A week later

So it's been one week since Hank joined us. We haven't had much time for anything else except school and Hank so here is the first post about life with him for one week. On Thursday Oct. 28th (which was his "due date") Molly started having light contractions that morning.  Not knowing really what to expect I skipped school to hang out and see if this was actually going to happen. After a long morning of occasional contractions they settled down and I went to work in the clinic for a few hours that evening. Around 7 o'clock that night the true labor contractions kicked in so we didn't get much sleep to say the least.  Once they were about 5 minutes apart we decided to drive over to the hospital around 3:30am on Friday.  We took a couple slow laps around the hospital until around 4am and then we knew it was time to check in.  It was a long labor...We checked into our room at around 4:30 and almost 12 hours later at 4:27pm Hank was born.  It was an unbelievable and unforgettable experience and we're so glad he's home.  After one night in the hospital they let Molly leave on Saturday to go home and hang out with Martha and her parents who were so supportive and awesome those first few days.  We can't wait for my mom to meet him this next week. 

That was K.C.'s short and sweet recap, but I will add my two cents. I really had no idea what to expect from the whole labor and delivery but obviously had no way of getting out of it. After two days of thinking it was going to happen at any minute I was super exhausted. The whole feeling of not knowing which contractions were the ones that meant get in the car and go to the hospital was a rookie-like experience. When we actually decided we were going to the hospital even though the nurse said to turn around and go home and wait it out I got a little nervous. It was game time. Kc really got me threw everything. He is always such a positive guy, I don't know what I would have done without him. He coached me the whole time even when my face blimped up to the size of a balloon from all of the IVs I was attached to. Kc also was smart enough to invite a professor from his school who is a registered nurse to assist us in the labor room. She would push on my lower back while I would squeeze Kc's hand or hold him in a headlock. After 11 hours of changing positions, killer contractions and denying drugs I finally caved in to an epidural at a little more than 8cm since the back labor was more than I could handle. I am sure Kc was a little disappointed since I had made it almost the whole time, but when the devil voice comes out that says give me the drugs most husbands get the point. I tried to go without the epidural for the sole purpose that my scoliosis makes it hard to find my spine. The anesthesiologist missed twice before he found a spot where he acted like it went though successful. I still felt everything through to when I delivered but at least my right leg was numb for the rest of the time. I am glad the delivery part is over and Hank arrived safely. All in all it was the craziest and most painful thing I have ever done on a Friday night, but here's to hoping that the second labor down the road will be classier and effortless.

 

 Holding Hank for the first time

 Telling Eve about the long labor. Eve, Jeff and Martha made it to the hospital right as the nurses finished cleaning Hank up.

 Recovery room

Aunt Martha

Hank looks like he was just taught the Christensen three S's. Shake, smile and speak. This is my favorite picture so far...

 Here he is in his festive Halloween bib.  We weren't too prepared for a full on costume quite yet.

 Saying goodbye to Martha

 Nick (my older brother) and Spencer were in town at the perfect time to come over for a visit on Monday night.

 Overall he's been a great baby. He fusses every now and again at night but he seems as happy as can be.  Welcome to the family Hank!

Waiting game

I never thought while pregnant that I would go past due or wait up to the last day to go into labor. Hopefully this week some action happens. This weekend in between dropping off clothes at Goodwill and buying last minute basics at a baby store in Alameda, Kc took some embarrassing pictures of me to remember me con baby. The only problem was it was rainy and gray. We also had plans to go to a pumpkin patch, but ended up buying huge pumpkins for 2 bucks from Trader Joes, haha, not quite Half Moon Bay. 

Pumpkins of 2010

Sports weekend

Hanging out when huge and not knowing if you will go into labor is weird. But going to multiple sports events in one day is always a good distraction. Last weekend we started off with a baseball game for KC. He got to pitch and I tried to find a comfortable way to sit in bleachers. San Francisco has a lot of baseball parks we have used over the years, this one is Balboa Park.

After the baseball game we met up with Brad Packer and then drove to Palo Alto to join up with all of our Southern California family. My Dad, Eric and Ed Brown, and Mike all drove up for the USC vs. Stanford game. It was a boys weekend and I probably wasn't supposed to crash the party but our little boy was invited so I had to go. It was a super quick turnaround for the Southern CA crew who drove home after the game, but we had a great time at the closest game I have seen at Stanford. Second time storming that field!
 

Reunion and shower

Kc and I have had plans for the last year to have a reunion with our friends/Kc's roomates. When I found out I was pregnant I calculated how far along I would be and realized I would be a little over 8 months for the reunion. It all worked out in the end, I didn't go into labor, we had perfect weather and it was a great trip. While down south my mom and sisters also threw me a baby shower with delicious food and awesome people.

Teacups will not be skipped when pregnant!

Amy, Emi, Carter, Jenna, Kim and Aiden

 The whole way to Disneyland, Aiden would scream "I am going to see Mickey Mouse!"

Roommates

Me looking really disabled in the wheelchair

 I knew we would be at Disneyland for at least 9 hrs. so Kc and I sprung for the wheelchair

Guys went surfing

Good times, boogie boarding and pregnant.

Bonfire and S'mores

The pregnant ladies

Martha and KC

Mom made a sweet diaper cake

Josie made her delicious and artsy sugar cookies

Martha made "Hank" personalized stickers and notes, not pictured but Anne made amazing Orange rolls too!

Side shot

Yosemite 2010

Over labor day Kc and I joined with family for our second annual Yosemite trip. Last year we had a great time, but this year was even better. We got a campsite that was big enough for twelve of us and we were also close to the bathroom for my potty breaks every hour and in the middle of the night. Pregnancy camping was totally doable even though my coworker was deathly afraid I would not survive. We had a lot of good food that we managed to keep away from bears, floated/paddled down the river, hiked to the falls and played catch phrase around the campfire.

Our campsite was located right next to a wedding party. They got loud every night around 10:30 when the quiet hours started at 10pm. The rangers finally scared them straight the third night.

Eating time

Anne, Mike and Lucy got to camp with us this year too!

Kc like to make the hikes harder by carrying nephews

Made it to the top with just a little sweat

 

 

 

 

 

 

John, Martha, Kc, Mike, Anne and Eric jumped off the rocks to the freezing water while I watched from the top. The mist and dunking my head was refreshing enough for me.

 

  

It was a great trip. Cohen is making up his own peace out sign in this pic... til next year.