Baby at the Beach

We took Caden to the beach over Memorial Day weekend and had a great time! I wasn’t sure how he would do being away from home that long and was a little nervous to take him BUT he did a great job.

We met up with friends at Hug Point for a few hours, walked around Cannon Beach for awhile and then stopped at Camp 18 for dinner on the way home and thankfully Caden slept or was happy for most of the time.

Here are some pictures of the group and Caden with his cool shades, poor child!

First Bath

Last week was Caden's first real bath. He's had several more since then but Im just now getting around to posting some pictures. At first he didnt seem to like it, I think the water was a little cold or something...but soon enough he realized it wasnt that bad and seemed to enjoy himself.

Caden Slideshow

Here's a fun video in case you wanted to hear him.

Caden Michael Pierce

Throughout the last few weeks of pregnancy Mollie has been having higher than normal blood pressure. The doctors have been concerned about both Caden and Mollie and monitoring the situation very closely. Finally his due date came and went and the decision was made to induce if he didn’t start coming by Sunday night.

Sunday – 8:00pm

We drove up to the hospital as the sun was setting over the pacific coast range. The weather had been extremely nice and in the high 70s most the day. We parked in the parking garage and unloaded a suitcase and several other bags of necessities (laptops, phones, ipods, baby stuff, etc). As we walked through the west entry to St V’s and up the purple elevators to the 3^rd floor we realized something…we may be entering this hospital as two but we would be leaving as 3!

We got settled into the room and not long after the Dr came in to discuss the plan…everyone has a plan..a birth plan, an induction plan, a recovery plan…sometimes however you have to plan that things won't go as planned…

By time they gave Mollie Cervidil it was probably about 10pm. Time to go to sleep and see what the morning would bring.

Monday 6:00am –

It started…lots of contractions and things happening pretty fast. Usually the drug takes about 12 hours…but it seemed to be working faster than that. Most of the Drs thought that it would still be some time so they put off checking Mollie until later. So we had a blueberry muffin and waited.

Monday 9:00am –

Finally checked to see what was going on…whoa, dilated to 7 or 8cm! The nurse went to get the doctor…I called Grandma Nanette and she started driving over from La Pine. Contractions continued to get stronger and the pain was getting really intense for Mollie. She decided to have an epidural and it was the last chance to do so. That ended up being a really good decision.

Monday 2:00pm –

Time to push…pushing, pushing and more pushing….lots and lots of pushing. 3 hours to be exact…Caden progressed down to 10 cm and was effaced to +1 but then at some point didn’t progress any further…

Monday 5:00pm –

This is when the Drs started getting concerned…everything was going fast and working great up until a bit into the pushing. They expected him to crown after about 1 or 2 max of pushing but it just didn’t happen so they recommended a C-section.

Monday 5:30pm

The anesthesiologist came in to prepare Mollie for surgery.

Monday 6:00pm -

Mollie was wheeled into the OR and I got to wait outside until they were finished with the anesthetics. Then I got to go in, with my camera in hand.

Monday 6:15pm –

Caden Michael Pierce entered the world kicking and screaming! He was born 8lbs 7oz and measured 20 5/8in. long. His Apgar score was a 9 and everything looked great. 10 fingers and 10 toes everything intact! Mollie did awesome and also got to meet Caden and see his pink screaming face.

Monday Night

Finally got be moved from the recovery room into our normal room that we get to stay in for the next couple of days. Caden is doing well…his breastfeeding is going good, and everything else is coming out the right way too. We got to see Grandma M and Grandma and Grandpa P, as well as cousins, aunts, uncles and other family members. It was a long day…but we’re now officially a Mom and Dad and Caden, our firstborn son is finally here. All of that waiting and all of those plans…they were finally worth it.

Non-stress test round 2

We're here at the clinic doing another fetal heart check and ultrasound. They want to continue to monitor Mollie's blood pressure, but so far so good. They basically are trying to figure out if and when they need to induce. They won't have to if everything checks out (fluid levels, bp, cadens stats, etc). More waiting...for now :)

T minus 4 weeks and counting...

T minus 4 weeks and counting...so now is when we become a little more impatient....we planned and prepared and studied and practiced (breathing) and prayed and planned some more...oh and don't forget purchased. Now we are at the point where we just have to wait...and that's the hardest part (for me anyway).

Its kind of like reading a book where the story keeps building and you know that in the next chapter is when all the action will happen....you just want to jump ahead but you keep patiently reading with anticipation.

Along with the countless books, films, websites and informational sheets on pregnancy and birthing, we've also seen a bunch of magazines (albeit the majority while waiting at the doctors office)...here's a fun magazine cover where you may recognize who is on it....

You too can make you own magazine! Here's the link. Enjoy.