Born Again and Again
Another month has blown by since I’ve written. Two of those weeks I spent in “false labor,” questioning my body, my mind, counting contractions with an iPhone App. The intensity died down over and over, and progression began to sound like a thing for all the other women in the world, not meant for me.
Now I know that – in my swaying hips, the way my neck held on to my bobbing head and how my eyes stayed in their sockets when they wanted to roll out, how it took the full strength of humankind to not push, to merely breathe – I didn’t have to agree with the truth for the truth to be true. My body is amazing.
I thought he would never come. But after 6 intense hours of unbelieving natural labor, after the hands of my dearest ones laid on me and voices said, “yes you can,” and after only three minutes of pushing, there on the squatted, wild-eyed table was born into music and air my beautiful fourth-born son, Titus Lee Haines –
and was also born the purest hush to my soul, the clarity of thumping hormones in a lion mother – the lick, the purr, the pink skin crying. The flash of ancient memory. Land of Milk and Honey.
*photo by Brooke Robinson, my bff
- August 17, 2011
- 43 Comments
- 0
- labor
Southern Gal
August 17, 2011Beautiful. Congratulations. Sweet blessings to you and yours.
Kelly Sauer
August 17, 2011Born again. Every time we are new. I am so happy with you, Amber...
Arianne
August 17, 2011*tears*
love you so much. this picture? it's that ancient memory. that flash. wow.
<3
Elizabeth @claritychaos
August 17, 2011oh. this got me. the lick, the purr...the flash of ancient memory.
a beautiful baby, a beautiful mama, a beautiful birth story. thank you for sharing, amber -- and congratulations to you and your family.
much love.
@bibledude
August 17, 2011love this. congrats to you and seth! and i LOVE that photo! #fistbump
moxiemandie
August 17, 2011Sweet photo.
Congrats to all of the Haines'!
Sara Sophiah
August 17, 2011I am so so glad we got to go through that with you.
You are a thunder-boom of awesome.
So much love to our BFF's the Haines,
Sara So-fee-ya.
joann
August 17, 2011the purest hush to my soul? Yes!
You know things, after giving birth. You know things you just believed before. Beautiful. He's wonderful. So are you.
Beth
August 17, 2011Beautiful, both of you! Congratulations.
Alana
August 17, 2011Beautiful! Congrats to you and your little family!
Ruthiey
August 17, 2011Congratulations! Though trouble may tarry the night, joy will come in the morning! <3
Aimee
August 17, 2011My, what a beautiful baby and what a beautiful, fantastic mother! This photo is perfection.
Congratulations, Haines Family!
LoraLynn
August 17, 2011ROWARRRRRR!!! Way to go, Mama! Enjoy that sweet baby smell!
Shannnon @nwaMotherlode
August 17, 2011You go, mama lion! Congratulations. He is just lovely.
beth@redandhonoey
August 17, 2011Congratulations to you all! What a beautiful gift. This is my first time commenting here, and I just had to say hello and introduce myself :)
Joy
August 17, 2011Congratulations Amber. Beautiful you, and oh, that picture! Welcome to the world Titus-your mama bear and papa bear love you so- they've whispered to us here just how much!
Thank you for sharing with us, sweet friend. May this next few weeks and months, in all their sleep depravity (heeee) be blessed beyond measure as you get to know this little soul.
Hannah
August 17, 2011Beautiful, girl. I love, love, love reading anything you write :)
Michelle@OneRoofAfrica
August 17, 2011Newborns are pure poetry. Thank you for sharing yours.
eloranicole
August 17, 2011whew. this is good stuff. beautiful, my friend. congratulations :)
kendal
August 17, 2011oh, he is just so beautiful. and i can't wait to hear more.
Jane Anne
August 17, 2011Oh, so beautiful - Titus, your words, and your love.
Congratulations!
Angela Mackey
August 17, 2011Beautiful! or I guess Handsome is what I should say. Congratulations and enjoy those precious cuddles!
Melissa
August 17, 2011He is beautiful! Congratulations :)
amanda
August 17, 2011You looking at him - him looking at you. That picture is perfection. Congratulations!
Teresa
August 18, 2011He is precious What a beautiful post...Blessings
laura@lifeoverseas
August 18, 2011Oh, congratulations! He is just beautiful and I heart his name, too.
ENJOY these precious moments of him being sooooo perfectly little.
tc
August 18, 2011Lovely! Congratulations and Blessings!
Megan at SortaCrunchy
August 18, 2011Congratulations all around, my friend. Such wonder. That picture is the perfect capture of moments so beyond.
Adventures In Babywearing
August 18, 2011I've so missed you! I'm so happy he is here.
Steph
hannamay
August 18, 2011Hi Amber, congratulations to your little cute angel..
Lindsey Nobles
August 18, 2011Beautiful...
Patricia @ Pollywog Creek
August 18, 2011Wow...Amber...that was simply beautiful. And look at that photo...doesn't it take your breath away to linger on such love? Congratulations to all of you in this joy beyond words.
Cori
August 18, 2011Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy!
Traci
August 19, 2011Tearing up! I'm due any day now... had bad back false labor earlier this week! I'm also planning on doing this 3rd labor all natural... please pray for me?
Love,
Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations
Kristen@Chasing Blue Skies
August 19, 2011Oh, that photo! Those words! I haven't given birth in eight years, but your words bring back all those emotions so I can feel and taste them like it was yesterday. You are beyond amazing.
And also? Love the name. Titus Lee. *He* will be a force!
Danelle
August 19, 2011He is beautiful and so are your words.
As usual. :)
Lots of love and prayers to you, the husband, and your four sons.
Welcome to the world Baby Titus Lee!
Brandee Shafer
August 20, 2011Congratulations! You're both beautiful! I've been praying for you and am glad Titus arrived safely into this world...
Clark Minn
August 22, 2011The photo is perfect!!Congratulations for having a cute baby...
Cher Shives
August 24, 2011What a very loving mom!!The baby is so adorable!!
Laura
August 25, 2011I'd love to have a baby like this also...For about 5 years to come...
reign@30-daystointernetmarketingsuccess
August 26, 2011What a beautiful baby... You are so lucky to have a baby like that. Congratulations...
Michael
August 31, 2011I'd love to have a baby of our own too...Thanks for the inspiration...