Many Answered Prayers

While I was pregnant, I had many prayers about the delivery and our baby. Now that Zach is here, the Lord has really answered our prayers in so many ways and we are thankful!

Prayer: I would have a short and relatively pain-free, natural delivery
Answer: My contractions started at 6:00 pm and I gave birth at 6:47 am. Technically, I guess I was in labor for 12 hours and 47 minutes. However, my contractions from 6:00 to 11:00 pm were not painful, so I don't think they really count ;) I would count labor as time spent in the hospital, which was around midnight. So I like to say I was only in labor for 6 hours and 47 minutes. That is pretty short to me, considering how some people are in labor for 20+ hours! In terms of pain-free. I was already dilated to 4 cm before I even went into labor and had any contractions whatsoever. The fact that I was basically 1/2 way there before it even started was an answer to prayer. I was able to give birth naturally with no drugs or medications- so answer to prayer!  In regards to the pain-free, when I told my sister in-law, Tessa that I was praying for that she gave me a little laugh. Tessa, now I know why. Labor is anything but pain-free, but it was a huge answer to prayer that I was fully dilated after only being in the hospital for 2 hours.

Prayer: A healthy baby boy
Answer: Zach was a very healthy boy! He scored a 8/9 on the Apgar scale. He never had any jaundice coloring or complications.

Prayer: A cute baby with hair
Answer: I think he is the cutest baby ever. I know all parents say that about their own children, but he is seriously so adorable. Justin even said we can objectively say we have a cute baby because many nurses commented on how cute he was. Yes, I prayed for hair and he was born with a head full of dark brown hair ;)

Prayer: Breastfeeding would go smoothly, that he would latch on right away and that I would not have any pain.
Answer: The first day he was born, he would not eat at all. He knew how to suck because he would suck on his fingers, but had no desire to eat. The nurses said that was pretty common the first day. By day two, he was finally eating. He latched on right away with no problem. I have not had any pains or cracks or anything. I bought soothing pads and the ointment and have rarely had to use them. Just this past week I did have a plugged duct, which was painful! but with more prayer and heat it was unplugged within a day and did not get infected.

Prayer: A happy baby
Answer: Zach is a very happy baby. The first couple days he was a little cranky, but that is just because I think he was hungry and I was waiting for my milk to come in. Once he got the food he desired, he was happy. He has a very low-pitched cry. He sounds like a little lamb and sometimes even snorts (so cute!) He doesn't cry too often, just when he is hungry. The rest of the time he is very content. However, the last couple of days, he has been a little more fussy. I am praying that it quickly passes and he returns to his low amount of crying soon!

The Lord even answered prayers that I was not aware of....

Answer: A 9 lb. baby boy!
One of my biggest fears of having a baby was the newborn phase. Newborns have always been so delicate to me and I was afraid to handle them or hurt them. I feel like the Lord answered this fear by giving me a 9 lb. baby. Since he is so healthy and hearty, and don't get me wrong, I am still very delicate and gentle with him, but he has some heartiness to him that makes me feel like I don't have to walk on eggshells.

Answer: Justin's flexible job.
Before Zach was born, Justin actually applied to new jobs for financial reasons. All those doors were closed and he is still with the job he has had for the past couple of years. Now, with Zach here, it is an answer to prayer that Justin has this job. With being on call, Justin is able to be at home until he gets a call. He is actually at home a lot more than someone who works a 9-5 job. Because of that, Justin is able to help me out A LOT more and have special daddy bonding time with Zach. Justin usually takes Zach for a couple hours in the morning and gives me more time to sleep. It wasn't until last week that I fully had a day home with just me and Zach.