Introducing Aaron!

Our 7th child, our 6th son joined our family on February 11th 2012 at 1:25am. Aaron Hurley Adkins was born at home in the water while his Daddy looked on and his brothers and sisters slept.
On Friday I was very uncomfortable all day and I told Shane I felt like labor would come on soon. I expected it to start sometime that weekend. By 6pm I told him we would probably have a baby within 24 hours. It wasnt long after that contractions were unmistakable real labor. I walked around doing small tasks like laundry and preparing the birth supplies. Shortly after 8 Shane began filling the birth tub and I called the midwife to tell her what was going on. We agreed to call back in an hour with an update.
At this point contractions were ranging between 2 and 8 minutes apart with varying intensity but i could no longer move around through them. I would lean onto a stack of pillows and moan or sway my hips. Shane was continuously adding pots of boiling water to the tub. At 9 he called the midwife back and told her things were getting more intense so she decided to head over. I continued to work through labor as it grew stronger. I was anxious to get in the shower to help with the back pain and I did that a few times through the night. Just like I did during Savannah's labor I wrote Aaron's name in the steam on the window. Between showers I kept my Bible open to Psalms and I would focus on passages that encouraged me to cry out to God. Throughout the entire labor I was praying and reciting scripture in my mind.
When pain had increased I wanted to get into the birth tub but I was nervous that it could be too soon and it would slow things down. I finally got in because my body was so tired of standing. The water felt wonderful and Shane and the midwives continued to add hot water to keep it warm. Pain was intense but contractions were spaced enough that I could rest inbetween. I could feel my body bearing down with each one and I was worried I wasnt ready but the midwives assured me to let my body do its job. I was frustrated that it did not feel like the baby was moving down at all but shortly after that my water broke and made me feel relieved.
In the next most intense and painful contraction I reached down and felt my baby crown and be born into my own hands. It was an indescribable feeling. I brought him to my chest and was overcome with gratitude, thanking God for bringing me through and blessing me with such a perfect gift.
Shane stood behind me and kissed me on my head and we looked at our son- our last baby. We waited for his cord to stop pulsating and then Shane cut it. Aaron was handed off to Shane and wrapped in warm blankets while I moved to the bed. The midwives helped me get situated and I was amazed that I did not need assistance or extra care for bleeding like all my other births. Shane gave Aaron back to me and I held and nursed him in bed. My mom arrived to see him and we watched him get his check up. At 8lbs 2oz he was my smallest singleton baby. I diapered and dressed him myself and we snuggled into bed while everyone prepared to leave us.

So many prayers were answered in Aarons birth, I am in awe of a God who is so gracious. Aaron is the final piece of our family and we wouldnt be complete without him.