The Week That Was

Well, it's official: I'm a dad! Our little man arrived at 5:01 am on July 10th and I just can't stop staring at our little man. Both sets of grandparents were at the hospital for the birth and helped us bring him home this past Wednesday. It was a very long and tough labor (sorry to all you moms and dads who hate to hear stories like this) that started on a Friday night and ended with a c-section in the wee hours of the morning the following Sunday. My wife pushed for over 4 hours and was an absolute trooper, enduring 3 epidurals and giving everything she had to give and more.

In the end, the boywas posterior and just couldn't make it through the birth canal. After they took my wife into the operating room I had to wait for what seemed like hours, thinking about what could happen to them in that room. Fortunately, my father saw her being wheeled down the corridor and, along with my mom a bit later, talked me through my waiting and worrying. I don't think I had ever been happier to see them in my life! But, before long, I was in the cold environment of the operating room.

I must admit that I did get a little queasy when I first sat down, but I hadn't eaten anything for hours and I had to balance myself on a stool like you find in many doctor's offices. It's high off the ground, not very stable, and moves with the slightest nudge. After a pep talk and some orange juice from the nurses, I went back in and saw my beautiful baby boy lying in the warmer: 6 pounds 11 ounces and 21 inches long. I followed the nurses who took him to the NICU, with a short stop in front of the waiting room to see the grandparents. As they moved him in, I realized that I had just left my wife alone in the operating room!

Needless to say I felt guilty about doing that and for telling her to push so forcefully, but one of the first things she said was how wonderful I had been during labor. That, and my newly born son, made me the proudest husband and father anywhere on the planet...and no one can tell me any different. Due to the c-section, my wife had to stay in the hospital for a few days which gave us a great opportunity to get to know the little man, but also to have a nurse take him down to the nursery so we could get some sleep. I stayed with her every night until the last one when she insisted I get some sleep in our own bed. It was agony for me to leave them that night, but the uninterrupted rest has come in handy!

So, as I write this my beautiful boy is up in his crib and my beautiful wife is in the recliner, both fast asleep. The boy has been so well behaved and seems to want to take in everything around him. We sent out an email to everyone about his arrival and the good wishes are still coming! It's really the first day it's just been the three of us as my parents headed home this morning and I've begun to realize the awesome responsibility we've assumed. He changes every day and no two days have been even remotely alike. I want to thank everybody who has wished us well and supported us through everything we have endured over the past few years. Both sets of grandparents have already done more and been appreciated in ways they may never fully know. Our gratitude goes out to them each and every day. But, above all, I want to thank my wife for helping to bring our son into this world. I love you both so very much.