God has blessed our family with a son, and brother for Ella Rhys. We welcomed him into this world at 12:59am on October 27th and named him Noah Kai. Noah means peacemaker, and Kai means "ocean" (Hawaiian) or "rejoice" (Finnish). He was born 7lbs 2oz and gives us many reasons to rejoice and thank God.
Noah's birth brings us to the end of the fastest 8 months of our life! Since learning we were pregnant in early March it seems like the days and weeks quickly rolled into months. We prayed many prayers since learning we would be having another child. Prayers for his development, for my energy levels, for emotional strength, special times with Ella, her adjustment, our adjustment and so on. We prayed that Noah might be born naturally rather than via c-section and thank God for answering this prayer specifically. While the natural birth experience was quite different to my expectations, we are thankful for this experience, thankful that Ella can jump all over me, and thankful that God watched over both of us during the labor and delivery.
Having my kids so close together, on two different continents and under two very different medical systems found us navigating some unchartered waters. I found myself grieving some losses but celebrating some gains. I grieved the personal care I experienced during Ella's birth under the care of one specific (and wonderful) OB. But here, for example, I've "gained" and been blessed by three home visits from midwives in just 11 days of being home with Noah. Not to mention that financial issues related to having a baby are essentially a non-issue for us since I am an Australia citizen. Ella - you were worth every US penny though!
Throughout the pregnancy and now with a newborn we are navigating some different practises. Lets just say its easy to feel very "out-of-it" even though this is my second child in 15 months.
Regardless, Noah is healthy, handsome and content. We hardly know there is a newborn in the house. This has helped greatly with Ella's adjustment. Our arms still have plenty of room for her. And she loves and adores her brother. She likes to greet him each morning with a hug and a kiss. She seemed to miss me greatly while I was in the hospital and likes to ask after me all the time now that I am home...always wanting to check on my whereabouts. I love her sweet nature. Hopefully her brother will always appreciate her caring and watchful eye for him.
God is good. We have experienced his rich love and faithfulness through the arrival of Noah Kai. We pray that God will be honoured as we seek as a family to love and know Him and serve others. Rejoice and thank God with us.
