Week 3
This week since I am feeling much better, my mom and I ventured out of the house each day a little more. I finally drove the car after 2 1/2 weeks and was finally able to pick up Derek in his car seat. I am so grateful to be feeling more and more like myself each day.

We continue to learn more about Derek each day - what he likes and does not like and what his cries mean. He is growing and now weighs 7 lbs 9 oz. I feel like he has gotten so much taller as well. And he is no longer a new born, but an infant.




Happy 3rd week birthday Derek! Originally, Matt and I had thought that if we labored at home we'd do some baking and make a welcome home carrot cake for Derek. Well...that did not happen...but ever since then I've been craving carrot cake and so I finally made the cake.

Derek had his first play date with his friend Bryce. Here are the proud dads, Jacob and Matt, holding each others son!! Derek went on many walks with Bryce when when both boys were in utero.

Matt, Derek and I with Jacob, Ellen and Bryce
My dad also came to visit Derek. Here is the first shot of my dad holding his grandson for the first time. It was so special to watch.


Here is Derek on the afghan that my mom made him.

Week 2
This week we were so grateful to have my mom come out to visit. She graciously came out a week early to help us and of course love on Derek!

Derek had his second appointment with the pediatrician. He is getting bigger each day.

We love to watch Derek sleep. He is so precious. He always keeps his hands right under his chin.

Derek went to Costco in the Ergo and slept through the whole shopping trip.Sweet times with dad.

Week 1
Some of the things that we love about Derek already
* the way he stretches and arches his back when waking up
* the cooing/squeaking/snoring sounds he makes when nursing and sleeping
* how he holds his hands across his chest when nursing
* the smile he makes unconsciously when he is content
* his little fingers and toes

First sponge bath.

First time sleeping in his crib all swaddled up.

Big yawn.

Testing the bouncer for the first time...

and the swing.
Derek pondering life outside the womb.

Our first walk with the jogging stroller.

Taking a nap on dad.

Proud Grandma (Matt's mom).

Story of Derek's Birth
Let me begin by saying this is a long story, but I did not want to forget any of the details. The end result is a healthy, sweet baby boy and a healthy mom, which was our ultimate goal. Looking back over this experience, Matt and I can see that God's faithfulness and hand of protection were so evident.

It all began Thursday, June 10th. Matt and I went to the hospital for our weekly appointment with our midwife. Since I was 5 days past my due date, our midwife checked my amniotic fluid to make sure that the level was still alright. But, it was low and therefore she told us that we were going to be admitted to the hospital that night to be induced. We went home, finished packing our bag, and went out to dinner at P.F. Changs before arriving back at the hospital around 7 pm.

That first night they started me on a cytotec to soften my cervix and begin the laboring process naturally. The plan was to get a dose every 4 hours, but God had other plans. After the first dose the contractions began, but after each contraction Derek's heart rate would drop and then slowly rise back up. Because of this I was not given another dose until the next morning and even then the dose was cut in half to make sure that Derek would be able to withstand the contractions. I remember that night as I drifted in and out of sleep thinking that if his heart rate was going to do this that I'd rather have a c-section in order for him to be safe.

The next day the cytotec was given to me in small doses and I continued to labor with contractions that I needed to breathe through for most of the day. Around midnight (24 hrs after being induced) I was only dilated 1 cm, but that was enough for the doctor to insert a foley balloon. The balloon once inserted would be inflated and put pressure on my cervix and hopefully make me dilate to 3 cm. Around 9 am when the midwife checked me I was dilated 2 cm. It had now been almost 30 hours that I had labored and was only dilated 2 cm! I had not slept or eaten in almost 3 days and both Matt and I were exhausted both mentally and physically. We knew that there was still a ways to go in order to deliver this baby and due to the circumstances we decided that the best thing was to get an epidural and sleep for a while so I could have enough energy to push when it came time.

I was given the epidural and they started me on pictocin to help me to dilate, but once again as the contractions came Derek's heart rate would drop. With each contraction Derek's heart rate took longer to come back up to normal. Several times the nurses came rushing into the room to reposition me trying to allow Derek to not be stressed by the contraction. It seemed to work for a couple of contractions, but then Derek would not respond well to the rest. At one point we lost Derek's heart rate for a longer period than usual. There were nurses and our midwife rushed into the room again. This time not only did they reposition me, but they gave me a shot of something to stop the contractions and shut off the pictocin in order to get his heart rate back. At the same time a doctor came in and talked to Matt and I about the possibility of an emergency c-section.

At this point Matt and I just wanted to get the baby out. The nurses at our hospital tried for another 3 hours to allow me to have a vaginal delivery, but no progress was made. Since I had been in labor for over 36 hours Derek's body was just as stressed from that labor as mine was and we still had a long ways to go (still being only 2 cm dilated).

The decision was made for a c-section. Everything happened very quickly after this. I was prepped for the O.R. and moved there. As they transferred me onto the operating table they lost Derek's heart rate again and were not able to find it. At this point I had my eyes closed and was focused on breathing. I was also just praying that Derek would hold on. All the doctors and nurses were moving extremely quickly as time was essential. Before I knew it Matt was by my head holding my hand and then within 5 minutes Derek was out!!! Matt got to see the doctor pull him out and we both rejoiced as we heard him cry! Praise God. As the doctors pulled him out they found out the mystery behind his dropping heart rate. Most babies have a 2 foot umbilical cord, which allows them to descend and put pressure on the cervix. Derek's umbilical cord was only 1 foot long and was wrapped around his neck. He was NEVER going to be born vaginally, a c-section was the only option.

After hearing this information from the doctor we knew that God's hand was completely upon Derek the whole time. While this birth was nothing like we had every imagined or planned for and it was a really challenging adventure, we felt God's hand of protection and provision. Another way we felt God's provision was with the nurses, doctors and midwives we came in contact with. Since we were in the hospital for 3+ days for delivery and 3 more for recovery we were able to have the same nurses care for us over several shifts. It was so nice to have a familiar face taking care of us. After we had Derek and were transferred to the maternity floor, several of the nurses even came by to visit us and meet baby Derek. We felt so loved, blessed, and taken care of.

Below are some pictures of our new family while we were in the hospital.

Here we are at home before we headed to the hospital to be induced.

Here is Derek seconds after being born.

Here is Matt, the proud father.

First time I held Derek.

Matt's mom drove from Utah and arrived 1 hour after he was born.
This was written on the white board in our room!



Our first family photo
We had a few visitors while we were in the hospital. Here I am with Kristin.
We Skyped with my parents the day after Derek was born so that they could see him live.

Here we are leaving the hospital.

First ride in the car seat.