Our Day at Evergreen

Sorry for the long delay, it's been a wild one.  Our beautiful child is resting quietly and Mama is eating dinner.  I'll try to get a few pictures and videos up so we can introduce Mr. Calvin properly. 

So labor got a little exciting.  Christina was an absolute warrior through out the whole process but we ran into complications as the labor wore on.  Calvin decided he was going to be stubborn and continued to twist as Christina pushed.  Every time we had him facing the right direction, he'd spin around.  It got real touch and go for about a half hour with a vacuum or c-section being the next options.  After an hour and thirty minutes of pushing, the doctors started to worry that Christina would tire and be unable to continue pushing.  The little monkey just didn't want to come out.  The wife's pushing was text book, he just wasn't playing along.  At 1 o'clock we decided to go with the vacuum (think suction cup to the top of the head) to assist.  There's no pulling involved, Christina did the work, it just allowed the doc to guide Calvin's noggin up and out.  At 1:06 our purple cone headed wrinkled bundle of joy exercised his perfect new lungs and let us all know he was here.  I cried more than he did I think.  If I didn't believe in love at first sight, I sure do now.  I love this little man.  I can't wait for you all to meet him.

Bath Time!!!

I got to give my boy his first bath.  Greatest day ever!!!

Our little life just got started

At 1:06 today, Calvin Coe Lindner was born.  8 pounds 7 ounces, 21.25 inches.  Our beautiful baby boy is here!

So close...

9.5 cm, Station +1.  Kids definitely a Lindner.  He's warm, comfy, and doesn't want to move.  Stubborn little fella.... Takes after his Daddy. 

Higher up and Higher in!

C.S. Lewis called.  He wants his title back.  The adventure continues.  Christina and I have both been able to get an hour or two of sleep.  At last check she was at 7 cm, but the RN thinks we may be alot closer and will be checking again soon.  Christina is shaking and naseous and that looks like she may be in transitional labor.  That puts Calvin time somewhere between 10 and 12.  We could be saying hi to our little guy before lunch time!  My wife is an absolute rock star.  The nurses can't stop complimenting her on what a great job she's doing.  I couldn't possibly be prouder of her than I am right now.  She's super hungry but that just means this kid needs to get here so she can eat!

On a lighter note, this kid totally got me out of 7 tests today.  I had 5 tests for my block 3 exam, the State HAZMAT exam and an agility test for Fire Academy.  I will of course get to make those up, but man, if you need an excuse to miss a test, "Sir, my wife's water just broke" pretty much takes the cake.

Hooray for modern medicine!!

I totally respect people's opinions in regards to epidurals.  But if I'm ever in labor I'm getting 3.  The wife was at 6 cm at about 5:30 this morning and pushing through with no drugs.  She wanted to go as long as she could natural before getting the epidural on board.  Her goal was 5 cm.  That's why she's the champ.  We now have drugs on board and she's resting comfortably.  I may try to do the same.  2 sets of the grandparents are here and the third is on the way.  Calvin sure is taking his sweet time.  Were coming up on 9 hours in labor.  The good news though is all indicators show him healthy as an ox.  Strong heart rate, perfect  position.  It's in God's hands to push the button.  Just a waiting game now...

It just continues...

It's 4 am and we're rolling along.  Christina is having contractions every 5-6 minutes and handeling it like a champ.  As a guy you really learn something watching someone go through this.  There's a mentality that comes with pregnancy.  With most medical conditions or injuries there's a starting and stoping point.  Pregnancy is more like a slow enevitability.  There's no start or stop at this point it's just all go, no quit.  And this wife of mine is locked in.  She's focused and controlled and I don't know how she does it.  I'd be a mess if I had to go through it.  It just shows me how strong she really is.  She's going to be one heck of a mama.