Skyler has landed

This is my first blog posting and I though I would start it off with the arrival of our second child. She finally made her unveiling. Skyler Sierra Knapp was born on July 13th 2009 at about 4:57am. (I really don’t know the exact moment I held that beautiful little baby in my arms but I do remember hearing the chime of Jeff’s grandmother’s clock ring 5 shortly after I was holding her.) Skyler had a wonderful birth. The contractions began around 1pm on the 12th. They were short, infrequent and uneventful. So we walked all round downtown Salem. It began to get cool and windy. So we headed back to the car and went for a drive. A thunderstorm moved in and soon it was thunder, lightning and pouring rain. The contractions were still uneventful so we kept on driving; we drove to a wildlife sanctuary to watch the storm roll in. Around 5 we made our way back home. The contractions were getting constant so we got set for a night at home. We even had a few friends over to knit and watch “Flight of the Conchords” We sent them home about 10…who knows how long this labor would be and we thought we’ll call them back over when it gets exciting. Valkyrie went to bed and the rest of the night was a bit of a blur. I remember when we called our Midwife Pamela and her apprentice Laura, they were over about 11. The house was quiet we had nice music playing, candles burning and low lights, it was beautiful! The hours slowly past each one progressing just a little bit more, it was turning out a lot like Valkyrie’s birth, easy but long. Yes I said easy. To me birth is natural, not painful…yeah a little discomfort but every contraction was helping me, every moment was me experiencing me. I looked forward to each new phase, like a runner trains for a marathon…after so much prep and training you think ”yeah come on, bring it…bring on that hill, I can do this.” Jeff was there by my side the whole time, coaching me along the way. I do remember being tired, and feeling this night was so long, I wanted to take a break and finish it tomorrow after 8 hours of sleep. Jeff advised me to get up and walk, so I did. He walked me into the girls’ room and pointer out the window to where the early light of morning was approaching….dawn. He said “look outside baby, do you see that…that is morning approaching, she is almost here, you will hold your baby before morning.” Then BAM!!! The urge to push hit me; into the bathroom I ran and called out for Pamela. Jeff rushed to get Valkyrie who was stirring from my primal labor sounds that came from deep within. There we were the 5 of us crammed into this tiny hall bathroom. I gave literally 5 pushes and there she was…in my arms. This beautiful tiny body, Skyler was here! She was a healthy 8 lbs 4oz and 20 ½ inches long. I did it! It was amazing, a wonderful birth. I never did get a chance to call our friends back over, it happened too fast. I sat there holding my baby girl for awhile, taking in this breathtaking moment.

Well it’s been 2 weeks already and man is time flying or what. We have been out and about with the girls a lot in these 2 weeks, to art fairs, shopping, parks, and even camping. I’ll keep you posted as our adventures begin…….