Last week I wrote another article for Dad Bloggers and it was published first thing Friday morning. I retold my story about how last month at this time my 5th child was born.

My wife and I have been having our kids born at home and each time it is quite an adventure. This story I wrote covers the labor and birth briefly in chronological order. Here is a little teaser of what 6:25am was like Super Bowl Sunday:

6:25am: Wife calls from bathroom and I come running.

6:26am: Wife: “Are the midwives here yet?”
Me: “No, it has only been 15 or 20 minutes…. (pause) WHY?”
Wife: “They better hurry up cause I feel like I need to push.”
Me: (Silently in my head) “Holy $@*&”
Me: “Really?”
Wife: “Yeah I think so. Is the bed ready?”
Me: “YEP!”

So go to Dad Bloggers and read my entire article.

Well Meghan Alexis was born at home at 7am on Super Bowl Sunday, February 4th, 2007.

Meghan was born 7 lbs, 8oz and 19 inches long.

Here are a couple of pics to get you started. More coming later:

Our family has a tradition of having our kids born at home. It is not as bad as you may think if you haven’t ever done it or fear the entire birthing process. Let me tell you though, with our first child I was a complete wreck. The problem was basically fear of the unknown. There is still the element of surprise with each birth but at least you are familiar with a lot more of the process.

But what is weird is not the actual birth process but afterwards. The midwives leave after a couple hours and it is just the family again but this time with a new addition. And the weirdest part is knowing that 2 hours ago the baby wasn’t even “out”. Now you see me, now you don’t kind of a thing.

But, basically the experience is quite relaxing. We can set up the bedroom however we like. Light candles (or dim the lights), turn on background music real low, and set up the things you need around the room. We always have a back up oxygen tank, hot water, towels, etc.

It is really about my wife and want she wants. The happier she is the better the entire process goes.

My wife has exceptionally quick births. Once her water breaks the baby is out in 12 to 18 hours. The other thing too is once she starts pushing the baby is born within 20 minutes. I remember with our last child it was about 6 minutes. So it all happens real fast and it seems to get faster each time. That is why it is good to be ready and prepared. There are times I am actually thankful we don’t have to get in a car and drive her to the hospital. Why should I have to move her and get her somewhere. There have been times we wouldn’t have made it probably. But everybody comes to her. Her mother comes and picks up the kiddos, the midwife and her assistant come over. That is much better than having to get all 4 of the kids ready, drive them over to my wife’s mother’s house, and then go to the hospital.

But if you have any questions about the home birth experience please feel free to ask away. Even though I have done it 4 times I am in no way an expert on the matter but would love to try and answer any questions you may have.

I will also be posting updates. I won’t post personal stuff but if I get a chance I will fill you in on how far along we are. Whether it is 24 hours, 3 days or a week.

Well it is getting closer each day to the arrival of our new baby. We still don’t know if it is a boy or a girl. With all of our 4 previous kids we let it be a surprise as well. Some of you may not be aware either but we have a tradition of having each of our kids born at home. The first time around it was difficult for me to adjust and the stress level was amazingly high. But now that we are on #5 there doesn’t seem to be a lot of anxiety like I felt with the first couple.

With the decrease in stress I can focus less on the actual birth event and prepare better for the baby. The following is a list of things I have been doing (or plan to do shortly) in preparation of our new arrival this month.

1) I have moved my office from upstairs in my bedroom to downstairs in the front living room. This will allow me to work and supervise more easily and prevent me from having to shuffle people upstairs just so I can check my email. I will continue to do a lot of my writing in the evenings but throughout the day I check email, check comments, and look for links.

2) I have been doing laundry up the kazoo! When the baby arrives I want to have all of our clothes washed, folded, and put away.

3) Removing clutter. I have been cleaning off those fireplace mantles where clutter seems to accumulate. I have cleaned off the top of the filing cabinet and other corners of the house where things tend to pile up. Reducing clutter is not just a mental relief but it also helps when the time comes for the baby to crawl.

4) Throwing unnecessary stuff away. Whether it gets tossed into the garbage or donated to the Salvation Army, getting rid of things that you just don’t need is a great way to prepare for a new baby. This provides more room in the house and it also makes it easier for you to find things.

5) Buying necessary items. Things I have yet to buy are newborn diapers, baby food, bottle liners, etc.

6) Break out the baby swing and seat now. With the past kids sometimes I am so wrapped up in the moment and focusing on the birth that once the baby is here I am up in the attic digging out the old baby seats and swings. Where is that baby bath thingy anyway?? I didn’t know the stroller had a busted wheel. Darnit!! Get those things out and make sure they are all cleaned and working properly.

7) Dust. No matter how much you hate dusting it should be done. It is healthier for the baby but also when will be the next time you actually dust?? Usually we are so busy with the baby and keeping up with messes that the extra step to dust is far from our minds.

Preparing the kids. One of the funnest part of preparing for the new baby is to get the children mentally ready. Ask them questions like how they want to help with the new baby when he/she (it) arrives. What kinds of things do you want to teach the baby? If we can get the kids prepared enough that it won’t be a complete shock when the baby arrives the better off we will be.