Introducing...Easton Douglas Anders!

Easton Douglas Anders - 3 days old
More pictures @ http://www.our365.com/

He's here, he's here!!!  Jace and I welcomed our son Easton Douglas to the world this past Saturday, April 16th at 4:22 PM and we couldn't be more proud.  It was an awesome experience...not so much in the "incredibly cool, can't wait to do it again" context but genuinely in AWE of how mother nature and modern medicine can work together to ease a woman and efficiently deliver a baby.  Before I tell you all a little bit about our story (again, no worries, I won't blast all the nitty gritty across your screen) I must say a HUGE thank you to our staff at Winchester Hospital.  Though I know not a single of of those doctors, nurses and other staff members will read this they will forever hold a special place in our hearts for the outstanding service and love they showed all three of us!!  They exceeded any expectations Jace and I might have had and just had to throw that out there.


DISCLAIMER: unfortunately child birth isn't that pretty so if you'd rather not read about "water breaking" or "cervical dilation" please skip to the pictures at the end :)  So here's our story...  I woke up on Saturday morning at about 5:00 to drain my bladder for the 2,039,857th time.  As I was walking to the bathroom I was thinking to myself "my stomach feels different, lower cramps than the usually Braxton-Hicks... if this continues I bet we'll be heading to the hospital".  Finished my business and was headed back to bed when I took my second step away from the toilet "WHOOSH" water broke!!  My words were "Uh oh, Honey!!" and Jace was IMMEDIATELY on his feet asking if it was "go time"!  Indeed it was...

We notified our doctor and arrived at the hospital at 5:30 AM and after a few rounds of tests was told I'd be staying because, confirmed, my "membrane had ruptured".  Really?? You needed to run a test for that...funny.  So I was hooked up to an IV around 7:30 to get fluids started.  The doctor came by at about 8:00 and did an exam and told us I was 2cm dilated, 70% effaced (which was no change from our previous appointment last Thursday).  I was only having very mild contractions at this point and since my water had broken she went ahead and started me on Pitocin which is used to facilitate and speed up delivery.  That drip started at 8:30 and by 10:15 Jace tells me I was attempting to "break all the fingers in his hand".  The pitocin was working and I was MORE than ready to see the anesthesiologist and her epidural.  The "happy-dural" went in at around 10:30 and I was blown away by how good the doctor was.  Next to the actual pushing a head out my woo-hoo having an epidural was my #2 fear and wow it was easy.  Jace had to leave the room because apparently the needle they use is VERY long and has taken a few (dad's or insert significant other here) by surprise over the years.  Anyway, I went from absolute pain (think Jace's broken fingers every 6 minutes) to reading my Rachael Ray magazine and taking a nap while my body was still doing work.  UNREAL!!

Just getting started. And yes, that's a fake smile,

I was scared to death at this point

Immediately post-epidural.  HAPPY GIRL!!! :) - 10:45 AM

Jace caught me napping - 11:45 AM

The nurse was back to see me around 12:00-12:30 and said I had dilated to 4, maybe 5cm and upped my pitocin drip to 14 (max drip is 20) and let us be.  Still feeling no pain Jace and I passed the next two hours just chit-chatting with one another and watching the Bulls and Red Sox.  My contractions (as shown on the monitors all over the hospital) were beginning to approach every 2 minutes around 2:45 PM when the OB came back and said I was fully dilated and asked if I was feeling any pressure "down there".  I wasn't feeling much at that time and she said she'd be back in 30 minutes for me to do a few practice pushes and see what happens, but, of course, after she was gone for about 5 minutes the pressure arrived.

Our last picture as a family of two!  YIKES, Ali...I haven't
seen so many chins since the summer of '98

By 3:15 PM I couldn't wait any longer and called the nurse back in and began pushing. For the next hour and seven minutes Jace held my left leg the nurse held my right and I worked harder than I ever have in my whole life.  I cannot describe the amount of determination, focus, fear and exhaustion I experienced during that hour...all I can say is it was beyond intense.  To say Jace was amazing would be the world's biggest understatement and I'll leave it at that otherwise I'll probably short out the computer from all the tears streaming down my face...and you guys don't want to read that anyway :)

<REGROUP, ahem, clear my throat>

Easton Douglas arrived at 4:22 PM and Jace was right there to cut the cord.  He weighed 7 lbs, 5 oz and was 20 inches long.  We both looked at one another and were absolutely speechless...and, in keeping with how we do, began making crazy faces totally blown away by how gross all the stuff was all over him!  LOL.  So you know the rest...baby gets cleaned up, checked for all his fingers and toes and the chaos of parenting begins.

Our little cone-head baby

The rookie reports!!  Yeay, Team Anders :)

I don't think you can smile any bigger than this!

Mommy and Easton

Check out my stats, ladies ;)

We stayed at the hospital for our 48 hour flurry of temperature checks, Mommy's stitches care, lactation classes and a circumcision and were out the door on Monday at 12:00.  We were both itching to get home, into our own space and ready to care for this little guy. Our family & baby unit nurses were great - they didn't pamper us too much with the little guy so we could learn some things on our own but were so attentive to all our needs and questions.  Though we have SO much to learn being home in our own space has been very good for us...those hospital walls begin to close in after awhile.

First time in the car seat -- he almost fits...

Look at that face - so cute!

Home sweet home

Of course we've been snapping photos left and right and will do our best to get them out on occasion.  We did have some pictures taken at the hospital and you can view them by going to http://www.our365.com/ and searching by our last name OR use our customer number: 843501356353557.