Monday, November 12, 2012

Honor's Homecoming

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Let me introduce you to the newest member of our eternal family:

The lovely, the beautiful, the peaceful, the cheerful

Honor Ivy Christensen
Born: November 7th, 2012 at 6:24pm
10 lbs. 5 oz.
22 inches


There is so much that I'd like to tell you about what this means to me, but I don't think words can express the gratitude that I feel to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to bring this little piece of heaven into our lives.  In all respects, it has been a true honor!

The birth was amazing.  We were blessed and watched over in every way.


She came very quickly, and we were a little surprised by her size, but more surprised when the nurse said that her length was just 20 inches...You see, all my kids were 22 inches at birth...so yesterday I remeasured her, and she's much closer to 22 than 20...so there's a little revisionist history at play here!  She's a 22 in my book! :)

For being 10 lbs, she was actually my easiest and quickest delivery.  Three and a half hours of labor and 3 (or so) minutes of pushing, and she was here, in our arms...ours forever!  What a treasure!


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I was also blessed to be surrounded by a few trusted people who also respected the sacredness of the moment!  My husband, who did a great job of helping me through the harder contractions.  My friend Sarah who is a trained doula who supported me emotionally and did a great job communicating my needs to the medical staff.  My midwife Bonnie, who mostly stayed out of the way, but who also moved quickly to release the tension of the cord which was wrapped around Honor's neck as she was coming out.  The very, very green medical student JT who was just in awe of the whole process--it being his first birth, who I'm sure never imagined a woman in labor would have so much to joke around about, and who also caught the baby.  Cindy, my labor and delivery nurse, who talked and laughed exactly like my mom's best friend, and whose laid back demeanor also allowed me to feel at ease, and just focus on the task at hand.  

(Oh, and I shouldn't forget to mention Dr. Stankiewicz, who is also a member of our ward, who saw me in the office that day and ruled that I was too far dilated to keep walking around town, so he sent us to the hospital...I was dilated to an 8 by the time we arrived!)

Now, we're getting long here, but I'll share two more sweet moments. 

Honor was so quiet for the first few minutes, probably getting over the shock of the quick delivery, as was I.  Then as I held her in my arms, she let out a cry, "Mmmmmma!"  I'll take it!  Her first word was "Ma!" :) And she did that again two more times that night...Ma! Ma!  Love it!

After a regular stay in the hospital, it was time to go home on Friday.  I dressed Honor in a "going home" outfit.  And I told her, "We get to go home now!"  Her face broke out into the biggest smile...her first smile actually.  And we got it on camera (It's the picture at the top of this post!)

Honor knows what it means to be Home, and she was as happy to return to that peaceful, familiar place as we are to have her here with us.

She's a Daddy's girl...but for the record, her first word was "Mmmmma!"  And I've heard her say "Ma" three times already!  (just for the record... :) 

  Thanks to everyone for your love, support, and emails asking about our baby girl!  

All is well.

39 comments:

  1. What a fun experience. Can't wait to meet Honor!

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  2. Congratulations! She is beautiful! I thought my boys were big! I'm happy that you were blessed with a quick, safe and easy delivery!

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  3. Congratulations!! So happy for you guys. What a doll. :)

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  4. Congratulations! What a beautiful name too! She is adorable and I am so glad you were blessed with a speedy and safe delivery. And thanks for sharing her beautiful picture with us all who read your blog.

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  5. Congratulations on your new little one!! She is precious!! I LOVE her name, knew you would find something wonderful!! I hope you have a speedy recovery and enjoy all the new baby snuggles!!! Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful news with all of us!

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  6. Congratulations!! She is beautiful and we are happy for you and your family!!! YEA!!

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  7. What a blessings for the entire family...much love and joy for many years to come.

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  8. Its so nice when every one is finally HOME together. Glad all went well!

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  9. Thanks for sharing! Nothing is as joyful as the creation and delivery of a new life. Think of what that means for eternity; I look forward eagerly to the blessings. So glad all is well for you and yours.

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  10. Wonderful, wonderful!!! Mazel tov to you and your family-- she's so beautiful! :-)

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  11. Awesome! She looks so healthy and happy. And why wouldn't she be? She really lucked out coming to such a wonderful family. So happy for all of you!

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  12. Beautiful blessing! She is beautiful with a beautiful name.

    Brenley

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  13. I absolutely love her name! How unique and special. What a great post! The birth of each of my children has always been a great spiritual experience. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

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  14. Congratulations!!! That is so incredible!!

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  15. Honor knows the word HOME cuz she heard it so often in utero. of course she'd smile. She heard Guy's letter to her and knows what she's to become in that HOME.

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  16. Oh, I have been waiting for this post! Congrats Congrats Congrats!! She's darling:)

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  17. Congratulations! She is a beauty!

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  18. Congratulations on a beautiful little girl. :)

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  19. She is gorgeous! Congratulations and I love the name!

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  20. Congratulations! She is beautiful. I love her name.

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  21. I love the feeling of heaven that surrounds birth. Wishing you a blessed babymoon.

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  22. Wonderful news! Enjoy your sweet blessing from heaven.

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  23. What a big, beautiful baby!
    Congratulations all around!!

    =D

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  24. I'm so happy for you that you got your little girl here safely. Wow what a big baby! I'm glad you had a great support group and that you could even catch your own baby. How neat! I'd love it if things went that way for me next month when my baby comes. ( : If not, oh well. She is such a doll and her name is really sweet.

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  25. So very beautiful! And, perfect pictures!

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  26. She is so beautiful. She does have a precious smile. Blessings to you all; I loved all your thoughts on this one. I am so happy that your sweet baby is here safe and sound. Now all you have to do is protect her from little one's hands at home. With our last baby, I had to put a playpen upside down to protect her head from the not so gentle pats given by her loving sisters.
    Hugs!

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  27. Congratulations!!! She us beautiful.

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  28. So sweet! Congratulations to all of you!!

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  29. Congratulations!! What a blessing! She is beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures and hearing how she will be absolutely adored by the other kids. Enjoy!

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  30. How sweet-love her name, enjoy every moment-she is a blessing to your family!

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  31. so so sweet. congratulations on a beautiful new baby. nothing like it!! So happy it all worked well.=)

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  32. Congratulations! She's beautiful! :)

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  33. I am in tears, and so happy for you. Thank you for sharing this sacred experience with all of us. You made my day.

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  34. Congratulations! I read your blog frequently, but have never posted. I just wanted you to know that I so very much appreciate your blog... it is one of the few that makes me feel like it is possible to be a better Mom, not just overwhelmed. I wish you and your sweet family much love and joy. Your sweet baby is so beautiful and so blessed to be a part of your family. It couldn't have happened to a better Mom!

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  35. congratulations my friend, i'm glad that both mommy and baby are ok. She is very beautiful. You and your husband are wonderful parents. Love you!

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  36. I love this Jocelyn! My third baby was born in such a similar way! He came so quicky that we hardly had time to get to the hospital. I had all my babies naturally as well and understand the need for a wonderful, supportive husband and team. My "little" guy weighed 10 lbs. 3 oz., so I can relate to a big, healthy baby. He was, and still is, the sweetest, calmest most content little guy. I always say it's because he's just glad to finally be here, in our family, on earth. There's nothing like bringing home these little treasures from heaven. Enjoy her, as I know you will!

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  37. What a beautiful (big!) girl! How exciting for you!!!!!!

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  38. I know I'm late, but - WELCOME, HONOR! :-) What a lovely name. I hope you are all settling in alright. Congratulations on your beautiful new arrival, Jocelyn!

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