Baby Xavier

Jan 8, 2019

Right as I got ready to get into bed on Monday night, we got a call from Joe. Magaly was in labor and they would be heading to the hospital. It happened that their doctor's hospital affiliation had just changed that day so instead of going to the familiar St. Agnes, they were heading to Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie. Magaly had been in labor since about 10:00 PM. The maternity ward was very busy and all of the rooms were full so they got Magaly set up in a PACU room, usually used for recovery after a c-section. Joe, Sophia and I all sat out in the waiting room and after what felt like a really long time they called Joe. Only 2 people were allowed so Sophia went with him. I was so glad they finally went back, every laboring woman needs a hand to hold.

Around 1 or 1:30 Joe came out and motioned for me to come with him. He said Magaly was in a lot of pain and asked for me. The room was tight but stocked. The medical staff was great and checked in regularly. Contractions were regular when I got there and obviously very painful. I went on her left side and Joe and Sophia on her right. Being with a woman in labor can be an experience of helplessness. She is the one bearing the pain, you can't make it go away but you can accompany.  Magaly bore the pain by rhythmically pushing, against the side rails that she was grasping. I was honored to accompany Magaly in her pain. Being with her instills awe. She was focused and self-controlled and she did the work. Joe is quiet and supportive and right by her side.

Baby was sunny side up so labor was probably prolonged and more painful. Despite that, baby Xavier was born after less than 5 hours of labor at 2:42 AM. He was a big baby but he was quiet at first. There had been meconium in the amniotic fluid so the pediatric team was there for the birth. The room was too small so the bassinet was in the hall and Xavi was whisked into the team's hands. It took a little bit but we soon heard strong cries. Joe and Sophia went out to be with him while I stayed with Magaly. Sophia was quiet and observant throughout and I think she was glad to have been there to experience her baby brother's birth.

They picked the name Xavier, which is pronounced Hav-e-air and his middle name is Enrique. We are so blessed to have him in our family. God is good.

Baby Shower for Baby J

Nov 11,   2018

It had been over 4 years since our family got to celebrate a new member of the family, but we got to do just that recently. Joe and Magaly are expecting their 6th baby in early January. We are all very excited, and happy to say that excitement has overtaken worry from just month earlier.  On Sept 7th Magaly and 4 of the five kids were in a car accident. Magaly and Martin were both taken to the ER. Martin was released that night with minor injuries. Magaly was only 22 weeks pregnant and sustained most of the impact. They were worried about Baby J and the trauma her abdomen sustained, so she was transfered to University of Marylamd hospital because they handle high risk OB. They did lots of tests and monitoring and after 4 nights at the hospital she got to go home.  Gradually over the next few weeks the placenta healed and her cracked sternum began to hurt less.  Magaly's  tests got back to normal and they switched her to a normal appointment schedule.

We also shifted from concerned "how is the baby" questions to planning a baby shower. Becky hosted and we got to see her newly painted main floor. Mary suggested a "Cute as a Button" theme and we in regular fashion put together a fun baby shower, mostly at the last minute.

Magaly looked radiant as all of the moms and girl cousins plus a number of friends filled the house. Katherine made the sweetest cake and cupcakes that fit our theme perfectly Sarah made button favors and Heather ordered the gifts (car seats) which she had shipped to Becky's. I brought flowers and decorations and we all brought food.  It is a lot of fun to get together to celebrate the gift of life.

Baby J we can't wait to hold you, but we are so glad you didn't have to make an early entrance.

A Gift is my Namesake

A co-worker of mine came up to me last week and said "I saw the pictures on Facebook of you and a new baby. Why does your family have so many babies?" Now this could be seen as rude but English is not Fernando's first language and he is a Mormon who is pro-family. I knew he was really angling to find out if welcoming children was based on faith. We had a great conversation that hit both our faith in God and the gift that fertility and children are.

Baby E's burp cloth made at the baby shower

Each child is a gift, an image and likeness of God, shared with the world. How awesome is that? How could that ever be a bad thing? Those pictures on Facebook were in celebration of the newest gift to our family, the newest gift entrusted to Heather and Will, to raise so she will know, love and honor her creator. And I was asked to be there to participate in her transition from womb to the world. Every birth has it's own character and dimensions. Heather's labor was moving quickly and when I arrived at the hospital she had decided that she wanted pain medication and was longing for an epidural. But her labor progressed quickly. I was so in awe of Heather's focus on following the directions she was given by the medical staff, all while being at that internal place that pain brings you. She surprised herself by powering through and bringing this new gift to us without anything to numb the pain. The euphoria of birth is powerful and I was blessed to have been present. Will and Heather are beautiful parents, who graciously and intentionally receive God's gift.

Elizabeth Clementine Jauquet

Our whole family gets excited about a new baby and at our labor day gathering we asked Will and Heather if they had chosen a name. After some clues from little John and guesses from the crowd we learned that her nickname would be Ellie. Then I tried to guess her full name, finally Heather said she's your namesake: Elizabeth. I didn't guess it and the term namesake sat oddly with me. I am thrilled there is someone to carry the name Elizabeth Jauquet, again. I love the name. Then at her birth, with her big purple checks and sweet mouth and tongue, Heather asked if I wanted to hold my namesake. Yes! But again the term namesake sat strangely. The realization that it wasn't just that we would share a name both biblical and common in our family but that Will and Heather named this little gift after me, filled me with emotions that were an unfamiliar mix. I felt proud and honored and unworthy.

Ellie is such a unique expression of God's hope and goodness. She feels like a gift to me at a time when my feelings on more children are getting complicated. My desire for that most intimate experience of pregnancy is no less, my yearning to be an instrument in God's creation is no less but they feel like desires that can no longer be. They feel like something to mourn the loss of. They feel like wants that I know will not get to be. I guess being forty and having a full house and schedule have moved the idea of growing our family to the unrealistic. With the sense of loss, it was especially wonderful to experience Ellie's birth. It lifted my mood and gave me a vision of seeing more babies born. More children to be vessels of God's grace.

Johanna marveling at Ellie in utero

Little John

I am on a baby high. Witnessing a birth, elicits such a sense of euphoria I can't think of a better way to describe it. I am lucky to be a part of a family so open to life and so comfortable and supportive that it is willing to share such an intimate event as a birth.

Heather and Will were expecting their 3rd child and I was honored that they called me when it was time, really time. This 3rd little one kept Heather busy and guessing for the 2nd half of pregnancy as to when he would arrive. She had contractions early and frequent enough that she was on medication to stop them for weeks. But in the end this little one showed up right on time, his due date precisely. 

It is not just seeing the recently arrived little one that draws me. Labor is an amazing window to our humanity. I don't think it is possible, while in labor, to put on false airs, and I think this is one of the reasons why I have enjoyed being present for at least one birth for each of my sisters. There is so much human beauty to behold in the process. Anticipation and natural fear is on display in the early stages, when contractions are mild, the waiting is about to end but pain is looming. There is such capability in laboring mothers that is laced with vulnerability.  It is this unguarded proficient strength that is motherhood and it makes me marvel in the wisdom and power of our God. Vulnerability allows for words of reassurance to be given and received. It allows for relying not in our own strength but on the deep knowledge that truly God has made us capable, capable to be an active part of His plan. Labor is a blessing full of opportunity to minister to one another and to trust in God's design. Witnessing this within my family, has made a deep impact on me and I treasure it. 

Will and Heather were an amazing laboring team. Will was in tune to her needs, both physical and emotional as they changed through labor and he was so encouraging. Heather released her ideal timeline and released her desire for the doctor with the good bedside manner and she did so gracefully. After twelve hours of labor and very human pain, Heather drew on that deep strength and pushed Little John with focus and determination. She was vulnerable, beautiful, powerful and amazing.  

Welcome Little John, and your not so little 9 pounds 2 ounces. 

 GOD IS GOOD... All the Time!

Claudia Sealed for Christ

I can still smell the Chrism that anointed Claudia's head yesterday as she was baptized and sealed for Christ. We filled the pews to worship together and celebrate. Our girls were so excited to be in church with all of the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. We got to sit close to the front and we could see Claudia throughout the Mass. Little Lily sat with us since Heather and Will were the godparents. Emma was happy to make sure Lily and Bridget were quiet and happy throughout Mass. After the homily by my dad, they called all of the cousins up to the edge of the altar. The kids all tried to get a good spot. It was sweet to see the biggest of them help the little ones find a spot so they could see. Magaly held Claudia wrapped in a big towel until it was time to immerse her in the holy waters. Dad held her little naked body in the air and immersed her 3 times. The little cousins' eyes were huge and giggled as she was baptized. Bridget thought it was great. We all did.

Claudia is the 18th grandchild for my parents and we excitedly waited for her to arrive. Back in November we had a baby shower for Magaly and Claudia as we looked forward to her birth. The girls of the family came together at my house for conversation and tiny gifts. Heather came up with the idea to make a baby blanket, so a few days before, she came over and we spent hours preparing squares. On the day of the shower each little girl joined an adult to help tie knots and together we made a beautiful fleece blanket for Claudia.

I told Magaly that I would love to help her through labor and I was so giddy when my Mom called me to let me know that Joe and Magaly were on the way to the hospital and they asked her to call me. What an honor. It was after 10 PM so my girls were asleep, Jim just looked at me grinned and said "go". Joe and Magaly were just checked into a room at the hospital when I arrived. It didn't take long before Magaly could no longer chat and instead worked through each contraction. Watching my brother support his wife and comfort her was an unexpected blessing. Labor was just that and Magaly got through it gracefully. Claudia slipped out early in the morning only a few hours after contractions started. I was awestruck. God is good! And Claudia is adorable. I was so glad to see this sweet little one come into this world and then be sealed for Christ.

With Cousins

Our girls have seen a lot of their cousins in the past few weeks, and are ready for more. Back in August, which seems so far ago, on a Thursday Jim headed off to Vegas for a bachelor party extended weekend. Eric, being the best man, was on the trip too. Becky still had to work so her kids stayed later than normal and we had them for dinner. My girls loved having dinner with their cousins. Eric had a business trip right when he got back from Vegas, so we repeated the dinner date on Tuesday. That same day my sister in law Heather was coming to spend time with our oldest nephew Anthony so her 2 little ones joined me, the girls, and Shumakers for a few hours. It was so much fun to have them. My girls love the little cousins. Rachael and Megan were disappointed that they would be at girl scout camp and miss the visit. Ben and Lilly chased after each other and over each other, while Bridget entertained them with toys.

Mary and Ed were going away for the night that Sturday before the arrival of their newest baby and asked if Katherine could spend the night at our house. The oldest 3 of their kids where headed off to my other siblings' houses. 2 of the boys were staying with the Arbutus Jauquets so I called them and asked if Sophia would like to spend the night with the girls at our house. A general redistribution of kids took place and we had 2 extra girls in our house for the night. It was the first sleep over for Katherine and Sophia, and it was the first time Megan got to participate in a sleepover at our house. Bridget was very excited about having her cousins over and wanted to "sleep over" too. I think Jim was glad to have a poker invitation and headed out after everyone was settled. Emma went off to a sleepover at a friends house. It was me and the little girls so we lined them all up in sleeping bags in the basement, ate popcorn and watched a movie. We had a great time. Bridget couldn't settle down after lights out, so I whisked her off to her crib. It was a successful first sleepover and a great way to spend time with our nieces.

The whole family got together on Labor day to celebrate birthdays, including Emma's 11th, at Will and Heather's house. All 16 of the cousins eased in and out of the house, basement and family room through the conversations of us adults. It is such a blessing to have this tribe as a central grounding force for our girls.

And just this past week the newest member was born to the tribe. Mary and Ed welcomed Teresa Annunziata on 9/10. Katherine spent the morning with us. It was hard for me to hand over the phone to Katherine when Ed called from the hospital. Katherine was very excited the baby was a girl. Ed's mom picked her up in the afternoon. All of the big brothers were buckled in, so I packed them snacks and off they went to the hospital to see little Teresa. I was eager to meet her myself and to see Mary so that night after bedtime I went to the hospital. Becky was there as well so we visited and enjoyed our newborn member of the family.

Heather and I headed over together to Mary and Ed's to help get the final baby things ready before she came home. Heather than came over to our house and rounded up our girls. Jim and I had a wedding to attend that night, and Will and Heather volunteered to take the girls for the night. Megan got nervous and cried that she didn't want to go but when it was time she was the first packed, the first dressed, and the first out the door. Bridget enjoyed packing her things including her baby doll that is now named baby Teresa. Jim and I had a fabulous time at the wedding and were able to relax with out the worry of rushing home to return a babysitter by a certain time.

When we picked the girls up on Sunday they were all comfortably playing and had stories to share. Rachael found a tree and had climbed 35 ft up (Will's estimate). Plus she had discovered a few stuffed animals that Speckles got along great with. Emma is a great baby tender and kept her eye on Lily. I am sure Emma did as much holding as Lily would allow. Will said that Bridget was their walking comic relief the whole time. They got a big kick out of her. Heather shared that Megan, who slept in William's room, kept coming out after being tucked in, to pass on William's needs to his parents. This made me laugh as she plays the same role at home. It is always Megan that appears by my bed in the middle of the night to let me know who is sick or is in needs of my help. Meg does this well. She is clear headed and to the point. All of the girls had a blast staying with their Aunt, Uncle and cousins and we were so grateful for the night out.

We and our girls are so blessed.

Celebrating Life

As I write big snow flakes are falling from the sky. Nothing is sticking but it sure is pretty. This past weekend we had wet and cold weather. Rachael's last soccer game was canceled so the season was very anti-climactic. We were very proud of how she played and cheered for her team. Emma's tournament was also rained out but hers is rescheduled for next weekend.

The Saturday turned into a nice stay at home kind of day. As we ate dinner, Megan suggested we build a fire that evening and everyone gave a big "Yeah!". That set the evening in motion. After dinner Jim started the fire while I made brownies with the girls. Then they all took quick baths and got into jammies. We put on the movie "Kung Fu Panda" and snuggled in for a family movie night.

On Sunday, the 3 big girls and I headed over to Joe and Magaly's house for Kelly's baby shower. She is due Dec. 19, and we were really excited to have the opportunity to throw her a baby shower. It was a fun girl's afternoon with my mom, aunts, sisters and cousin. Becky brought 6 week old Benjamin and Heather brought 3 week old Lillian, so there was lots of baby and pregnancy talk. Emma had been excited when I suggested bringing a group game and made lots of attempts to get us to play it, but we were all so enjoying the conversation and food that we never got around to it.
 

All of us were eager to hold the little ones. Emma stayed upstairs taking turns holding Lily and Benjamin, while Meg and Rae played downstairs with Sophia. Toward the end of the shower Meg was asking for a chance too. Lily and Benjamin were happy to be held and slept through most of the passing around. Rachael was the last to ask for a turn to hold the babies since she was busy playing with hippos and enjoying treats. When she held them she did it well and looked intently at their little faces. The babies are both perfect and neat mix of their families. Each is so individual and I know has been right from the moment they began growing in my sisters' wombs. It is a wonderful oppurtunity to share this with my daughters and emphasize how special they each are and have always been. I am looking forward to seeing baby Nava-Blake.

Getting together with multiple generations has such benefits, I wish we did it more.

Baby Lillian

We were all excited yesterday to welcome little Lillian to God's wonderful world. Heather and Will make a great team and were glowing when I arrived a few hours after her birth. I got to witness big brother William interact with his new little sister. He was tender and interested and seemed struck by the wonder of God's work. Lillian has soft light brown hair, with a face shaped a lot like William's. I really enjoyed being able to hold her.

Our girls call William, Willy and Rachael got a kick out of Willy and Lily. Then Emma impersonated the way William says her name, which comes out like Yill-ye-an. What a crew of cousins they are!

A new Baby

Baby Benjamin Patrick was born on Tuesday 9/30 at 12:21PM. I visited the hospital a few hours after he was born and was struck with awe at God's power and goodness. Benjamin was perfect and beautiful and unique. We are all excited to welcome him to the family.

Sarah was at our house Thursday morning while Becky and Benjamin were being released from the hospital. They decided to pick Sarah up on their way home. Megan and Bridget were eager to get shoes on so they could go out to see them. They got to peek at Benjamin sleeping in his car seat. Bridget's eyes got really big and the awe came over her as well. She whispered "baby Benjamin".