Dear Smith,
You may or may not be interested in the story of your birth someday. I'm not sure if guys care about that type of thing, but I'm guessing at least your wife will, so I will share it.
Once upon a time a beautiful pregnant woman (me!) and her handsome, intelligent and wise husband (your dad) had their 39 week appointment with the midwife.
Okay...I need to write in first person for this....shifting gears....
During my appointment the previous week (38 weeks) I saw Maria, one of the only midwives that I had not met by this point. It was during this appointment that she brought up induction of labor. You see, I was labeled a "high risk" pregnancy while you were growing in my belly. So in addition to visiting the midwife, I also saw a perinatalogist. Apparently, the doctor had recommended in her notes induction of labor during the 39th week. I was under the impression that I could at least wait until my due date, but even then I was going to give them a hard time about it. I wanted to avoid being induced at all costs because my goal was to have a natural birth experience. Although it is possible to not have an epidural when induced, the pitocin makes the contractions more intense thereby causing more discomfort. It often leads to women wanting an epidural. You and I had been perfectly healthy the entire pregnancy. I dismissed the "high risk" label in my mind, but now I had to come to terms with what this meant now that we were approaching D-Day.
I didn't schedule a date that day, but Maria asked me to come the next week prepared to set a date. Now I just think it is no fun to schedule a birth. I loved the element of surprise...I didn't know when you were going to come, when your birthday would be...it was exciting to me. So the next week came and my appointment was with Maria AGAIN! I was hoping it would be someone different and maybe I could slide past them or at least set a date past my due date. I hate confrontation and when she asked about a date I just rambled and did not do a good job of speaking my heart. Luckily, John was there and he spoke clearly and with authority about our feelings. He may have come off a little strong, but I suppose it had to be done. Maria kind of shut down and said we would have to make another appointment to meet with the OB because she didn't feel comfortable making any decisions.
I felt bad because I didn't want to be difficult, but I felt really strongly about letting you come naturally.
Well, then I made a decision that possibly altered things a bit. She offered to "check" me. I had always refused during prior appointments because it wasn't necessary, but this time I decided to go for it. I needed some information! She said that you head was nice and low, my cervix was thin, and that I was dialated a little more than 2 cm. She said that was great and maybe I wouldn't make it to my due date and if I did have to be induced they could use some balloon thing rather than pitocin. I left feeling better...
Now I have heard plenty of stories of women who leave the doctor after getting checked out and their labor began....well perhaps that's what happened with you...we never will be able to say for sure, but things got interesting that evening :)
To be continued....
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
What's In A Name?
Dearest SMITH!,
We know your name! You have arrived! It is so stinkin' exciting! It's also been around two weeks since I have written to you; however, I have the BEST excuse. I am taking care of you! Now let's focus on the topic of this post: your name.
Smith Errington Pitzer
Well, I hope you like it. I've noticed that people either love it or don't say anything about it because they find it a bit odd. Your dad and I feel great about it. It's a strong name with a world of promise tied to it.
But where did it come from? Let's work backwards.
Pitzer- your last name. I joked with everyone throughout the pregnancy about this. Someone would ask if we had a name picked out and I would say, "We know his last name." I am proud to be a Pitzer, and I am sure you will be, too. Your extended family- grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc...are all amazing people. You will just add to the amazingness. The name Pitzer has Germanic roots and comes from Pitz+er. Pitz is a corner or a peak. So Pitzer means someone who lives near or by mountains. While we don't technically live near the mountains (though we love the mountains and may move someday), you dwell in high places (spiritually speaking), May you always see life from Heaven's point of view.
Errington- This is your paternal great-grandfather's first name. Errington Elwood Pitzer was an incredible man. I think he did just about everything in life. It's not surprising- he had plenty of time since he lived to be 98. Above all, he loved and served God. He raised two incredible sons who love and serve God. One of those sons, Jack, became the pastor of a church where I was a member back in 1998. I was seeking God at that time and Jack helped to resurrect my dying church. My life was turned upside down (for the good), and eventually I noticed the pastor's son (but that's a whole other story!). You are fruit of the obedience and faithfulness of Errington Pitzer. We can't wait to tell you even more about him! I attempted to look up the meaning of Errington. It is British (*love*) and it is a locational name based on a place located near the river Erring in Northumberland. "Erring"means silvery and bright and the "ton" means settlement, so you are a place of brightness! You truly are our bright spot in life.
Smith- Smith was my maiden name. It is probably the most popular last name EVER, but a very uncommon first name. You are not the first person to be named Smith. According to the U.S. social security website, Smith reached its peak in 1885 ranking 326th in popularity. It pretty much died out in the 1930s. Your dad and I know of one person named Smith: Smith Wigglesworth. Smith Wigglesworth not only has an awesome last name, but he was a British evangelist that played a significant role in the early history of Pentacostalism and has been called the "Apostle of Faith." We learned about him while we were in ministry school in California. Both of us admired his loyalty and obedience to God and his incredible faith. He was hardcore for God. We will make sure you hear about some of his amazing testimonies :)
We named you Smith because it is a strong name and my family is full of strong people. John says that Smiths are "built for life." We rarely get sick and generally are a tougher breed than most. Your 60 year old grandparents were both in motorcycle accidents last year and bounced back amazingly well. Not only are Smiths strong physically, but I believe we are strong emotionally and spiritually as well. May you receive the inheritance of health and strength from the Smith side of your family and be virtually indestructible all the days of your life. (**testimony already- you Grandma Pitzer was here visiting you. She thought she was struggling with her allergies bout found out it was bronchitis once she got home. Did you get sick? NO WAY!)
Finally, Smith doesn't have some incredibly deep meaning. When I looked it up, it just said "blacksmith" or "worker of metals." We don't think you will become a blacksmith when you grow up, although, it's fine if that's what you decide to do. Wikipedia says the name originally derives from smið or smiþ, the Old English term meaning one who works in metal related to the word smitan, the Old English form ofsmite, which also meant strike (as in early 17th century Biblical English: the verb "to smite" = to hit). Your birth was a hit, a strike to the devil in our eyes. The desire of my heart has always been to be a mother and when your dad and I began trying to start our family, we got pregnant right away. What we didn't expect was to lose that baby....and the next two after that. But not you! You made it! Your birth and life represents hope and dreams fulfilled. The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but he couldn't have you! The miracle of your life is a "hit" to him. One of many more to come :)
We love you, Smith Errington Pitzer! Your name is so strong, so full of meaning to us. We hope you like it.
Love,
Mum and Daddy
We know your name! You have arrived! It is so stinkin' exciting! It's also been around two weeks since I have written to you; however, I have the BEST excuse. I am taking care of you! Now let's focus on the topic of this post: your name.
Smith Errington Pitzer
Well, I hope you like it. I've noticed that people either love it or don't say anything about it because they find it a bit odd. Your dad and I feel great about it. It's a strong name with a world of promise tied to it.
But where did it come from? Let's work backwards.
Pitzer- your last name. I joked with everyone throughout the pregnancy about this. Someone would ask if we had a name picked out and I would say, "We know his last name." I am proud to be a Pitzer, and I am sure you will be, too. Your extended family- grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc...are all amazing people. You will just add to the amazingness. The name Pitzer has Germanic roots and comes from Pitz+er. Pitz is a corner or a peak. So Pitzer means someone who lives near or by mountains. While we don't technically live near the mountains (though we love the mountains and may move someday), you dwell in high places (spiritually speaking), May you always see life from Heaven's point of view.
Errington- This is your paternal great-grandfather's first name. Errington Elwood Pitzer was an incredible man. I think he did just about everything in life. It's not surprising- he had plenty of time since he lived to be 98. Above all, he loved and served God. He raised two incredible sons who love and serve God. One of those sons, Jack, became the pastor of a church where I was a member back in 1998. I was seeking God at that time and Jack helped to resurrect my dying church. My life was turned upside down (for the good), and eventually I noticed the pastor's son (but that's a whole other story!). You are fruit of the obedience and faithfulness of Errington Pitzer. We can't wait to tell you even more about him! I attempted to look up the meaning of Errington. It is British (*love*) and it is a locational name based on a place located near the river Erring in Northumberland. "Erring"means silvery and bright and the "ton" means settlement, so you are a place of brightness! You truly are our bright spot in life.
Smith- Smith was my maiden name. It is probably the most popular last name EVER, but a very uncommon first name. You are not the first person to be named Smith. According to the U.S. social security website, Smith reached its peak in 1885 ranking 326th in popularity. It pretty much died out in the 1930s. Your dad and I know of one person named Smith: Smith Wigglesworth. Smith Wigglesworth not only has an awesome last name, but he was a British evangelist that played a significant role in the early history of Pentacostalism and has been called the "Apostle of Faith." We learned about him while we were in ministry school in California. Both of us admired his loyalty and obedience to God and his incredible faith. He was hardcore for God. We will make sure you hear about some of his amazing testimonies :)
We named you Smith because it is a strong name and my family is full of strong people. John says that Smiths are "built for life." We rarely get sick and generally are a tougher breed than most. Your 60 year old grandparents were both in motorcycle accidents last year and bounced back amazingly well. Not only are Smiths strong physically, but I believe we are strong emotionally and spiritually as well. May you receive the inheritance of health and strength from the Smith side of your family and be virtually indestructible all the days of your life. (**testimony already- you Grandma Pitzer was here visiting you. She thought she was struggling with her allergies bout found out it was bronchitis once she got home. Did you get sick? NO WAY!)
Finally, Smith doesn't have some incredibly deep meaning. When I looked it up, it just said "blacksmith" or "worker of metals." We don't think you will become a blacksmith when you grow up, although, it's fine if that's what you decide to do. Wikipedia says the name originally derives from smið or smiþ, the Old English term meaning one who works in metal related to the word smitan, the Old English form ofsmite, which also meant strike (as in early 17th century Biblical English: the verb "to smite" = to hit). Your birth was a hit, a strike to the devil in our eyes. The desire of my heart has always been to be a mother and when your dad and I began trying to start our family, we got pregnant right away. What we didn't expect was to lose that baby....and the next two after that. But not you! You made it! Your birth and life represents hope and dreams fulfilled. The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but he couldn't have you! The miracle of your life is a "hit" to him. One of many more to come :)
We love you, Smith Errington Pitzer! Your name is so strong, so full of meaning to us. We hope you like it.
Love,
Mum and Daddy
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