Dallas Clay Graber
joined our little family
on July 1, 2013 at 1:02 am
weighing 8 lbs. 9 ozs
and measuring 20 1/4 inches long.
If you’re like me, you love a good birth story. Unless, of course, you are male. They’re more interested in details such as the total hospital bill.
I will share with you our birth story of baby number six – Dallas Clay Graber. However, I will spare you the gory details since this is a public blog!
Our church was holding its annual church campout the weekend of June 28-30. By this time, I was 38 1/2 weeks pregnant and my mother had arrived here in Idaho only a couple days prior. As miserable as I was, I also didn’t want to ruin the church campout for my little family by having the baby too early. Our whole family looks forward to this campout and this year was no different – they totally enjoyed it!
Friday came and no baby, so we packed up to go camping. However, Mom, Wyatt and I came home to sleep since I couldn’t see myself sleeping on an air mattress in a tent at 9 months pregnant. Lowell stayed there with the four oldest and I think he enjoyed himself more than he has for quite a while. I was told he would put the kids to bed and then make his rounds at multiple campsites to swap stories, hopefully they were not about his very pregnant wife.
Saturday came and went and still no baby. However, I must have been looking like an overripe watermelon from all the comments I received. Truthfully, I did not mind the comments – I must be a sucker for sympathy.
Sunday morning dawned bright and early and Mom and I headed back to camp with Wyatt for breakfast and church service. By this time, I had my waddle perfected to an art. And as the temperature kept rising towards the 90’s, my pace got even slower still. By noon, I had reached the desperate point to where I was begging God to bring this child that night.
As church was ending, I began to feel strange and my back started hurting. Because I knew I would not be able to chase down my husband if my life depended on it, I urged him to not go too far. He says I had a desperate look in my eye. Would you like to know his very logical male response? He wanted to know if I could at least wait until after supper.
No problem, honey. I’ll hit the pause button.
After lunch, we all sat around and watched the waterfight – of which my dear husband was once again in the middle. And having loads of fun! However, being almost nine months pregnant and ready to deliver any hour, he received no sympathy from me when hearing the tales of how someone had completely drenched him. I’ll blame it on the hormones that sapped all sympathy from my heart.
By 3:30, I had had enough. I had reached the breaking point. So Mom and I went home with promises from Lowell to come later with the older children.
We hadn’t been home an hour and I knew something was happening. My back began to ache something fierce and at 5:00 I started timing contractions. They weren’t hard yet, but were consistent and getting harder. I called Lowell to come home and he began packing up immediately. I’ve had three labors that took only 3-4 hours, so we were not going to mess around.
The midwives were called and arrived home soon after Lowell and the children. My mom took over the care of the kids and providing food for the midwives while I took myself off to a corner of the house to have my baby.
Contractions were coming every 3-5 minutes, but were not hard or excruciatingly painful. It made me wonder if this was going to be a longer labor. And I was right.
By 10 pm active labor had started with hard contractions coming every 1-3 minutes. Lowell was an excellent labor coach, rubbing my back when I needed it or helping me into the tub. He even asked my permission to make popcorn for Mom and the midwives! Very considerate man.
He was my support when I reached the end of my strength and cried that I can’t do this anymore. That must have been transition because it wasn’t too long afterwards that the midwives said I was fully dilated. Within 15 minutes, Dallas Clay Graber was placed in my arms.
And I wanted to weep.
After losing four babies, I could dissolve into tears when I feel a wet, slippery baby placed in my arms. And hear his squalling wail at the trauma of entering this world.
I love that cry – a healthy, lusty, full-lung cry that has just a little bit of outrage from being forced out of his comfortable home in Mama’s womb.
The midwives look him all over, take his APGAR scores, check his reflexes, weigh and measure him, and wrap him up snug as a pea in a peapod.
In case you’re thinking that looks cold, they have a heating pad under the blanket to keep him warm.
Next morning, Wyatt got to be big brother for the very first time! And he loves it still.
Since the children had all been in bed when Dallas was born at 1:02 in the morning, they didn’t find out until they woke up at 7 whether they had a baby brother or baby sister. They were delighted!
Only hours into his first day.
Mom gave Dallas his first bath – something she absolutely loves to do!
My mom totally spoiled me while she was here. I have a freezer so chock-full of meals that I can’t hardly fit anything else in!
All of our babies have loved this spot on Daddy’s arm. I love it, too! Gives Mommy a break.
And as I kiss those soft, brand-new cheeks my heart bows before a God who can create something so infinitely precious, healthy, tiny, and perfect.
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raisingcropsandbabies says
He is so beautiful!!! Handsome! Adorable!!! Congratulations on your cutie pie!
Cindy Hess via Facebook says
Loved reading your story!! So encouraging as I have 6 weeks to go! Thank you for sharing…God bless your family!
Lezlie Horst via Facebook says
Having just had #4 on June 8, I relate!
Cynthia Overholtzer via Facebook says
being a part of our Maeve’s story has blest me beyond measure. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for the blessed pictures you shared and tell your mom hello from California.
Cynthia Overholtzer says
being a part of our Maeve´s story has blest me beyond measure. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for the blessed pictures you shared and tell your mom hello from California.
Naomi M says
Aww, congratulations! What a sweet little guy. I especially love the last picture–too cute! My little one is 8 months old now and it seems to have gone so fast this time, I miss his newborn days.
Dave N Suzi Weaver says
So Sweet! I can well relate to the feeling of that wet, slippery baby in your arms after you have lost a baby — I wept! Congratulations Kendra! I’m so happy for you!
Rebecca Wengerd via Facebook says
I love a good birth story!:) thanks for sharing!there is no miracle quite like the birth of a newborn baby!
Kristi Yoder via Facebook says
LOVED reading your story! I would love to hear it in all its gory glory sometime! 😉 what a handsome little perfect blessing he is…
Lisa says
I get teary and sit with a goofy smile on my face reading birth stories! So thankful for yours! Blessings!
Danae says
OH How I want to squeeze him!
Sarah Byler via Facebook says
beautiful!! I love your birth story! He is so darling, then all your babies were so cute! and I like the name! hugs!
shannonbulla says
Congratulations, Kendra & family!!! What a sweet, sweet blessing. Birth stories always bring tears to my eyes, and precious Dallas’ story was no different!
Carolyn says
Rejoicing with you–each child is a precious blessing!
Lisa Yoder via Facebook says
He is beautiful !! so glad for you !!
Lisa Miller says
He is adorable ,loved reading the birth story,n all the pictures.
WholeHearted Home says
Congradulations!! So adorably cute!! Rest and take it easy!!
Cara Lorenz via Facebook says
Loved your story, Kendra… but I think the most beautiful part of your post was the photos… what love I see in your family & the ones with Grandma Wray are so special!
Cara Lorenz says
Loved your story, Kendra… but I think the most beautiful part of your post was the photos… what love I see in your family & the ones with Grandma Wray are so special!
Kara says
Congratulations, Kendra! So happy he’s here safe and sound and you’re all doing so well! God is very good. 🙂
Jacinda says
Congratulations, Kendra! I loved reading your birth story and seeing all the pictures! He is so handsome! Praising the Lord with your for making all things well. <3
Proverbial Homemaker (@PHomemaker) says
Just beautiful! Thank you for the pictures. Blessings on you and your sweet family!
Ron and Ivalyn Gish says
Congratulations! Such a sweet and perfect gift from God!
Sanz @ From The Mrs. says
Congratulations! What a beautiful experience! I had my fourth (and first girl) 7 weeks ago. I hate how quickly the time goes!
Val Young says
Mom giving the bath broke me to tears. What a beautiful family!
Kim Adams Morgan says
Congratulations! You have a wonderful family. I’m your “neighbor” on Babies and Beyond. Too funny about your husband asking you if you can wait a little bit. Kim
Kayla says
He’s so cute, just wish i could hold him!
Mrs. Sarah Coller says
So precious! Congratulations to all of you and thanks for sharing his sweet story with us. What a blessing!!
Laura says
Ohh thank you, Kendra! And Grandma G thinks he is beautiful and special as the fifth son-so glad for the close up pictures.
Darlene K. Coning says
Love, love, love a good birth story. 🙂 And what a beautiful bundle of boy he is. I too thought the pictures of Grandma Donna were very special! Enjoy him…
Kelly says
He’s a precious little one! Congratulations <3
Trooppetrie says
what a amazing story. I am new to your blog and have enjoyed looking around. I am 32 weeks with number 7 right now
Jennifer says
My word, he’s just beautiful! Congratulations!
Cheryl Smith says
I just read your story, and it touched my heart! So thankful God blessed you with a new little one! He is so beautiful. I was so blessed by how your Mom came to be with you and took such great care of you. Made me remember when my precious Mom did the same for me when we had our precious baby boy after 12 1/2 years of infertility struggles. Mom gave him his first bath, also. Last year, God called her home to be with Him. I miss her so much sometimes I feel I cannot bear the grief. Cherish your moments with your dear mother! She looks so Godly and kind in the pictures. May God bless you with many more happy years and occasions together! Gods’ peace be with you, Cheryl