Tom & Abigail's Baby is born!

Talitha counting each contraction

     WRITTEN BY ABIGAIL SHEPHERD.

       (and under photo captions by Charis.)

People say labour will feel like this or that and it was similar in some ways but on the other hand it was a totally different and unique experience which you can't really put into words very easily. 

I kind of imagined the birth would be quicker. It went on longer than I expected but there were no complications so that's the main thing. I wouldn't have changed anything if I could have done. 

Talitha fills up the birthing pool for Abigail. She loved being at the birth
as she would like to be a mid-wife someday.

I have always liked the idea of having a water birth. When I was pregnant with Micah it was my first ideal option. It was so nice that I was able to have a water birth and have it at home as well, I was very pleased that I could have that as it was what I always wanted.

Thank you for being there at the birth, Mum (Shepherd) and being such a help too. You were a very calming presence there.

Micah is here!

Just moments after Micah arrived 

Rhiannon was Abigail's Doula

A very proud Nana!

Micah is the cutest most lovely baby I could ever have wished for! It's lovely being able to hold other people's babies but it's amazing to have your own and be able to do everything with him and watch him grow up.

We were first drawn to Micah's name when reading through the book of Micah. We had several names we liked but we felt led to call him Micah when we prayed about it and God led us to that particular name. It's funny how God leads you to particular names for your children as it's almost like you don't need to choose! Micah means 'who is like God' and he really suits the name because he is so loud and we are sure God will lead him in the future to be His voice and be a prophet.


 Shomer is quite an unusual name which comes from Hebrew and has a very cool meaning which is ,Keeper, Watchman or Guardian'.
Emmanuel means of course, 'God with us' but we found out some other things about it (and his other names also) only after we had named him. Emmanuel for example is one of the few names of God which lacks the Hebrew verb 'to be'. Other false gods are named because of what they do, (e.g Thor is the god of thunder) but in the name Emmanuel God is because he is (I AM) he doesn't have to do anything to be who he is because He just is! Emmanuel is also another name for Jesus who was God with us. There is lots more we found out about Micah s names but it would be to long to post on this blog!

Uncle Ike

Everyone saying hi to their new Nephew

Auntie Charis

Micah 1 week old.

                         

Tom looking trendy with the new-dad look! -Charis

Tom is doing fantastically well at being a Dad. He is such a natural and loves Micah to bits! It is so cute to see Micah having some Daddy time when they are listening to music together, playing guitar or just having a cuddle.

Abigail is doing brilliant as a Mum too!

Micah can be very loud at times and also gets bored quite easily which is why I constantly have to find things to do with him to keep him happy and stimulated. I don't mind at all however as he keeps me busy when Toms at work! He is also very affectionate and smiles all day long! He is such a happy baby as long as he has his milk and has enough to do! He sleeps rather a lot. He's slept through the night since  birth and also has about 3 naps a day! Micah loves music and happily listens to Tom playing guitar. He definitely takes after his Daddy in that way! He also likes being outdoors, going for walks in the sling, playing with his toys, and watching Mummy do the housework.

Tom and his precious son Micah