Jonah’s Journey…

Jonah Brooks Brehm was welcomed into this world at 10:38 pm on Monday, June 13th at 36 weeks gestation. Weighing 4 pounds 11 ounces and stretching out to 18 inches, he is a second small addition to the Brehm family … although his impact on our lives has already been enormous.

If you’ve followed my blog, you know, I am often quite frank regarding my views on being a mom, and I try my very best to be completely candid in recounting the tales from the trenches. So, in keeping with that trend … I must say, Monday was one of the most magical days of my life. And I’m not even being facetious. I can’t think of another word to fit.

So here’s the jist on Jonah’s journey to join our family.

After getting the word that it would be go-time for our little guy, we were admitted to St. Elizabeth’s on Monday morning around 10 am. After experiencing a nearly 36 hour laboring process with Barrett {who was also induced at 36 weeks}, Adam and I hunkered down for the long haul. I received Cytotec around 12:30 {Cytotec is a pill that is used to assist in thinning out the cervix. This pill is placed on the cervix and then dissolves}. After one round of Cytotec, I began having regular contractions and I began to progress on my own {YAY!}. Jearlyn checked me at 4:30 and told me she wanted to break my water … Adam and I were shocked … we questioned could we have in the next 24 hours? … Yes… in fact, we could have this baby by 10:00 tonight she surmised. So, water broken, labor progressed. I asked to be checked to assess the epidural situation {with Barrett’s birth, I had to get to 4 before I could have the epidural … which took about 28 hours}. After check, I was 80% effaced and 5 and a half cm dilated. I was thrilled and while the laboring hadn’t been unbearable at this point, I requested the epidural. By

the time I got the epidural, I was 90% effaced and 7 cm dilated. By ten o’clock, I was complete and ready to push. Those are the facts.

A few details:

– I hate to admit it, but the pain was way more tolerable than my first birth. I actually felt like I might see Jesus during my laboring with Barrett … this time, I was very calm. I mean, it’s not as if I’d rather labor than go to the dentist but it was much less terrible.

– I thought of Barrett throughout the entire labor. I think it that made it easier to get through … not only knowing how perfect Barrett is, but knowing that the pain was “worth it”.

– After I received the epidural, I got the shakes… which I’ve heard of before but it just felt realllly weird. I made some inappropriate jokes about having Parkinson’s {I make jokes when I’m anxious. I know that Parkinson’s is no joking matter} and they went away very shortly after delivering but it was sort of bizarre.

The minute they yelled it’s a boy, I loved him. I can’t even explain it. It was an all-encompassing feeling that the world was now just a little more right than it had been before. After delivery, I got to hold our newest baby boy … and I got to hold him for a good half hour at least before they took him away. It was unreal. As Jearlyn told me the next day, one of the nurses said “She’s still holding him and we haven’t checked his weight or anything yet, should we start that process?” … and Jearlyn told her “No. She didn’t get this the first time. She always knew she’d missed something but she didn’t know until now how great it was”. {even typing it makes me choke up}.

Jonah’s birth was magical. The tears this time were those of joy and calm … with Barrett, there were so many tests, so many question marks, so many concerns, my tears were those filled with fears and uncertainty regarding the health of our child. We were prepared for everything(ish) and had to deal with nothing and so, the day was actually peaceful {of note, my sister-in-law wished me a peaceful birth and I thought she was coo coo for cocoa puffs… and she proved me wrong}. I would do it all over again.

What’s in the name?

People have asked about the name. We were down to four when we arrived at the hospital and then quickly to two — Jonah or Reid. After a couple hours of knowing him and having a little alone time with our bug, we decided Jonah fit him well {and it seemed to be a clear favorite of Barrett’s beforehand}. After choosing Thomas {Adam’s middle name} for Barrett, we threw Brooks {my middle name is Brooke} on the list of possibilities and went with it for the final choice. So, Jonah Brooks he is.

And, Jonah Brooks is also HOME! We’ve been discharged and home for one night. I will soon post regarding our frenetic feeding schedule but for now, we will take advantage of his serene state and catch some ZZZ’s.

He is perfect. Just like his brother. The Brehms are full of bliss.