Isaac Daniel Stromwall

Born March 12, 2012 at 11:23pm

7 lb 13 oz, 19.5 inches

On my due date, March 11, Nick and I met up with my mom and dad to walk around Lake Calhoun.  I walked about ½ way and slowly jogged up and down a few flights of stairs.  Was really trying to take advantage of gravity.  I thought I would for sure be waiting another week or so for him to come, but my water broke at 2:36am!  The excitement and anticipation of our baby came over me in a wave as I rolled over and tapped my hubby- “Nick- we are going to meet our baby!  My water broke!” I was a little nervous, the pain of childbirth was coming and there was no turning back.  My body would have to surrender to this whole experience- yikes!

We texted our parents and called our doula to let them know the big news.  From 3-6, I tried to sleep as much as possible and tried to let Nick sleep too, but the contractions were already 3-4 minutes apart and getting stronger, and all the signs indicated I was in for a day of back labor.  I needed Nick to put pressure on my lower back/tailbone area through every contraction.

Many women have stressed the importance of eating a big meal during early labor because of how long and tiring labor can be, so at 6am we called my mom.  I was craving a spinach chicken salad (of all things!).  We asked her to come over and make the meal because I needed Nick to be with me at all times because of how close the contractions were.  I decided to try the bathtub to relieve some of the low back pain.  This was one of my favorite parts of the day because it was spent with my sweet mom.  I’ll always treasure it!  Rain was gently falling outside as dawn was breaking, softly lit candles arrayed the bathroom, and I sat in the warm tub for a few hours.   While Nick got the car all ready for the hospital, my mom sat next to me beside the tub and rubbed my back with every contraction. Mom and I talked between each contraction, and when I would stop mid-sentence, mom knew to apply pressure to my back.  We had a great “early labor” rhythm going until about 9am, which was time to head to the hospital!  Only 4 blocks away, we weren’t too worried about getting there.

My mom rubbed my back in the car during contractions, and we were there within 4 minutes.  Mom dropped Nick and me off and took our car home and awaited, with my dad, the arrival of their first grandson!  Nick and I walked inside Abbott’s doors around 10am.  Our doula, Karen, was on her way.  We had gotten to know her this whole year through childbirth classes, and to have her as our doula was a huge blessing!  We checked into the birth center, and I was 4 cm dilated.  This was the beginning of 22 hours of sweet, painful and yet endurable labor.   Karen showed up, and we were delighted to have her there!  She was absolutely a life-saver the entire day.  She offered so many different forms of pain management throughout the long day.  She just gently sat with me rubbing my back, my hands, my feet, switching on and off with Nick.  She encouraged me every hour along with my sweet hubby!
Since Isaac had been posterior during most of the third trimester, I had a feeling I would have at least some back labor.  I confess that what I’ve heard about back labor made me pretty fearful of it.  But, really the pain is manageable if you have an incredible birth team!  Nick and Karen were absolutely amazing!  My attitude was very much- lets do this!  I can bear this pain with God’s strength, my body was made to do this.

We settled into our labor room.  I have never felt such an incredible calm and peace.  Rain was falling outside, we had some candles lit, and my favorite CD- Hidden in My Heart- a lullaby journey through scripture, was playing every second of my labor.  As I labored, I could hear promises of God encouraging me all the while through these songs as I leaned on every ounce of Nick for strength.  I wept through some of the songs overwhelmed with God’s love for me and overwhelmed by the death Jesus endured on the cross so that I could be comforted in my suffering.  He went forsaken so that I never would be.  I was overwhelmed by his grace and nearness to me, and the whole day was so worshipful!

For a long while, the most comfortable labor position was to wrap my arms around Nick’s neck and burry my face in his chest, squat and move in circular motions.  Something about the gravity effect of that position really helped move things along.  Next time we checked, I was dilated to 6 cm.  Contractions grew increasingly more painful, more intense.  I became more and more concentrated and in the zone.  I spoke in one word phrases.  “Back… wall… bed… bathroom…”  I could really only squeeze out one word to communicate what I needed… I closed my eyes and focused intensely during each contraction.  I remained really calm through most contractions, almost like I was sleeping, taking deep breaths, holding hands, leaning on Nick and Karen for strength.  When I was about 6 cm dilated, I needed to try something that would help my low back, tail-bone area.   This was a fun part of the day.  It was around 6pm, and we had the nurses fill up the labor tub.  Which is kind of like a big hot tub.  Nick put his swim suit on, and we both got in. The warm water, combined with Nick applying pressure to my back was so relieving.   I blew bubbles in the water through each contraction.  This is where the contractions became closer to unbearable. I began to feel hot and cold and like I was going to vomit.  Karen sat gently beside us holding a lovely blue bag for me to puke in.  I puked a few times, but it was so relieving!  As the pain began to feel worse, I knew the closer we were to meeting our precious son!

After a few hours, we got out and headed back to the labor room.  Contractions were one on top of the other at this point.  They checked me again, and I was at 8cm.  This would be my deepest hours of pain and dependence on the strength of God and my husband and doula.  I didn’t go one moment without holding two hands, weather it was our nurse, Kate, Karen or Nick.  I felt an incredible urge to push with each contraction.  I would move from the toilet, to the bed, to walking around, getting a bit desperate.   During each contraction, I began speaking some kind of jibberish!  “jashajasha, joo joo joo, pa pa pa, ma ma ma,  wa wa wa wa…” Whatever came out of me, I just went with it.  It really helped!  It was funny because when the contraction would leave, I “came to” and confessed to everyone in the room, “I sound like a crazy woman!  I don’t even know what language I am speaking!  Karen, do you think I am crazy?  You guys, I am crazy.”  We all managed to laugh!  Karen and Nick continued to tell me I was doing amazing (how sweet to the new mama!)… even though I was sort of having an out of body experience at this point.

[Nick] Katie was doing amazing! I would describe labor thus far as worshipful. I was so impressed with how Katie took each contraction as they came, and relied on God’s grace to help her manage the intensifying pain.

[Katie] Then I couldn’t really bear to be on my feet any more.  Gravity had done all its work, and my strength to stand was gone.  I got on my knees on the bed and hung my arms over the back.   I began to wonder how much longer I could take the pain.  The nurse decided to check me again.  It had been 2.5 hours since the last check.

[Nick] She still was at 8cm the next time she was checked. At this point she had pushed a little bit and the cervix was inflamed. The doctor (which was an awesome doctor) said we should probably opt for a epidural at this point so Katie’s body could relax and the final opening of her cervix could be completed. After 20minutes the doctor still had not showed up with the epidural. As I sat there holding Katie’s hand, I felt helpless. The one I loved so much was in incredible pain, and I couldn’t help her. There was nothing that I could do.

I remember praying Lord, you created this baby, surely you can open Katie’s cervix all the way. After I prayed that she had a series of three huge contractions that sounded like TRex.

God answered the prayer! As the doctor with the epidural was walking in, the Nurse and Doula looked at each other and said, “Those contractions sounded different … I wonder if we should check one final time.”

She was checked one final time and was completely effaced. She was ready to start pushing to get the baby out. He was already sitting really low so the doctors thought it would be a quick push most likely…”

[Katie] So this was a day of extremes.  I was extremely discouraged when I was still at 8cm.  Then I was hit hard with three of the most intense contractions I’d had all day.  I’ll never forget this moment, it was full of a power I cannot describe.  When they decided to check me just one more time, the anesthesiologist was standing in the doorway with the pain meds I was ready to gladly accept.  But here we went from one extreme to the other when our nurse Kate yelled, “You’re a 10!  Push!  I can feel his head!” The dr. came flying in.  Everyone grabbed my hands and it was like the days when I use to be in cross country and I was running towards the finish line… everyone cheering so intensely.  They all coached and cheered me on, and it was exhilarating!  “I can see his head!” exclaimed Nick.  “Do you want to feel your baby’s head?”  asked Kate.  I reached down and felt his tiny sweet head, and then the next contraction was absolutely the mother of all contractions, and I pushed and groaned like a “T REX” and then next thing I knew they were pulling my baby onto my chest!  I heard his little cry for the first time, and it was the most incredible feeling of delight and joy!  After 22 hours of labor, I was glad to only push for 15 minutes!

I wrapped my hands around my little babe and kissed his tiny head and fingers.  I could not stop kissing his little hands and crying tears of joy.  22 hours of anticipation and intense pain and team-work made this moment quite emotional for Nick and me.  In our arms, finally, was our precious son!

I had a slight tear, so the Dr. began to stitch me up but I was too elated with joy to even notice.  Kate propped him up, and I looked at his face for the first time.  I remember proclaiming … “Isaac!  This is Isaac Daniel!”  Everyone in the room was overjoyed.  “He looks like Nick!”  Looking up at Nick seeing tears roll down his face was a really sweet moment.  Meeting our son was the most incredible feeling of joy!!

Isaac Daniel Stromwall was born on March 12, 2012 at 11:23pm. He was 7 lb 13 oz. and 19.5 inches long, with blue eyes and a full head of dark hair!

God was so gracious to us and so faithful throughout our whole pregnancy journey, which many of you know, has been a long road with all the sickness early on! My husband was amazing beyond words, I could not have done it without him!

Today, Isaac is one month old and doing great.  We can’t contain how much we love him and how joy-filled our last month has been as a family of three.

We have so much to learn, but we are finding that God’s grace is like ocean waves crashing into the shore… just one wave of grace after another for every new moment as parents, and it is an endless supply.

 Isaac Daniel Stromwall, we love you!!!

“Mam, you’re gonna have a baby!”

“You havin’ that baby tomorrow?”

“You are HUGE!”

“Are you PREGNANT?”

“Excuse me, you have a baby in there!”

“Friday is my birthday.  Tell him to come on Friday!”

“LABOR.  TOMORROW.”

Lol…I don’t know what’s been more awkward… the comments or not knowing how to respond?  Either way, its made me smile all week.  People say the funniest things to pregnant ladies.  Thankfully, I have accepted the fact that I’m “huge” and  don’t feel offended in the least.  My babe is in there!  I am so excited to meet him soon!

I’d say he’s put on a few pounds since we last blogged

Loving:

Grapefruit

Sweatpants

My husbands T Shirts

Nesting

Walking in my neighborhood

Spending time with girls on the campus before the babe comes

Dates with the hub

Seeing new Grandparents Excitement

Coffee dates with mommy friends

Reading baby books

Feeling baby’s elbows, arms, legs and  hiccups

My husband’s steady heart and reminders of truth when I have waves of fear 

We took a prayer walk around the lake and talked.  Praying is always followed by liberation from fear and anxiety.  God is with us as we start out as new parents.

I guess there was SOME snow.  But hardly!

Hubs made a fabulous fire!

“Be still, and know that I am God…”  Psalm 46:10

My heart and mind have been challenged tremendously during pregnancy to believe God’s promises to me.   Here are some promises that have been really sweet to meditate on over the last 7 months.

When I fear the pain and unknowns of labor and delivery, I am promised…

“fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

- Isaiah 41:10

When I fear if the strengths and personality God has given me will be useful as a mother, I am commanded…

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

- Joshua 1:9 

When I have been weak and sick and unable to help with much or meet the needs of others, I am promised…

“But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, formy power is made perfect in weakness.”

 - 2 Corinthians 12:9

When I fear losing the flexibility and lifestyle of life without children, I pray for strength to believe…

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”

- Philippians 3:7-8

When I am tempted to compare myself with other pregnant women or mama’s, I am gently rebuked…

 ”Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

(Jesus rebuking his disciple Peter when he compared himself with his fellow disciple John)

John 21:22

That rebuke Jesus gives to Peter reminds me that he has a unique and specific purpose for me as a mother.  He’s not calling me to be someone else or to walk through someone else’s experience.  He’s calling me to be an authentic mother dependent on Jesus in my own skin, strengths and weaknesses.  What freedom there is in that! I am thankful for the truth that because of Jesus, all of God’s comforts and promises have been freely given to me!  When I finally surrender all of my anxieties and fears, I can trust in him and rest.  What I love about all these promises is the reminder that I am not alone.  I am not stepping into this new season un-helped, unequipped, or without grace.  I have been given everything I need in Christ alone to walk through a place I haven’t ever been.  That makes me excited and expectant of his help towards me in the days ahead.

I will take the liberty to show off my started- AND COMPLETED- projects!  (To complete something I start is not always a personal forte for me

Ta da!  Here they are!

These little airplanes were like 50 cents!  I bought some cheapy cheap paint and painted them… it was so much fun.  I am most proud of the paper-mache framed Initial “S.”  This one was the most messy and the most daunting.  I was truly shocked that it turned out.  I do have 2 other framed initials (first and middle), but I am not revealing them yet because his name is a surprise to be revealed on his birthday.  And the earring holder I can’t take credit for… I got the idea from my dear friends Emilie and Lydia.

Anyway, I guess in the dead of winter when its freezing out and your 7 months pregnant, its kind of nice to sit inside and be crafty.  This week my mom is coming over to make curtains with me out of some fabric I found at the salvation army!  Once you get the itch to create, its hard to stop

]]> http://www.katiestromwall.com/blog/2012/01/14/the-itch-to-create/feed/ 2 http://www.katiestromwall.com/blog/2012/01/09/what-im-cookin-this-week/ http://www.katiestromwall.com/blog/2012/01/09/what-im-cookin-this-week/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:04:02 +0000 admin http://www.katiestromwall.com/blog/?p=2210 Continue reading →]]>  Eggplant, Zucchini, and Tomato Tian

Here’s the Recipe!

My First Turkey…

Ever since Thanksgiving I have been craving more turkey.  But I’ve been a little shy about making one since it seems so complicated.  Tomorrow will be my first attempt… wish me luck

Turkey Soup

Assuming my turkey survives… I’m going to try to make broth from the bones and then make this turkey soup recipe!

The reason I’m blogging the meals I’m making is because my husband and I are working on “jobs” right now.  He’s putting primer paint on the walls in our downstairs bathroom, and my job was to “make a meal plan for the week.”  But I found I have no real system to making a meal plan, so I thought… why not just blog it… then I can have it there in front of me if I forget what I was going to make and also include the links to these recipies I am trying.  Genius, I know.

I cannot wait to feast on some turkey and mashed potato goodness!!  I’m really hoping I like the veggie dish… may have to add some secret ingredients to make it taste the way I like.  By secret ingredients, I mean butter and salt  Which is actually recommended for pregnancy… I’m ok with that!

Here I am at 31 weeks.  So 9 weeks to go!  The past month has been a whirlwind.  We flew to Chattanooga, TN for our CO National Conference, which was amazing.  That will have to be a whole other blog post.  But baby and I made it through, though I have to say we took more naps this year and skipped a few sessions.  We are getting to that point.  With only 2 months to go, I’m finding my energy getting zapped a lot more quickly!  I was so proud of my hubby, he worked so hard along with tons of other resource staff to plan and organize the entire conference.  I don’t think any of them really slept the entire week!  Its really fun to see my husband’s gifts be a blessing to so many people.  He’s a great leader, and I am so proud of his cheerful attitude even during a really physically tiring week.  At the end of the conference, we had a U of M share time with students.  One student from the U of M from Korea said that he became a Christian at conference, and that he cried when he talked to God for the first time and felt his real presence.  I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room as we rejoiced with this friend!  As we flew home, Nick said- “To hear that one student came to know Jesus, I would run myself ragged all over again.”  I’ve learned so much from my husband and the resource team.  They give so much of their time and energy, and even though a lot of it doesn’t get outward credit- they serve joyfully because by organizing and planning conferences, etc. – college students can come and be blessed by hearing the good news of the grace of God!  At 31 weeks, I am overwhelmed at the blessing our boy will have in his daddy.  And as far as the third trimester goes- CAKEWALK compared to the first.  All the little uncomfortable things feel like NOTHING compared to the first 4 months!  Being huge, tired, uncomfortable and constantly hungry is such a blessing!!!!  At least I get to be all of these things without constantly vomiting! Hallelujah!  And getting daily foot rubs from Nick- not so bad either.  :)

Happy New Year, Friends!

Here’s a pic from Christmas eve at 28 weeks!

]]> http://www.katiestromwall.com/blog/2012/01/08/28-weeks/feed/ 0 http://www.katiestromwall.com/blog/2011/11/29/25-weeks/ http://www.katiestromwall.com/blog/2011/11/29/25-weeks/#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:49:10 +0000 admin http://www.katiestromwall.com/blog/?p=2175 Continue reading →]]> Well, here we go!  3.5 months until I’m. a. MOM.  I can’t believe how fast this has gone by!  After eating about 20 variations of Thanksgiving dinners in the past 5 days, I’d say baby grew a bit.  At 25 weeks, I’m feeling for the most part great.  I do have about 2 hours a day of nausea and usually 1 unfortunate day a week of pukey.  But hey, its not bad at ALL compared to those first 4 months!  Baby is also kicking me like crazy.  Legitimate kicks.  Yesterday his Grandma Julie bent down and said hello, and he kicked!  Something funny is that he kicks NON STOP when we travel.  In CA a few weeks ago and this past week in WI.  Over TG, my belly was protruding with little movements from all angles around Grandma Jane and Grandpa Dick! No matter who you are, if you talk to him, he moves- I love it!  I am treasuring this season.  It is quickly going to evolve into an entire new chapter of my life, and I’m just taking it one day at a time. I’m enjoying spending lots of time with my sweet hub talking, reading, praying with him and beginning to take some birthing classes.  Its a precious time to just be still, linger in the quiet moments and wait.  I’ve also been enjoying asking my mom and Nick’s mom all about their labors and deliveries.  Consider me a sponge around experienced mama’s.   There’s so much to do in the next three months, and yet God is gently reminding me to calm my heart in a season that could otherwise be overwhelming without the peace he supplies.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10

Love,

Katie and ???

 (We’re so excited- we have a name chosen for our BOY, but that’s going to be kept a secret until he arrives!)

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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