rose*art: Cletus Anthony Klein

Friday I jokingly told my midwife that maybe I would have the baby so I wouldn't have drive to Peaster TX. for my appointment. Well that didn't happen, baby was still snug in my belly so Franz and the boys and I made the drive together for my appointment. Everything looked good, it was just a matter of when baby decided to come. I said I thought it could be any day.

That evening my back really started to ache. I ignored it because that is pretty normal at the end of pregnancy. Throughout the night I subconsciously felt painful contractions. Around 4 a.m. I became conscious of the painful contractions. They were not regular and really long, but they were all painful. So I just laid in bed trying to relax and was keeping track of the length and time of contractions. I didn't wake Franz, he awoke at 6:30 and I told him I was sure I was in labor. So we waited till seven and Franz got up and started taking care of the boys. We called the midwife and I told her that I was having painful contractions not too close but not to far apart. I didn't want her to come quite yet just in case it was awhile yet.

I changed my mind as I started to feel more painful contractions closer together. Franz quickly dressed the boys while I got their bag ready. He asked if I would be okay while he dropped them off at some friends less than a mile from us. I said yes but to hurry back. We also called the midwife and told her it would be good for her to come.

I tried to relax as much as I could. Which is really difficult when you are in labor and it is back labor. I have been told by my mother who gave birth to eleven children that back labor is the worst. I can say from the perspective of only really laboring with back pain that I agree!

I don't know exactly what time Franz got back but it was 7 something and shortly after the midwife arrived. There was a student coming too. The student made it here after 8. It must of been close to 8:30 when I said I felt some bearing down. Soon after that my midwife said she wanted to check me to see where we were at. My water broke and she quickly checked me and as she was saying. Yes, you are going to have a baby. I was starting to push, and about two and a half minutes later Cletus made a gusty cry as he flew into the world. Franz had been planning on catching, but he was behind when the midwife checked so he wasn't able to catch. He did get to cut the cord though.

The blessed relief of holding the little guy for the first time. Now we are a happy, crazier, bigger family. Thank you to all who prayed and supported us along the way. Also, special thanks to the Uphams and Berquists for helping with Cyprian and Clement!