…I think mainly because she can relate so closely to the lyrics. 
Courtney’s New Favorite Song… Wednesday, Apr 29 2009
Funny Stuff 2:46 pm
The Birth Story Friday, Apr 17 2009
Cute Kid Stuff and Funny Stuff and Parenting 11:25 am
Here’s the birth story we promised, and let me tell you, it’s quite entertaining.
Our family was on our way to church for the 5:00 service on Easter Sunday. When we took the exit, I told Bill I had already had 3 contractions in the van but said I wasn’t too concerned yet. We arrived at church, and I took Ariana to her room while Bill went into the service with Liam and Esther. For some reason my biggest girl decided to have a meltdown outside her door, so I ended up staying with her for a while so as not to disturb the teaching that was already in progress, the whole time feeling my contractions getting stronger and closer. I don’t think I ended up in the service until 45 minutes late or so. When I got in Bill started timing my contractions. At this point they were making me tear up and were around five minutes apart. I wanted to stay, though, so I simply sat when needed and took some good deep breaths. I felt like our pastor kept giving me strange looks, but I always think he’s looking directly at me since I swear he has a camera in my house and writes sermons based on the sin he sees specifically in my life. 
When the service was over, we stayed and chatted while we waited for our babysitter, Rachel, to get there. People have some great reactions when they ask your due date and you tell them you’re in labor right now. Once Rachel arrived, we headed home and started making phone calls, though my wonderful friend and OB, Heather, was not one of those yet. In fact, Bill posted about my labor on facebook right before we called her. She found out because her husband, Chip, was the first to see Bill’s status and told her. Oops! She was so sweet and gracious, though, as always.
After my doula, Lorie, arrived, contractions progressed pretty quickly. We decided to go to the hospital around 10:30 and left about 10 minutes later. While Bill was checking us in, registration called upstairs and told them to come quickly because they thought this lady looked like she was about to deliver. The wheelchair was there within five minutes and I was soon in the delivery room. The nurse told me to go in the restroom to get in my gown and give a urine sample. Bill went in with me, and we closed the door.
Almost as soon as I had given the sample, I looked at Bill with a panicked expression and started hitting the rail. Bill asked what was going on but I couldn’t say anything. Suddenly I started pushing. Heather was already outside the door and heard me. I told Bill I felt like I was in a cop show because at that point Heather started beating on the door asking me what was wrong. When I wasn’t responding (except with grunts), she said, “Courtney, we’re coming in!” I looked at her and said, “need. to. push.”
Heather: O.K. Let’s get you to the bed.
(someone’s hands helping me stand up, still over the toilet)
Me: Can’t!
(gave a push and felt the head come out–put my hand under her head so she didn’t fall in the toilet)
Heather saw what was going on and was quickly there to catch, ahem, deliver Miriam the rest of the way. I gave one more push and she was out. She was delivered in her water which splashed on the floor once Heather had a hold of her. I heard, “It’s a girl!” and broke into hysterical laughter along with my doula. I looked at her and said, “Did I really just give birth?” We were laughing so hard that everyone kept reminding me to look at Miriam. I forgot she was there in the craziness! She was absolutely beautiful, though it was hard to see her through all the tears I was crying from laughing so hard.
Bill cut her cord (in the bathroom), and they took me to the bed to deliver the placenta. Miriam Elise was 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 19 inches long, born at 11:15 p.m., very healthy. It took about 30 minutes more before the placenta came, and then it was pretty much over. The nurse who got the call from registration said I delivered 10 minutes from the time I had arrived at the hospital. Heather talked to Bill later and with a sweet smile said, “Cut it a little close, don’t you think?” I don’t know. I think I could have gone a little longer.
I like to say I went in to give a urine sample and came out with a baby, but my father-in-law says that some day I will have to tell Miriam I pooped her out. We’ll see…
Meet Miriam Elise! Monday, Apr 13 2009
Cute Kid Stuff and Parenting 2:06 pm
Miriam Elise Bell
April 12th, 2009
at 11:15 p.m.
7 lbs. 6 oz
19 in.
Baby’s a-comin’ y’all!!!! Sunday, Apr 12 2009
Parenting 8:41 pm
Court started having contractions in the 5:00 Easter service at Sojourn. We’re still home, but will be going to the hospital in a few hours. Pray for us that all would go well. We’re pumped and remember the bigger event we enjoy today:
HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!!
