Our 2nd Miracle came on the 2nd
Over the last year, I've dreamt about what meeting Liam's baby brother or sister would be like. I prayed so many prayers—specific ones. I prayed my heart would be able to grow for another baby. I prayed that Jesus would show up in delivery just as he did for Liam's. I prayed for redemption. I prayed for healing. I prayed for Liam’s legacy to continue.
Throughout baby brother's pregnancy, it was a battle to juggle both grief and joy constantly. Each month that passed, I celebrated another milestone of the baby growing inside of me, but I also grieved Liam and his upcoming first birthday. It was July 1st. How had this day already come? How had my perfect firstborn already been in heaven for one whole year? How had it been this long since I last held him and kissed him?
Keith and I did our best to make the most of the day, knowing that's what Liam would want. We released balloons to heaven and had a bunny cake. As I blew out his candles, Keith held me as I cried. I had one wish… I wished he and Jesus would send us his baby brother the next day. My due date wasn't for another couple of weeks, but my heart was so desperate to hold my baby.
The next morning, on July 2nd, I had my weekly doctor's appointment at 9 am. Keith woke me up at 8 am. The second I put my feet on the floor, my water broke. There was no question that it was that. My water had broke with Liam a year before, and I knew with everything in me, that my prayer and wish would be happening!! We called Dr Mac immediately, and he told us to put the packed bags in the car! We then called our parents and told them today was the day. They were in shock and couldn't believe Mama had guessed the day. Our 1st son was born on the 1st, and our 2nd would be born on the 2nd….. Jesus was already showing up.
We checked into L&D, and immediately, our sweet friend Marissa was there to greet us and take us to our room. She helped deliver Liam and has been such a gift to us this last year. She printed out the sweetest verses and a happy birthday card for the wall. It was so surreal having her and our other favorite nurse, Carolyn, there to welcome our 2nd sweet baby into the world!
I'll spare everyone the details of contractions and labor pains, but with this delivery, I got to be the girl with the motivation that it is all worth it and that pretty soon, I would be holding my miracle.
At 2:38 pm, we met face to face with our beautiful baby boy and Liam's baby brother….Cooper Mac Shamblin. When I heard that loud, healthy cry, I burst into a million tears. It was the most restoring sound I will ever hear on this side of heaven. My heart grew, and I loved this baby more than I ever imagined. Jesus was there.
After evaluating baby Cooper and calling in the neonatologist, they made the unfortunate decision that baby boy had to go to the NICU. He had a very high fever. Honestly, it was devastating, and I was frustrated with God that we were going to have another abnormal hospital stay. I knew we could handle anything after last time, but it just seemed unfair. However, NICU nurses are something special; they made the first few days of Cooper's life so sweet. One was even present for his big brother's birth, so she took extra good care of our boy. Jesus was still showing up, and those prayers were still answered….just not in the way I thought.
After a few days and good test results, we were cleared and heard the words we've waited for forever….. you get to take your baby HOME. I cried the whole way home. Thank you, Jesus, for bringing us this far. Thank you for filling our home with the most precious baby to love forever. We made it.
I continue to write and share our family's story for the girl in the waiting, for the Mama whose heart is shattered and who doesn't feel like she'll ever have hope or joy again. I was that girl. One year later, I can honestly say that I have never been happier. Motherhood is the greatest gift on earth, and I do not take a minute for granted. Cooper has brought immeasurable joy and healing. There will never be a day that I do not grieve Liam, but his baby brother is living out his legacy, and that is something special.
“Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”