Daniel is already such a sweet daddy. He loves Sawyer more than I could ever hope for. He has prayed over this baby girl for years, and we are so thankful for her. Daniel's perspective is so different than my own. Reading his version of Sawyer's birth brings tears to my eyes.
You have officially been on the outside for 18 hours it is April 3rd 2018. I love you fiercely Sawyer Denise Crowson. You are the light of my life and you are everything your mother and I have prayed for. So let me tell you a little of your birth story, and a little on why this has been so special to me.
On Easter Sunday (April Fools Day) your mom went to Chief and GiGi’s house for Easter dinner while I was on shift at the fire station. Around 4 o’clock she texted me saying that she’s been having pretty mild to strong contractions. Also that she felt she was soaked (been leakin a little bit). But she reassured me that it’s not big deal and that contractions were random and far apart. I think she told me that because she was all about that pot roast for dinner and didn’t want to miss a meal. She was craving pot roast for the last couple weeks leading up to labor. Around 6 she left Arlington and drove home, texted me saying that the contractions were more intense and closer together about 10-12 minutes. She wasn’t sure if this was false labor or what, I mean come on it was two weeks early. (She was praying that you would be early she wanted to meet you so stinkin bad.) She didn’t want to be that first time mom who went up to the hospital 3 times in a week thinking she was in labor. We had been texting all evening (we do that pretty much everyday I’m at the station, can’t wait to facetime you goodnight when I’m at work), around 10:30 she tells me that contractions are more like 5-6 minutes apart. So I’m thinking OH BOY what is this, this is happening today. So I told my officer that my wife was in labor and I GOTS TO GO! We had to wait on someone to come relieve me on the medic, (whole time your mom and I are facetiming through the contractions and I’m coaching her on breathing). Cpt hears her on the phone and was like "yeah man you can go forget whoever is coming in just go"
.
So I drive home (45 minute drive with no traffic) in 28 minutes. Record timing if I do say myself, I was so excited to meet you and so nervous/scared for Kelsey to be in so much pain. (Which by the way your mother is wonder woman) I cannot tell people enough how strong of a woman she is. She handled labor like a freaking champ! She did it without me for like 6 hours then by the time we got to the hospital she was having contractions every 2-3 minutes and already dilated at a 4! You were ready to rock, which is hilarious to me for 2 reasons.
1. It proves that you’re a Crowson because we are always early.
2. Your due date was your cousin Claire’s birthday, your scheduled induction was on your Uncle Mark’s birthday, then you decide to be born on your Aunt Allie’s birthday. Shows you have quite the sense of humor just like your daddy.
Once we were at the hospital we were in a triage room for about a hour. You mom was having contractions about 1-2 minutes apart, we were then moved to the delivery room. Your mama could not sit during these contractions, I’ve never seen her in so much pain. She would constantly walk back and forth and during the contractions she would have me get behind her and push down on her lower back/hips to help with the pain. Finally after laboring at the hospital for about 2-3 hours she was given an epidural. Now if you don’t know what that is look that junk up, it is something I could never imagine having done. Pretty much imagine a gigantic needle going into your back. YIKES. She sat there and didn’t even flinch and after that she laid down and slept for a good hour, I fell asleep too (it had been a long day at the fire station). Within a hour or so BOOM 5 nurses come rushing into the room and throw the lights on (I was in station mode) so I jumped like we had a call. Scared the poop out of me (not literally). They told us that Kelsey had a lot of contractions within a short amount of time and that you had dropped down even further to be ready for birth. Your mom went from a 5 to an 8 in less than a hour. Apparently you had already packed your bags and were ready to check out. They gave your mom terbutaline to slow down the contractions, they wanted to give you some rest since you were getting pushed on non-stop. About 8 am Dr O’toole came in and we got you out in less than 40 minutes! Your mom pushed like an all star (please refer to All Star by Smashmouth). I would coach her through breathing then she would push and slowly but surely you popped right out. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Immediately you were placed on your mom’s chest and we were in love. There was nothing that could have replaced that moment, it was a pure miracle. They dried you off weighed you and gave you back to us.
Sawyer Denise Crowson you were born on April 2nd, 2018 weighing 7lbs 7oz and measuring 20 inches. 7lbs 7oz of pure joy. We are so in love with you, you are the light of our life.
I had never felt closer to God, that he was so faithful in all His promises, and that His plan is far greater than anything we could dream up or imagine. I am a worrier, but I am working on that because in Christ we find our life, our plan, our identity. When you were born I saw God’s love and promise delivered in such a physical form that I was awestruck. Every time I look at you, watch you sleep, feed, cry, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness (I know I’ve said it a hundred times). Just know your dad and mom aren’t perfect but we love you and we find our faith and life in Christ and hope and pray that you do as well one day. I promise we will do everything we can do to show you Christ’s love and His plan for you. I also promise you that we will fail you at times, but that our love for you is never ending.
Love You,
Daddy
