Andrea was scheduled for a C-section last Friday 9/25. So we knew that it would be our last "childless" weekend. We made it a point to go out to breakfast the Matt and Kristi Craig (great friends of ours) and then we also went out to eat later Saturday evening as well. On Sunday night, we went out to a great dinner at "Manzana" in Lake Oswego. Again, knowing this would likely be one of our last quiet evenings together. We got home at around 9 or so in the evening and headed to bed at roughly 10 or so.
We both had pretty restless sleep. Andrea slept solidly till about midnight and me about the same. After midnight - we were awake about every 40 minutes, anxiously looking forward to Bruin's arrival the next morning.
On Monday morning, I was up at 4am (not too far from the norm) and I woke Andrea up at 4:15. We needed to be at the hospital by 5:30 for the prep work of the surgery. We made it out the door by 5:15am and got to the hospital just before 5:30. So far, not the most climactic of mornings. :)
We got to the hospital and got all checked in, this is when all of the fun began. Andrea had 2 nurses, one on either side of her, bombarding her with "stuff". One of them was getting all of her life history worth of anything medical, while the other one was taking her dear sweet time starting the "pic line" for the IV to go into her. If you ask Andrea, I think she'll tell you this was the worst part of the whole day.
Close to 7:15ish our doctor, Dr. David Johnson, came in to make sure everything was on track. He started his visit with, "What'd you think of that Bears game last night?". Have I mentioned that I love this doctor? Then we met the anesthetist who would be responsible for making sure that Andrea felt nothing during the C-section. He was awesome as well. Very relaxed, soothing, and confident. Great bedside manner to ensure neither Andrea nor I would get freaked out about anything that was about to happen. The theme for the day was "As Few Details As Possible". Andrea did NOT need a play-by-play of what they were doing to her. Everyone did a great job of accommodating this request.
At about 7:40 they took Andrea to the Operating Room and got her all prepped, numbed up, and attached to just about every machine you can think of. I was waiting patiently back in our room for them to come back and get me once she was all ready. I said a prayer for the safety of Mom and Baby, and then it was on.
I walked into the O.R. at maybe 7:55 and I swear it was the brightest room that I've ever been in in my life. Andrea was on the table and there were about 7 people in there to help bring Bruin into the world. I sat on a stool by Andrea's head as they got to work. I have to say that I have a very, VERY strong wife. She did outstanding throughout the whole thing. I kid you not, she acted like this was her fourth child! Good job honey. What seemed like mere minutes later (well, because it was), I heard Bruin cry! It was awesome! I looked over the curtain just in time to see him startled and purplish. What a sight!
They took him over to the table to get him cleaned up and I went over and looked at my son. How weird is that to say? My son! I took tons and tons of pictures to use as blackmail on prom night for him. He was great! I did catch myself counting his fingers, toes, umm ears, arms...you name it. He was perfect! It seemed like an eternity before they were finished poking and prodding him. When they did finish, it was time to meet Momma. After some more pics and bonding - it was time to go back to our room.
He was a cryer to begin with. For maybe the first hour?, he was crying - and you would not believe the set of pipes he has! Since he was born on a Monday, we didn't have any visitors until the early evening. I think this worked out for the best to be honest. It gave us time to just hang out with Bruin. After the initial cry, he wasn't bad at all. He would cry when he was hungry, or wet, or umm...not wet. :) Outside of that he would just either sleep, or lay in our arms just looking around.
My parents showed up at about 6ish or so and they were thrilled to meet their new gradnson. My sister had 3 children before she passed and they all leave in Kentucky, so this is their first opportunity to have a grandchild so close to them. It was great to see them! It was also great to see the big bucket of "Popeyes" chicken they brought with them! Yum! Then Mike and Stacy Gellner showed up with Jacoby. Later, Matt and Kristi Craig came over too. It's awesome to know how much support that Andrea and I have.
Once everyone had left, it was back to the three of us. We were very curious to see how the night would go. At about 10 or 11 or 12? We were still trying to see how the night would go. Bruin was perfect as long as he was being held. We tried to put him in the bassinet and he would be a little grumpy about that. Between feedings and changing and all of that good stuff - it was a pretty long night. This coming from a family that had gotten quite used to the 9pm bedtime. Yikes! Finally, at about 3am the nurse came and said she would take Bruin for his hearing test and then keep him parked at the nurses station for a couple of hours. Bless her soul! So Andrea and I were able to sleep for a good solid 3 hours and it was magnificent!
This morning - I woke up at 6am and left our room to get some coffee across the hall and saw little Bruin sleeping soundly at the nurses station and my heart melted a little. It's crazy how attached you can be to someone that you met barely 22 hours before. what an awesome time we're having discovering this new chapter in our life.
If you're still reading this crazy long post - I'm done. :)
4 comments:
Even though I am ADD I managed to read the whole post and I loved it! Brings tears to my eyes and I so wish I was there!!! I loved reading about your feelings as a dad Ben. You and Andrea will be amazing parents. I so remember those first few sleepless weeks. Our babies always slept better if they were held. Makes it hard to sleep but it will get better. Just sleep whenever you can. And we did better trading off. One of us sleep for a good 4-6 hours and the other tend to the baby. Of course only if you are comfortable trying a bottle. I'm praying for you guys and so thrilled!!!!
Thanks for sharing - I love hearing all the details. It would be fun to hear Andrea's perspective too! Funny how different Ian and my memories of labor was.
So fun to read. Can't wait to meet him! Let us know if you need anything.
Thank you Ben for taking so many pictures and giving us your thoughts. I am so glad you are Andrea's husband. We love being part of your family
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