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!

Damn you Magic 8 Ball!

So... no sign of Kieran this morning... although lots more fun MP! Feeling crampy but still no "real" contractions... at least I don't think so. Everyone says, "Oh, you'll know..." Sounds rather ominous, don't you think?!

Status update and the giant butterfly...

So that sweet little butterfly tattoo I got when I was like 16 isn't so sweet anymore- in fact it is rather gargantuan! Here's hoping it returns to its normal size and the belly too!
On the baby front... I am now at just about 3 cm and my doctor did some procedure called "sweeping of the membranes" on Thursday- guess it's supposed to move things along... I would say that it has done something- even if we are still pregnant- as I have experienced more and stronger braxton hicks and have begun to loose the mucus plug (very gross- I know) since then. But still- Kieran must not be ready for prime time- not just yet anyway! Suddenly- however, I am ready. Pregnancy has been a lot of fun but now that I know labor could happen any time now, I want it to happen RIGHT NOW! Patience has never been my strong suite! See you soon little man...
PS I just asked the Magic 8 Ball if Kieran would come tonight- it said "unfortunately yes"- maybe bad timing (my sister is having her shower tomorrow) but I am ready! Let's do this thing Magic 8 Ball!

The belly at 38 weeks...

Here it is folks- in all its stretched glory- the belly at 38 weeks and counting!
At our last OB appointment we were rather shocked to discover that labor has already begun- at least some of the steps that lead up to it... as of last Tuesday, I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced! You should have seen the look on Rick's face when he heard that!
Lately, I have noticed an increase in braxton hicks contractions and some cramping and just a general sense that something is going on in there! We will be sure to keep you all posted... on all the most recent belly happenings!

Things of his father's...

These belonged to Rick when he was a baby... Do you see the giraffe buttons? Too cute! We also love the little stuffed guy- worn with lots of love. Although I am not a huge fan of cars... I can't help but love this little wind up car outfit- it's so funny how the pants button to the shirt!
The belts below are just awesome!!! Rick claims, "I never wore
the Micheal Jackson one much- sure, sure... now we all know! He remembers wearing the superhero ones a lot though- which I do not doubt! Hopefully little Kieran will be a superhero guy- just like dad and will wear these little belts too!


We also really liked these little green cord overalls with the fat duck heads- so sweet! We can't wait to try all of these out on our little man. Thank you to grandma Sandy for saving all of these treasures and for sharing them with us- it means a lot to Rick and me and I am sure Kieran will love them all too!