IIn 2009, I witnessed the birth of my great nephew, Branson Layne. This special event has connections back to July 2005. Here’s what happened!
In July 2005, my sister-in-law died. At the time, her youngest daughter was pregnant with her first child, due in October. My niece asked me if I would come and be with her when her baby came the evening of her mom’s memorial service—to step in for her mom! In a mixture of sorrow and joy, tears and laughter, I said, “YES!”
To understand the importance of this for me, I have no children. So, this offered me the experience of childbirth—yes, from an observer’s point-of-view, but a full view of the experience, and the opportunity to assist my dear niece.
So, I saved my Southwest points so I could fly to California at the drop of hat. As her due date neared, I packed a bag to be ready! I was so excited! At 6:00 AM on October 4, 2005, I got the call. Her water broke—it was here! Immediately, I booked a flight with my points, got to the airport and flew away, hoping to be there on time. I’m the eternal optimist!
The sad news: I landed in Sacramento, California when he came, and they lived a couple hours away, so no first-hand experience with his birth. However, I did enjoy being there within hours of his birth. Also, I stayed several days to help out as best I could, and I loved it!
Fast forward, four years. My niece announced her pregnancy of her second child and had two possible due dates—December 19 & 21 because he was measuring “big.” Again, she asked me to be present at his birth—this looked promising. Being a teacher, I got out of school for Christmas break, Friday, December 18. I didn’t want to miss this one.
So, I flew out that weekend, and the waiting game began. Her due dates came and went. Her husband and I walked her around Walmart to get things stirred up. No, not yet. My poor niece looked miserable. We had pizza; we walked. We did everything we could think of to bring that baby out, but nothing worked.
Christmas 2009 came and went. My brother and I attended Midnight Mass at the Catholic church in their small town on Christmas Eve. What a memorable night that was! I barely remember Christmas day, with my eyes and heart glued on my niece.
December 26 passed by slowly at a snail’s pace. My niece had been told that they would induce the baby on December 27 and to be at the hospital at 8:00 AM. She had trouble sleeping that night, so excited, so they arrived there at 7:30 AM. As soon as she got her hospital gown on, she felt a huge “pop.” She said it felt like a champagne bottle uncorking. Her water broke and it was starting.
My brother and I got the phone call we’d been waiting for. I grabbed my camera and off to the hospital we went. Even though her water broke, her husband continued walking her! Her painful agony broke my heart—such pain. Shortly support arrived: my nephew’s wife and a close girlfriend. Both of these women supported her through the birth process. My nephew sat out in the waiting room with his two young daughters with my brother. I took a seat in the background, in awe, and took lots of pictures because I wanted to have a record of this event.
Originally my niece asked for no epidural prior to the birth as a part of her birth plan, however she begged for one in the midst of it all because of the severe pain, but our little boy came too quickly so she was able to have him without it.
My niece had a wonderful relationship with her doctor which made it all so much better. When Branson was born, the doctor allowed me to move in close and take amazing pictures. What an absolute miracle birth is! I had never realized how thick the umbilical cord is!
Branson came into the world screaming—such a welcoming sound when you’re waiting for a baby to be born. And the whole birth wasn’t as bloody as I thought it would be! The nurse gave him to his momma to cuddle close. Then the nurse took him aside to a place with bright lights to do all the necessary tasks for a new born—clean him up some, put salve in his eyes and measure him. They let me photograph it all! I was in heaven. This big strapping boy weighed in at 9 pounds, 6 ounces! She also measured his head—interesting! And he continued to cry!
After all the necessary medical things, his dad held him for the first time, admiring his new son. Then his auntie held him and thrilled at him. They brought his four-year-old brother in to see him for the first time and the meeting was precious! Our family and the young couple’s friends surrounded our new born Branson. Finally, I got to hold him—what a miracle! Following me, my brother—Poppa got to hold his new grandson!
It was time for Branson to feed, so my niece put him to her breast for his first feeding. Then another friend came by.
Then they gave him his first bath and he screamed some more. The parade of relatives continued when another uncle and aunt came to meet his new nephew. And his other grandad came also. This was truly a family celebration!
It all felt so surreal to watch this unfold before me—Branson’s birth and the expression of love and celebration by so many.
We brought Branson home the next day, and family continued to surround them with love. Then on December 31, 2009, he ended up back in the hospital with jaundice. They put him under certain medical rays in a “blue box” to combat the jaundice, protecting his eyes with covers. My niece and I spent the night in the hospital with him, and we donned silly 2010 sunglasses trying to stay positive. Branson was released the next day—New Year’s Day.
The day I left, our family met at their favorite restaurant, and we celebrated our new youngster. I choked up, not wanting to leave this family and their two boys!
Now fourteen years later, as I prepared for this blog, I so enjoyed going back through my pictures and reliving this special time for me. This young couple gave me a gift of a lifetime—seeing Branson’s birth touched me deeply and quieted a deep sadness I’d felt for so many years.
Finally, I witnessed Branson’s birth, certainly a privilege. Have you ever witnessed a birth? If so, how did you feel?
Here’s Branson above the town of Branson, Colorado at the Saddlerock picnic area in 2022! Just an aside—he’s named after the town I grew up in—Branson, Colorado!
~ Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir available in audiobook format. On sale for $2.99 until January 6, 2024 at:
~Shop at my Shopify store for six more days to end my 12 Days of Christmas Blow Out Sale. Email me at larada@laradasbooks.com to see what book is 50% off for what day!
