Our Thanksgiving baby arrived early this morning.

I woke up early this morning to my wife saying "Wow! I think my water broke!"

It was about 3:00 A.M. EST. My wife changed her sleeping position and moved to sleeping on her side and had a contraction strong enough to break water.

It took me a while to wake up and realize what was happening. About 30 minutes later came the first real contraction.

"We'd better call the Midwife!"

No, not any of these midwives. Image Source

Yes, it was really happening.

If ever there was a good time to call someone at 3:30 in the morning, this was it.

A groggy, but patient voice asked me a few questions and said to call back under certain conditions. My wife and I observed each contraction and saw they were intensifying each time.

About 15 minutes later I called the midwife again. I think it was then that we all began realizing this baby was coming very very quickly.

But I reminded myself that my wife has 22 hour labors. We have lots of time. I tell myself.

Ok, first things first...

Our youngest sleeps in daddy and mommy's room. I've got to move her out. I scooped her up gently and her little bed and placed her in the girl's room. She became disturbed and began crying.

Oh no, she's going to wake up the other girls.

My oldest started asking me questions. I'm not entirely sure she's awake. I tell her "I think Mamma is going to have the baby tonight." She says... "ok" I tell her, "now go back to sleep." She rolls over.

What next? The pool!

I begin unrolling the pool, clearing out a space to inflate it. Meanwhile, I can hear that the pangs are becoming more intense. When is the midwife going to be here...

I find the right nozzle for the air compressor and turn it on.

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Man this thing is loud! I forgot how loud this thing is. I hope this doesn't wake up the other children. I get it about 1/3 inflated and...

dum dum dum dum dum

It's the sound of little footsteps. My girls know something is going on. My oldest sees the birthing pool and begins telling me about how she remembers the pool from our last birth.

I didn't want her to see her mommy in labor (she was between contractions) so I had her go back to her room.

We're going to need some help with the children.

I abandon the pool project for a minute until I can take care of the children.

My parents are next door and they said if we need them for anything to give them a call. I don't like disturbing them at 4:00 in the morning, but it's time.

I call their house number.
ring ring ring ring

Ut oh. They're asleep. I hope they wake up.
ring ring ring ring "hello?"

Gotta get the children next door.

I scoop up the two of my children (my youngest is still sleeping) and bring them next door. The lights are off and the door wall is locked. It's cold outside and my girls are shivering, I should have grabbed some jackets!

My parents opened the door and I explained what's going on. They are very happy for us!

Now to attend to my wife.

I come back with my youngest sleeping, other girls next door and my wife's labor increasing. I mean really increasing. Are we going to have this baby unassisted?

My wife says "Someone is knocking on the door." I rush to the door and I see the midwife's assistant standing there relieved. She wasn't sure which house it was and didn't want to knock on doors early in the morning.

Reinforcements have arrived!

The next hour is something of a blur. We got the water boiling, I put the pool away (no time for that), get the herbal bath ready. The midwife arrives. We prepare the birthing area.

My wife asks me for some cold washcloths and as I was in the kitchen filling a bowl with ice, the midwife came out from the bedroom and told me "Better get back, the head is descending."

I returned and sure enough, our baby was being born before my very eyes.

Welcome the new baby to the family!

I had the pleasure of handing the baby to mommy. We didn't know the gender until we both checked. Oh the joy when we discovered...

It's a boy!

What a surprise after three girls! I was beginning to wonder if we only produced one variety of babies! My boy has finally arrived!

I got to cut the cord.

I also got to introduce my oldest to our newest baby.

Instant love!

Daddy weighs his new son. 8lbs 8oz (8.5 lbs)

Five fingers, five toes.

Happy Daddy!

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My son received an amazing blessing from my kind friend, may it come to pass according to the will of God!

May Yehovah bless your son mightily, may his knowledge and understanding of the Torah exceed that of anyone in his generation. May he grow up strong and brave and have a heart zealous for Yehovah. May mountains fall before him and may his enemies lay gold and silver at his feet. May your home and his always stand as a refuge for the lost, tired and broken.

Amen and Amen! Bless the Most High!

@ironshield

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This is 32 of 70 of the #gratefulvibes challenge by @paradise-found.

https://steemit.com/gratefulvibes/@paradise-found/gratefulvibes-community-challenge-day-32-attitude-of-gratitude

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Check out the previous Grateful Vibe: Grateful for a good night's sleep.

https://steemit.com/gratefulvibes/@ironshield/grateful-vibes-31-grateful-to-god-for-a-good-night-s-sleep