Everett David

 

Everett David Larson arrived February 7, 2015 at 1:30 in the morning.  I should note that my due date was the 8th, and I had a scheduled induction for the 12th.  I could not have been more thrilled with the way our sweet boy arrived as I had never experienced laboring at home or having my water break naturally. 

 

The afternoon of the 7th I began to feel as though I might possibly be in the early stages of labor; however, I was 1) hesitant to believe my contractions would pick up and 2) anxious as to whether or not I would know when was the right time to go to the hospital.  All of that became clear when at 10:30 pm my water broke while I was resting on our couch.  It was just the thing I had been praying for...confirmation and certainty that this was going to be the big night! 

 

We literally sprang into action, calling our good friend from church to take the night shift with our older three, and proceeded to make our way (for the last time) to Meriter Hospital.  I cannot tell you how comforting it is to have a husband in medicine during moments like these.  After parking in his reserved stall, he wheeled me right up to triage, navigating all the right halls and pressing all the right elevator buttons cool as a cucumber.  We spent some time in triage before moving to labor and delivery for the main event.  I have never been one to labor quickly, but I'll just say that we arrived in our room just before midnight and our sweet boy made his way into the world at 1:30.  I've been told that describing my last labor as "fun" is an inappropriate way to describe what happened.  But in all honesty and the INTENSITY of labor ASIDE, it was such a wonderful experience to have labored at home, experience my water breaking, and transition so quickly in labor.  To quote my hubby, "That was fast...and awesome."  I never expected to meet our son before my induction date, nor labor so fast, and for that I'm grateful.  I will always treasure the special ways the Lord answered prayers that night and for the unique story our little caboose has.   

 

7 pounds 13 ounces, 21 inches long

"famous" crop of Larson locks atop his perfect head

 

And, suddenly we were a family of six.  Three blue-eyed babes and one brown-eyed girl.  Tiny noses all the same, full cheeks, and bright eyes.

 

I was smitten.

 

 

For what seemed like days, when in fact it was probably closer to thirty hours, our precious babe did not have a name.  We arrived at the hospital with a short list and got hung up on two names for hours...and hours.  "Can we please name him?" I begged, ready to address him properly and forego "Buddy," as fitting a name as that was for our sweet boy.  We created T-charts discussing the pros and cons of each name choice, asked nurses for their input, and finally invited other family members into the discussion (looking back this was our mistake).  Until at last we knew...

He was Everett {hearty; brave} David {beloved; honoring Jeff's father}

 

Jeff and I enjoyed each and every minute of our hospital stay, soaking in the many private and quiet moments with our new son.  We streamed hours of "The Americans" stopping only long enough for Jeff to pick up take-out from some of our favorite spots around town, to be monitored by the wonderful team of nurses responsible for Everett's and my care, and for a few precious introductory visits by loved ones. 

 

I hold each and every memory of Everett's delivery close to my heart recognizing the gift that he is and the blessing of his safe and healthy arrival.  I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for our brave and beloved boy.