When we went to the hospital we had a boy's name picked out and a girl's name picked out. James for boy, Charlotte for girl. Then our baby boy was born and we both said "he doesn't look like a James." Throughout this pregnancy, I loved the name Silas but Spencer always said "I don't love it." But after our boy was born, Spencer said "he looks like a Silas." Then he opened his Bible to the book of Acts and we decided that our boy was definitely Silas.
We chose the name Silas based on Paul's fellow missionary from the book of Acts in the Bible. Silas was a leader among the men of the early church and he was chosen by Paul to serve alongside him encouraging and strengthening others. Silas risked his life for the name of Jesus Christ.
In Acts 16 Paul and Silas were in prison together. Despite their circumstances, they spent their time in prison praying and singing hymns to God. God used Paul and Silas to bring the jailer and his entire family to know Him.
We hope and pray that our Silas will grow to have many of the same characteristics as Silas from the book of Acts. We pray that he will be bold in his faith, that he will be an encouragement to others, and that he will find joy in all circumstances.
Silas gets his middle name from my brother Matthew. All of our kids love their uncle Matthew, and he is very loved and respected by Spencer and I as well. And so our son is named Silas Matthew Lafleur.
Although labour was quick with baby Silas, it was not a smooth delivery. On Saturday evening I went to the hospital to get induced. The doctors decided to induce me because they suspected that baby was getting big. We wanted to avoid another emergency c-section and decided it would be best to get baby out before he gained more weight.
After breaking my water and giving me a dose of oxytocin, not much was happening. Then at 9pm I got another dose of oxytocin and went into full on labour. Things progressed quickly and at 10:40 it was time to start pushing. Baby Silas had gotten into a bad position and did not want to turn to face the right way. Dr. Busletta had to spin him several times (the picture above is actually of her fingernail marks from when she had to spin his head around). She held him so he would face down and then on his way into this world, his shoulder got stuck. He had severe shoulder dystocia. Thankfully our nurse was amazing and was able to press on my stomach and dislodge his shoulder. Shoulder dystocia is quite serious and I'm thankful I didn't fully understand what the results of it could be while we were in the moment. Amongst all of this spinning and dislodging, baby Silas also got his umbilical cord wrapped (loosely) around his neck.
Thankfully our boy entered the world unharmed (except for a few small scratches and a sore shoulder). We are so thankful to God for the way He orchestrated this delivery. Dr. Busletta and our nurse, Rachel, were truly amazing and we know God placed them with us for a purpose.
Silas has been getting lots of snuggles from his big sisters.
Silas' first bath at home.
On Saturday we took our 5 to Crescent Beach.
The other day the Martens came over for a visit. Baby Bennett looks very big next to Silas.
The Reeds and the Teeters got us these awesome Big Sister, Big Brother, and Little Brother shirts. Thank-you!!
Peter wants Silas to be ready to play cars and hockey. He often drives cars on Silas' head, or tries handing him a hockey stick.
And our van is officially full. 3 girls in the back, 2 boys in the middle.
