Welcome to the world little Gabriella

I met the couple exactly one week ago to the day. Mom is stunning, and so young (2 years younger than me) and dad is studying to be a Pastor. Their faith and commitment really was amazing. She was only 38 weeks today, but dad knew that baby will be here this week.

Anyway I got a call at about 11am from the dad to say that they had gone in for their weekly appointment and the midwife told them that she will be having this baby before sunset. So I agree with dad that I will be there in about 2 hours just so they can go home and get their bags etc. 5 minutes later the midwife calls me and says that I should get there quickly, she is dilating quickly and its going to be a very quick birth. So I get into Fourways traffic, takes me about an hour to get there. Luckily when I arrived the birth pool was set up already by the granny (hehe) and the midwife said that I had to needed to make an effort to connect with the mom (considering we had a very short week to do it in). I walked into the room and she didn't want ANYONE touching her. Within an hour I was rubbing her back and comforting her through the contractions. Their was a song playing on the radio that we all loved and the dad and I laughed and said it would be funny if the baby was born to that song. I was with her for about an hour before the midwife came in - she got to about 7-8cm dilated within this time. This girl, this amazing woman, managed her contractions so so well. She did cry, but she was so strong and so incredible that I am just in awe.

Baby was born in the birthing pool (with dad in it) at 15h05 - to the song that we laughed about earlier - a miracle I believe! (lyrics below). Gabriella weighed in at 2.85kgs. I helped mom take a bath after the birth, and baby latched absolutely perfectly first time. Mom and dad are amazing, and I would be blessed if my own birth went half as well as hers did. She had a slight nick, but nothing that needed to be stitched. It was a quick labour, about 8 hours in all.

The midwife let me put her first nappy on her and show mom and dad how to use the wecesan powder on the umbilical cord. I felt SO HONOURED to be asked to do that!

She was named after the Angel Gabriel, and this is the song she was born to (it is the most beautiful song, and I just cry when i think about it):

[i] verse 1

i see the king of glory coming on the clouds with fire the whole earth shakes the whole earth shakes.

verse 2

i see his love and mercy washing over all our sin the people sing the people sing.

chorus

hosanna hosanna, hosanna in the highest. hosanna hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

verse 3

i see a generation rising up to take their place with selfless faith with selfless faith.

verse 4

i see a near revival stirring as we pray and seek we're on our knees we're on our knees.

chorus

hosanna hosanna, hosanna in the highest. hosanna hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

bridge

heal my heart and make it clean open up my eyes to the things unseen show me how to love like you have loved me. break my heart for what breaks yours everything i am for your kingdoms cause as i walk from earth into eternity.

chorus

hosanna hosanna, hosanna in the highest. hosanna hosanna, hosanna in the highest. (x2)[/i]

Thank you Lord for another miracle.