Insert Grace Here

Gavin James Durand

November 16, 2009 @ 5:15 p.m.

7 lb 3.2 oz, 21 1/2 in

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:  for his mercy endureth forever.

Pslam 136:1

Little Gavin has big hands and feet.  He has his mom’s mouth and nose but he looks a lot like his dad.  When his little mouth puckers up, I see Cammie. We caught a glimpse of that from the 4D sonogram.  He is doing well and appears to be very easy going so far.  Our cups runneth over.

Mom & Baby

The joy of a new mother over the birth of her child is truly an amazing thing.  It is especially profound here.  I’m fully convinced that Cammie—like most women in labor—did not grasp the joy to come as she went through the travail of childbirth.  I knew it would come; however, I did not expect the calm to be such an extreme contrast to the anxiety and anguish she endured.

Let me put it to you this way—Gavin will most likely be an only child.  Yes, I realize that many women say that.  But I’m inclined to believe it.  If Cammie does change her mind, I’m thinking it will be about ten years down the road.

Aside from the obvious labor pains and the uncertainty of Trey’s arrival, Cammie endured a long and difficult process of pushing (that we would later learn was due to Gavin’s head being sideways) and a great deal of anxiety.

I’ll choose my words carefully, although she laughs about it now and has even gone so far as to apologize to her labor and delivery team and nurses.  Let’s just say that after the long ordeal, I’m surprised Courtney still wants to have children and has even declared that she’s not afraid of childbirth.  I’ve had three and quite frankly I’m glad I’m through because SHE SCARED ME!

The physical exhaustion alone was a lot to endure.  For mom, too of course.  Ha ha!  You thought I was referring to mom in the first place, didn’t you?  But the anxiety was, how should I put this?  Frightening. After Gavin was born, Cammie’s brief sigh of relief was replaced by near panic.  Although she did not watch any of the actual birth because she is much like her mama and gets weak at the thought of it, the uncertainty of what was going on with her after Gavin’s birth and the discussion between the nurses and doctor just about sent her over the edge.  As they shouted numbers and details across the room she said, “DON’T TELL ME THAT!  DON’T TELL ME THAT!” to which I explained they were not talking to her.  I had to cover her ears and try to hold her hand over her eyes at the same time while she said, “la la la”.  Yes, I’m serious.

In between pushing Cammie told me on several occasions, “STOP TALKING MOM!”  So, okay.  I stopped talking.  I’m pretty sure she told me again after delivery.  But she must’ve changed her mind with all the “medical talk” going on in the room because she then told me, “TALK TO ME”.  I’ll admit it took me a moment or two because I was a bit scared.  And sure enough, I had good reason because as soon as I tried a few calm and reassuring words she said, “NOT ABOUT THAT!”

With much prayer going up for her from the massive crowd in the waiting room as well as friends and family and facebookers and of course a little help breathing, she made it through.

Team Labor and Delivery

Proud Nanny

Worth every minute of it!  Even after only one hour and 40 minutes of sleep the night before due to an E.R. visit. Explanation coming.

Proud Auntie

Proud Meme—Trey’s grandmother

She was on the receiving in although she missed much of the actual birth.

“Thanks to the doctor,” as she put it.

You might wonder why this member of team Labor and Delivery is in a chair sleeping.  In the bathroom.  During the labor.  The pushing part.  The waiting for the doctor part.

Courtney was in the emergency room the night before with an awful urinary tract infection.  She had a urinalysis Thursday that was negative and had an ultrasound scheduled for Monday.  Yes, that would be yesterday.  Delivery day.  While at work Sunday night she started hurting and burning badly.  I was sure at that point that she had an infection that just did not show up.  Her symptoms escalated rapidly.  She started passing blood in her urine.  Cammie and Joe left to get her from work so she did not have to drive home.  Cam left in her pjs and called to tell me to meet her at the E.R. because Courtney was crying and screaming in pain.  It was all I could do to get the mom to be to leave the E.R. once I arrived.  She finally agreed and went home to get a few hours sleep.

Courtney was much better after an I.V. with some pain meds and antibiotics.  But please continue to pray for her.

Proud Auntie Sophie

During labor, Sophie was scared to go anywhere near Cammie.  In spite of Cam’s pleas for a kiss or a hug, one look at those tubes and Sophie shook her head and ran the other way.  I brought her to the bathroom and talked with her.

“Are you nervous,” I asked.

“Yea,” she said and leaned against the wall like an anxious new dad.

“What is it that you’re afraid of?”

“Tigers . . . lions . . . but not kitty cats.”

Well.  I suppose those are realistic fears.  Leave it to Sophie to add a bit of humor to an intense time.

After Gavin’s arrival, when all 200 hundred, okay at least 20 people entered the delivery room, Sophie announced, “BABY GAVIN IS HERE!”  They are going to make a great team.  Good thing since he’s going to be an only child and all.

Sisters

Gavin’s first feeding

Mom and baby

GET YOUR KLEENEX READY . . .

Trey’s arrival

The Happy Family

Mom, Dad and baby Gavin

Words cannot express how much I appreciate all of the prayers and support.  After little help from Red Cross getting the news to Trey, Nana (my mom), Charles (Trey’s dad) and I prayed in the labor and delivery room together.  God moved.  When our efforts failed, He took over.  Not long after praying things began to change.  Charles’ next phone call to the Red Cross went smoother and soon we received a call from Trey that he had a plane ticket.

Praise God!  He is an awesome God!  Cammie is certain that Trey was just not meant to be in that delivery room.  And you know what?  After serving on team Labor and Delivery, I completely agree! Basic training for infantry is probably more than enough for that young man right now.

Stay tuned for more pictures and the rest of the story . . .

Many family and friends were part of the support.  We have lots and lots of pictures that will take some time for exchanging and uploading.  A million thanks to everyone there!

Love covers,