Huisman World: Obadiah Duke Huisman's Arrival!!

Levi (7), judah (5), Josiah (3), Malachi (2) and Obadiah (1 day)

Introducing....Our 5th Son....OBADIAH DUKE HUISMAN: 8 lbs 8 oz...20 inches

I am so late in getting these on here...well 6 weeks to be exact. But, non the less here they are.. with my 5th labor experience for the records!

I know..i began to feel contractions the first of February. At that time I pretty much figured I wouldnt be over due, being my due date was the 25th of February. I had a good month, and knew my body was preparing for the birth of our little boy. Monday morning, the 22nd I had an appoint. my mom joined me for this one. I was "checked" for the first time this pregnancy, and I was dialated between a 2 and 3 and was 75% effaced. I didnt think much of that, I knew it could be soon or in a few days..I wasnt anxious just excited. My mom was certian it would be SOON. So, it rained all day and our outdoor walk turend into a walk in the mall. Dad and Micah took the boys to the play place inside the mall while Mom and Me stolled the walkway through the mall, only made it 2 times I think, for the guys were ready to eat. So, later that night I had a meeting at Levi's school, I was going to go, I was having contractions, but didnt mind being distracted by gettin out of the house. I made it through the meeting..still not certain that this was the night. I got home around 9, and told rick they were consistent, just not too close. He was awesome. He did anything I needed to relax, which I wasnt really into doing at this point. As a few hours past he set up the tub, turned on music, and prayed, I still couldnt say I thought the contractions would continue, but hoping they would. Around 1 a.m. I started strolling outside up and down the street to keep my body moving. I let Rick know, I was feeling a lot of pressure now with each contraction, but still wasnt certian this was the real deal. We were waiting as long as we could to go in, which is what we like to do. I also knew, in minutes it could drastically change and with all the pressure we decided to head to the hospital. We called RIck's dad, and they both headed over to sleep with the boys.

Once at the hospital my parents were there and my friend, CHelsea, as she wanted to witness the birth. I checked in at about 3 ish a.m. and I was gonna have this baby...I was 8 cm and 95% effaced..horray and praise God. Well, my water had not broken, and if it had the traige nurse said I woulda probaly had him in the car, so I think God was keepign that water in tack! Even though Rick and I thought we would meet our son in less than an hour..little Obi managed to stay inside for another 5 hours!! Holy mackeral! Yes, odd as it was my water wasnt breaking, and since I am a little goofy and like everything completely natural, I didnt want them to break it manually..so contraction after contraction..nothing breaking! Finally, my favorite midwife, Lylain came on call at 7, and asked her if she thinks it would be a good idea to have my water broken. After conversation...and knowing my sweet husband wanted me to do it all along..I agreed and she broke it! What do you know.....a short 15 minutes later...Obadiah arrived! at 8:10 a.m. Rick was so blessed enough to sit on the bed and deliver him, as my midwife stood next to him and assisted him. ha., what a special thing for Rick. He was awesome, and it was amazing just seeing his face looking at me as Obadiah came and took his first breath of air! I felt like no one else was there..just me and Rick, cause that is all I saw. But, my loving mom also walked in just in time to see him be born too. So, looking back, God was in COMPLETE control and I was totally happy and calm with that, yes, I coulda had them break my water hours early and woulda been done, but hey who was in such a rush??:) Not me! :) I am trully amazed at how every single birth has been different. After 5 births, God has managed to take me down a completly different road each time. He continues to give me amazing strength and calmness to relax and let my body do what it needs too, and I trully love the whole process. It is a labor..true, but so worth feeling it all and going through it as God has totally designed. Praise God that me and lil obi were completely safe and healthy the whole entire time.

Where am I??

Me and Obadiah meeting each other for the first time..eye to eye...body to body, I couldnt be any happier at this moment!

Obadiah: "not sure I want to be our here.."

and,, the boys meeting their newest brother for the first time!

And...finally Obadiah Duke meets the Legacy he will get to follow.. :)

Uncle Duke! All of the boys have had a middle name of our families. I think that is special to attach a piece of another man in the family. Not that they have to grow up and be like them, but to honor them as the years continue I think is a blessing for them.

Kara comes to meet little Obadiah. My freinds, Ashley and Chelsea and Amanda came to meet him too, but no pictures..sorry :( and of course mom and dad and mom and dad Huisman....why dont I have pictures of that! That is horrible. Maybe one of them could send me some pictures...