Week 1

Hayes is a week old already! We are using (stealing) a friend's idea and taking weekly pictures of Hayes. We'll put all the weekly pics in a nice album eventually so that we can marvel in his growth. Even though he's pretty small right now, there will be a day when we can't remember just how little he was.

This week's picture shows how Hayes folds up into the real fetal position. Kyle and I were wondering just how in the world a baby (even a small one as Hayes is) fits into a womb. Now, we know!

Because we talked to so many different people wishing us well in the past week, we can't remember if we've shared some of the details of Hayes' arrival with everyone. Here are some interesting facts about Hayes' birth:

1. Hayes was born at 35 weeks, 6 days.

2. His birth was a planned c-section that was originally scheduled for April 4th, but was moved to March 25th due to contractions coming every 3-4 minutes and me being dilated to 4 cm.

3. While I was being attached to my IV (on the second attempt), my blood pressure dropped so low that Hayes' heartbeat disappeared. LOTS of nurses came running into the room to help get me positioned to get the little drumbeat back.

4. I went into active labor with back labor about an hour before the scheduled surgery. I was dilated to 5 cm at this point. My wonderful doctor said that if we hadn't been scheduled for surgery that day, then we would have been coming in for an emergency c-section that day anyway. What prodigious planning!!!!

5. The anesthesiologist had a tough time getting my spinal in the right spot. He and I both were getting a bit frustrated! I now have more sympathy for the patients that I have a tough time getting numb and have to give multiple injections!

6. Hayes' cord was wrapped around his neck TWICE! The doc was very nonchalant when she pulled him out, saying, "Well, look at that---a double nuchal." Had we not known ahead of time that the umbilical cord was in a funky spot and planned on the c-section, we would have been rushed in for the c-section anyway. He would never have made it through a natural labor!

All in all, Hayes was determined for me to undergo surgery to bring him into this world! I don't mind a bit, now seeing him and holding him and loving him.