Eno River Musings: February 2010

Saturday, February 20, 2010

ethan cole

Ethan Cole
2/19/10
8 lbs 8 oz, 20 1/2 inches

Hello friends & family!

Ethan Cole has finally arrived! He was delivered by a scheduled Cesearean birth at 4:23 p.m. Friday, February 19, 2010. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 15 oz. in the OR, but when they got him on the calibrated scale in the nursery, he was 8 lbs. 8 oz., which is what was recorded on his forms. He measured at 20.5 inches with lots of hair and a big nose : ) We are blessed to have a healthy baby, who has been a decent eater so far. Kristen is recovering well and we should be discharged no later than Monday. Check out the attached pictures. Thanks for all the well wishes & support!

If you want to hear the full story continue reading. We were scheduled for a C-section yesterday morning, but were bumped due to the overabundance of pregnant ladies in labor and the lack of beds. Since scheduled Cesearean births are considered elective, we were the last priority for the day. We were disappointed, but my grandmother was happy because her father's birthday was today, February 19.

We registered at the ED this morning at 10:30 a.m. (all laboring mothers go through the emergency department). We waited to go up to labor and delivery, where we waited a little more. Eventually we got a bed in a tiny triage room that seemed more like a storage closet than a birthing room. The last two days were apparently crazy here at labor & delivery, so this was the best they could do. We were definitely grateful to have a bed and to be starting the process, but from here on out I liken it to boarding a flight that has been delayed, and just when you get excited for take off the pilot says the plane has been grounded, leaving you sitting on the tarmac in pecking order for take-off. At 3:40 p.m. we finally got our clearance from the tower to proceed with take-off.

Kristen went back first, where she was prepped in the OR, and I was able to join her for the finale. It was amazing to get to witness the moment of birth this time around! The doctor let me peek over the sheet to see Ethan being pulled from Kristen's abdomen. Almost immediately he began to cry and therefore so did we. Kristen also got to see the baby just after he came out. This experience will not be soon forgotten.

After the OR, we headed back to our closet. While I was at the nursery with Elias, Kristen had to be moved into a new bed because the original one was broken. We finally made it to our post-partum room at 8:15 p.m. More adventure is ahead, but for now we are content in our immense joy at the successful birth of our second son.

Peace & love,

Christopher, Kristen, Elias & baby Ethan

Sunday, February 14, 2010

The last week....

before we become a family of four.

The last week of Elias being our only boy.

The last week before we sleep all night (although not very comfortably now).

The last week with only one carseat in the car.

The last week before we call Elias...BIG BROTHER.

On Thursday morning, Christopher and I go to the hospital for the scheduled Cesearean birth of our son, Ethan. We are so excited and looking forward to a birth experience with much less trauma than Elias, who was born by emergency cesearean, while I as intubated and under general anesthesia. It was important to me and to us as a family to start things differently this time and have been talking a lot over the last few months on how to do that. My wonderful team of doctors had given me total control over the choice and I have struggled to decide what is best for me and what would be best for Ethan. And in the end, what would be best for us all. I have gone back and forth and thought about trying various things, but it came down to several key conversations with some dear friends (one of whom is soon-to-be nurse midwife) who talked with me about how much your confidence as a mother stems from your birth experience. This really hit home with me, as I recall not only feeling like a failure after Elias' emergent birth, but like I had no idea what I was doing and struggled with breastfeeding as well. A lot of moms do, but I had no faith in my ability to be his mom and that I was the best mom for him.
So, for Ethan, I decided to take back some of the control and start things out in peace instead of fear. Christopher has supported me all the way and would have been ready for anything I decided. But the closer we get to this Thursday, February 18, the more confident I feel like we made the right decision and I am free to be excited to meet my new son. He will be 39 weeks old and ready to meet his Daddy and big brother. Mommy, he knows quite well, with her constant bouncing him around and leaving him no choice but to bounce on her bladder, kick her in the ribs and take her breath away!
We spent our last weekend as a family of three enjoying the snowfall on Saturday and cleaning and organizing the rest of the weekend. Hope Ethan doesn't mind a few boxes lying around. We at least got his room clean!

We can't wait...the countdown is on to Ethan's birthday, 2/18/10.