Two Days Old, and finally Home!

Harper Joseph Alexander Molan arrived fashionably late just like his mommy tends to do!

To make a long story short, I woke up Friday morning September 4 around 2:30am to some serious contractions.  I couldn't get comfortable let alone back to sleep so I finished packing our bags for the hospital and thought we could really have a baby by the end of the day.  That was such a surreal thought, I still get butterflies thinking about how crazy that felt.

Around 6 or 6:30am I woke Gus up and told him I thought today was the day.  We eventually headed to Portland after timing my contractions all morning.  Around noon we were in triage at St. Vincents and I was still only 3cm and 90% effaced.  The nurse had us walk around for two hours and then we were re-assessed.  Gus' least favorite thing to do is walk, let alone in circles for hours!  He was quite a trooper!  I'm not sure what I would do without him!  Towards the end his hand was limp from all my squeezing through contractions! All that progress led us to being admitted.

I got my IV in triage and the contractions were getting pretty painful and I was only 5cm dilated!  As soon as we got into our room the anesthesiologist came in with our nurse for the evening.  I got my epidural, and along with that had my first anxiety attack!  Before I knew it I had oxygen over my nose and mouth and they were teaching me how to recover from hyperventilating.  All the while, Gus was staring at me holding my shoulders down.  I guess I've always been a little dramatic.  All I remember is saying that I hate patients as high maintenance as me!  After I got my epidural we waited.  My regular doctor came by after hours and said hello and offered to break my water and introduce me to the woman associate who would be delivering Harper.  Both doctors were incredible!  We were joking about me showing up to the hospital just because it was my due date expecting to come home with a baby!  But it was really happening!  

Eventually I was given Pitocin because my contractions weren't strong enough to cause any more progress.  Within an hour and a half I had fully dilated.  I pushed for 1/2 hour and all of a sudden had a beautiful baby boy on my chest!  Almost 25 hours of labor and just two days later I would do it all over again just to have him here! (I also never thought I'd say that like everyone tells you before you have to go through it yourself!)

Harper was born Saturday morning September 5, 2009 at 3:06am.  He weighed 7lbs 3oz and is 20 inches long.  Upon leaving this afternoon he was down to 6lbs 13oz and has no issues with jaundice or anything!  **knocking on wood, praying it stays that way**  He is absolutely perfect in every way and the perfect mix of Gus and I.  We're so proud of him, and so far breastfeeding is going incredibly well!  I tell him all the time that he's good at everything just like his father!

Well, we're settling into our first evening at home after getting discharged from the hospital this afternoon!  We couldn't be more excited to show Baby Harper his new place!  I think before waking up last Friday morning with contractions I got three hours of sleep and am not quite sure I've got another three since!  It's soo worth it though and I never thought I'd love someone more than this...It just means I am sleep deprived and my post today is probably not very well versed...many apologies!

Thank you everyone for all your support, love, and prayers as we begin this journey of parenthood.  We're so grateful to all of you....

Just minutes old...First family photo...Yes I've had more photogenic days!

Daddy helping Harper get bathed and swaddled!

Close up of our little man.  We think he's quite handsome!  He was just a few hours old here...

One day old.....

Two days old at home with Mom while Dad takes a little nap!  Feels so great to be home!!