Great is Thy faithfulness

(I have tried to finish and post this blog post for quite a few days now, but I happen to have the cutest little boy at my house and I can't seem to get enough of him! I want to spend all my time loving on him!) 

 Our sweet Parker James Davis

A few months back I shared the story behind our pregnancy and how the Lord cares for even the smallest details within our life. Well, if He cares for those small details that seem to go unnoticed by others, He most definitely cares about those life changing moments, when the world stands still and everything else falls away...much like the birth of our sweet Parker James Davis.

| Great is Thy Faithfulness |

Let's start back from the top...

From the beginning, the hand of God has been on this little boy's life. From the timing of finding out we were pregnant after months of discouragement, to the smallest of details, such as being able to surprise my family for Christmas (something I've always wanted to do) and being able to tell Bryson on his birthday that he was going to be a big brother (something he continually asked for), the Lord orchestrated the most beautiful story...and it doesn't stop there. He's still writing, and I know He has mighty big plans for this little boy. His faithfulness is constant. 

When there was a chance that Parker's arrival could fall within a week that Bryson was not with us, the Lord worked out our delivery date to fall within a week when Bryson was with us, meaning he was able to spend a whole week with his baby brother. Not only was he with us and Parker for a week, but because of the way the summer weeks and restarting of the school year rotation fell this year, we had him the day of his meet and greet with his teacher (had Parker on Tuesday, came home from the hospital on Thursday and went to Bryson's 1st grade meet and greet on Friday afternoon--nothing like this crazy, beautiful, nonstop life we live- haha!) and we also had him for his first two days of 1st grade. He was able to walk in with his little brother for his first day...our whole family was together and my heart was beyond full! 

| Great is Thy Faithfulness |

 

Now on to the day of delivery- As far as the birthing process went, I had everything planned out the way I wanted it for his birth. I am pro drugs...for all those mamas out there who plan to have their babies all natural with no meds, more power to you! I am not one of those...I don't see the benefit of suffering if I don't have to, but that's just how I see it. As soon as he was here, I would instantly have him on my chest for that "golden hour" of skin on skin and begin feeding him so that he would latch easily and naturally. Bryant would also be there to hold him skin on skin on his bare chest, allowing their precious bond to begin. (I think I was looking forward to those moments the most.) I don't even know why people have birthing plans in the first place...you know it's never going to go according to plan!

Labor started out as normal at 5am on July 28th. The contractions weren't anything that I imagined them to be. I guess I had heard of how horrible they were going to be & I had conjured up something much worse than what I was experiencing. Finally at 6 centimeters, the nurse advised to go ahead and get the epidural. Another piece of the labor process I had imagined being much worse than it was. I didn't even know I was getting the numbing shot and before I knew it, the anesthesiologist had the epidural in and I was back laying down. After a little while, when I thought the contractions would begin to fade, I realized I was still feeling it all. The pain wasn't horrible by any means, but I thought the contractions would fade as the medicine kicked in. The closer it got to "push time", the more I realized something...I was feeling every bit of this labor. I remember telling my nurse, "I'm numb up here (my stomach) and I'm numb down here (my legs), but I can feel everything in between." After the 3rd dose of epidural and nothing changing it was clear I was about to start pushing with no meds. I would love to say the worst pain I experienced that day was pushing him out, but I had no idea what I was about to experience. Once he was crowning, I guess he decided he didn't want to come out any further. Dr. Simpson asked for the vacuum and placed it on his head. Still, Parker didn't budge. I don't want to be too terribly graphic within this post, but due to the urgency of getting Parker out, Dr. Simpson had to do a 3rd degree episiotomy, which normally would be fine and many women have these done...I just didn't have the meds that keep most women from the pain that comes with the procedure. It was then Dr. Simpson realized that my epidural had failed and I was feeling everything. There wasn't much that could be done at that point...our main priority was getting our baby here. I remember looking over at Bryant, asking if what just happened truly happened and began screaming for help at the top of my lungs. I thought my body was going to shut down. 

At 4:25pm, on July 28th, our miracle was born. Parker James Davis entered this world weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces and perfectly healthy!

| Great is Thy Faithfulness |

After Parker was out safe, they immediately injected my leg with a pain killer to help with the pain. The problem was, because I was bleeding so much, so fast, Dr. Simpson couldn't wait for the pain to subside to begin stitching. He kept saying "baby, I'm so sorry. I can't leave you like this. It's too dangerous to wait."...once again, I felt every stitch. I remember thinking "my heart is going to stop from this pain!" I think for a few minutes, I blacked out. Next thing I remember, I heard his cry. I saw my husband looking at our beautiful baby boy. I remember reaching out to feel my son's fingers grasp around mine. It all became worth it...worth it all. 

 

| Great is Thy Faithfulness |

[This is my favorite part of the story] Thursday morning had arrived and both Parker and I had been released to head home. Maci, my sister, had our cart full of bags (I tend to overpack a little lot), Bryant had gone downstairs to grab the car and I was holding Parker as the nurse wheeled me out. As soon as we reached the bottom floor and exited the elevator, I heard an old, familiar tune. In the lobby, there was a pianist, a very talented musician, playing one of my all time favorite hymns. 

"Great is Thy faithfulness. Great is Thy faithfulness. Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needeth Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me." 

My eyes instantly filled with tears. I went back to a time, about 9 months ago, when Bryant and I were in Birmingham for Thanksgiving and I held baby Bryce (Bryant's cousin's newborn) my arms, singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" as he fell asleep (that story is laid out in this blog post if you care to read it). I remembered telling the Lord that my heart's desire was to have a baby, although He knew that well. I remembered turning over that desire to Him in that moment, trusting that He would give us a child in His timing. I didn't know at the time, but as I sat there rocking that sweet baby, singing of my God's faithfulness, I was pregnant the whole time. He had already answered that prayer...and oh what a joy that answered prayer has been! 

Our answered prayer, Parker James

As I was passing the pianist, he looked up and smiled, slightly nodding his head. I wish I could've stopped and told him what it meant to me for him to be playing that specific song at that specific time. I looked down to the little miracle; I was holding a promise in my hands...one the Lord had given to me many years ago. The Lord's faithfulness laid sleeping in my arms. 

| Great is Thy Faithfulness |

Funny story: When my dad first held Parker, the first words out of his mouth were this: "Park, the Braves called and they want you to sign, but I think we need to hold out for the Astros" (my dad signed with the minor league Astros after college, so deep down I think he'll always pull for them). This shot couldn't be more perfect for Parker's Big Daddy. 

It doesn't just stop there. The Lord gave me the most loving, compassionate and caring human being as a life partner, soul mate and lover. Bryant never once left my side or had to step away, even when some of the nurses were struggling with what was happening within the delivery room. He has held me up, literally, when I was too weak to stand. He has carried me to the bathroom and to the bed when I had no strength. He has been the very best care taker and has once again exemplified the love of Christ through his love for me and for sweet Parker. He has been the most amazing father to Bryson and Parker! To say that I am blessed to have him as my husband...well, those words just don't give him enough credit. I am proud of this life we have built together and I am so thankful for his unconditional love. 

Parker loves laying on daddy's chest

This past week has been the most beautiful and unforgettable experience of my life. The faithfulness of my King was painted on the beautiful canvas of life right before my eyes. We now have the honor and responsibility of raising our beautiful baby boy to come to recognize and trust in the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. What a beautiful life I've been given! 

 

| Great is Thy Faithfulness |