Announcing....

Casper Boone Thoma

April 9, 2009

3:56pm

7 lbs 3 oz

20 3/4 inches

We are so excited to announce the arrival of the most beautiful and perfect baby in the whole wide world. I have never seen a baby so smart, cute, charismatic, strong...I could go on and on. We are absolutely in love with this little man, I didn't know something could steal your heart so quickly! I am head over heels...is it possible to kiss a baby too much?

There are so many amazing pictures of our little guy that I decided not to post them on the blog and instead I have set up a family website on shutterfly to share with everyone. Please check out http://thomafamilyphotos.shutterfly.com/. You may have to become a member, if so you can do that on the site.

If you're interested, I have included a play by play of our first couple of days together...

Despite my valient efforts at visualization, walking, and other forms of internet recommended labor inducements, I was not able to go into labor without assistance. So, Chris and I reported to the hospital at 6pm on Wednesday night to be induced Thursday morning. On Wed. I was given oral prostagladins which work to soften the cervix. They gave me a new dosage every 3 hours and I started having some more significant contractions in the middle of the night as a result. I was in a hospital bed, hooked up to the fetal heart monitor but not terribly uncomfortable. Poor Chris had to sleep in one of those awful hospital "recliners" that are never quite big enough for him. He ended up pulling up another chair to put his feet on. We hung out for the evening with no real excitement, watching American Idol and Slumdog Millionaire.

Thursday morning Dr. Trammell arrived at about 7:00 am to see how I was progressing. I was much more effaced so he went ahead and broke my water and started me on Pitocin to start contractions. Mom and Dad arrived around 8:30 or 9:00 to hang out for the day and Chris's mom came a little bit later. The Pitocin definitely worked to get the contractions going. The nurse and I discussed pain medicines...my original plan was to try to go with IV pain meds only but after three weeks of contractions, I was waivering on this decision. We started some IV pain meds around 10 o'clock and all that did was make me dizzy...it didn't do anything for the pain. About an hour later the nurse told me that I was dialated to 3+ cm and so I could do an epidural anytime even though it was only early labor. I progressed a little further then asked the nurse if it was too early to do the epidural...she said that all of the other induced mommies for the day had gotten it much earlier...I was the last one holding out, so I gave in. Although the process of getting the epidural put in is not fun, it definitely changed the course of my labor and delivery. From that point on, I didn't feel anything...in fact my legs were almost completely numb. I had to have Chris pick them up every once in a while and move them toward the center of the bed so they wouldn't fall off.

At about 3:00pm the nurse checked my cervix and decided that I was getting close to 10 cm. and about ready to start pushing. She paged Dr. Trammell and we started prepping for the delivery. I still couldn't feel my legs but I was starting to feel some contractions so I used my epidural "booster" button which was just the right amount. At about 3:30 I started some practice pushes and they actually got things moving. My contractions were still three minutes apart but that gave me plenty of time to rest and push the next time. All in all, I pushed for 25 minutes...about 6 contractions and Dr. Trammell showed up just in time for the last two contractions. Chris said I made it look real easy...I think it went easier than I could have ever imagined. I think Chis was really proud of me since he sounded so amazed during delivery and he brags to everyone that I made it look so easy. Although I didn't realize it at the time, I did tear a little and that is sure causing me some problems now...but it's all worth it. We are overjoyed with our little boy!

We spent Friday in the hospital and saw lots of visitors both Thursday night and all day Friday...we are blessed to have so many friends that want to spoil our baby. we went home...I think earlier than the nurses intended but I was ready to go. Both nights we were in the hospital Casper spent some time in the nursery, but not much. Neither Chris or I slept much on Thursday night since we would just lay there and watch him sleep. On Friday, Chris had to work some and also had an early morning delivery on Saturday so he didn't spend the night Friday night. Casper and I had fun in the times we were hanging out together, alone. We just snuggled and cuddled. Friday night was a little tough, we were trying not to use a pacifier but after a couple of hours of trying, I gave in and am glad that I did. I was afraid that it would hurt his nursing but it didn't bother him at all.

After Chris got back from his delivery on Saturday morning, we went home...I think earlier than the nurses intended but I was ready to go. We spent that day at home with just the three of us - napping, snuggling, changing diapers - it was perfect. We tried to have him sleep in the pack and play in our room but we were jumping up at every little noise. Halfway through the night we moved him to the nursery and turned on the monitor...that worked much better. I didn't get much sleep over those first days but I hardly noticed, I just slept whenever I felt like it and that worked well for me.

Sunday was Easter but we satyed home and just enjoyed each other again. Granny and Poppy came by and brought us Easter dinner and some presents for Casper. Then Mommy gave Casper the Easter basket that the bunny had left for him. He liked alot of his new toys. On Sunday night Chris had to go to bed early to do his route on Monday at 4 am so Casper slept in his room and I slept in the spare bedroom...except I started watching a movie and didn't try to get to sleep until right before he was ready to eat. I only got about 2 hours sleep total that night, but we were awake to say goodbye to Daddy when he left in the morning. I know, I know, sleep when the baby sleeps...I'm learning :) In fact, I am starting to enjoy our naps together...I don't think I am spoiling him by holding him for every nap and cuddling together.

Nursing has been going as easy as the delivery and I am very thankful for that. Casper weighed 6 lbs 11 oz when we left the hospital and had gained 3 oz when we went to our first doctor appointment on Monday. Dr. Holly thought he was doing wonderfully! He was slightly jaundiced so we had to get some lab work done...which was not fun at all, for Casper or Mommy. Then we had to go back again on Tuesday to retest. I prayed that his billirubin would be low so that we wouldn't have to do the lab work again...it's so hard to watch him go through that. Thankfully his levels were stablized and we didn't have to do anything special and his jaundice was not progressing.

I can't think of anything to report...all is well with the world. My life is a dream come true!!!