Baby H is here!!!

Our little miracle baby is finally here, safe and happy. This has been quite a journey. I have witnessed many miracles in my life, but the experiences I have had with this pregnancy and delivery are some of the greatest miracles in my life.

If you are like Kent here is the short version: Our baby H was born Jan 29 at 6:00. He weighs 5 lbs. 6 oz. and was 18" long. He has dark hair and is perfect and sweet. (now you can scroll down to the pictures if that is all you want)

For those who want details, like me, here you go. Last Mon. an ultra-sound reviled that our little guy was not growing again. The Dr. recommended coming back in a few days for a non-stress test. Those few days were so hard. Finally on Thurs. we went back, the baby looked fine, but something was still nagging us and causing us anxiety. The Dr. had initially planed an induction on Feb. 5, but after talking to us he called the perinatologist and agreed that it was time to get this baby out.

So, the next day we went to the hospital at 5 a.m. The labor was long and very slow. After hours (10 in fact) of what I though were good hard contractions, I still was not progressing. I realized I would not be able to go on physically with out help and I decided to get an epidural. That is when I had the worst contractions of my life (keep in mind I had K naturally). Unfortunately the first epidural did not work, but finally I did get some relief with the second one.

That is when the Dr came in the room a little concerned. The baby's heart rate was all over the place, and they wanted to watch him closely. The Dr. decided to check me and see how far I was before they decided what action to take next. Suddenly he ran out of the room. (I was pretty nervous) When he ran back in he said it was time. I had gone from a 4 to ready to go in less than 30 min.

I only pushed 2 times and he was here, healthy and beautiful. After he was looked over we had an opportunity to see what when wrong with the pregnancy. The placenta was very small, and was not adequate to provide all his needs. The umbilical cord was also very small and was missing components that gave it structure. The cord was also wrapped around his neck 2 times. So, during labor (and at any other time) the cord easily collapsed slowing his blood supply.

After we all saw the many things that could have gone wrong we were all very emotional. The Dr. said over and over how glad he was that we decided to take him earlier (he said there was a big possibility he wouldn't have lived another week in the womb). We also learned that his heart beat completely dropped when I started pushing, we are so lucky he came so quickly.

I know that so many of you offered prayers on our behalf, and I am truly grateful. We now have our beautiful baby boy safe and sound at home.

Now for what you really want: PICTURES!!!

Here are the pictures from his photo shoot in the hospital. The nurses were pretty excited to dress him and take pictures.

We were all pretty emotional when we had our little miracle safe and sound in our arms.
He loved the heat lamp.
When he is awake he is so bight eyed and alert.
He looked so sweet all wrapped up. (The nurses called it a Moses wrap)
K has been so thrilled to be a big sister.
She is such a proud big sister. (D is super excited too, but he has a cold. So, he has not been able to see the baby too much).

Again, thank you for your love and prayers. I know that it has made a difference. We could not be happier.