Rowan Marie Simpson

Rowan Marie was welcomed with open arms and a very tired  body to our family in the great wide open world on October 21, 2012 at 9:45 pm.   She weighed 7 pounds 9 oz and was 21 inches long.  She came out with her eyes wide open and looking around.  As many know we have been planning, hoping, preparing for a vaginal birth after cesarian (VBAC).  The rate of VBAC in the US is somewhere around a 10-30 percent success rate as many OBGYN push for repeat c-sections.  Our desire all along was to make this as natural of  a birth as possible.  We selected a mid-wife group for all of the pre-natal and post-natal care, a group that works in a hospital and has a 70% success rate for VBACS.  There were many other things we did along the way to make this successful and I am so happy to let you know that we did have a successful VBAC thanks to the support of the mid-wifes, our AMAZING doula Erin Barnes www.erinbarnesdoulaservices.com, Colin, the ever amazing strength of this body and the ability to find a place of zen through it all.  I know many are hoping for a birth story but I am still processing the whole experience and do not feel ready to talk about it in its entirety yet. I will write it soon and in the mean time I am happy to reflect and share some of the memories along the way.

Many have asked where the name Rowan Marie comes from:  Colin came up with the name Rowan weeks or maybe a month or two ago when driving around.  It came from some research he was doing for a band name (yes, it always comes back to the band).  Rowan is a type of tree, it was a tree branch that people put in their homes to protect the home, and in Celtic mythology it was named the traveler's tree because it prevents those on a journey from getting lost.  Marie is for my mom, Mary.  Marie is one of a few Irish forms of the name Mary.  We had a few names we were discussing and when Rowan was born and Colin said within minutes or meeting her, "she is definitely a Rowan Marie."  For many reasons this name is absolutely perfect for her and for the road this family has travelled so far and the journey that we will continue.  We are so blessed to have her in our lives.  We are already so in love.

Proud grandparents!

My birthday was the day after Rowan was born.  I actually woke up craving pumpkin pie for my birthday.  Well wish and you shall receive: unknowingly Aunt Megan had already made me pumpkin pie and brought it with flowers, plates, napkins and all to celebrate #34!  Best birthday EVER!

Proud Mimi and Poppie.  Mimi and poppie had the fun and challenging job of  caring for Lily while we were in the hospital.  Colin's brother and sister-in-law were due October 13th and throughout this entire pregnancy I had prayed that we would not be having these babies on the same day for Mimi and Poppie's sake.  I wanted them be able to be a part of both births.  So low and behold the morning we thought we were headed to the hospital I texted them first thing and said, "come now, if you cannot Kalie can stay here for the night!"  Sure enough it happened Carrie and I went into labor at the same time.  Dave and Carrie had headed to the hospital that same morning.   So Aunt Kalie came to our rescue and stayed with Lillian.  Mimi and Poppie anxiously awaited the arrival of Nolan until the wee hours of Friday morning so that they could meet their grandson and quickly come to our rescue in southern Michigan.  So by mid-day on Saturday they relieved Kalie and stayed with Lily, watched Roxie and Chev (no small feat) until we got home from the hospital days later.  I have NO idea what we would have done without them.  Lily had an absolute blast!  Colin and I did not worry about one thing at home and we came home to a spotless house and a full fridge.  Days before going into labor I thought I would get all of these things done- clean to the toilets, get food in the fridge, clean the floors, do more laundry and get a few fun toys for Lily.  Well turns out Rowan had a different plan.  I was pretty miserable and was unable to do much of anything.

Lily does this new thing where when she sees something or when something happens she almost catalogs it and says,  "I have to tell so and so that."  So she reluctantly walked into the hospital room and said to Colin (after giving him a big hug), "where is mommy? where is baby sister?"  walking over to me, "mommy I got a sticker to ride the alligator (aka elevator)!"  "Where is baby sister?"  She wanted to hold her immediately and got the biggest, proudest smile on her face as seen here.  She still lights up the second she sees her.  She has to be reminded that Rowan does not like to have so much close face time.  Lily is a BIG cuddlier and needs to be in your face when cuddling.

Precious skin to skin time.  A very tired mamma and baby.

Peace!

So happy to be with mommy.  I have to say that it was so hard to be away from Lily.  This little girl has been the light of our lives.  She makes us laugh, cry, cringe, and grow.  I cried when I talked to her the morning after Rowan was born knowing that her world was about to change and all I wanted to do was hold her for her dear life to let her know how much we loved and her and how proud of her we are.  While she sat with me on this bed, Rowan was crying and Lily said, " she needs her mama."  and I thought she sure does, and Lily you have no idea what that means.  Now having to share mama.  I asked Lily "who is her mama?"
I think there is probably a series of moments that every mom goes through when having a second.  A sadness for the first child, a question of how will I have more time and energy for a second and an excitement for the family, for sisters to have the joys that I have with my sisters.    

Aunt Kalie!

Our new family.  I think about it and it brings me pure joy.  There have been many moments of wow, now we are complete.  I have thoroughly loved the last few days of just the four of us, it has given us time to bond, heal and just love.  Many have called, texted and emailed this week and I want to thank you all so much for the well wishes.  We are all doing well I just have not had the emotional capacity to talk on the phone for longer than a minute or two.

So sweet, Mimi and Poppie walking Lily and Roxy to daycare.

The latest, sweetest addition.  She is absolutely perfect.  We have loved telling Lily all about when she was born and recalling the moments of the last week.  We are learning more about this little one every day.  

Sisters!  A bond that will never be broken.  A gift from Colin and I to our little ones.

Look what 2.5 years will do to you.