SHE IS HERE!

 

June 26, 2024
SURPRISE! We have a new baby GIRL in our family!

Sable Marin Birt

 Born June 24, 2024 at 1:32pm weighing 6lbs 14.8oz and 19.5 inches long. Absolutely perfect.

I am sitting here writing after nursing her. We are already home as of last night which is amazing. She is beautiful and perfect in every way. I am just so thankful for the ways God knit her together and that He knew our family needed a girl.

I went in Sunday night, June 23^rd and started Cytotec. I was planning on a non-medicated birth (for pain) and no epidural. I had practiced breathing, positioning on the ball, and brought a comb to squeeze. My mom came around 8a and it was really special to get to hang out with her for a while as I was in the early stages of labor.

My dad sent me this picture of the sun shining through our big tree on Brighton's Hill this morning:) Going to be a good day!

My nurse was amazing and was dedicated to helping me achieve my goal. Around 11:30a, I was feeling so much pain and was just getting tired. She asked if I wanted to be checked (maybe I would be further along and it was boost my confidence) and it turned out I was 7cm dilated! She helped me into a position on the bed where I laid on my side with my top leg hanging off the edge of the bed. I did this for 3 contractions on each side while she applied pressure to my back and Kyle prayed over me and encouraged me. She told me this was a magic position and it was! After 6 contractions, I had moved to 9cm dilated!

My doctor then came in and she was great in allowing me to be in whatever position I wanted and told me I was in charge of pushing when I felt I needed to. This had not been the case in my previous two birth experiences. I ended up pushing for 45 minutes because our baby’s head was face up and tilted to the side, so I had to work really hard. But at 1:32p, Sable Marin was here and immediately on my chest, crying and so beautiful! I just felt like a lioness. My birth raw and primal.

After a few hours of skin to skin and a successful nursing session, Lassen came in and finally got to meet his baby sister! He was so excited and had brought her a little book that he showed her. He was so happy – redeeming moment for sure! Thank you Lord! Then Lassen went out to the waiting room and told all of his grandparents that it was a GIRL!

Thankfully everything went great and we were able to come home the very next day. I can’t imagine life without our daughter.

July 21, 2024

Sable has been in our arms for four weeks tomorrow! Time has flown yet we have been really intentional with our time too. She is still very petite but growing. We have had so many friends come meet her and bring us meals. Just such a different experience from when we brought Lassen home at the start of covid. We have been to church twice, went hiking in Brown County, eaten out, and spent a lot of time as a family.  

First hike around Ogle Lake in Brown County

Lassen loves “his baby” so much and is just the best big brother like I knew he would be. It is still just so incredible that she is here.

Oh, and her name! So Sable is a place we loved up in Michigan when we went last year…Sable Point. Crazy thing is, Kyle’s sister was in Michigan on vacation when I was in the hospital having her. The day we had her, they were at Sable Point! And we had never told anyone our name options! Marin (Muh-rin) is my favorite place I used to run in California. The Marin Headlands. Just north of San Francisco along the coast. Beautiful trails on the cliffs of the Pacific, dipping down to hidden beaches with stunning wildflowers.

So now, we can visit all of our babe’s places that they were named after.             We will have some great trips!

Lassen: Lassen Peak in Lassen National Park, CA. Kyle and I hiked it on July 5, 2016 in 8 ft of snow!

Brighton: We went on our honeymoon in Utah and went to Brighton, UT.

Sable Marin: Michigan and California.

Stacey Fishel, who took Brighton’s photos, came and took Sable’s newborn pictures which was so special. The ways God has brought people into our lives and we have been able to share in His goodness…

She looks so much like her brothers

Sable’s birth was so redemptive in a multitude of ways from both of my previous births and I am so grateful. I had nurses and doctors who respected my desires for a med-free birth. My blood pressure stayed low throughout. I was able to keep moving throughout my labor. I stayed calm and confident in my breathing. I didn’t have bad language (I screamed a few choice words with Lassen and hated that). My body did what it needed to and I felt empowered to trust that. My sweet girl got to be skin to skin right away. She latched and fed well. We got to go home the very next day! Thank you Lord! What a gift.