Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Harvest

My brother asked me if I was prepared for the baby to be removed.  Always the sensitive fellow, he continued to refer to the day as "harvest day".  Having worked in agricultural research, 'harvest' seemed appropriate.  It is definitely the hardest and most time-consuming (and, duh, most important) part of farming. 
I guess with a scheduled c-section "baby removal" and "harvest", though un-emotional are accurate.  It is very strange knowing the exact day and time that my baby will be born.  It is strange knowing that I will have very, very little to do with it.  I just lay there, strapped to a table, numb from the chest down, and wait.   With Lily, I had no time to think about it.  After 13+ hours of labor, once they decided to do a c-section, it was over in 15 minutes.  I remember the green tile walls and the sound John Mayer in the background overlapping a nurse's conversation about what she had for lunch.  It was very real.  Not at all romantic and dramatic like the dimly lit scenes of the OR on TV. 
This time I have time to think about it.  It will be slower, I think.  Maybe even more strange. 
There are obvious advantages to having a schedule.  It is always nice to know things in advance and have a time to prepare.  Also, being completely unable to birth a child the "normal" way is actually comforting.  I don't feel guilt about the c-section like I did with Lily.  After her birth I kept thinking, 'what did I do wrong?'  and 'why couldn't I just do it?'.  It is nice to have a reason.  It is nice that the reason isn't just that I couldn't hack it.  Still, it is weird.  Weird to think that tomorrow, at 12:00 I will have a baby.  Outside of me.  Born.   Breathing.  Mine. 
What a miracle.  What a life.
Now. . .what to name this kid?

8 comments:

Steffy said...

Oh I'm so excited for you guys! I know it won't be your number one priority but if you think about it please have somebody post some pictures of your baby somewhere I can see them! :) If you don't I might have to truck over to your mom's house unannounced to peek at some :)

Good luck tomorrow!!

Claudia said...

Love you, and love the way you wrote about your experience with Lily. I'm excited to see the outcome of c-section numero dos. Good luck tomorrow! Can't to meet Nilsson baby 2!

callie.bottero said...

I'm so thrilled for you! And both Fernando and I agree that a scheduled c-section is the way to go!! Ha ha ha! I would have loved to give birth naturally, of course, but my experience was so peaceful. I know yours will be too. Loves and kisses to Lily, Chris, you and the new babe. I will say a prayer for you. And you know I don't say that lightly. xoxoxo Happy Birth Day little Nilsson!

Brooke said...

Oh tears... LOVE how you wrote this post. So sweet.
I am so excited for you. Birth always makes me get misty eyed. Such an amazing thing. And now that I know I am done "harvesting" my babies, it makes me a little sad inside. Wishing you the best of joy tomorrow. Breath in that sweet, wonderful, heavenly baby breath tomorrow. The most wonderful experience in the whole wide world!!
Love to you Meg and your new baby,straight from heaven.

Erin said...

I've missed "writing" Meg. I'm glad she has returned. While you are strapped to said bed, why not sing a special harvest song for the occasion? How about the following lyrics to "Here we go 'round the mulberry bush":

Cut all the corn at harvest time...
Dig up the potatoes...
Pick all the apples...
Popping out a baby...

Unless, that is, you like John Mayer and hearing what the nurses got to eat when you haven't been allowed to.

I love you and will be thinking about you all day!

Ashley said...

Ahh, what an amazing thing it is to grow and have babies! I can't wait to see if baby nilsson will be a boy or a girl. Good luck with everything tommorow. You will do wonderful! Enjoy.

Angi said...

I can't believe it's already time. Congratulations, good luck and you could always name the baby after someone really special...

Girl:Angela
Boy: Angelo

Problem Solved.

MONSON FAMILY said...

Congratulations!! I can't wait to see pictures!! I hope all is going well!! Babies are wonderful!!