Updates

Here is our young padawan

who is now a Jedi.

Jesse is such a delight, a very keen and thoughtful girl.

Here is a study in light, by our young artist, dancer.

Rosemary Jane

Rosemary Jane Harper was born at 2:27 on 9/12/09,

Weighing 7lbs 13oz and 20in long.

Korrie called me in from work on Sat. morning, not really wanting to deal with the kids. We knew the time was close, and she had had some early pre-labor contractions that week and again some that morning. Noelle, the new midwife working with Nancy (midwife for our other three) had checked Korrie and she was at a 3 and predicted a weekend birth. So. . .i came home. actually, i

was elated for any excuse whatsoever not to work, especially on a Saturday, but i digress, me and my job is another matter. After i got home, i tended to kids, got things ready, made up our overnight bag, dressed the kids, fixed car seats, on and on, while Korrie worked on finishing up some things for her grant job. Yes folks, she was hurriedly working on the computer while working through contractions, this went on for a couple of hours; "just a couple more things i need to email, just a couple more things i need to look at, i'm almost done." So around 11:30 we left for the hospital after a good walk to the mailbox to make sure things were progressing. . . nothing like getting to the hospital to find out you are only a 5. we're shooting for 8's here people! so we get there, wait in the lounge for a room to be mopped, get the room, fill out paperwork, and finally get checked. . . . . . . . a 6. (and Korrie asks, "is it a 5-6 or a 6-7?" nurse answers, "a good 6-7." Korrie smiles. not an 8, but pretty good)

We are wanting to get to the tub as soon as possible, Korrie relaxes really well in the tub, and Clementine was born in the tub, so we were hoping for a possible repeat. Now it is about 1:30 and neither Nancy nor Noelle are there. The nurse leave the room, and i say to Korrie as i run water for the tub we probably weren't going to get to use, wouldn't it be something if i delivered the baby while the nurses were out, and when they came in i just said, "hey, could you get me a clamp and some scissors?" (Korrie makes very little noise when giving birth, if you recall.)

Soon the nurses come back with a doctor, just in case and we get checked, now at an 8, i estimate about half an hour -- trying to buy some tub time -- and the doctor chuckles and says 10 minutes. Just after they leave, Korrie says she feels like pushing, i look at the nurse and say she's not joking, Nancy comes storming in wearing jean shorts and sandals, and checks to see if the tub is full! But, alas, the nurse shuts us down. Nancy dons the gown and gloves, takes charge of the room, chases off the guy from the lab who wants to draw blood?! and we get down to business. No big details to tell, a couple minor position adjustments, some deep breathing, a good push, readjust, shift, another good push - she's almost out, Nancy coaches, breathe, wait, now push, wait, relax, now push, the head is out, Nancy looks at me and i reach over and grab Rosemary to finish delivering her and . . . to my utter delight . . . Korrie throws back her head and gives a fierce WARRIOR YELL!!!!!!!

i was so proud. she came, she conquered. she's my hero.