Thursday, March 19, 2009

New Life

I am confident that there is no experience like it.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to witness a baby being born and oh my goodness was it incredible. One moment there are seven people in the room, and all of a sudden God reaches down and adds an eighth body.

Let me just say he is healthy, darling, sweet, soft, snuggly, and big. He and his mama are doing just great.

It all started early Sunday morning. Montoya and her daughter (close friends of my family through church) had been staying with my brother and me at my parents’ house for the week prior to his birth so that we could help out and be there if anything were to happen. Nine-month-pregnant women have no business living alone! My parents were off on a trip to Florida they had planned months before, and I had long planned to be in Grand Rapids for the week anyway. The timing worked out really well, and we had a really fun week together.

We headed to the hospital at 3am Sunday morning, and after a long day of labor beautiful baby Aiydan Shawn-Paul was born at 9:14pm. 9 pounds, 9 ounces, 19 ½ inches long. Completely perfect.



There was something so beautiful about seeing a brand new baby with his mama. The hard, painful work was over and they were finally chest to chest. She looked down at the little person, testing out his voice for the very first time. There was an instant bond between them, and a her part a deep, fierce mama love. It is no wonder that the relationship between mother and child is a metaphor used in the Bible to describe God’s intense, unending love for his people.

As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;

Isaiah 66:13

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!

Isaiah 49:15

For me, it was a new glimpse of God's character and his vast, ceaseless love for His people. Entirely beautiful and pure and sweet.


Big sister Aiyannah was SO proud.

A few minutes old, with his "Auntie Jessie."

As sweet as they come.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Now you can understand why labor and delivery was my nursing choice! You are absolutely right on all counts, there is nothing like being at ringside for one of God's very best miracles!

Laura said...

What a beautiful baby! How wonderful that you were able to be there and witness it. I remember being there for my first nephew's birth and all I did was cry because I felt so close to heaven. It's more powerful beyond description when it's your own child! The whole process of creating life truly is a miracle.

Chrispy Critter said...

Life is such a miracle. We got to hear the heartbeat of my little grape on Monday. I felt so close to God. I can't wait until it is your little angel!

Erika said...

So true, there is nothing like it, Jess. Congratulations to the family. What a beautiful baby!

Jenni S. said...

I love those verses you chose. Sounds like a truly beautiful experience for you and your friends!

Short Stop said...

I think it was your grandmother who posted on fb about how proud she was of you for doing this.

Your character is reflected so profoundly in this post - and in the love you poured out in being part of this time in Montoya's life.

What a sweet, sweet little baby. Oh, to hold a newborn - nothing like it!