Thankful Expressions: First Moments ...and an I Heart Faces Entry

Desiring to make an entry to I Heart Faces' monthly photo challenge, I'm reposting this blog-post from the day our darling Aria arrived (11/12/11). I couldn't resist this one... the theme is "Beautiful B & W" and, certainly, this is the most beautiful B & W I've ever seen. Read on, you'll see why!

Inside, her room is dimly lit.

Here since midnight, she's on hands and knees; rocking.

The pain rips through her body and she throws her head back. A primal cry escapes her, and I want to cry, too. It's just about more than this mama can take, but I heed my own advice and just breathe though it.

Little One's daddy and I share a knowing glance. We understand each other, helpless to alleviate the agony and almost crushed because of it.

Outside, the sun quietly, gloriously, rises.

The sky lights up, painted purple and peach. The filtered rays find their way to shimmering trees and I'm peacefully reminded of what is soon to come...

...the wonder of Baby's first breath.

We wait.

(At 7:30 AM, an epidural has her mercifully resting.)

And at 11:05 AM...