1 month well visit

Freddie's stats:

Weight: 8 pounds 5 ounces (10th percentile)
Length: 21.5 inches (10th percentile)
Head circumference: 39.6 cm (95th percentile)

He's gained 21 ounces in 19 days, but he's still a little peanut.

Dr. J began by asking about me, remembering I was a mess at our last visit. Then she asked if I had any questions and smiled when I rolled out the list.

• Allergy: She herself had given up dairy with her son and finds that milk allergy is fairly common. She loved the poop pictures and was concerned. She tested the stool for blood, but it showed no signs. Even though I've been dairy free for a day shy of a week, she felt blood would still be present in the stool if it were indeed an allergy. But because of the looks of the diaper, she recommended two more weeks of dairy free diet for me, and then test it with the addition of dairy. I am to bring in any suspicious diapers. Freddie did let out a whammy of a fart right in her face as she was examining his rectum. Payback for waking him and stripping him naked in the cold room.
• Other allergy concerns: Other allergies won't manifest themselves until around age 2.
  
• Oozy eye: Probably a clogged duct is causing the oozing, but it looked good today as it has the last few days.
• The umbilical cord that just won't quit: Couldn't get underneath to apply some silver nitrate to dry it up. We're to stop applying alcohol and not worry.
• Reflux: He's gaining weight and does ok if we get him sitting up, so she doesn't want to treat with medicine just yet, although, yes, she'd say he sounds like he has reflux from his love of car seat sleeping and foamy mouth. We'll keep tabs on it and if he seems to start spitting up or having pain, and then we'll consider antacid. I'm glad she wasn't eager to hand out a prescription for antacid but did validate my concerns.

Not on my list, but a concern of hers was his head. Notice his stats? The large head measurement is really due to his misshapen head. She said she wanted to think it was just from his birth but typically those misshapen heads round out after a week.

Freddie got to see Dr. B, whom Dr. M, my much loved ob, considers to be the best pediatrician in the city. Dr. B works in the same group as Dr. J and he also specializes in craniofacial anomalies. Dr. B questioned my labor and his other development, which Dr. J says is all normal, noting that his face is symmetrical and up until the point directly beyond his forehead everything is normal size and shape.

Dr. B suspects craniosynostosis. This is when the front plates of skull fuse prematurely causing the skull to grow lengthwise rather than to grow rounder. It is correctable, but requires surgery. Surgery completed before 3 months of age would be a much simpler procedure than if we delay until he's 6 months, so it is important that we figure out what's going on quickly.

Freddie's head will be checked again in 2 weeks and if no improvement is noted, a CAT scan will be schedule. Freddie will have to be sedated for this, so it's not so simple, but it will answer any questions about what's going on.

2 weeks will provide a little more information, and we're thinking the CAT scan will be scheduled immediately following that appointment. Actually I wish we were doing the CAT scan tomorrow. I'm not very good at this.

Sucking it down

I had to work a bit on Monday night and was going to be away from the house for right over 3 hours, so I decided to give pumping a whirl. I have been putting it off because it was just another thing to do although I do want the flexibility that having bottles would allow. Unfortunately my pumping yielded only 1.75 ounces. I was disappointed, but hear it may improve with practice.


I had some fear before Freddie's arrival that he wouldn't be a very good switch hitter, but lo and behold, he was very happy to take the bottle and then top off with the breast.

He's ready!

Freddie is ready for concerts, basketball and football games, and flying. His little ears are protected and he doesn't seem to mind the headphones. And he looks awfully cute.

Poo Picture

Sorry, but I have to put it here. Black spots in his poop, like coffee grounds.

I'm feeling this is not normal and wonder if this is blood in his stool, a potential indicator of food allergy.

This has only just appeared tonight, and the photo is of the second diaper he's had like this.

Overall, he has been considerably less fussy since going dairy free just a few days ago and he's been sleeping more during the day. However, tonight he is fussier than the previous two nights.

I'd do anything...

Last week I scoured the Internet looking for mechanical solutions to Freddie's crying, willing to spend any amount of money to find just the right jiggler to cure his crying.

This week I am looking at me. My diet specifically.

I've decided to begin an elimination diet to potentially find what may be bothering my Bug. I'm starting with dairy as I think that to be the most common food allergy in infants.

Some indicators that make me suspect allergy:

1. Intense bouts of inconsolable crying. Yes, this could be colic, or just his temperament, but really do babies cry this much without reason? (Or is his reason that it is just his personality? Dr. Sears doesn't live in my house so we're not going with that one until I try some other things.)
2. He has lots of dirty diapers. Most of them appear to be "normal" in color and consistency from what I read, but when he has a major blow out (a few times a day) where the volume is significantly increased the consistency is mucousy and stringy and runny (like snot...the best comparison I can come up with) and the color is a bit dingy and dull, leaning towards brownish rather than mustardy yellow.
3. He often sounds congested, especially at night. I am not sure if this is food allergy related but I have some other allergy concerns being that he is his father's son.
4. He foams at the mouth. He doesn't spit up but when he sleeps he gets foam covering his mouth. I suppose this is his alternative to spitting up, something he does not do, thank goodness.

Of course I wonder about reflux. Is this the reason for the foamy mouth and his preference to sleep in the car seat and swing?

And is it just gas and we need to give him some gripe water or mylicon drops?

But I've got to think a food allergy would contribute to reflux and gas, so I'm starting there.

No dairy. It's been one day and it's tough. So many packaged foods have some form of dairy in them.

And if the dairy doesn't work I'll eliminate soy and then wheat.

4 Weeks

4 weeks

Freddie is 4 weeks old today. One whole month he's been with us.

A little of what's been going on...

Gazing out the window. It's what you do
in the few waking moments you're not screaming.

• Freddie, you cry a lot. An awful lot. Being a first time mama I really have no basis for comparison but I am beginning to wonder if there's something not right about all this crying. Of course I sometimes chalk it up to my inexperience and inept parenting abilities. Or to colic. That's what they say overly fussy babies have, and there's nothing to do about it. Sigh.

Getting ready for Jazzfest

• You are still sleeping in your car seat, but I really haven't the heart or the patience to try to get you to sleep lying on your back.
  
• You spend lots of time in the Baby Bjorn carrier. This soothes you, as long as I am moving, and you typically fall asleep here.
  
• We're walking every day to the park. This is also a good way to settle you and get you to nap. I wonder how we'll do when the summer heat sets in.

My view of you for most of the day.
The Bjorn carrier makes you happy.

• I'm doing better. I am adjusting to life as a mama, letting go of shaved legs and a schedule. I've given myself to you and hope daily that it's enough. I know I have changed more in the last 4 weeks than you have.
  
• You want to nurse all the time. Breastfeeding woes have improved. I am still feeling pain on the right, but hoping that improves quickly.

We're looking forward to what the second month brings. The adventure continues.

Master Bath Progress

Charlie is still plugging away at that bathroom.

He took a few photos so the progress would be noted. Unfortunately I can't give too many details or explanations, but know that he is progressing!

Hot and cold water for the tub and the drain....


The tub will go in this corner...


And the vanity will go here...


He's run the cold and hot water and all of the drain lines. The next challenge is building the tub surround.

The tile has been ordered and guys are in the wings waiting to install.

The tub has been ordered.

The shower door has been selected and will be ordered after tile is in place so dimensions are accurate.

He's looking for someone to do the drywall.

My tasks include finding mirrors, towel bars, and robe hooks.

I am not sure if we are still on track for a end of April completion date, but I am hopeful!

First trip to the bakery

Yes, it wil be an entire year of firsts, and we're documenting all of them.

We enjoyed the spring like weather and walked with Freddie in the jog stroller to the bakery. Charlie was the Freddie holder while I had the task of cream cheesing the bagels. Amazingly Bug didn't fuss too much but we still sat outside so the other patrons wouldn't be disturbed. And we wantd to position ourselves for a quick getaway in case he was obnoxiously fussy.

Charlie changed his diaper right there on the pavement. Good thing we were sitting outside because he likes for everyone to know when he needs his diaper changed.

We made it there, enjoyed breakfast and the newspaper and made it home with a smile the entire time. This has made us brave and seeking another adventure but maybe not for another week or two.

Latest Gear

Our house is overrun with Freddie's stuff! We have things everywhere...something I am not used to! I like minimal things in the living area of the house (although I can't seem to get this to apply in my closet!) and I like for everything to live in a particular spot.

We tried very hard to not acquire too much stuff for Freddie that didn't have a purpose or he could live without but each day the kid cries and fusses I am willing to buy anything with a promise of making him happy. Yes, a slippery slope I know.

The latest item to arrive on our doorstep is the Baby Bjorn Babysitter, and he loves it! Or at least he loves it this morning.

It doesn't have batteries, it doesn't plug in. Right now the movement is generated by my foot, but as he grows and begins throwing his weight around it will jiggle from his movements. The idea being that he'll be getting a bit of a motor skill workout and self soothing. For now I'm happy to provide the jiggle.

Yabba Dabba Doo?

Photo taken on the dryer,
where he'll allow me to do almost anything to him!

We Ol-sens are known for some feet that puts us in the lineage of Fred Flintstone. The pinky toe and the big toe are quite distinct...and by distinct I mean deformed in a oddly stumpy kind of way.

It's hard to tell for sure, but looks like Freddie's got the Flintstone gene.

Cure all

Do they make a model with a seat on top? Or something smaller that will fit in the living room? Or should I just move a lawn chair and my book up to the laundry room?

On the dryer

Seriously, the dryer is an amazing thing. I am not sure if it is the noise, the warmth, the movement, or the combination of all three but it does a much better job at soothing than I do. Any reach to remove him brought little fusses.

Oh, and I discovered this today because I had a poo blow out on our bed this morning and have been washing sheets!


Could he look any more content?

3 weeks (and 1 day)

Here he is...


Getting bigger?

3 weeks

***The "weekly shot" on the chair will have to be a day late. I waited too late in the afternoon to decide to take his photo and he was in meltdown mode, and now he sleeps so we're not interrupting that!

At three weeks:

• Your hair is getting lighter and lighter each day. It's also starting to fall out, which I expected, but it still makes me a little sad.
• Your pitiful little cry sounds like a motor boat.
• I worry you have Ol-sen feet. The big toe has a distinct resemblance to Fred Flinstone's toes.
• You're liking your swing more and more.
• You spend so much more time awake, looking around. You like to look out the window.
• The best spot in the whole house is on the swing on the front porch. It immediately soothes you. Here you'll sleep in my arms or quietly look about.
• Your parents are in love with you.

Dear little Freddie is just growing up so fast. Sometimes I look at him and think he's getting bigger and sometimes I look at him and think he can't possibly be getting enough to eat. We don't go back to see Dr. J until the 31st so I've got a while until the next weigh in.

Other ailments have developed in his 21 days of life which worry me...

• Oozy eye: The eyelid is red and inflamed and it was oozy for two days. It is looking better and no longer full of sleep in the morning, so I'm holding off on a doctor's visit.
  
• White spots in the mouth: Thrush? Please we don't need any more breastfeeding woes. He had two little spots on the left side of his gums and now there is one on the right. It's not breast milk residue like he has on his tongue.
• When is his cord stump going to fall off? We're giving it a wipe with alcohol a few times a day but it still looks like it wants to hang around longer.
  
• Fingernails! Yikes, they're long. Don't know who's going to cut them, but it's time.
• Diaper rash: We change diapers constantly and we wipe well, but he's still got a little inflamed patch. Sigh.

On the subject of diapers...Freddie is the diaper king! I swear we use about 20 diapers a day. I've stopped counting the wets, but he typically has 8 poop diapers in a 24 hour period. I cannot wait to get him into the cloth diapers so we're not filling bags and bags of trash each week. As far as the laundry generated, we can't possibly do more than we are currently doing. Seems like Freddie pees on everything, so the washer is always going.


He has been sleeping in the car seat, but today I got him to sleep in the cosleeper. It only last a few minutes, 15 maybe, but it is a start. I am going to try to start spending naps upstairs with him. That will mean he'll try out the cosleeper and I'd be more likely to lie down as well rather than bustling around the house.

Yesterday on our walk we stopped to chat with a woman who was lamenting her baby no longer being a baby (she's 6 months old). She assured me things would get better...in about 10 weeks. Couldn't you have lied to me lady? She did give me a pat on the back for being outside so early on.


Our few five hour sleep stretches during the night were short lived. I've taken the side of the bed with the cosleeper this week and I've been trying to manage on my own during the night so Charlie gets some rest and is ready for work the next day. That means since I am now sleeping next to Freddie, when he stirs I am wide awake. Night before last the little Bug pulled an all nighter and that meant an all nighter for Mama too. I was a mess the next morning, wallowing in body fluids...tears and snot (both my own), breast milk, pee pee.

My Bug has been with us for 21 days. These 21 days have been pretty emotional and lots of hard work. Nothing we could have done would have prepared us for this. Even though I know we haven't figured anything out yet, all in all I think we're doing a pretty good job.

Out and about

Being such a quick study I've learned I can do one of three things a day:

1. Shower or
   
2. Take a walk or
   
3. Get in the car

And of course there is no guarantee that I will be totally successful doing any one of the three in isolation.

And today we went for a walk!

My little Bug in the jog stroller

I love the jog stroller and so does Freddie. He slept for the entire 3 mile walk. It was nice to be outside in the sunshine using my muscles. I was pooped after the fact but enjoyed it.

Just the two of us

Charlie went back to work today, so Freddie and I were on our own.

I needed to get out of the house, on my own, in attempt to establish some sort of normalcy and feel like a regular person. The plan was to go for a walk, straight from the house, and to go to Target for some diapers (damn diapers...more on this later).

The rainy weather nixed any walking. But I was still bound and determined to leave the house.

By noon I was dressed, Freddie was fed and asleep and loaded into his car seat. I was off.

Until...

I realized he had a dirty diaper.

So I changed him.

So he pooped again as soon as I fastened the tab.

So I changed him...and forgot to point his boy bits down.

So he peed on himself and me when I picked him up.

So I changed him and changed myself.

So thirty minutes later he's screaming, I'm flustered, but we leave the house.

So the car puts him to sleep.

So I stop at school to pick up yearbook supplies on my way to Target and everyone oohs and aahs at him.

So by the time we leave he's screaming again and hungry.

So I decide to pull in to Target, feed him in the back seat of the car, and then head in to get diapers.

So I pull into a parking spot and as I do it begins to rain, he lets out a huge fart, and I throw the car in reverse and headed home.

Not bad for the first day.

Billed

It's interesting how relatively "little" baby birthing charges were when my parents were born or even when I was born. For the sake of looking back later, I wanted to archive the bills I received today for Freddie's birth. I wonder if this amount will seem like peanuts in 30 years.

For Mama:
Room charges.............................5,817
Pharmacy...................................1,540
Medical Supplies..........................585
Laboratory....................................777
Radiology.....................................152
Operating Room Services..........2546
Anesthesia..................................1567
Labor Room/Delivery Charges..1529
Total..............................$14,513*

For Freddie:
Room charges (nursery?)...........411
Pharmacy....................................223
Laboratory..................................696
Other diagnostic services.............24
Pediatrician visit in hospital .....433
Total...............................$1787

*I am not sure if this amount includes doctors' fees.

I was actually expecting the bill to be higher. Thank goodness for health insurance!

He looks like his mama

Daddy says that's my frown for sure.

First my body now my mind

Yesterday at the end of the day I discovered I had worn my underpants
inside out all day.

Today they were apparently backwards.

Sent from my iPhone

2 Weeks

The evening fuss!

Today we had him weighed at the doctor's office and he's up to 7 lbs! That's a gain of 7 ounces in 9 days. Good work with the eating, Freddie. I can already see him changing ...his face is filling out, his tiny knuckles are disappearing under his new fatty layer.


Right now he will not sleep in the bassinet. He does love the car seat. So, the car seat goes in the bassinet and then we turn on the sleepy sheep to play some gentle rain sounds. I hate to deviate from this plan because he's managed to sleep 5 hours straight for the past two nights. After his five hour stretch last night he even went down for another two hours after nursing. And our two outings to the doctor's office have revealed that the car is a good way to get you to sleep. We're not going to start that, but it is good to know in an emergency situation.

Charlie goes back to work on Monday, so there will be another learning curve for this Mama. I'm sure we'll find a routine and figure things out, but I am feeling a little nervous about it. I still need to learn to use the car seat and stroller and I know I won't be as good at diapering as Charlie is!


Charlie's got the swaddling down and is a firm believer in the calming properties of the tight wrap...along with some other tips he picked up from a DVD. His other techniques learned include shushing, side lying, swinging, and sucking to soothe Freddie. I'd say it works about half the time. The other half the time the little guy wants the boob or just some old fashioned cuddling.

He's out after dinner.

I'm finding that the late afternoons are when he tends to get a bit fussy and by evening he can be nearly inconsolable at times.


The sling we got fits on Charlie, but I am not so sure it is the best fit for me. I also don't know if a variety of different positions for Freddie are an option in this model.


Regardless, he's pretty happy in there for now.

We're all pretty happy on Bordeaux Street.

Lovin'

• My baby's mullet...who knew I could love a mullet?!?
• Fattening fingers
• Slings
• Afternoons on the porch
• Diaper changing husbands
• Naps
• Tiny socks
• Heavy eyelids with long eylases
  
• Car seats in bassinets
• Delivered meals

Breastfeeding is not for sissies

Yes, the lanolin cream sits on the breakfast table with the salt and pepper.

Some things people like to tell you about the breastfeeding experience:

• It is *so* relaxing.
• It is a time to bond with my baby.
• Breastfeeding is so empowering. You are able to nourish your baby.
• I've been able to catch up on reading while breastfeeding.
• It is a quite time to enjoy away from the rest of the world.

Well, breastfeeding is NOT those things in the first 12 days of life with a newborn!

Breastfeeding has been:

• Scabs, tears, fissures
• Goopy lanolin
• Having to put a pillow between baby and mama's hand to prevent potential squeezing of child's head to deal with pain
• Whimpers from mama
• A full time job: 10-12 feedings a day, 30-40 minutes per feeding...this makes for a good 8 hour day
• Painful showers

I'm not trying to discourage, and I'm sticking with it, but a bit of the cold, hard, truth on this topic is much needed.

1 Week

The state of things round here after one week of Freddie:

Freddie:

• I am amazed by how alert he is becoming each day, spending more and more time awake with his eyes staring and gazing around the room.
• He has the hiccups at least twice a day and has loud poots! He is ultra gassy.
• His preferred sleep location is his car seat.
• His rash is clearing and his head is rounding.
• Nearly all of his clothes are too big, which is fine. It makes me smile every time I look at him, as if I needed another reason.
• The night time often means his lying on my chest to soothe him. It tickles me to watch him scoot from my belly to my chest. He likes his head nuzzled right under my chin.
• he wants to nurse all the time and isn't so interested in pacifiers to sooth him when nursing isn't an option.
• He has this expression that makes him look like an old tortoise...neck stretched, eyebrows raised, lower lip sucked in. I hope I can get a picture of it soon.
• He's nursing for about 40 minutes each session and does a pretty good job staying awake through it all.
• He cries but I know he could spend a whole lot more time crying. I'm thankful the last seven days haven't been nonstop crying.

Charlie:

• He loves this boy.
• He is very protective of Freddie and often questions what I am doing with him.
• Almost every diaper has been changed by Charlie. I can count on my fingers how many diapers I have changed in the last week.
• He's been an excellent caretaker, making the best meals, doing the laundry (including folding and putting it away), and he is slowly getting the house back in order.
  
• The closet, pantry, and refrigerator have been reorganized with him in charge of the house.
• He likes picking out little outfits for Freddie. He especially loves the little socks that look like high tops. (Picture of that soon!)
• He's quite the doting father and is so gentle with Freddie. He is looking forward to "wearing" Freddie in the Baby Bjorn or a sling.
  

Erin:

• I'm an emotional wreck. I cry several times a day for no apparent reason.
  
• I'm a physical mess, still feeling tired, dizzy, and generally worn down and sore.
• Breastfeeding is kicking my ass. I think I have an appropriate latch but it still is very, very painful. I'm going to see the lactation consultant tomorrow. Wondering how that will go considering her voicemail message ends with "And remember, breast is best."
• I still can't believe that Freddie is here to stay. And at the same time I feel like he's always been a part of our family.
  
• For as tired and overwhelmed as I feel, I feel even more in love with Freddie and Charlie.
• I'm looking forward to being outside, but at the same time do not want to get dressed and leave the house. Maybe we need to have breakfast on the porch to take advantage of the spring weather and stay in our pajamas.
• Right now, today, after one week, I cannot fathom returning to work for some time. Unless this gets a whole lot easier some time real soon, it totally amazes me that women are able to get things together and head back to work after 6 weeks.
• I think I will be a good mom.
  

First Visit to Dr. J

Freddie's Stats:

Weight: 6 lbs 9 oz, (25th percentile)
Length: 19 inches (25th percentile)
Head circumference: 36.5 cm (50-75th percentile)

So he's an inch shorter with the different measuring technique (Updated: Charlie thinks he is shorter because the cone is going down!) and his cone head is rounding out giving his noggin a larger measurement. Most importantly he has gained 2 ounces in 2 days since leaving the hospital!


Dr. J was the doctor who checked Freddie out at the hospital each day. Charlie was very impressed with her, so we'll be seeing her and her partners during these first few months, but my overall feeling is that she's going to be a great match for our family.

She is about my age and has two young children, so was able to empathize with my outburst of tears as soon as we got into her office. She told me to give Freddie a pacifier, "but don't tell lactation I said that", because he's just a sucker and would love to be on the boob all day.


She assured me that the pimples on his face which are now all over his body are perfectly normal and will clear eventually. His reflexes were spot on and he's "perfect."

His weight gain means we're doing something right and we will return when he's a month old, but she said we should feel free to call and come in before then if we think it is necessary or just to get a weight check. I was happy to hear her schedule is done so that she has a half day to see patients who call that day, so there should never be an issue with having to wait for an appointment.

I am amazed we all got out of the house and made it there on time for our appointment. That's all Charlie. He's on the ball. I also learned yesterday that I have no breast feeding appropriate clothes. Perhaps I will introduce Freddie to the wonders on online shopping tonight.


Our little outing also meant Charlie got to use his "man bag" packed with baby stuff. He loves that bag.

Homecoming

As much as we enjoyed the hospital help, I was happy to finally return to Bordeaux Street as a family of three.


Leaving the hospital was far more emotional for me than seeing, touching and holding Freddie for the first time. It somehow finally had sunk in...we were going home and Freddie would be with us.


The pooches quickly reminded us that they are big brothers and we are really a family of 5! They are so interested in Freddie, and sit as close to him as they are able to get.


It makes me happy to see our "Welcome Baby" flag in the front garden. Charlie says he's gotten some extra big smiles from our neighbors the past few days.

Figuring it out with just the two of us has been interesting and I am sure this is just the tip of the iceberg!

Birth Day

I have to believe that the day before was very much a part of the birth day. It was Mardi Gras and our last day out and about in the city as a couple. Of course Freddie was with us and he got lots of attention.

People were amazed that I was showcasing my Zulu coconut in such a fashion but they were equally impressed that I was 40 weeks 5 days pregnant and out and about with the best of them on Carnival Day.

And after all that excitement there was still no sign that Freddie's arrival was right around the corner.

Ash Wednesday began with what I thought to be a tiny trickle when I awoke. Hmmm, bladder? I had an appointment that afternoon so I wasn't worried, slipped on my walking shoes, and headed to the park. First lap around I had another trickle sensation, and made a stop at the bathroom. Everything looked ok, just a teeny bit wet. Keep walking.

After another mile into the second lap, it was no longer a trickle. I had wet my pants. Those nylon running shorts don't absorb much so down my legs it ran. I called Charlie. He giggled and offered to have me sit in on a bench and wait to be picked up really to avoid embarrassment because I wasn't feeling anything that said baby is on his way.

Plan was I'd head home, phone the doctor, and we'd touch base again after that while he remained at the lab to wrap up a few things.

But, I had a mile walk back to the other side of the park to get to my car. So, I called my daddy so I could talk on the phone and avoid eye contact with everyone at the park. As I talked and walked I got gush after gush but not a twinge or cramp.

Once home I showered, washed my hair, and called the doctor. "Go to labor and delivery even though you're scheduled to come in at 3:00."

About noon I strolled into labor and delivery and was surprised that they wanted me naked and on a table, pronto. For real?

The triage physician confirmed my membranes had ruptured and let me know Room 2 would be set up for me. The cervix was still only 2 centimeters dilated and was not completely effaced.


Since membranes had been ruptured since 7 am, assuming that little trickle was the beginning, pitocin was started right away and we just hung out. Pitocin dose gradually increased but it wasn't for several hours that I began feeling strong contractions, so strong that I felt like I could have scaled the building holding on with my fingernails.

So with no real progress I was given an epidural.


The epidural wasn't as bad as I thought and allowed me to make use of my iPhone to pass the time. Monitor was placed on Freddie's head and to help Freddie's vitals remain constant I was rolled to my side and given some oxygen.


And we wait some more.

Throughout the night I was checked periodically and given a predicted pushing time at 7 am, but no progress past 5 cm was ever achieved.

By 7ish meconium was present and I was spiking a temperature, so it was time to move on to more drastic measures to get Freddie into the world.

Freddie arrived at via cesarean section at 9:52 am. He was blue when the doctor pulled him out, and I was desperate to hear him cry even in my foggy state. He was rushed to the next room and it took a few minutes, but at last we heard him scream.


Seeing him for the first time was a huge sense of relief. My feelings were pretty out of whack at this point due to the medication, but I remember just feeling thankful that he was here.

Charlie took off with baby Freddie and left my skilled surgeon to patch me up. Really, the guy bragged about what a great job he did and every nurse who checked on my incision this week oohed and aahed over the fine work. I can't wait to here what Dr. M has to say.



He weighed in just over 7 lbs and was 20 inches long. He's got his Papi's chin and a pinched ear like his Daddy. I was so surprised by how much hair he had.

My daddy teases me to this day about the banana head I had when born from hanging out in the birth canal, and wouldn't you know the Freddie had quite the cone head as well. Poor guy had a red ring on the top of the cone from where his head was pushed against the dilated cervix. The cone head measured 13.5 inches.



It was when I got to see him in recovery that I was finally struck by what had just happened.



Charlie and I are parents. We have a baby boy. Our life is forever changed.