Mama Kyna (who is a petite 5'4", by the way) was utterly amazing. A total rock star. Her labor and delivery were 100% natural--no pain meds, no intervention of any kind, just as she had planned. Her contractions started about 2:30/3:00 am at 2-3 minutes apart. Ryan called me a few minutes before 5:00am and I met them and Gail (Kyna's mom in from Venezuela just the day before) at the hospital at 6:00. Kyna progressed very quickly for her first baby, and Ivy came screaming into the world at 11:42 am.

Never have I witnessed anything so miraculous, moving, beautiful, and breathtaking. As Ivy took in her first breath, I couldn't hold back my tears. Words fail me even now, though I so desperately seek the perfect words to express the inexplicable beauty of that moment, to capture the memory forever. It boggles my mind how anyone could witness such a miracle, and not believe in God. Ivy's birth moved me physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I had the utmost respect for Kyna before this, but my respect for that woman (whom I am blessed to call my friend) has grown tenfold. Ryan was phenomenal in his support for his wife, especially for a guy who was nervous about passing out and watching it all happen. They are going to be great parents for their daughter... they already are. I am immensely thankful and blessed to have played a part in this special part of their lives.

I need to come back and fill in more details of the day, just for myself, but it was important to reflect and get some of this down while it is still fresh in my mind and my heart.

Thank you, Jesus, for blessing Ryan and Kyna with the joy of a daughter. Protect Ivy and her parents as she grows up. Guide this family down this new path you have set before them. Help me and Jeff to be a conduit of Your blessings to them on this exciting journey. Thank you for the miracle of life and birth you have ordained in Your perfect plan.

No, not print. Xanga. Has this place died off yet? I haven't even logged in for months. It used to be the first thing I'd check after email. Now Facebook has taken over the world.

I'm feeling the tug to get back to blogging. I still read through Google Reader (for those here enabling RSS feeds), and the times Xanga actually sends me my subscriptions via email. I have a blogger account for commenting on friends' blogs. I still like private and protected posts, but if I'm not going to blog here at all, then what's the point? Something is better than nothing, and I'm feeling nothing here. The blogging world has passed you by, Xanga.

I went home to Illinois the weekend before Thanksgiving primarily to attend the baby shower of my oldest and dearest friend, Katie. Long-time friends and readers will remember her from numerous mentions including here and here.

Katie lives in far away Houston now (boo!) so it was especially great to see her and to participate in this special event.