The Tale of Forest Káel. Part 2.
If you haven’t seen part one of “The Tale of Forest Káel,” click here before you read any further.
To paint this story as best as I can, I try to take pictures of the time as often as possible so that you can see the hours that Jessica spent in labor. Again, remember that Forest Káel was born on August 29th at 3:33 AM. It felt like an eternity at times, and then at times I couldn’t believe how fast time was flying.
Jessica’s poor body was so tired, she could hardly stand. All she could think about was wanting to sleep. The little man in her womb had turned his face a little and his head was catching on her cervix. Her midwives, for about six hours, tried everything they could to get things positioned correctly–adjusting as Jessica would push, having Jessica turn to different sides on her back, standing up with a leg on the bed, kneeling, etc. I have never seen such horrible pain on someone’s face. It was dreadful to watch.
At times I would leave the room, curl up on my husband’s lap and weep a little. Brandon would look at me and smile with only the smile that could calm my heart. Again and again…yells, moans, roars, screams could be heard. At one point Jess laid her head on her bed and cried out, “Jesus, I can’t do this anymore! Your going to have to help me, I’m so tired!”
The most emotional part for me was seeing Samuel (my brother) lean over and kiss her head and hold her hand. Seeing my best friend hurt was rough enough, but seeing my dearest brother see his bride hurt was so emotional for me.
August 28th at 6:26PM, the sun was still up a bit and all the grandparents plus my husband were sitting in the living room chatting, laughing and praying. Jess later told me that the sound of laughter from the other room in between her contractions was so comforting to her, reassuring her that it wouldn’t be like this forever.
Again, Jess went to the tub. (Below is Damaris, one of her midwives)
I want to thank the midwives, Jordan and Damaris. They were so calm throughout the whole process. Having been part of approximately 300 births, their eyes spoke peace to our hearts. Nothing was abnormal, nothing was wrong. This is what it’s like to have a baby without drugs. Samuel’s instrumental CD, “Secret Whispers,” played all day.
Every now and then, we would pour boiling hot water into the tub to warm it up.
I remember many times seeing Jessica’s mom, Rebecca, just sit in a corner and cry while watching her baby girl go through such agony.
Below is one of my favorite photos. Damaris is kissing Jessica’s hand. This photo has so much emotion in it. It’s now around 7:30PM.
Jessica told me later, “The only way I could focus on getting through it all was to take one contraction at a time.” Samuel, Damaris and Molly (Jess’ doula) would hold her arms and place a cool rag on her neck. At this time, I think I thought that there was absolutely no way things could get worse. I was wrong.
This is the part I wish to forget–and I believe Jessica would agree –laying on her bed, holding onto the post or onto her husband’s hands. This was the hardest part of the whole thing for me…seeing a Jessica I had never seen before. I wish I had a stronger word for “pain.” This was off the charts. Our moms are both stunned.
Samuel’s face says it all here.
I wept and wept when I would see him kiss her.
We all felt so helpless.
Can I just say that I posted the extra mild photos of her face in labor. These are probably a 4 on a scale of 1-10.
Meanwhile…the men found a way to watch the Dallas Cowboy’s game. (Jessica’s family is from Dallas.) Ruben would get up and start talking to the guys on the screen, asking them why they did such a stupid thing. We were laughing our butts off. My husband watched a documentary on science or something. (He doesn’t dig sports.) This was my great escape from what was going on 4 feet away behind a closed door. Lifted a load.
Everyone is tired.
So my husband and I took a small walk as Jessica labored with just her midwives, trying to get the head of the baby to clear. I remember walking under the golden street lights in the Dogwood Hills neighborhood, almost crying as I told Brandon all the emotions I was feeling.
We got back to the house, and I laid my head on my husband’s lap. Jess’ parents, my parents and Brandon all sat on the couch feeling so helpless and so frustrated at the circumstance. The cervix had been stuck for around 6-8 hours. Jessica was at 9 cm for 10 hours. The only thing that wasn’t letting the baby come out was the cervix. I remember all of us feeling a little “depressed” if that’s the right word.
All of a sudden, I felt hope, I lifted my head and said, “You guys! This is gonna end well! It’s gonna be awesome! Jessica and Samuel are going to have a baby, and we are all going to be so happy! Jessica is going to be happy! It’s going to end amazingly!” They all kind of smiled at me, and then it was the deep sighs that filled the air. My mom got on her knees and began praying loudly and boldly that Jessica would get a fresh breath of strength to be able to push through.
About and hour later (or so), I hear Samuel and Damaris come out of the room. It’s a rush to get Jess back into the pool. I remember clearly what Samuel said to me: “Grab your camera, Beka, the cervix has cleared. She’s going to start pushing.”
I jumped up off of the couch full of crazy energy. We all got hope again! Jessica had a totally different mindset and energy. When I walked into the room, she was full of hope and was smiling. “We’re gonna push this baby out, right Damaris?” she said, talking to herself. She continued: “Jessica, you can do this!”
I cried again. We put Songs of Water’s CD on and tried to create a mood for tenacity.
Jessica told me later that this part was the best part. Her pushing felt so good. It was like an itch that needed to be scratched. Nevertheless, it was still extremely painful for us all to watch.
Meanwhile… I hear the Grandparents and Brandon from the other room rapping: “Push, push, get behind her.. and push, push…” My dad was playing some kind of drum on his iPhone and Brandon was playing a flute-like app on his iPhone. My dad was beat-boxing while Ruben and Rebecca were dancing and rapping. Talk about feeling some relief when I walked in to see them all having the best time cheering Jessica on! Ha!
And in the other room… Jessica is grabbing the baby crib for support.
Jordan’s looking to see if she sees a head yet. (I love this photo)
Pushing and pushing…
Meanwhile… the Grandmas got the little crib ready for the little man.
So I pretty much love this part. I’ve been waiting to tell it.
Jessica decided that she wanted to get on the floor next to the pool in her baby room. She lay on the ground and leaned into Molly, her doula. At one point she looked up at Samuel and says, “I love you, we’re gonna have a baby!” and then smiles.
I visited the living room again to find my mom so exhausted.
So two hours go by, Jessica is pushing and smiling and pushing and smiling. We start seeing the little man’s head. It was so unbelievable.
And then, it happens! August 29th, 3:33 AM, after 42 weeks of pregnancy, 43 hours of labor, 10 hours at 9 cm and 4 hours of pushing, Forest Káel’s entire head emerges. The midwives have Samuel help pull him out. And yes, it was the most incredible moment! I’ve never seen something so miraculous and perfect. As soon as the baby came out fully, Jessica sees him and grabs him. I cried. (You can see where his head was stuck at the cervix for so long.)
Samuel looks up at me with tears in his eyes. (I love these photos.) Mommy is so content.
I’m crying again, just trying to write this. Ah! The photos speak for themselves.
Jessica had them cover her up, and the Grandpas and Brandon came in to see the little miracle.
Samuel sang Káel a song he wrote him. We were all a mess with tears.
She did it!
A very happy family!
Isn’t she so beautiful with her newfound love?
Not long after the baby was born, they moved Jess into her bedroom, weighed the little man and checked him out.
Rebecca then called my name: “Jessica wants to talk to you!” I remember thinking, “Me?”
I went in and sat next to her in bed, and we began talking about it all. I felt like a little girl at Christmas time. Jess said,”Why didn’t you tell me my face swelled up so much?” I laughed, “Ummm…how would you have liked me to tell you?” I told Jessica how amazing and strong she was, how absolutely incredible she did, and how happy and proud I am of her.
I went home and went to bed. I had been over there for 24 hours. I was happy, but most importantly, Jessica was happy, and the family was happy. When I woke up, Jessica text me, and I went over to take her something. I sat next to her bed as she lay next to her husband and held her new little man. It was so, so beautiful. I cried again. We chatted about the last 48 hours, laughed and recounted the story. I felt so proud to be a part of little Káel’s life.
I spent most of that afternoon just choking up every now and then, feeling really tender and so happy at the beauty of life. I went back over around 6pm that evening just to find mommy looking much better holding her little bundle of joy.
Jessica has inspired all of us, and I think that’s why we’ve all been so attached to her story. Her magnetic personality makes us all feel like we don’t have to live a normal life. She is a rare woman.
Keep up to date with Jessica, Samuel and Káel on her blog, http://bohobabybump.blogspot.com
And if you would, on her blog to the left side is a little box that says, “as seen on top baby blogs.” Click on that and vote for her blog to hit number 1!
Day two of this little life.
In case you wonder, Forest is his first name and Káel is his middle name. They are going to call him by his middle name, Káel pronounced (Kay-El).
I think it’s really quite interesting that on August 28th of 2009, Brandon and I moved from the midwest to come home, and Jessica rode with us to move out here to marry Samuel. They got married September 12th. A year later, baby Káel is born. Who would have thought. So crazy to me.
And so, this is my conclusion after all of that: I love being Auntie Rivkah. I will probably take drugs when I have a baby, and I won’t have one for a little while longer. But until then, I have a little nephew to make my heart grow bigger and fonder.
It was an incredible experience, and I’m so thankful that I was there to witness it all. I love a good story about “life” that makes you cry. I will probably be crying for a while yet.
Káel has changed us all.
To be continued…
If you would like to see part 3 click here
If you would like to hear more of Samuel and Jessica’s story, click here. If you would like to see the prego pictures I took of Jessica at 24 weeks, click here. If you would like to see the prego pictures I took of Jessica at 41 weeks, click here.The Tale of Forest Káel. Part 1.
This is my side of the most incredible story that I’ve been able to be a part of in a long time. Not just any baby was born; He’s very special. He’s my best friend’s baby, my brother’s son, my parents’ grand-baby and my little nephew. I felt every emotion known to man in 24 hours. This was miraculous, exciting, terrifying, fearful, painful, traumatic, heartbreaking, heart-wrenching, incredible, fantastic, happy, selfless, sad…name it. I felt it. At times I felt like a fly on the wall waiting for a window to open so I could fly out.
I’ve been skeptical of pregnancy for quite some time, but after this, I may go up to pregnant ladies in Wal-Mart and start shaking their hands. I’m such a changed person. My heart is so tender and happy. I never want to see my best friend walk through this again. I’m scarred for life. Jessica is my absolute hero and such an incredible woman to know. I’m so blessed and honored that we both found one another. I hope you enjoy her story.
Side note: Keep track of the times and dates that I post. Káel was born on August 29th at 3:33AM. You’ll be able to count the hours till he’s born.
Disclaimer: Jessica has seen and approved all the images in the next two blogs. 
I received this text Friday afternoon while I was at work. My little heart leaped, and I was so excited about the next few days. I got off work and ran a few errands. Jess told me that the contractions had been consistent since the night before, and she and Sam were watching the movie “Up” for her to try to get her mind off of the pain.
As soon as I got back from my errands, I drove the few blocks over to Jess’ house to see how she was. Jess’ mom and midwife, Damaris, were there. Jess came out of her room and said, “Looks like we’ll have a baby in the middle of the night or tomorrow morning!” We decided to go get some spicy Mexican food and make it the last dinner date before little man arrived. Jess began putting on her first batch of makeup saying, “I will be beautiful while I’m in labor!”
We put on Imogen Heap’s “Bad Body Double” song and danced around the living room. Every now and then, Jess would double over and breathe deeply as a contraction would come on and leave quickly.
After a fantastic time of eating Mexican food with Jessica, her mom and my husband, we drove back over to Jess’ house and watched the first half of the old-time “Parent Trap” movie. We were remembering being little girls and reciting the lines we had memorized from the movie. I got too tired and decided to leave around 12:30AM to go to bed. I hugged Sam and Jess goodnight and said, “CALL ME if anything happens.” Jess smiled and said, “Oh, girl, we totally will!”
I got home and went to bed.
Around 3:30AM, my phone starts singing to me. It’s Samuel on the other line: “Jess has been in intense labor since you left. We called the midwives and the doula. We’re filling up the birthing tub now. I’ll call you when we get it filled up.” I hanged up and thought, “There is no way I’m going to be able to get back to sleep!”
I got up, got dressed, and made some coffee. I knocked on the door where my parents were staying and asked my mom if she wanted to come with me. We both drove over to their place. Jessica was in such pain, and the tub was slowly being filled up with water. It was exciting thinking about what was going to be happening soon. (It was almost like Christmas.)
They filled the birthing tub up with a hose that ran from the sink to the baby room.
Jessica was having contractions every five minutes. She would double over and swing her body side to side. Samuel, my mom and I all cuddled on the couch, cheering Jess on and trying to keep her mind off of it all.
Sam and Jess’ fridge… waiting on the little man.
Jess’ finally got into the tub and began to labor and sleep in between contractions.
I fell asleep with my mom and brother on the couch. We woke up around 8AM. I ran home, took a shower and came back as fast as I could.
Samuel just woke up, and Jessica was putting round two of makeup on and making herself feel good!
Every five minutes or less… doubling over, groaning and breathing heavy.
We were all excited!
Around 10AM, one of Jess’ midwives, Jordan arrived. She felt like Jessica should go on a walk for a while.
I said to Jess, “After what I’ve seen so far, I may not have kids for about five years.” She smiled big and said, “Me neither!”
Jess’ dad, Ruben, arrives.
This is Jess’ mom, Rebecca.
We watched the “Galápagos” island documentary about eight times.
I was there…
Grandmas’ waiting…
I came in to see Samuel singing to Jess as she labored intensely. So incredible.
To the tub again…
So Jess’ dad, my dad and my husband all hanged out in the living room. They were the relief from the intensity of everything going on.
Round three of makeup!
We’re all ready for the little man!
My mom is to the right, and below her is Jordan, one of the midwives.
Time went on and on. Things began picking up heavy. I watched Jessica torture and yell, cry, groan, and roar. I felt so helpless and so frustrated. My heart was grieving for her.
Her doula, Molly, was keeping track of the stages of her labor.
Yes, Jess is tweeting…
Meanwhile… my mom is cooking for everyone…
…while we’re sober and crying with Jess.
The lady to the right is Jess’ other midwife, Damaris.
So this is the point that I had to put my camera down and just cry. My brother was singing a song to Jess, and she would sing aloud between contractions. So powerful and extremely beautiful. I lay on the side of the tub and wept.
The beautiful thing about home births is you can go anywhere in your house and labor. Jess chose her back porch at one point, yelling loudly and pounding her hand on the railing, swaying her hips back and forth.
The sky at that moment…
To be continued…..
Want part 2? Click here
waiting on baby Gatlyn… 41 weeks
We are all still waiting for my nephew to arrive. He’s taking his sweet time, and his mommy is getting tired of waiting. Jess has been blogging since the beginning of her pregnancy, http://bohobabybump.blogspot.com/ .
Soon and very soon we’ll all have a new family member.
Want more? I did some photos of Jess Pregnant at 24 weeks click here
Of Seasons past…
Although these were taken over the course of last summer to this summer, I still get really excited about them! I need to blog these more often…
Want a few more? Click here
Samuel and Jessica
Such an incredible story for me to tell, cause I love how Jesus works. Samuel my brother met the most amazing woman named Jessica Cortez (who was my best friend). She is a Texan/Hippy. They fell in love and after a very brief dating season via Skype (she was living in Redding, CA and he was living in Vass, NC) he surprised her in Israel by showing up on her favorite beach asking her to marry him. Here is the video (Get ready to cry)
Jessica began to plan out the most amazing wedding ever. A barn 15 Bridesmaids in long tie dye maxi dresses, 13 Groomsmen in vests, and different scarves, hats. The ceremony would take place on top of hill in the middle of the woods. And the reception would take place in a big red barn. Mason jars, record players, apples, wild flowers, horses, bon fire, 60′s booths, type writer…
During the time that Jess was looking her her dress she was approached by the bridal store she bought her dress from in Dallas. They asked her if she would be willing to be filmed for a new up coming reality TV show (airing April 25th on Woman’s Entertainment Network WE) called “Girl Meets Gown”
They began to film her finding the dress, interviewing her family, and Sam (via skype) I drove down to Dallas a few times from Kansas City and helped her hand make a MILLION invitation. And I was interviewed and filmed with the show.
Their wedding was absolutely incredible. My friend Shelley Paulson who has been mentoring me and has been an INCREDIBLE friend to my heart. She was hired to come and shoot the wedding. There are 6 parts on Shelley’s blog to Samuel and Jessica’s pictures. PLEASE LOOK at them!!
And here is the 10 min highlight video to Samuel and Jess’ wedding. (get ready to cry again)
The day after the wedding, Shelley and I took Sam and Jess on a day after shoot. I second shot along with Shelley.
Samuel and Jessica are now expecting their 1st baby (I’M GOING TO BE AN AUNT!) in Aug!!! They live a few streets over from my husband and I… and I’m so glad they live sooooo close.
She got her necklace on etsy.com
Jessica’s blog
when i was young
These are like my secret weapon…
