In my own words-Behn's Account of Graham's Birth
Hello everyone, it has been a while since I've posted (Megan is the main poster of this page, as you can see). Lately I've been getting adjusted to fatherhood as well as my second semester of grad school. The two courses I'm taking are Intro to Information Management, and the Organization of Information (a very technical and challenging course). I like school, but am also glad that this program is only 2 years. Lord willing, a year and a half from now, I will be attending my graduation from the University of North Texas MLIS program. I love my job, and I am happy that God has made my career path clear. I didn't always think I would pursue a career in libraries, but this is where the Lord has led me.
I can't believe Graham is almost two months old already. He truly is a joy to have in our lives. Megan really is a natural when it comes to motherhood. I find myself paying more attention to babies now than I ever have now that I have my own son. Having a child of your own really puts things into perspective. I've only known him for a couple months, but Megan and I will do whatever it takes to provide a good life for our boy, to keep him safe, and most importantly, raise him as a brother in Christ. My desire is for him to grow up with manners and respect for others, and to have a deep love for Jesus.
The morning of December 15 was just like any other morning. Wake up around 8, have coffee, read some "My Utmost for His Highest" in the bathroom, drive to work, frantically pack a lunch I'd later regret, etc. I ended up visiting Megan at work, and observing what she does at Blue Ridge Autism & Achievement Center. Seeing what she and other therapists do gave me a better picture of the hard work that goes into working with children. It's encouraging that schools like this exist, and I think BRAAC is blessed to have the staff that they do. I went to work and answered questions of patrons who knew my son would soon be born.
When I got home from work, Megan was sitting on the couch. She was definitely not being herself, and I could tell she was not feeling well. I asked her several times throughout the evening, "You ok?", or "How are you feeling?" We ate some leftovers and headed up to bed to settle down and watch a Christmas movie on the laptop. We chose "The Holiday" (a big time chick flick, but I can enjoy a good chick flick from time to time). Little did we know that this movie would be continually quoted in the coming weeks and months.
Around the time when Cameron Diaz's character is sitting in the English pub, and makes eye contact with the character of Jude Law (and, hence, Frou Frou's 'Let Go' commences), 7:45-ish real time, Megan's water broke. Our bags were already packed for the hospital, but you can never be truly prepared for a bolt to the hospital when your wife is in labor. We both knew that this was it. I threw some more random things together (camera, phone chargers, clothes) and got the hospital numbers that had been posted on the fridge. We called the hospital, and were informed that we should drive up ASAP. Augusta Medical Center is about 45 minutes up I-81, and Megan was already having some contractions. We said a prayer in the bathroom, gathered a few more things, and hit the road.
I started making some phone calls. Lydia, Rachael, Luke, and of course my parents. Megan called her mom, and Emily, and possibly a few others. What is normally a long drive seemed like a whirlwind of falling snow, headlights, orange pilons, the silhouette of black mountains in the background, cell phone calls, and anticipation. I did not want to have to deliver our son on the side of a highway. I panicked a bit when I realized we were stuck in a small bit of traffic, but it was momentary. Just enough gas was in the tank of the Toyota to get us to the hospital, by God's grace. As I pulled in to the hospital, I tried to find the emergency room entrance, and eventually did. Contractions were about 4 minutes apart from what I remember.
We were guided to the delivery room by a male nurse, who pushed Megan in her wheelchair. Megan was surprisingly chipper at this point (which was about to change). She was making cute little jokes, and I could tell she was just so excited that the time was coming-she would get to meet our little son soon. Megan's labor pains became more intense as we entered the room and spoke with our nurse. I don't think the nurse realized how fast the labor was progressing. Megan finally had to concede that she needed an epidural. We waited for the epidural specialist to arrive, but they never did. I guided Megan to the shower, where she remained for 20-30 minutes. Then back to the bed, then back to the shower, etc. When the nurse realized that pushing would soon be necessary, Megan went back to the bed. The doctor finally arrived, and so did Hannah. I encouraged Megan to push, and wanted to take all that pain upon myself when I could see how desperate she was.
At 11:23 pm, Graham Lee Trader was born. It just didn't seem real, the way everything happened so fast. Mrs. Cathey didn't even have a chance to get to the hospital in time for the delivery, but she did arrive an hour or two later. It was just so surreal to finally see and hold Graham for the first time. I was so thankful for a healthy baby, healthy wife, and time to relax and enjoy quiet moments in that hospital room after the birth. I'll never forget holding my son for the very first time, those early moments of looking into his eyes as snow was falling outside the window. Praise be to God for this blessing, for Megan's strength through a natural childbirth, and for the new joys I experience every day. The feeling just never gets old.
I can't believe Graham is almost two months old already. He truly is a joy to have in our lives. Megan really is a natural when it comes to motherhood. I find myself paying more attention to babies now than I ever have now that I have my own son. Having a child of your own really puts things into perspective. I've only known him for a couple months, but Megan and I will do whatever it takes to provide a good life for our boy, to keep him safe, and most importantly, raise him as a brother in Christ. My desire is for him to grow up with manners and respect for others, and to have a deep love for Jesus.
The morning of December 15 was just like any other morning. Wake up around 8, have coffee, read some "My Utmost for His Highest" in the bathroom, drive to work, frantically pack a lunch I'd later regret, etc. I ended up visiting Megan at work, and observing what she does at Blue Ridge Autism & Achievement Center. Seeing what she and other therapists do gave me a better picture of the hard work that goes into working with children. It's encouraging that schools like this exist, and I think BRAAC is blessed to have the staff that they do. I went to work and answered questions of patrons who knew my son would soon be born.
When I got home from work, Megan was sitting on the couch. She was definitely not being herself, and I could tell she was not feeling well. I asked her several times throughout the evening, "You ok?", or "How are you feeling?" We ate some leftovers and headed up to bed to settle down and watch a Christmas movie on the laptop. We chose "The Holiday" (a big time chick flick, but I can enjoy a good chick flick from time to time). Little did we know that this movie would be continually quoted in the coming weeks and months.
Around the time when Cameron Diaz's character is sitting in the English pub, and makes eye contact with the character of Jude Law (and, hence, Frou Frou's 'Let Go' commences), 7:45-ish real time, Megan's water broke. Our bags were already packed for the hospital, but you can never be truly prepared for a bolt to the hospital when your wife is in labor. We both knew that this was it. I threw some more random things together (camera, phone chargers, clothes) and got the hospital numbers that had been posted on the fridge. We called the hospital, and were informed that we should drive up ASAP. Augusta Medical Center is about 45 minutes up I-81, and Megan was already having some contractions. We said a prayer in the bathroom, gathered a few more things, and hit the road.
I started making some phone calls. Lydia, Rachael, Luke, and of course my parents. Megan called her mom, and Emily, and possibly a few others. What is normally a long drive seemed like a whirlwind of falling snow, headlights, orange pilons, the silhouette of black mountains in the background, cell phone calls, and anticipation. I did not want to have to deliver our son on the side of a highway. I panicked a bit when I realized we were stuck in a small bit of traffic, but it was momentary. Just enough gas was in the tank of the Toyota to get us to the hospital, by God's grace. As I pulled in to the hospital, I tried to find the emergency room entrance, and eventually did. Contractions were about 4 minutes apart from what I remember.
We were guided to the delivery room by a male nurse, who pushed Megan in her wheelchair. Megan was surprisingly chipper at this point (which was about to change). She was making cute little jokes, and I could tell she was just so excited that the time was coming-she would get to meet our little son soon. Megan's labor pains became more intense as we entered the room and spoke with our nurse. I don't think the nurse realized how fast the labor was progressing. Megan finally had to concede that she needed an epidural. We waited for the epidural specialist to arrive, but they never did. I guided Megan to the shower, where she remained for 20-30 minutes. Then back to the bed, then back to the shower, etc. When the nurse realized that pushing would soon be necessary, Megan went back to the bed. The doctor finally arrived, and so did Hannah. I encouraged Megan to push, and wanted to take all that pain upon myself when I could see how desperate she was.
At 11:23 pm, Graham Lee Trader was born. It just didn't seem real, the way everything happened so fast. Mrs. Cathey didn't even have a chance to get to the hospital in time for the delivery, but she did arrive an hour or two later. It was just so surreal to finally see and hold Graham for the first time. I was so thankful for a healthy baby, healthy wife, and time to relax and enjoy quiet moments in that hospital room after the birth. I'll never forget holding my son for the very first time, those early moments of looking into his eyes as snow was falling outside the window. Praise be to God for this blessing, for Megan's strength through a natural childbirth, and for the new joys I experience every day. The feeling just never gets old.
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