Life-changing moments…
My best friend Jackie gave birth to a beautiful (and I mean BEAUTIFUL) baby boy last night. It was the first time I “experienced” an entire labor… usually I am just clinging to my cell phone waiting for updates on friends who are giving birth, but this time, I was at the hospital for 14 hours. She was induced and they broke her water at noon, and baby Blake was born a healthy 8 pounds 2 ounces just before 7:30pm. I actually watched them break Jackie’s water, and then watched her face contort as she experienced actual contractions, and then cheered with her when the anesthesiologist showed up with the epidural, and then did crossword puzzles and played “lets name the baby Felix” games to pass the time, and I tied Jackie’s hair in a ponytail and squeezed lotion into her hands while she had the IV in her arm, and when it was time to push the baby out I stood with Jackie’s amazing mother-in-law Suzi, while Jackie’s amazing mom Marilyn and her AMAZING coach of a husband Mike held her legs, and we propped the door open an inch as we waited in the hallway so we could listen as they yelled “C’mon Jackie! That was a good one! Another big push like that!”, and I heard her grunting… and then I heard baby Blake cry, and I burst into tears and me and Suzi hugged, and in that moment, I was so overwhelmed with total emotion that I was happy and bawling and relieved and excited… all at once.
I thought it would scare me… I would see Jackie strangling Mike and having excruciating pain and begging for more drugs and completely be traumatized into never having children. But (to Mike’s dismay) it only made feel more excited about when it will be my turn. I know Jackie had a FANTASTIC birthing experience (and pregnancy in general) and some of my friends haven’t been so lucky, but this was definitely the “best” birth to witness. Jackie was uncomfortable and nervous but she was also laughing (except for the few moments before her epidural when she told us we were not allowed to speak during her contractions… and she meant it!). Jackie was indescribably strong and her husband was the best of coaches and I had so much fun hanging out with their moms.
And I felt so privileged that they allowed me to share in such a personal amazing experience. After so many months of planning and appointment updates and watching her belly grow and feeling the kicking and hiccups, it was the most incredible thing in the entire world to hear baby Blake let out his first cry (and then hear Jackie say a few moments later, “Hi baby. I can’t believe you were just inside of me!”)
I can’t either… wow. I heart you baby Blake.
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April G Said:
on June 1, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Congrats to Jackie and Mike!! What a good and dear friend you are, Jenn…. Such a beautiful moment to experience!
wordaddict Said:
on June 1, 2011 at 12:54 pm
what dear friends to let me be there!
Ashhh Said:
on June 1, 2011 at 1:09 pm
aww Jenn I’m so happy you were there to experience that. What a wild ride that is! My best friend is pregnant as we speak and I am dying to get back to Canada so I can be there to rub her belly, and attend Lamaze classes and help her pick names, and pretty much all the other fun stuff that goes with pregnancy. Also, she’s known since we were in highschool that I will definitely be in the room with her (whether she likes it or not!) so she’s had a while to get used to the idea.
Ahhh, babies, babies… They just warm my heart. Pass on my CONGRATS(!!!) to Jackie and Mike, what a wild ride they are about to go on!
P.S – Love the name!
daniel kudish Said:
on June 1, 2011 at 1:33 pm
so cool! congrats to jackie & mike!
we’re photographing a birth in august, and mentally getting ready to be traumatized. hopefully we’ll be as lucky as you!
wordaddict Said:
on June 1, 2011 at 2:06 pm
oh its awesome!! you’ll feel so lucky to be a part of such an intimate incredible moment in a family’s life!
Joanne Conry Said:
on June 1, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Congrats to Jackie and Mike. So glad you were a part of it Jen.
Wendi Gareau Said:
on June 1, 2011 at 5:16 pm
What a beautiful baby boy! I know how you felt. It is an amazing experience. You were lucky that the staff let you wait out in the hallway. At the Jewish General you are not allowed to wait in the hallway outside of the rooms, we had to go to the end of the hallway.
wordaddict Said:
on June 1, 2011 at 6:50 pm
we were at the jewish… but they let us!
Suzette Said:
on June 4, 2011 at 10:26 am
A baby boy’s one thing
The whole world adores,
And the best part of all
This one is yours!
Congrats Jackie and Mike ….and welcome Blake
Amanda Said:
on June 4, 2011 at 2:35 pm
You were the best updater as well to all your friends!!! We so appreciated the calls and the texts with much sought after details.
You’re the best Jenn Jenn Jenn!!!
have a great weekend with the family!!!
Jackie Said:
on June 5, 2011 at 5:04 am
Wow!!!!! Love hearing that story from someone elses eyes.
I have yet to cry and you’ve accomplished that with your amazing blog. You were the best person anyone could
Have asked for to be by their side during a moment like this, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
So happy this experience was as amazing for you as it was for me and can’t wait to be there to support you in any way neede
When it’s your turn.
Xoxo
Jac
Esther ghadaie Said:
on June 5, 2011 at 1:51 pm
tahnks a lot for all the info i am freind @ workwith jackie.she mean a lot to me we worked together for a long 5 years and i was waitting for this beautiful moments thanks for all the details and i can not wait to see lillte blacke that i called him joshua for 9 month congrats dear jackie and mike and see you very soon.
have a great weekend Esther