Introducing...

Shad Jeffery Christofferson

Our beautiful baby boy is here!

He was born March 16, 2011

8:53pm

9 lbs 3.4 oz

22 inches

We went into the hospital around 4:30am last Wednesday morning.  I had been having strong painful contractions since around 10pm and they never subsided enough for me to sleep, or even lay down.  Around 4:30am we headed to the hospital in hopes that my strong irregular contractions somehow were still real labor contractions, and that I'd be admitted.  Upon arrival I was dilated to a two, so they hooked me up to the monitors and said if I progressed in an hour, then they'd admit me.  If not, I'd have to head back home.

An hour later I was dilated to a three!  I was so relieved, I think I even let out a few tears of joy...  I was so exhausted from being up for over 20 hours already, on top of dealing with the contractions, that I decided to get an epidural.  I would like to try a natural birth someday, but this wasn't that day.  I wasn't prepared for it, and was already too worn out.

To summarize the next 16 hours, I didn't dilate fast enough and my doctor said my baby's head was sitting up on my pelvis and wasn't moving down into the birth canal, so after being dilated to an 8 for 3-4 hours, he advised we do a c-section.  After a few more attempts to get my baby's head engaged, Jeff and I decided, along with our Mom's who were there with us, that a c-section was the best option.

Our 9 lb 3.4 oz, 22 inch long baby boy was born via c-section at 8:53pm, and it turned out that he was lodged on the side of my pelvis and wouldn't have been able to fit through, so c-section was pretty much the only option. My doctor said that usually he can just lift a baby out during a c-section, but with ours he actually had to tug a bit, he was so lodged in there!

Jeff was able to be in the OR with me and was able to watch a lot of his birth.  He was also able to carry him down to the nursery for his first check up and bath!

First sponge bath:

First family picture:

Meeting Grandma and Nana for the first time:

Because of the c-section we were at the hospital till Saturday night.  We spent a lot of time cuddling with our little guy and visiting with family and friends.

I absolutely love this picture, as it looks like he's holding his pacifier in his mouth with his hand (that's in the sleeve of his shirt.)  So adorable!

We were discharged from the hospital Saturday night.  We still tried to put Shad in the newborn-size outfit we brought for him, even though it turned out to be a little short.  I was worried the little blue booties wouldn't fit since he has fairly big feet, but because he curls his toes, we were able to get them on.  He pretty much hated wearing clothes!  We put him in his car seat and he finally calmed down when Jeff picked him up and started swinging him in it.  We didn't hear a peep out of him after that- on the way out or in the car!  So apparently he liked it!

We've loved having him at home!  We've taken lots and lots of pictures, and spent lots of time cuddling. 

I'm so grateful for my mom and that she has been here to help me, especially this week since Jeff is back to work.  It's been a challenge to figure out feeding him as we are still having to supplement with formula, but hopefully soon we won't have to!  Jeff and I love being parents.  Jeff is regularly telling me, "Dang Linds, he's one good looking kid!"  It's true, and he just gets cuter everyday!

(First sponge bath at home)