Our Journey, His Work: *Our hospital stay*

We could not have been more pleased or well taken care of than at the hospital where we had Jayden. We thoroughly enjoyed all the wonderful doctors, nurses, pediatricians, and midwives during our hospital stay. In fact, after being there a few hours after Jayden was born - I realized it is IMPOSSIBLE to sleep at the hospital because someone is knocking on your door every 5 minutes to either check your vitals or the baby's vitals or to see if you need anything at all. While that was wonderful, I got ZERO sleep during the hospital stay. In fact, during the 48 hours in the hospital - I MAY have slept 2 hours total. I was so thankful though. Thankful for no sleep, a healthy baby boy, amazing workers skilled in different areas, a mom that was staying for the week and a husband that served the mess out of me. Jayden was a champ in the hospital too. He slept well, latched on well for breastfeeding from the very beginning, and took shots like a warrior.

On another note, I was humbled more in the 2 days in the hospital than I can begin to explain. What I am about to say, is not me bragging on my husband or trying to convince anyone that he is the best, but simply acknowledging how I experienced an entirely knew glimpse of the love Christ has for His Bride in how Rance cared for me in the hospital. I tear up dwelling on THIS LOVE. CHRIST PERFECT LOVE. He designed marriage to be a picture of this LOVE so that we may experience and get a glimpse of it. It's a love we cannot fathom, a love we cannot comprehend YET He makes us ABLE to tap into this LOVE in this life - it's our choice. I have never doubted Rance's love for me and from day one, it has always humbled me in the way he CHOOSES to love me and serve me out of his love for the Father; however, in the hospital his love and service to me went to an entirely new level. I felt helpless, needy, like a kid wearing a diaper and needing someone to change me (literally). I mean, after birthing a 9 pound, 9 ounce child - my body felt violated in all areas - and Rance joyfully served me. We shared many laughs everytime he went to the bathroom with me to assist me (I'll leave it at that) and he would say over and over again, "when you met me in Trinidad in 2009, did you think I'd be.....(fill in the blank for whatever he was doing at that moment)." The answer is always a resounding NO! God is GOOD!

all sorts of testing and he stayed so chill the entire time

first bath

Passed out!

Is Rance beaming?!?! Nahhhh!

Grandma is in heaven!

On Sunday evening, the hospital provides a 'special' dinner for the couple in your room! Since my mom was staying with us the 2nd evening in the hospital, they graciously added her to the dinner. I know people always talk about hospital food like it's such a bad thing but I must say - this was one of the BEST MEALS (and I honestly enjoyed my hospital breakfast too). We were served steak OR chicken cordon bleu with salad, steamed veggies and some AMAZING chocolate cake.

On a funny note, you will not see the sparkling grape juice that came with the meal but Rance drank the whole bottle once he realized it was NOT alcohol (that's why it's not pictured below HA).

On Monday morning, June 9th, we were released from our hospital stay. The weirdest feeling is leaving the hospital with this new baby, this new life and thinking 'do I really get to take him home with me?' I know Jayden was in the womb for 9 months and you supposedly 'prepare' to have a child during that time but to walk out of the hospital with a newborn and know God is entrusting Jennifer & Rance with His child, Jayden, is a responsiblity I do NOT take lightly.