Kieran says, "Hello"!

Kieran Patrick Rother has arrived!

Kieran Patrick Rother was born March 12th, 2009 at about 3 a.m. He weighs 8.26 oz and is 19" long and he's perfect.
Early labor began at around 1:30 the morning of the 11th and continued throughout the day, progressing VERY slowly until contractions were around 6-7 minutes apart. Rick and I went to Capital Region hospital around 6:30 and were admitted. I received an epidural around 9:00 pm and things were a lot more fun after that!
After my family stopped by to wish us well and around 11:00 Dr. Su came and "broke" my water. Rick and I slept after that for a a couple hours at which point a nurse checked me out and discovered I had dilated from a 6 when Dr. Su last checked to a 10! Ready or not... here comes baby! Dr. Su arrived at the hospital around 2:00 and everyone set up for the delivery. After about a half hour of pushing, Kieran made his way into the world in a very typical fashion- head first and crying! The delivery was a singular and amazing experience that neither Rick nor I will ever forget- what an amazing night! Rick was a wonderful coach, holding me up and counting for pushing and cheering me on all the while. He cut the cord and was never squeamish! They gave me the baby right away and I can't begin to tell you how unreal it was to finally hold our little boy on my chest and in my arms rather than in my belly! What a beautiful moment. After a bit of cuddling Kieran was poked and prodded a bit- which was quite well behaved for, as the proud new daddy stood by. Mom, on the other hand was still stuck in bed being stitched up and waiting for sensation to return to my lower half! The scariest moment of that night was when Kieran and I were cleaned up and together with dad and all the nurses and doctors had left the room and there we were, with this precious baby, not knowing what to do next! The knowing is coming slowly, moment by moment as we take on each new challenge and surprise.
We came home today and it was such a relief to be here, together as a family, in our own space. Kieran is doing well, a bit jaundice, but eating like a champ and making us proud with every new diaper development! Who knew poop could be so exciting! We are all a little tired but thrilled just as well. We thank all our visitors for their support, advice and lovely gifts and hope you will come by and see us at home as well. Keep checking back as I am sure we will have new things to post all the time now!

The real deal???

Is this the real deal? Hard to say for a first timer, but I will say these are most certainly real contractions!
We went to the OB yesterday, 3 cm and 80% effaced and another "sweeping" and Dr. Su's announcement: "I think you are going to have this baby tonight or tomorrow." Okay then... so off we go to the mall to have a tire fixed and mall walk with the best of them!
I had quite a bit of cramping and spotting all evening, but otherwise business as usual. But then, at around 1:30 this morning the first contraction hit and boy-howdy- OUCH! Sharp, tight, burning sensation in lower abdomen. This was followed and has followed with similar contractions (although some have started in my lower back) every 9-12 minutes for the past 5.5 hours. Turns out this could go on all day or longer! WTF?!
I am of course hoping for a quicker development than that considering active labor is considered 4 cm and we were at 3 yesterday prior to all this fun... in any case I took the day of work (duh!) and so did Rick and so now we wait a little more...

Tick-Tock baby!

9 days and counting (at least for the pushed up due date) and I am as impatient as can be! We have our weekly doctor appointment today... here's hoping she has some encouraging news!