Well, after a night of watching over Tingting, and trying to get comfortable in a front heavy wooden rocking chair for half of that night, I’m dazed, but a happy daddy. Kevin arrived at 8:01am this morning! This morning being April 21st, 2008. 🙂
He is 7 lbs 1.4 ounces and 20 inches long. Here’s a slideshow of Kevin’s first day.
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Tingting did the hard part, but I’m the one that looks ragged… go figure!
Tingting labored on throughout the night. She was pretty comfortable at around 10:30pm. Her mother & I went home for a few hours & then returned at around 2:30am. I had her mother use the recliner to doze off in. The remaining option for me was a heavy wooden rocking chair that seemed to only rock to the front. Probably to make it easier for new mother’s since they are quite sore. Nonetheless, I think sleeping standing at full military attention would have been more comfortable, lol. Luckily, about 15 minutes later, a nurse offered me a bed in the room that Tingting was to be moved to after giving birth. Much better! Tingting appeared to be pretty comfortable so I went to catch some sleep.
I awoke at 6:30am, and walked in to see a much different scene than just a few short hours ago. Tingting had a wet towel across her forehead and was blowing out controlled breaths of air during a contraction. She was obviously in pain. It was almost “go time” and she was terrified. A few hours prior, her epidural began losing some of its effect as the baby was dropping lower. She was now dilated to 9cm. At around 7:15am, the doctor happily told her that in 15 minutes, she would be ready to push.
He left the room and about a minute later, another woman who was giving birth in the next room began screaming at the top of her lungs. The echoing sounds resembling a woman being tortured and ripped apart from the inside out had Tingting in tears and shaking. She was terrified. This is her first baby after all, so there were many scary unknowns floating around in her head.
While crying, she asked me if the same thing was going to happen to her in 15 minutes. I explained to her that the other person didn’t have any kind of anesthetics, and that this wouldn’t be happening to her. She asked me how I knew that. Uh… with some quick thinking, I told her that she just arrived an hour ago & there was no time for her to get an epidural.
A few minutes later, the doctor came back in and confirmed to Tingting what I said. We both breathed a sigh of relief. I was pretty much bluffing my way through that question showing confidence only to keep Tingting calm, but I really wasn’t 100% sure myself. I only knew that last night, there were no other patients there along with Tingting. I gambled on the side of logic.
I was in the action the whole time. Standing on the left side of her, pulling back her leg during the pushing and keeping the delicate balance between encouragement and reassurance for her. She was pushing for over 20 minutes, maybe longer. Kevin finally had to be helped along with some forceps. Along with the post appeasiotomy stitching, these were the most painful parts for her. I have no idea how to spell “appeasiotomy”, but its the procedure of cutting the vaginal area to increase the opening.
Watching Kevin come out and jump into life for the first time was an amazing site. When the doctor pulled him out into the open, he plopped out like a mucus covered rubber doll and was facing up in his hands. In that instant, he “popped” into life with a deep breath while opening his eyes widely, looking right at me. I know, scary first site! That was enough to get him crying and showing us what a healthy boy we have.
The doctor then clamped and cut the umbilical cord. Giving birth is a pretty messy business, and I wasn’t sure beforehand how I was going to handle it, being right in the trenches, so-to-speak. Compared to what Tingting was going through, my part was nothing. I got to be the first hand witness of a miracle. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
It’s been an amazing day, and now I’m off to take a nap before starting my next “dad” shift with my new baby boy!
Congrats again Jack!
I think the word you want is episiotomy.
Out of curiosity, what is the significance of the rings being on the middle finger and each on different hands?
Blessings on your (growing) family!
First, congratulations. But, I don’t know why you wouldn’t know how to handle things, after all, 26 years later women still give birth the same way they have for centuries !
Congrats from this old mom to the two new parents. I just love reading birth stories. Thanks for publishing this one. You will not believe how happy I am for you both. By the way, it’s “episiotomy.”
Congratulations Jack!
I’m thrilled the deliver was a success. Kevin pick a great week to be born… A few more days & we would have shared the same b-day.
Thanks for keep us updated on this wonderful journey.
Keith Goodrum
Jack, that’s awesome! Congratulations to you both and thanks for sharing those photos with the rest of us.
~Kenton Newby
That’s awsome man. So glad that mom and baby are happy and healthy. Enjoy!
-R
Congrats! Ryan, Jr. and I wish you all the best!
What a great day!!! Thanks for the photos. Let the journey begin.
By the way, you’ve chosen a great name for your young man (I have a son named Kevin).
The best to you and yours, George
Congratulations to you both. A job well done! You do look tired Jack. Get some sleep!
Congratulations! He’s a handsome little boy. Truly the birth of a child is a miracle that is priceless.
Wow, what incredible responses! Thanks everyone, we appreciate very much hearing from you. Well, now I know how to spell episiotomy! Thanks for that too Wayne & Matia!
Yes, I was tired, but it was all worth it. Kevin is doing great during his first week on earth. The doctors & visiting nurse say that he’s extremely healthy. We can’t help spoiling him when we can manage to pry him away from grandma!
Also, great to hear from you Stephen! Stephen is my first born from a previous marriage from way back in the early 80’s. (Dating myself, yikes!) Stephen and his wife Ryan are also getting into the internet business arena! Stay tuned for more posts on that one. 🙂
BTW – Happy birthday Keith! Love your blog, and looks like this is a great week for b-days. 😛
Well done Jack & Tingting.
Now, perhaps you’ll have time to reply to the email I sent you six months ago. LOL.
Please allow me to be the first to offer the traditional antipodean ceremonial greeting of “Gday, Kev, MATE”.
This is now reserved for our new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.
The former incumbent “Bonsai – The Little Bush” having been turfed out ingloriously last November.
November seems to be a perilous month for self-proclaimed world leaders. LOL.
Seriously, Jack – congrats from the Grumpiest of all and hope to hear from you soon.
The Grumpy Old Chef.
Clive! Great to hear from you, it’s been a long time! Thanks for the traditional Aussie welcome! Kevin is beginning his second week on planet Earth now and is doing great. 🙂 I will respond to that six month old email today, I promise, LOL!
Wayne – In answer to your question about the rings. I was back in the U.S. when Tingting bought my ring, so it’s just slightly big, and more comfortable to wear on the middle finger. I bought her ring during the summer (2005) in Beijing. It fit perfectly at the time, but apparently her fingers were expanded from the heat and hers is now just slightly big for the finger too. Instead of resizing them, we just decided to switch fingers. No Chinese customs there. 😛
Stephen and I were looking at the pictures and couldn’t believe how much Kevin and Madeline look so much alike!!! must be the keifer thing. lol But we just thought it was funny and worth mentioning.
Better late than never, congrats Jack! I think Kevin’s nearing his birthday…