Well,I've finally arrived after spending 40 weeks and 3 days in my mom's tummy. It was so cozy in there I just didn't want to come out. But, I decided that it was indeed time to get things rolling and on early tuesday morning, September 16th, my mom's labor began in the early morning hours. Mommy decided that things were getting serious on Wednesday morning and was admitted to the hospital at 1:30 pm, after spending the previous 24 hours at home having lots of contractions.
My godmother Rebekah was with my mom and stayed throughout the birth, and Mommy's other good friend Miranda came to keep her company and be present for the birth too. They greatly helped pass the time until my daddy arrived from New York on the evening train.
He got to the hospital around 9 pm, just as things were starting to get pretty rough for mommy. She wanted to try and have a natural birth, but after many long hours of being stalled at 6 centimeters, was not fairing so well, and that was hard for her to deal with and for daddy to see. She finally decided it would be best to have an epidural and was glad she did because it made her feel much better. Then everyone was able to calm down and relax and really enjoy the experience of welcoming me into the world.
Things began to progress around midnight, and I was moving down lower every hour. At half past three Mommy began to push, and after much focus and determination on her part, I made my grand entrance at 3:57 am. It was indeed grand because my parents, Michael and Maddy, who were told that I was a little girl, were greatly surprised to discover that I am in fact a little boy.
You should have seen my dad's face when he first saw me! I was having trouble breathing at first because the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck, so the doctors were looking me over under the warmer. After making sure Mommy was alright, he walked over to take a peak at me. He only got halfway before he stopped in his tracks.
Mommy said, "How does she look?"
And he said to mommy, "Um, she looks like a boy."
To which mommy said, "What? You mean in the face?"
Then the doctor finally chimed in with, "It's a boy."
And mommy said, "Nah-ah."
Nope, she didn't believe him right away, or Daddy for that matter. (Daddy's a great kidder.) But they were both right. I'm definitely a boy, despite what it looked like on the ultrasound.
Needless to say, they had a good laugh over the whole thing after the initial shock wore off, and in truth were simply delighted to meet me.
I've met most of my family now. Grandparents and great grandparents, my uncles and aunt, great aunts and uncles, friends, and other loved ones, but I still have many more wonderful people to meet and things to see. My parents were delighted at all the phone calls and messages from those they love wanting to wish them congratulations. They heard from people all over the world - New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago, California, Arkansas, Scotland, and even Korea! I'm so lucky to be surrounded by all this generous love.
My first day at home was quiet and nice. I'm eating well and my jaundice is going down. I even enjoyed my first Steelers game (although they lost).
It's been a busy start to this life and I only imagine that it
will continue to be busier. I like the car and don't mind
traveling, which is good because Mommy and I will be moving to New York to be with Daddy very soon.
Since all our friends and family are so spread out, and we can't be everywhere at once, we want to make sure to keep you all up to date on what we are doing. So please check in with us here from time to time and we'll keep you posted on all the happenings.
And of course there will always be new pictures of me.
Enjoy,
~Finnegan~
