Abraham Craig Marshall!

Abe's first moment in life.



DISCLAIMER: It may be a little late to be writing this, but after re-reading the post that follows, I thought it would be appropriate to say that while it was the right thing for us with this baby, we do not necessarily advocate natural birthing for all. Different things are right for different people at different times. That said, we do recommend that people study their options to make a decision.

Mosiah 24:14-15
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

These two verses describe very well Ariel's experience delivering Abraham Craig Marshall into the world this morning, our 8 lb. 15 oz. (one ounce from 9 lbs), 19 inch baby. She did so without medical intervention, and never once did she complain, or say she could not do it. Through fasting, prayers, and blessings, His grace was sufficient to "make her burdens light." My love grew deeper than it knew how for dear Ariel as she gave of herself for the life of our little firstborn. Words simply cannot describe how I feel for her and how I feel for him. It is so deep.
Sunday we started counting contractions around 11:00 a.m. They were about 10 minutes apart. She went about the day as usual, and realized that she was not feeling pain, despite the other symptons of contractions. On Monday I took work off and we prepared for labor and delivery. We made Abraham a birthday cake (a Portuguese Bolo de Bolachas), went on three walks, talked a lot, went to Jamba Juice, and watched parts of "Fantasia." By then her contractions were two to three minutes a part and we figured it was time to go in.
We went in and found she was six cenimeters dilated. We were let into a birthing room designated for natural birthing and the battle began.
Ariel became her best self. I fell in love with her 100 times over again. She could joke around (telling me to not "run a muck" or saying that a contration was "a howdy-doo"), she was brave as could be throughout the increasingly difficult contractions, and she knew in whom she trusted and that He would deliver her and the baby safely.
She was in the thick of contractions from 10:00 p.m. to 5:20 a.m., and she didn't dilate any more. But she never said she couldn't do it, she never asked for petocin to speed up the process, she simply pressed on.
Eventually they broke her water in order to get the baby on his way out, and soon thereafter, he came out. I was in awe of my sweet wife as she passed through the transition stage and into the pushing stage. That pushing is hard! I cried for joy, love, and sorrow for my beautiful wife and new baby as she pushed. As she was pushing the midwife told her that the baby's hearbeat was going down and that she needed to have the baby now. That's all Ariel needed to hear. She started pushing and didn't stop until his wet, beautiful body was slipping on top of her. It was amazing.

It was a sacred moment to witness. I believe it connected her to her ancestors who all labored without medication. It also connected her to the Savior. He suffered physical trials and internal anguish in order to save those who could not save themselves. Labor is a very similar experience, and I witnessed that this morning.
It was an empowering experience for all of us, including Abraham. He looks wonderful. Perhaps a reddish tint in his hair. Ariel is recovering beautifully and gracefully.
We thank all of those who prayed for us and thought of us during this time. We especially thank Mom Galli. She was Ariel's Doula. Without her help taking pictures, taking notes, encouraging Ariel, calling people, and getting us fed throughout the long night, it would have been an entirely different experience. It's no wonder where her daughter gets that selfless nature.
Many more pictures to come.