Our new baby boy – Part Two, Travis Walker

So, here we were five days after my supposed due date, and still no baby. Just a really, really big baby bump. (and, actually, this picture was from about 2 weeks earlier, so yeah….I was so ready for baby to come)

Early Monday morning, April 30th, I woke up earlier than everyone else, went downstairs and made some tea, had a bite of pie for breakfast (it was healthy pie!) and read my devotional. An hour or so later, everyone else was starting to wake up, and I was starting to not feel so good. I went back to bed to rest, and started noticing a few contractions. But – I didn’t want to make a big deal about it, after the previous false alarms I wanted to be completely sure this was the real deal. At 8:45 am I started timing contractions, and I texted our midwife, Sheryl, that something might be starting. I timed until 9:15 am and contractions were 3 & 4 minutes apart, fairly strong. At this point Jordan texted Sheryl and said she had better come. She left her house immediately, and only lives 15 minutes away – but before she could get here, I almost felt like I could need to push. About the time Sheryl arrived, I was headed downstairs to get in a hot bath (with Elsie’s birth I was in the bath during the middle part of labor, and it was SO nice) – she told me that if I went and got in the bath now, I might just have the baby there. At that point I really didn’t care, I just wanted the relief and comfort of the water, so we all headed down to the bathroom.

Sheryl checked vitals, and everything looked good, baby was doing well. After a few moments contractions were getting stronger and more painful. Sheryl checked dilation, and said I could push baby out whenever I wanted. Around this time my water broke, and contractions were getting unbearable. Finally, with two strong contractions baby made his entrance into the world at 9:56 am. Sheryl exclaimed that he was a big baby, and he certainly felt big as he was placed in my arms. Jordan told everyone his name-

 Travis Walker.

After the kids got a look at their new sibling, we headed upstairs and got comfortable on the bed. Travis got to eat a bit, and everyone started to get turns holding him.

Then it was time for him to be checked, measured, weighed, etc. I knew he was bigger than my previous babies, but when the scale said 10.lbs 7 oz, I was shocked!! Also just so thankful for God’s care of us – such a big baby and no tearing or difficulties with birth seemed like a miracle to me.

Happy rest of the day getting to know our big boy and lots of snacks for mama. (having a baby makes me so hungry, lol!)

Daddy time. Also – Travis looks EXACTLY like Jordan.

He’s such a happy boy – he started smiling the very first day, and hasn’t stopped since! I’ve never seen such a smiley baby!

Alan was absolutely thrilled to have a brother. Long before we were ever pregnant with Travis, Alan had been asking God frequently at supper time prayers to please send him a little brother. His exact phrase was “Please, bring baby boy back”. So sweet. These two little men will have so many adventures together!

So – here we are now a family of six! I can’t imagine existing now without knowing our sweet Travis man. So thankful God decided we needed him in our lives. My heart just about bursts every time I look at him. So far he has the sweetest, happiest personality, and will smile and coo endlessly as long as anyone will talk or sing to him – he loves his people, and we love him!