Maxwell - 1 week old

Today Max is 1 week old!

Thanks again Annika for this super-cute quilt that I can document his growth on :)

The story

So I have some limited time to sit down now and go through the birth story of Max's long-awaited arrival into this world.

Come Saturday morning, no contractions or active labor through the night. Leon and I had breakfast at Cafe Barrone (surprise) and headed back to the hospital for an induction.

This time, the hospital was not as crazy and I was able to check in right away around 8:45am. One of the nurses even recognized me from the day before to let the others know "no need to check her, she's already 6 cm dilated, so she's staying".

The process of getting checked in takes a long time. You go to a labor room, get changed, you're asked a number of questions about your health history, get an IV set-up, talk to the an anesthesiologist etc, etc.

It was a good hour before they were even going to start the pitocin. Then came some trouble with my IV line, so it wasn't until 11:00am that the pitocin started. Though I felt contractions about an hour in, they certainly were not what I was expecting as far as pain. They were coming about every 3 minutes. This surprised the nurse and doc, who then at 1:00pm decided to break my water. This is where the real contractions started! Before I knew it, the contractions went from a pain level of 4-5 to about an 8 and they were 1 minute apart. I couldn't even use the restroom without having about 3 contractions in between.

Though I went in thinking I would try without pain meds, I was calling the anesthesiologist. The downside of the epidural is that it did not work all the way for me. Only my left side was numb and I was still about a 6 on a pain level...I couldn't even talk through the contractions. Poor anesthesiologist felt bad that as many different meds he pumped into me, none were helping.

It wasn't long however, before it was time to push, around 4:00pm. I pushed for one hour (which actually felt better with the contractions), and into the world came Maxwell! He came out screaming, which was funny. They set him on my stomach and Leon got to cut the cord.

Though I am sure most parents feel this, there isn't a description for brining a child into the world. We were elated and in awe. I couldn't believe this squirming baby was just inside me and now out into the world.

Everyone has asked me before the birth, "Are you nervous?" meaning, about the labor. My answer was yes, but not due to the labor, but about being a parent!

We just hope to be the best we can and learn along the way :)

Putting his thinking cap on

The last few days have been a whirlwind - will share all the birthing details later. In the meantime, we are already getting Max to work his lil' brain :)

He has arrived

Proud to announce the arrival of our son :)

Maxwell Oliver Chen was born yesterday, 5/22/2010 at 5:05pm weighing in at 7lbs 6oz. 20.5 inches long.

The whole fam is doing well and will arrive home from the hospital soon.

Anticipation

Last night I had dinner with friends Ann, Angie, & Shannon. As we were discussing how much I was dilated last week, the girls threw out bets on what I would be dilated to today when I went in for my doc appointment. Ann joked 6 cm, and we all laughed, talking about doing squats or lunges to speed up the process.

Low and behold, I go in this morning and I am 5-6cm dilated! (I owe you $1 Ann) I was told how "lucky" I am, as by now, some women have been through hours of labor.

Yes, the doc, Leon, and I were all surprised. So, she asked us, would we like to have the baby today? We weren't prepared to answer that question, but we came back at 3:00pm in the afternoon to "have my membrane stripped" (not a pleasant process) and take a brisk walk around the mall to try and get some contractions going before checking into the hospital. Well, this did not bring on contractions. We went to the hospital anyhow as my doc was concerned this was going to be a very fast labor.

The hospital was a zoo...so many births they didn't even have a room available and wouldn't for one hour. This meant perhaps a delivery in the very wee hours of the morning. My doc called me and suggested we go home where we would be more comfortable, see if we make it through the night, and come back in the morning when things would be less hectic.

So we are just waiting and seeing if we make it through the night. Either way, we are meeting this little guy tomorrow! :)

39 weeks

Here's a side view...he's still in there!

Nursery (almost) complete!

On Friday, Brett & Angie came over for some breakfast-for-dinner. But first, we put the boys to work hanging up shelves in the nursery. Thanks Brett for helping out Leon! Was glad to know the drywall was still in tact :) Now I feel so much better and the nursery is just about complete. I am only missing some custom roman shades I am having made which will soon be here.

Little Hank also showed off his crawling skills! Even with obstacles such as Tank licking his face every 5 minutes. This guy is going to be walking before we know it. :)

Leon & Brett celebrate their hard work with a beer.

The finished result

Changing area and a bed (so Leon and I can take turns with all-nighters)

Crib, rocking chair

Another view of the crib (Bedding is from Skip Hop, I bought different fitted sheets though in both orange and aqua)

Artwork I bought on Etsy

This spectacular quilt that Annika made for us...it is the cutest! I plan to take pics of the little one on it each week as Annika did and Angie is also doing with little Hank.

Now it's just a waiting game. I'm trying to take it easy as my OB/GYN is at a conference this week Monday - Wednesday. No more long walks for me unless I want to go into labor. I am eager to meet this little guy in person, but I am also fine with him incubating a little longer :)

Taking bets!

Ok people...had my weekly doc appt. this morning and found out I am already 2-3cm dilated! This little guy may be arriving sooner than we thought.

Any predictions? :)

Happy 6th b-day to Tank!

My little fur-baby turned 6 years old on Tuesday! We celebrated a day late with some Fred Steak and a Sprinkles cupcake...just like last year.

This year will bring about a lot of changes for our furry first-born and us, but in the meantime, he got to be spoiled for a day.

Lounging in the sun in the backyard

Patiently awaiting his steak

A cupcake for dessert

One more visit from Mom-In-Law

On Sunday, Leon's Mom came out to visit us one more time before the baby's arrival. We ran some errands, prepared some art for the nursery, and put together a gift basket for the maternity ward at Lucille Packard. She also brought a knitted blanket she's been working really hard on and it turned out wonderful!

I know she's excited for her first grand-baby. So are we. As we anticipate his arrival so close now, we are both nervous and excited.

Here's a pic we shot before she left yesterday. I'm 38 weeks along!

Graduation

I had finally completed my degree in December, but due to peer pressure, I walked in graduation this past weekend on the 8th. After it was through, I was glad I did it. As much as I was uncomfortable with my 9 month preggers self, my friend Ali was a fellow pregger at 7 months and could empathize. The weather couldn't have been better and my family came out to join in the festivities.

With Leon...with my sister...my moms & pops...and fellow classmates.

Walking...with my advisor Dr. Nyland...with my sister and her fam

GSB Reunion Weekend - late post

The weekend of May 1st marked the one year reunion for Leon's biz school at Stanford. Alot of friends from near and far were in town to visit, so Leon and I threw an afternoon BBQ/open house for everyone to stop by. It was nice to see familiar faces and bask in the good weather. Thanks to Annika for the pics!