments? I have a DSLR and I shoot in manual, but my husband has really no idea how to use it, and I want to be able to capture all of the little moments during the birth just as you did, but I’m not sure I will have the energy to be taking them myself, and I want to be in some 🙂 !! Thanks for any advice!
I love your birth stories so much! This one had me crying so much. I long to have that experience with my husband. The looking in amazement at our child and trying to pick out which features came from who. We’ve been waiting almost 2 years, and after going to a specialist, have found out that on top of infertility, there is a genetic issue. So we’ve had to stop trying and are fast tracking to IVF (which is totally surreal to me). I’ve watch nearly everyone I know get pregnant in the time we’ve been trying, AND welcome their babies into the world. I so want to know when is it MY time. I now know infertility, in our situation, was a God given blessing and He is protecting us from something as terrible as cystic fibrosis. I am so happy for you and your family. I also really appreciate that you are aware that infertility exists and that it’s not an easy journey for everyone. You wouldn’t believe some of the insensitive comments I’ve gotten from people. These moment you write about give me so much to look forward to, when my time comes. God bless.
Simply lovely.
Great birth story, you had me laughing and crying! And the pictures are beautiful, did you hire a professional birth photographer or did Jeremy take them?
I have goosebumps reading this. What a great story, so real and raw, which makes it so beautiful. Congratulations again! I’m sure these 3-ish months have gone fast. What an amazing and beautiful family!
Beautiful finish to the story. Congrats Nornie and Boots! And we all know Cole will be a great big brother after seeing him with Will (and Weston I’m sure). So they told you before you were giving birth or then, since you said it was a part of Weston’s birth story (or just the fainting)? When is she due? I recently got out of the “danger zone” as you call it and might be due around the same time as her.
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
Noticed that the room number is ‘9’, birth date is a multiple of ‘9’ (18). My my religion number ‘9’ is auspicious. Weston will be a special child.
Sara
Katie, that was so beautifully written! It made me cry! Your family is absolutely gorgeous and it is such a blessing to read about your experience. Thank you so much for sharing!
Yay! I couldn’t wait any longer for the final part to be posted!
I feel you about the forceps. However, that was when I completely lost it. Natural birth, no drugs, forceps, and 10lb4oz baby was intense.
Love reading birth stories. Such a great beginning to life little Weston had. <3
Nicole
Loved this! Thanks for sharing – love hearing about successful VBACs!
Quick question, and I’m sorry but I didn’t know where else to post this. I commented on your latest Wayfair post a couple of days ago and it still is “awaiting moderation”. The only reason I keep going back to check is because I had a question for you. I’m working on organizing/beautifying my pantry. I’ve been looking for AFFORDABLE but decent clear food storage bins for the pantry. I was just asking where you’re “go-to” place is to purchase them. My local dollar stores have nothing. Best I’ve found is the BHG line at Walmart but even those are $6-8 a pop. Seems like a lot when you need 10-15 or so!
Again, sorry for asking this here – wasn’t sure where to!
Love your blog and you’re PRECIOUS little ones 🙂
This story made me tear, alot! So happy for your sweet family, and the two most beautiful boys ever. Thanks for bringing us a wonderful blog each day!
Will looked up. “I smell him.” ~ ~ too cute!!
Congrats to your sis and family. 🙂
In all my sobby-ness I totally forgot to congratulate Norn, Boots, and Cole on the baby! That is awesome! That’s the first of two pregnancy announcements I heard yesterday. Awesome!
Now I see why you waited! Congrats to your sister and her family!!! What a sweet gift. I read this part of your story bawling, remembering that relief of pushing, and the joy of finally seeing your baby.
I loved this. Loved this so much!
Wow. You made it sound so easy. I had a 7 pound baby and I am so terrified to ever do it again. How were you sitting Indian style or criss cross applesauce? I couldn’t open my legs wide enough to get in the car or step into the shower after delivery. You give me hope!
Katie,
I love this story. I hope to have one just like it one day. Thank you for sharing it and all of it’s wonderful, amazing, and funny moments. And thank you for thinking of all us gals that are still waiting for our babies. I cried while reading your story because even just imagining all the love in that room is overwhelming. My cup runneth over. I can’t wait!
Congrats to your whole family! Weston is a lucky baby! And congrats to Norn, Boots, and Cole!!
xo Chrissy
Tears in my eyes and a big smile on my face. You did so good Katie. So so good. So proud of you, and I don’t even know you. Your boys are beautiful, and reading about Jeremy, I know he will raise two wonderful men just like him.
Absolutely beautiful. You brought me to tears this morning–those good, good tears that are only brought about by an overflowing amount of happiness! Your story made me reflect upon my own, and I’m so thankful for that only this Thursday morning!!! Thank you 🙂 and CONGRATS again!
22.5 inches! Wow, girl, you are awesome! He must have had his toes in your throat! I’m just counting the seconds until my little guy turns up. He’s my fourth, and it never gets old. Each time is so miraculous and only more joyful because the family has grown. So beautiful! 4 weeks to go!
Congratulations!! I have been waiting for part 3. My daughter was born 11/2/12 and at her 4 months appt on Monday she weighed 10lbs 3oz and was 22.5″ long! She was a teeny little bean but you sure know how to make em’ healthy!! Such a sweet story, thank you for sharing!
I LOVED reading this! I, too, suffered with infertility for 1 1/2 years. Thankfully I am due in 6 weeks! The power of the moment that awaits my hubby and I is not going to be lost on me just as I can tell it was not lost on you. God is good.
I stopped reading to say congrats to your sister and family! How very exciting! – ok back to Weston’s story –
That was beautiful Katie! Thank you for sharing your story. I am a long time reader and could not be happier for you and your family! I hope to have a moment like you did with my little family one day. It sounds amazing.
Awww! What a great story! Weston was a beautiful newborn. I love it when babies are born a little bigger, they just have that filled out look. Your oldest has quite the personality 🙂 Love that he licked/smelled little brother. Nothing like taking in the whole experience!
Thank you so much for finishing up Weston’s birth story!! I knew Brian would pass along my message 🙂 I can’t wait to share this story with my husband and write one of our own in a couple of months.
I had tears in my eyes by the end of this post. So glad to finally read the conclusion and I’m so happy for you that your VBAC was successful!! Birth stories like this always seem to make me want another, but we’re done with 3. Sigh. 🙂
Oh gracious, you are making this pregnant lady bawl! Congratulations to you and your family.
Ok, bawling my eyes out over here. So so precious Katie! Couldn’t be happier for you and your family!
This was so beautiful. I almost cried when we saw the 1st pic of Weston. I was hoping your story would be finished before I was due lol Reading this I’m excited and empowered to deliver in May. It’s less of a scare being my first and more anticipation. I’ll re-read this whenever I need those good vibes. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us and congratulations to your sister!
Aaaaah!!! Your sister is preggo!!! Way to end #2 with a cliff-hanger in order to protect her secret! I love it.
Also love how Will sniffed and declared that he smelled Weston. Hilarous!
Also love how adorable your Mom is!
Also love the whole story. 🙂
While reading each part of Weston’s birth story I have gotten somewhat emotional because I too had a hard time getting pregnant. It took us a year and a half before I finally saw a positive pregnany test, completly expecting to see the all too familiar negative result. I am currently 33 weeks, due April 21st and I am just in awe of the miracle I am about to experience very soon. I am so happy for you and your family and I cannot wait to join the club! Thank you for sharing Weston’s story!
Congratulations! My wife and I have 3 beautiful children ourselves. Love the story.
Love the pictures–the one out the window is actually a picture of the dorm I used to live in! (Georgia Tech) Small world! Congrats to Lori and Boots–more babies to love 🙂
I have GOT to stop reding these at work! Your sweet, candid story telling gets me every time!
The ‘lick’ picture is the best thing I have ever seen!
Congratulations, thanks for sharing.
Nothing like brotherly love via the entire face-lick!
So happy for you, Bowers. Such a beautiful story!
Congratulations to Nornie, Boots, and Cole too!
YAAAAY! Yay for you and your sweet, sweet family 🙂 Yay for successful VBACs (I’ve had 2 and they just getting better!) and the wonderful Drs who believe in us to try them. Yay for your sister, Boots & Cole!!!
Thank you for sharing this with us! Although we’ve never met IRL, I stayed up that whole night waiting for Instagram or FB notices that announced Weston was here. I was rooting for you the whole time, and I’m so happy for you that you finally got your amazing birthing experience!
Thank you for sharing little pieces of your life with us – those little pieces that mean the most. I look forward to all your posts!
Thank you for sharing your story. I just had my first, and despite all my preparation and determination I ended up with an emergency c-section. Hearing your experience with your successful VBAC gives me hope that next time around things will be different. Thank you, thank you.
TEN POUNDS!!! Holy cow, you are a superwoman. No wonder he is a good sleeper, lots more room to put food in the belly. 😉
such a beautiful story 🙂 thanks so much for sharing and making me a hormonal mess!
btw, was jeremy taking the pictures?!
I couldn’t agree with you more…seeing the love between siblings is the purest form of joy! I live for those moments. All God’s blessings to your beautiful family.
xx
Amelia
What a beautiful story! Thanks so much for sharing. I know all your readers feel like we know you, so it’s just rewarding to finally hear the whole story, especially after knowing how long it took you to get pregnant. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant (this will be our first) and after 4 months of trying with no result, I now understand how frustrated you were. This post is a great reminder that it will happen when it’s our time and we have this to look forward to. Congrats to your sister, too!
I guess we now know why you took so long to put up the next portion of the story… CONGRATS TO YOUR SISTER!
Oh my gosh, there are so many great elements to this…Norn’s pregnancy, Will licking Weston – HILARIOUS. Such a great story. And your mom is gorgeous, by the way.
ok…ok…did you really post a picture of your sh*t too??? I gave birth in October and it’s an amazing memory one I hold dear to my heart. I just don’t think a picture of your poo should be out there for the world to see! But I suppose different strokes for different folks! haha,
Congratulations! I love the part about Will smelling Weston. My 3 year old did the same thing. Everyone thought he was kissing the baby on the forehead but I knew he was really sniffing his brother. Baby is now 7 months and still gets the occasional forehead whiff.
Both Weston’s birth story and you are stunning, Katie. What people who haven’t met you don’t know is that you are tiny. 10 Pounds! I know you felt every single one.
May God bless and keep you all as you live out your happy, little lives, sharing it with us as you go!
This story made me bawl! We just found out we’re pregnant with number two baby and I’m so nervous about loving it as much as I love our first, and how she’ll do, etc. I hope it goes as well as your boys meeting!
I loved reading this. You are such a wonderful story teller. I’m 4 weeks away from meeting our second little girl and I can’t wait. I hope our 3 year old daughter takes to the new baby the way Will did. Congrats!
Such a beautiful story, you have the sweetest family! I love Will’s face lick! Too cute!
Also, I participated in a Blogger Crush link up today, and you’re one of my crushes if you’re interested in checking it out. 🙂
xoxo
T
Katie,
You have done more here than just share Weston’s birth story. You have shared a story that will give so many people – those wondering if they should have a second child, struggling with infertility, contemplating (or fearing) a VBAC, dreading the thought of breastfeeding after a bad experience – a story with a happy ending and a beautiful, beautiful (and comparatively easy!) baby. So often, just having a reason to hope is enough to get through these hard situations. I so wish I’d had your story to read ten years ago; I might have more than one child today. At the time, though, it didn’t really seem possible.
I’m all teary-eyed. I’m so happy for you guys. I’m thrilled for Lori and Boots and Cole. You are so blessed.
i read you blog daily but rarely comment- but today i just had to. i was so moved by your words and pictures- it’s like you can feel the love and joy radiating from the screen. it’s so amazing to see such happiness conveyed on yours/wills/jeremys/everyones faces! loved the part by part series of the birth story- weston is a beautiful and lucky boy to have you as his mom!!
Bless you all!!!
Lovely Katie. Worth the wait. Don’t you love Emory? I had my baby girl there 6 years ago. Love their nurses.
Loved!
xo kb
Hahahaha!!! That’s hilarious. No…but I totally see which one you think has poo in it. I’ve heard that’s a common occurance but I didn’t have the chance to experience that. My black blob is just a shadow. Oh and even if i do with births in the future, here in Ga they don’t let that stay on the table…there is a nurse who has the job of instant poo removal because it’s considered dangerous for the baby. Unfortunately y’all will never get the chance to be that up close and personal with me 🙂 I’m still laughing that you think I would share that with the world at large though!
xo kb
Aaaah, I got a little misty-eyed reading this! I’m so happy for you and your boys! I’ve been a longtime reader, and I know just how much little Weston was wanted and dreamed about.
hahah! okay I am relieved! I love your honesty and I was wondering if you were just being *THAT* honest! 😀
We are in Georgia too – delivered at Northside Atlanta location. 😀
Totally can’t belive Im commenting on this, but its brown and has light reflecting in it? I dont think its a shadow- HAHAHA. Maybe its Westons? I dunno… afterbirth? But its something (9th picture)
Regardless. Congrats, girl!!!!
so touching. love that you shared this with us.
this is probly waaay early for this type of question but, im curious. after struggling to conceive for so long and knowing that you want more babies are you trying to plan the spacing of the next one? or just letting it happen as soon as it happens? that is the position i’m in and wondering if you have some perspective.
You make me long for motherhood, what a beautiful story, Katie!
‘This is good. This is the best good I’ve ever had.’ I was fine until I read that, now I’m bawling.
this is ridiculous….totally tearing up over here! And now my boobs hurt.
Thank you for this beautiful birth story! We are pregnant with our first and I cannot get enough of hearing about babies. Your story and pictures are beautiful.
Thanks for sharing your story. I definitely cried while reading your wonderful story. While we are not planning to have a baby for a few more years, I hope it will go smoothly. My mother had a hard time conceiving my brother and me (5 years before he was born and 5 years in between us), so we might be baby-less for years. Congratulations and best of luck!
holy moly I am in tears. Thank you so much for sharing this story Katie. Your experience was truly beautiful and I couldn’t be happier that you were able to have a successful VBAC. I could tell when meeting you at the YHL book signing that your family has brought you so much joy. Thank you again for sharing. What an honor to read about Weston’s arrival.
First of all, I just LOVE birth stories. And this one was just filled with so much love! I’ve been following your journey since you posted about wishing you were pregnant and I’m sooooo happy in how it turned out. So happy for you and your beautiful little family!!!
Thank you so much for sharing! Weston has some big baby hands! XO!
There’s definitely a shadow in that picture… but it looks like the shadow is OVER the brown… uhh… material that I think Meg is referring too. There wouldn’t be a shadow over another shadow. The shadow wouldn’t reflect light… and the cord wouldn’t be over the “shadow” at one point. I’m sure that was all cleaned up immediately after — so I doubt anyone is worried about the legality of it. But, the idea that your kids’ friends will be able to google their births and see them bloody and in a pile of their mom’s poo… is kinda gross. Yeah, I get that it happens to everyone and is certainly nothing to be ashamed about — but there has to be a point that you decide what to put on the internet for the sake of our kids’ privacy.
I am so in love with you and your little family. I was so thrilled to finally read part 3 and it didn’t disappoint! You are an incredible writer, rarely am I misty-eyed over a blog. Thank you for sharing this incredible moment.
I have read your blog for over a year now, but never commented until today! Wow, what an amazing finish to Weston’s birth story! I soo love all the pictures, I love how we can feel the emotion captured in those moments…SO AMAZING!!!
I had my 2nd boy, exactly 1 month later (12/18/12) than you, and while it was a very different (and fast…less than 2 hrs fr om start to finish) labor, I know exactly the happiness you were feeling! And the amazing moment when your 2 boys get to meet…it is definitely one of the best moments of my entire life!! God Bless you and your sweet family!
Well, I totally see your point but let me reassure you, I checked with Jeremy and there wasn’t poo. Although it’s totally possible that it could be part of the ‘stuff’ that comes out with the birthing of a baby. However the question was about defacation…and Weston didn’t have meconium testing and I didn’t poop (if I did, I certainly would have blogged about it…that’s juicy material! pun intended!). I would post another picture immediately following this one that clearly shows the table but it has a tiny little penis and a giant stretched out vajayjay in it. As for Weston’s future friends googling his birth…don’t you find that statement a little odd? There is definitely a point where I decide what to put on the internet for the sake of MY kids privacy…and you are free to disagree but I chose these photos very carefully. And yes, births are gross…all of them…I’ll work on conquering the whole ‘sneezing-out-a-baby-surrounded-by-flowers’thing…when I master it, I am selling the technique for MILLIONS 🙂
xo – kb
Yes…I can’t believe people actually think I would post a photo of poop. And I really can’t believe that people think I would post that and then not talk about it if it were poop. Don’t you people know me at all?! 🙂 I think it was part shadow…part stuff that comes out with the birth..old blood maybe? tissue? I don’t know. Births are gross. The only thing I do know is that Jeremy told me that if I did poo right next to his arm, he wouldn’t have had romantic time with me again…and believe me, that’s been on like donkey kong 🙂
xo – kb
Jeremy and Me and Lori! It was a joint effort 🙂
xo – kb
Aww congratulations! I am so excited for you! You will do awesome!
xo – kb
He’s the best 🙂
xo – kb
Yay! Congrats girl!
xo – kb
oh man…my problem was moving my legs back together! haha!
xo – kb
Absolutely amazing story!! SO nice to hear an amazing birth story in comparison to all the horror stories I’ve heard. Love you and your little family, thanks for making me tear up reading this! ;-D
He said you guys are pretty great too 🙂 I’m pretty lucky to have both him and Megan in my life…I’m glad you got to enjoy them for a day.
So, waiting for the final installment of this story was killing me, but it was SO WORTH IT!!! I love this….I cried through like the whole second half. Such a beautiful story!! Thanks for sharing Katie!
Katie,
I just finished reading Will and then Weston’s birth stories – and I want to thank you for the encouragement I found here today. I am 34 weeks along and we are so excited to welcome our Baby Girl next month – but I have struggled to admit my intense fears regarding labor and delivery and how to reconcile those with the expectations I initially placed on myself and sometimes still feel from others. I have a couple medical challenges that complicate things and discourage me at times. The honesty in your posts, your willingness to lay your heart out for all of us to see and relate to – just, thank you. I know the hope I found here today will come with me to the hospital next month. 🙂
Blessings,
Katie
Oh my gosh!! I have been wondering for SO long if you got your VBAC!!! Couldnt be happier for you! Congratulations!! What a great doctor you have! An OB who will support a VBAC is a difficult thing to find!
Katie, thank you for being so candid and who cares if there was poop in the photo. People need to lighten up. Child birth is so beautiful but the reality is that it is also pretty gross. The fact that strangers are commenting on the privacy of YOUR children is crossing the line.
They were so fun. I hope they understand how nervous I was!
xo – kb
Aww I am so flattered. Serious blushing going on.
xo – kb
Oh man…did you check different dollar stores? I know that sometimes the Dollar Store is different than Dollar General or Dollar Spot. And if all else fails, I think sometimes they carry them in the dollar aisles of Target.
xo – kb
I think that would be fun! I’d definitely write about it sometime.
xo – kb
I guess the normal way…we made a list of all the different names and waited to see how we felt about it. Then when he was born, we decided for sure what it would be. Is that what you were asking?
xo – kb
We had a few different names all with different meanings to us and then we waited till he was born to really decide.
xo – kb
I completely agree that all birth photos are gross – I was certainly not trying to critize you for having a bloody birth, whatsoever. And yes, the statement about googling weston’s birth might be a bit of an odd statement. That’s not exactly what I meant. I was simply stating that, here I’ll do it now, the first thing that comes up when I type in “Weston Bower” is …. “Bower Power Weston Bower Birth Story” it’s definitely out there for everyone to see, find, and obviously, disect. Of course future friends/girlfriends/potential bosses/college admissions officers aren’t going to specifically google “Weston Bower Birth,” but I can 100% guarantee that they will google them and obviously this will come up. I get that you and your family choose to have a very public lifestyle, including putting your street address in a mailbox spruce up project, and if that makes you feel safe, than more power to you. Maybe small town Georgia communities aren’t impacted by the crime the rest of us in the US feel.
I hope your experience is everything you hope for!
xo – kb
It was Jeremy, me and Lori. I usually set up the camera for him and let them point and shoot 🙂
xo – kb
They told us pretty immediately after finding out but they were keeping it on the DL because he is not due till the end of June. I told her that I would wait till he was half cooked…so that’s part of the reason it took so long for this story to come out…because her fainting was a big part of Weston’s big arrival!
xo – kb
I suggest setting up for Aperature mode and let it fly. If you have the ability to post process, you could set it for RAW instead of JPEG and edit it later for lighting. Hope this helps a little!
xo – kb
Beautiful story, thanks for sharing! Who took all of your photos during delivery? I am trying to figure out who I want in the room with me documenting the process 🙂
I had Jeremy and Lori take photos…and some were taken by me from the bed 🙂
xo – kb
Yes. More than likely, Weston will hate certain things online…and if he ever verbalizes that to me, I would not hesitate to respect his wishes and remove it. And I definitely think that in many years to come, blogging will be no more…and that will be the end of the site (and photos and stories that involve blood and afterbirth and embarrassing situations). I do live in a weird balance between public and private…but the point of this story is to encourage others who are struggling with infertility, csection fears and just overall delivery stuff. It is a hard topic to talk about because so many folks have different levels of what is appropriate…so I just pray that everyone extends grace to me because I am definitely not perfect!
xo – kb
Beautiful Katie! I love hearing birth stories!
I just had my first (a little girl) back in June, and my birth story is almost exactly the same as what happened to you with Will. I was going for the natural, no drug route, and ended up with a c-section after stalling at an 8 for 8 hours. I’m already thinking about a v-bac for #2 when the time comes. I know that this is extremely personal, but are you thinking about or would you consider doing a post comparing the two experiences? I realize that no birth is exactly the same even if you did it the same way, but I don’t know anyone else who has done a v-bac and I’m just so curious to hear your thoughts on the two experiences in general…. such as the difference in healing and recovery, the ability to nurse right away, the skin to skin contact, the difference in being medicated for so long during the c-section, and so on. I know that you can do many of these things with both routes, but I am sure that they are different.
Either way…. CONGRATS to you and your family!!!! 🙂
I have a totally serious question to ask, and I am slightly embarrassed to ask it, but..what was the smell? I read the thread that said it wasn’t…ahem…number 2, so…yeah.
Haven’t had babies yet, like to learn stuff.
I think blood smells bad…my sister had terrible smelling blood too…and we used to joke that it was the smell of life. I’m sure that nothing up inside of you for nine months can smell good.
xo- kb
I’m a few days late to reading this, but thanks for some happy tears on a Saturday morning! Having documented this story is going to be such a great gift to Weston when he’s older. You’re such an inspiration for all that you went through to have Weston and this story makes me SO excited for when my husband and I decide to start a family of our own. Thank you so much for sharing and congratulations again on your new bundle of joy!
You are amazing!! What a beautiful story and what a BEAUTIFUL baby!
you gave birth to a toddler!!
do not read 9 months +5 days pregnant. sob. so delighted for u katie.
What a lovely story. I love birth stories so much, but I think it was my 9-week pregnancy hormones responsible for all of my tears.
When I had my son two years ago, I remember watching my daughter (then 2) meet him. There just isn’t a better feeling in the whole world. Congrats. 🙂
Totally made me cry! My little man will be 11mo this month and the day he was born is still so fresh…I wish I could relive it over and over again! It took us 2yrs to conceive and it just makes it that much sweeter!
awh katie..so glad for you guys! I’m glad you got to have that healing and joyus birth and so many lovely pictures! You give me hope for my one day (some day) VBAC. I have 2 pictures with my son after the c-section, I was so drugged up and traumatized goin between the NICU and my hospital room that we didn’t have time to even think of pics. Was bonding and nursing much easier this time around?
From one Katie to another, I am so glad you got the birth you wanted!!! But how the eff are you sitting crossed leg the next day? I had a 9.1 pound baby boy, and couldnt cross my legs for WEEKS. (TMI, I know)
PS- LOVE Westons name! and Congrats to your still expanding family!!!
I’ve never actually commented before, but I have to thank you so much for sharing this. I am pregnant with #3 and hoping/praying/longing for a successful VBAC. I had an emergency c-section with my twins after laboring for a LOOOONG time. Reading your story is empowering. I started crying as soon as I saw the first photo of you holding Weston… that face is exactly what I long for. Thank you.
Night and day difference. I am so thrilled with experiencing both!
xo – kb
Haha! I heard some other girls say this…I had a hard time with the opposite! Don’t ask me to put my knees together…it was torture!
xo – kb
I am a long time stalker…in the best way possible of course! I couldn’t help but comment on your beautiful words, photos and family. I love you guys more each post I read xx (in a totally geeky, but non freaky way)
Yes, a big help! I figured I would have to do a bunch in post :). I’m using cs4 as well, love your Tuesday tips! All the best to you and the Fam!
Hi Katie!
Thank you so much for sharing this story–what a blessing! My first was delivered via emergency c-section and I’m am hopeful that our second will be a VBac, thank you so much for sharing and giving me the reassurance!
Alex
I think I can read this story 400 times and still get teary eyed. What a beautiful story! It takes me back to the day my little girl came into this world. I’ll never forget the first time I held her, it’s my favorite memory of all time! This makes me want to have another one. Your family is so sweet and beautiful! What a big boy and you are a champ for doing it VBAC! Thank you for sharing.
Maegan/Katie- I’m in the same boat. We had our first, a girl, back in June 2012 very similar story to Will’s story I labored 20 hrs natural, but had severe swelling of the cervix, a tilted uterus position and sunny side up. Even after an epidural to relax my body and reduce swelling it just wasn’t in the cards for us, but I felt complete peace about getting the c-section. My husband and I took a Bradley class prior to our first so I’m hoping with the second ( not pregnant yet) that a vbac might be possible. I’d also love to hear a comparison post about recovery if you’re up for it. Thanks!
What a beautiful story. And to have pictures each step of the way-awesome! I have been so unsure about whether or not to have a second baby, and this totally makes me think we should.
I happened upon your blog recently.
I happened upon a birth story that changed my life.
You see, up until now I have been terrified of birth. I want to be a mother more than anything, but the birth process just happens to be one of my worst fears in life. This is partly due to the fact that I lost both of my parents at the age of 18 and now at the age of 28, I feel so alone in the idea of taking pregnancy/motherhood with a mother to ask any questions to.
But your story was so honest and that was refreshing. It covered all of the emotions with grace and God. That way, I could see the whole truth (the good and bad of what happens to your body) and I could also feel strong enough to endure it all because of the love.
You have shown me that love really is enough to get you through. And that every last part of it is worth the end result.
Thank you for being 100% yourself in this blog and sharing it with the world. What a gift you give you readers by doing so. You are changing lives!
I absolutely loved this Katie! Congrats sounds lame because I want to say so much more, but I don’t have the words. You guys are the best and have such a beautiful family! Thank you for sharing your story!
I am 38 weeks along as of today and PRAYING for this baby to come soon (also my second). I have to admit that thanks to you, every time I wash my hands after going to the washroom, I’m secretly hoping that my water breaks! lol
This was a beautiful story – thank you for sharing. I am about 3 weeks from meeting my 2nd baby. Unfortunately, I have been on hospital bed rest for the past 2 weeks and will have to stay here for the next 3 weeks until he is born. This means that my plans for a possible VBAC are out the window, but your story has been so inspiring to me all along. Thank you for sharing! (and for keeping me entertained during this crazy time in my life!)
Good job mama! THIS is all kinds of good:-) Love the natural bond between brothers: facial licks and all! xoxo
I’ve been waiting for part 3! Thanks for posting. I followed your journey on Instagram and hope to have my own VBAC in 3 weeks. I have a little boy just a little younger than Will, so I always identify with your parenting posts. Well done, mama!!!
Wow, Katie. Not only are you an amazing writer but SUCH an amazing woman. I am so glad you got this happy ending. This was such an emotional birth story to read along with. Your pictures are amazing and full of love. Congratulations, again!
Wow! Very graphic and very beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes…gorgeous little (?) guy!
What a beautiful story! I’m so happy for you and Jeremy and Will and Weston to all be together! Congrats on your sister being pregnant and props to her and Jeremy taking great pictures 🙂
Aw Katie!! So sweet! My daughter’s birthday is 11-18-11!! 🙂 Weston is so cute! I read about Jeremy being laid off as well. My husband was laid off for a while a few years ago, it was hard but we made it. He’s happier than ever about his job now.
So happy for you and your family! 🙂
Boy, were you fortunate to have a competent conscientious obstetrician…I imagine most would have given you a c-section in a minute! A baby that big is obviously hard to deliver and sunny-side up is darn near impossible…my first son was also two weeks late and sunny-side up…so different than the comparatively easy birth of my (bigger) daughter 10 years later.
Did we know your sister was pregnant before this installment of the birth story?!?
Yes! We found out pretty much the week she found out…and she asked us to keep it hush hush till she got past her half way point. That is why it took me so long to publish this…
xo – kb
Such a sweet story. I’m sitting at work crying at my desk reading it because it was only 7 months ago that I experienced this same joy watching my almost 2 year old meet her baby brother. Such an amazing time. You just want to push pause and soak in every moment. Even now, I’m transported to that hospital room. Thanks for sharing your story. Your boys are so precious!
Katie – I’ve been waiting for Part 3, and it made me so happy to read this! Going through infertility is so. freaking. hard. and no one talks about it, so it’s hard to find the support you really need. After trying for 2 years for our first and then giving up and stopping all medical intervention, we recently found out that we’re pregnant! No one could be more surprised than I am – I’m still pinching myself and hoping that this little one sticks.
Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your struggles, stories, and joys. So happy for you and your growing fam! 🙂
Amazing story!! Congratulations on your successful VBAC! I only wish more doctors were willing to attempt one.
Thank you for sharing your story. I love birth stories, and yours was especially gratifying because of your successful VBAC (didn’t work for me, so unfortunately I had three C-sections) and Weston was born on my birthday! My eldest daughter (first C-section) had her first child via C-section last summer. We are praying her next delivery will be a VBAC.
I am 12 weeks pregnant and I’m naming my baby Colette if it is a girl after my husbands middle name, Cole. It was so sweet hearing how much you loved your nurse, Colette 🙂 you don’t hear the name much anymore.
Hi Katie! I found this story online and thought of you. It’s your doctor 🙂 He sounds wonderful!
http://www.atlantabirthcenter.org/2012/04/my-birth-story-michelles-triplet-vba2c/
Hello!
I recently wrote a post about how i am wanting to have a vbac this time around with baby #2 (our daughter was breech so i had to have a csection..& i was heartbrokes) & someone left a link to your blog as a comment, & I am so happy i looked it up! Reading your story has me so excited to do this vbac! It is possible & you have given me hope 🙂 Thank you so much!
Hey Katie,
As I am about to birth a toddler sized baby any day now with the hopes of a VBAC, you give me much hope! I predict, like you, I’ll be 2 weeks late at least. I was 3 weeks late with our first and I’m certainly a bit discouraged to know that it is likely my due date will come and go and I’ll have to wait, but I do have have hope.
How did you deal with the stares and comments. I’m not a sensitive person when it comes to pregnancy and weight, but at this stage in the game I want to yell that I know I’m huge, I know I look like I should’ve given birth last month, I know I look like I’m having twins, I know it’s all belly…I know all of this, I don’t need to be reminded over and over and over again. 🙂
Again, thank you for your encouraging story.
~Heidi
haha…you will be great I am sure…even if the waiting might kill ya 🙂 and yes, I sequestered myself at home because I didn’t like the stares and comments either…although it was kinda comical to answer “I was due two days ago” because then people looked at you with fear in their eyes 🙂 Some of us just like to cook babies longer! At least we don’t have fear of premature complications, right?!
xo – kb
I have loved reading your birth story. My Son was born this January, 13 days over due. I labored 29 hours, only to end up with a C-section because I wouldn’t dilate past 6. I’m going to do a VBAC for our next one (hopefully!). But I’m nervous the same thing will happen. So thank you for sharing your story.
Do you have a link to Will’s birth story? And I couldn’t find part 2 of Weston’ s.
I do! Go to our About Us page and then click Will’s very own page…it’s on there. And you can always search for “birth story” in the search box and find all the birth story links.
xo – kb
FYI, I’m still pregnant & have sequestered myself in the house and on the couch…I keep repeating to myself ‘I trust you Lord, I trust you Lord’…he will come, he has to. We do like baking kids longer and soon our son will have a brother to play with!
So, randomly enough, while in labor, I thought of you. If Katie Bower can do it, so can I 🙂 I had a successful VBAC this past Thursday. He was 9lbs.
Thank you for your inspiring story, it certainly helped.
Ahhh this makes me cry in a good way! I am so happy for you and your family. I unfortunately had to have my 2nd c-section in January… I had been hoping for a VBAC, but alas! I am glad to read about a happy wonderful birth story. xoxo!
Both of my labors were very long and slow. I wanted to go natural, but after 40 or so hours my body just couldn’t relax anymore. I kept thinking how so many people that i know would go 6 or 7 hours and they would be done, and all the stories of people who didn’t even have a choice of an epidural because their labor progressed too quickly. After all was said and done, as I was praying about it and talking to God about how differently my body behaved than the “norm”, I realized that I was so lucky that everything worked out the way it did. All of the procedures that I went through that were so frustrating because I wanted it to be natural saved my life and both of my babies’ lives. Years ago with the same complications things would not have turned out so well. I consider my whole family incredibly blessed and every day with my boys is literally a miracle. Thank you for sharing your story.
I remember being in the hospital with Noah (his birthday is 11-11-12) reading your blog hoping you would have a safe delivery. Crazy to think I’ve been following you for more than 2 years. Love these November babies!