Jane Evelyn’s Birth Story

If you’ve been following along on Instagram or read my blog post sharing that it was baby day here, then you probably know that our sweet Jane Evelyn was born on Thursday, August 6th. Just like with her sister, not a day has gone by that we have not felt grateful for her life and humbled to be her parents. What a precious, precious gift and constant reminder of God’s goodness in our family story. Today I wanted to take a moment to share her birth story with you.

Planned C-Section

We knew I was having a planned c-section due to having an emergency one at 34 weeks with Ivy Jean (read her birth story here). It was so interesting leading up to the date knowing the exact date and time we would meet our daughter. Honestly, I really liked that part of the c-section because it made planning for Ivy Jean’s care during COVID much easier. It also allowed us to know our last days as a family of three and do some special things with Ivy Jean before her sister arrived. I was also able to pack and plan more easily. I shared what to pack in your hospital bag for a c-section here. Since a c-section isn’t ideal, I tried to find all the positives!

Jane Evelyn’s Arrival

We had the best anesthesiologist. He stayed right by me, updating me as things were happening. After feeling some tugging and pulling, we heard the sweetest cry and tears instantly filled my eyes. Our precious Jane Evelyn was here arriving at 7:57 am weighing 6 pounds and 5 ounces. She is literally perfect. Truly an angel baby in all ways. We are praising God for her life and health. I was able to do skin to skin right after delivery while they were stitching me up which is something that I had really hoped for leading up to her birth. After being wheeled into post-op, I got to nurse her for the first time which was also really special.

Hospital Stay

We stayed two nights in the hospital before being discharged to come home on Saturday. I think we could have stayed longer if we wanted, but I kind of asked to go home as I was anxious for Ivy Jean and Jane Evelyn to meet and thought we would be more comfortable there. We had excellent care, but it’s honestly just not that fun to wear your mask all the time. I am so grateful for our doctors, nurses, all other medical professionals, and hospital workers who are front line workers during this pandemic!

Jane Evelyn

Jane Evelyn is truly an angel baby! She is nursing so well, sleeping in between feedings, and is just so sweet and happy all the time. After the way her sister came into the world, our subsequent NICU stay, her preemie status and health issues, this entire experience has just been so different. For example, we never got to have Ivy Jean in our room at the hospital, take photos without cords, IVs, etc. I was discharged before her, so we went home without our firstborn. We didn’t get to dress her for weeks since the clothing interfered with her cords. Looking back, Ivy Jean’s start to life shaped me so much as a mother and parent. I’m grateful for what God did in my heart through our entire experience. Though I would probably still change it so she was born full term, I see so many positives and it is her story authored by Him.

All that being said, much of Jane Evelyn’s birth was redemptive in many ways simply for the normalcy of it all. From being awake during her c-section, immediate skin to skin and nursing, and more. More than anything, we are grateful for TWO precious, healthy girls and to be a family of four. God is so good.

Jane Evelyn and Ivy Jean

Probably one of my favorite things about having Jane has been seeing Ivy Jean respond to her. There have been moments of jealousy for sure that we have had to talk through, but overall she has been the sweetest, most loving big sister. She wants to help with everything and gives hugs and kisses any chance she gets. My heart has been truly overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord for granting me the privilege of being the mother of two girls.

C-Section Recovery

C-section recovery is no joke! I am now almost 2 weeks postpartum, and each day is a little better. It’s definitely major surgery. One of the hardest parts for me has been feeling the limitations of my body in mothering. I keep having to say, “Mommy can’t do that right now” to Ivy Jean, and it literally breaks my heart. I am just not to the place where I can easily get down on the floor with her, bend over, climb our full flight of stairs, etc. I’ve given her my everything for almost 4 years, and it’s hard not to be physically able to right now while also needing to devote a lot of time to her sister. As I share in this Instagram post, I am trying my best to cultivate an attitude of grace towards my body and this season of life in general. Soaking up the newborn snuggles, not worrying about my hair or makeup, and letting my body recover in time. I know it will come.

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