Welcome to the world, Chapman David! He was born at home on Monday, January 7, at 8:40 p.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz, 19 1/2 in. long. We are in love with him already and are so glad he's here!
About a month ago, at the dinner table, Jeff said, "Ade, what do you think of the name Chapman for a boy?" He had just picked up a book by Chap Clark, a well-loved professor at Fuller Seminary, and thought that was a cool name. :) I liked it too. David is after my dad, and Chapman's Papa Dave. It means "beloved."
He has a full head of hair! This was definitely my longest, hardest labor, with hard contractions coming and going for over 24 hours, a labor tub leaking in our room and Jeff running up and down the stairs to get towels, boil water, etc. (I think he felt like he was on the "Little House on the Prairie" show...), an antibiotic shot that "malfunctioned" and left me with throbbing pain shooting down my leg for 10 hours, and all kinds of other things that now we laugh about, but at the time made me question whether we were doing the right thing!
Looking back though, I loved being at home for the birth. It was so peaceful, natural, calm, and I felt so comfortable there. My midwife and her assistant, plus Jeff as my coach were amazing! Whenever we would ask the midwife if we could do certain things, she would respond, "You're in charge. This is your birth and your body. I'm just here to serve you!" Wow, that was so different than the hospital experience! Below is our new family of 6, just after he was born.
Chapman is getting very spoiled by being held ALL the time. Big sister is our nanny, and everyone else has to go through her to get to hold him! :) Emma is so sweet, so gentle, and so loving with him. Jeff said to her last night, "Emma, when I grow up, I want you to be my mommy!" We said that maybe someday she will take care of us when we get old... :)
We think it looks like Chap is smiling in the photo below. He knows big brother Clay is going to be lots of fun!
And then there's Hudson...he is also very interested in this tiny person. We tell him they're going to be best friends and share a room someday. He already brought a book over to Chap to "read" to him. We've seen a little bit of behavior issue with Hud, but for the most part, he's being very sweet to the little guy.
I am so thankful that my mom was able to be here for a few days this week. She was a rock star, cooking yummy soup, bringing me breakfast in bed, changing stinky diapers, taking kids to the Children's Museum, taking the late night "baby holding" shift, reading books, playing games, and giving lots of attention to Hudson especially. Thank you so much, Mom! You deserve a vacation or a spa day at least! :)
So, Little Chapman, we thank God for you! You are the one He has blessed us with and the one He made for our family. We can't wait to see the plans He has for your life and the days ahead marked out for you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made by Your Creator. You are a treasure and we trust Him with your life!
