The birth of our second son all started with a little castor oil. With the suggestion of her midwife and with a burning desire to see our second son as soon as possible, Sarah mixed some castor oil into some chocolate milk and hoped for the best.

It was a desperate moment to kickstart her contractions. Facebook pleas from women who had tried this method before her cried out, “Oh no! NO! Don’t do it!”

But it worked. The contractions started out subtlety. But just a few hours later and we were rapidly running out the door, with Sarah having strong contractions only a couple minutes apart. We were in such a rush I even forgot my coat. After swerving Chicago’s pothole filled roads to the hospital we made it to our destination at about 12:30 AM. The midwife arrived soon after us and told us that we would be having this baby very soon.

After rushing to set up the tools and equipment needed for the delivery, Sarah’s water was broken. Ten minutes, a handful of contractions, three pushes, and a few moans later Ezra Yuuto Seaman entered healthily into this world. (For those who don’t know, my wife is one strong woman. And I’m a proud husband.)

The birth process is amazing. For those who haven’t experienced or witnessed it, it might sound gross or super intense. And it kind of is those things. But, it also is truly awesome – it is a miracle.

I will spare you the “family only” pictures from the birth, but here are some of my favorite pictures from the delivery and the hours following:

Ezra fresh from the womb. Sarah’s midwife happy to show Ezra off!

Soon after Ezra was born they put him on mommy’s chest to cuddle.

Within a few minutes of Ezra being born they put him under the warmer to clean him up a bit, and take footprints.

Ezra adjusting to the warmth and the bright light.

Footprints are taken and put on cards for us to keep.

Sometimes Ezra looks like a grumpy tortoise, and it soon turned into a nickname for him when he makes this face.

Sticking his tongue out.

It all happened so fast, I think both of us were a bit stunned that Ezra had arrived so quickly.

Linda, Sarah’s midwife, is awesome. She also delivered Micah.

After a while we travel up a floor to the nursery, where he get reweighed, measured, and gets his first bath. They also perform a number of tests to make sure he checks out alright.

Ezra hanging out in the warmer, getting ready for his first bath.

Ezra getting scrubbed down in his first bath.

Ezra’s first new hairstyle.

Daddy and Ezra hanging out.

Daddy and Ezra bonding.

Hanging out with mommy.

Cuddling with mommy.

Ezra reacts to mommy’s kiss.

Mommy and Ezra cuddling. (I think this is SO sweet!)

With hat on.

Without hat.

Finally laying down to rest after a busy couple of hours.

Is that a smile?

Laying on daddy’s bed for various poses.

Playing coy.

Waving his arms around.

What a cutie!

Relaxed.

In the carseat and ready to go home!

Ezra’s last moments in the hospital. Ready for our adventure into the world.