labor of love

ISAAC KEITH DESONIER
Born December 18, 2008 - 3:57pm
8 lb. 15 oz....20.5 inches
healthy, beautiful, and amazingly alert



So, I just clipped and filed the finger nails of our 6 day old son. Incredible. But, let me start from the beginning...

December 18, 5:50am...I woke with some interesting pains. I thought I had an upset stomach, so I went to the bathroom. About 5 minutes later...more interesting pains. 5 minuntes later...pains...pains...pains. I nudged Keith and told him I thought I was having contractions. He went from totally groggy to wide-eyed with a watch in his face in a matter of seconds. We timed them for about an hour before calling Doc. Thankfully, we were given the go to meet him at the hospital. I felt every pot-hold, crack, and pebble on the way there. Ouch!!! Once dressed in the fancy gown, Doc checked and I was already 7 cm dilated and 100% effaced. I quickly progressed to 9 cm. They kept asking if I wanted pain meds, but the contractions were coming so quickly, I could barely hold the mental capacity long enough to make a decision...until Doc said, "Well, looks like you are still 9 cm. How 'bout I come back in an hour to check you again." X*&$#*&!!!! That snapped me into quick decision mode and I said, "EPIDURAL!" Thank goodness...because I ended up laboring for about another 3 hours, hanging out at 9 and 10 cm. Also, just my luck, I had a "hot spot" or "window" where the epidural did not take affect. So, in that one zone, I could still feel every contraction. They offered to do another epidural...uh, no thanks. I tolerated.

When it came time to push...Isaac's heart rate would drop significantly each time. That was when Doc told us he thought the umbilical cord must be involved. Not quite what you want to hear at such a time. Doc started explaining that they would have to expidite Isaac's entrance, listing such possible options as "vacuum"..."forceps"..."c-section". What? Keith and I started to pray. Thankfully, it wasn't long after that he was successfully extracted with Mommy's pushes and vacuum assistance. And, might I say, for being a vacuum baby...he is suprisingly cone-head free!! As it turns out, his umbilical cord was about half the length it should've been, so it wasn't long enough to allow him to come all the way out on his own. Poor little lovie. Doc claims to have sprouted a couple extra gray hairs because of the ordeal. No pity from me! My end result was a lot worse than just a few gray hairs.

We stayed in the hospital for 2 days and were able to avoid Connecticut's first "nor-easter snow". It looked beautiful from our window. Because of the storm, we had no visitors and I can actually say that I am extremely grateful(except for the grandparets who had to dig our car out of the snow with a broom because Keith and I had not purchased a snow shovel yet. Dad- we owe you big time for transporting the moms to and from safely!!). I was in no condition. Because Isaac was such a healthy, strapping young man (eh, large!), he left his mark on the way out. Just let me say that I'm still not able to sit, am scared to cough, clear my throat, or sneeze, am in danger of OD-ing on stool softeners, and will probably be doing the post-prego waddle for weeks to come. However, just looking at our precious boy makes anything endurable.

Hey everyone, this is Keith. I wanted to wrtie a bit about being home over these last few days. I read a story that quoted Will Smith on his birthing experience....it was basically how when his wife went into labor it was all he could do to get to the hospital, weeving in and out of traffic, running yellow/red lights, speeding, honking the horn, yelling at the "crazy idiots" out there driving so slow, etc., to coming home with the baby driving 10 mph under the limit, taking wide easy turns, braking 200ft. before the yellow light, and still yelling at those "crazed maniac" drivers out there that drive so fast and wrecklessly. Well, I'll say I can relate, and on top of that, there was snow everywhere! Funny how life changes after a kid.

It was an amazing experience to come home for the first time as a family. For the first night we had Mia (my mom), Grandma, and Grandad (Steph's parents) here. It was nice to have the extra help. It was a decent 1st night, little sleep, but we made it through. I laugh because he's only 6 days old and we've been to the doctor twice.....gotta love new parents. After grandparents left, we were on our own and let me tell ya...everything seemed to go down hill. Mommy and baby Isaac seem to have a knack of being utterly helpless and need of assistance at the same time so daddy gets stuck in the middle with a poop explosion and Steph in pain in the bathroom.....yeah fun for me! Meanwhile, between the feedings, changing, rocking to sleep, caring for my child, and waiting on my wife's every need, I'm trying to keep the house functional. I have an all new appreciation for Michael Keeton's portrayal in Mr. Mom (an oldy, but a goody). I will admit though that when Isaac looks up at me, falls asleep in my arms, or when I watch the way my wife loves him and loves on him....little else matters...

Today is Christmas Eve and we are able to celebrate two very special births...Jesus Christ and Isaac. Thank so much you for your love and prayers. Enjoy the pics.