Waiting... Jack's Arrival

Although much time has passed, I feel the need to document our anticipated arrival of little Jack Aden. Despite our planning, we learned that childbirth and the transition from married/working/no kids to caring for a newborn cannot truly be prepared for and requires genuine flexibility. Jack was due to be born 12/18/2009, but waited to greet us until 12/30/2009 following an induced labor and 40 hours of fun. Jack was born 8 lbs. 8 oz. and was 21 inches. Given Jack's face up positioning, I was able to experience the pains of back labor I'd heard my mother reference with disdain yet joy as she recalled the deliveries of my brothers and I. I have no fond feelings toward laboring or delivery, but can say with sincerity I am enamored and amazed by our son. I continue to be baffled by the fact that after his seemingly magical development in my belly, he now thrives on his own and is this perfect little person.

Just an hour after delivery...



Jack clutching Dave's hand while being cleaned off for the first time.



Jack's late arrival put a kink into our moving plans as we were not discharged from the hospital until 1/2/2010. Jack experienced some breathing difficulties which were chalked up to a little amniotic fluid in his lungs following a short stay in the NICU and multiple x-rays, tests, and blood draws. We were relieved to leave the hospital with a healthy baby boy. Needless to say, our time in the hospital was restless and filled with worry: normal new parent worries and healthy baby worries. Dave's parents and brother kept their plans to help us move to Kansas City over New Year's weekend, but went it alone in the U-Haul as we were still in the hospital. We are ever so thankful for their generous support... it was a huge help! After a follow up appointment for Jack on 1/4/2010, we made our trek east. An exhausting week, but we've come out on the other side and we're now settled in our new Kansas City home with little Jack.