He's Here!

Brett Michael Kochenower arrived at 10:54 pm on December 26, 2010. He weighed 9 lbs 1 oz and was 21 inches long. Everyone's mouths dropped...so much for the guesstimate that he would be high 7s/low 8s!

We arrived at the hospital at 8am. Everything got started around 9am and then my doctor broke my water a little before 11am. After that, early labor finally started around noon. I was feeling great. Scott and I watched "The Proposal" and just visited. Active labor began around 3pm. That's the time I had to start concentrating on my breathing. I finally broke down and got the epidural a little before 6pm. I was able to rest for a couple hours after that, which definitely helped keep my strength up later. Brett kept dropping down further and further, but I wasn't quite dilated to 10cm so I really had to resist the urge to push...I started humming and singing, which made Scott laugh. I began pushing at 10:10pm. My nurse was the most amazing person ever. I really don't think I could have done it without her there. I was in a panic at first because I was so surprised that I was feeling everything (so much for "you won't feel a thing if you get an epidural"), but she calmed me down and I was able to focus. Dr. Colangelo arrived at 10:35pm and was surprised with how far I was...she even asked if she had time to change. Our little man entered the world at 10:54pm.

It's such an amazing feeling. You wait and wait for the moment never expecting to feel all the emotions that you do when the moment arrives. It's a feeling that can't be put into words and emotions that can't be explained, but if you've been there you just know.

I can't believe we made this little guy. He's perfect in every way.

Merry Christmas

This Christmas we found ourselves in Cleveland. Our first Christmas ever not in Oklahoma with our families. We were hoping to have a little baby by this day, but once again we were reminded we're not the ones in control.

Our very last Christmas picture as a family of 2 and a dog (unless of course Brett decides to make an appearance in the next 5 1/2 hours...and then let's just say it won't be a very festive Christmas picture).

Even though this Christmas was different, I think it will definitely be a Christmas we always remember. And Brett will probably get tired of always hearing the story that Mom and Dad tell every year about how they were in Cleveland alone on Christmas waiting for him to arrive.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

40 weeks

Imagine putting a beach ball under your shirt and walking around all the time...that's how big I am now:

Happy Due Date Baby Boy

Today's your due date; however, I don't think you'll be making your appearance today. Daddy and Mommy are so anxious to meet you, along with everyone else. We've been imagining what you'll look like: the color of your eyes, how much you'll weigh, if you'll have hair. None of that truly matters though because no matter what, in our eyes you'll be the most beautiful baby ever. We continue to pray every day that you'll be healthy and happy. We're looking forward to holding you in our arms and giving you lots of hugs and kisses.

Looks like we'll meet you Sunday, December 26th (unless of course you decide differently). I apologize ahead of time that your birthday will forever be overshadowed by Christmas and New Years, but I promise to always make it special for you! See you in a few days.

End in Sight

There's finally an end in sight. We have scheduled an induction for the 26th if he doesn't arrive on his own beforehand.

According to my fortune from P.F. Chang's though my luck is supposed to completely change and my lucky number is 23. So naturally that means he'll be born on his due date: December 23rd

OR...he won't and his birthday will be December 26th.

Either way we get to meet our baby boy very very soon!

38 weeks

Here I am 2 weeks from my due date. It seems that the whole pregnancy was going so fast and then we got to 32 weeks and it's been a sudden stand still since then. We're so excited and anxious to meet our little guy.

Wow, it looks like I have a lot of stretch marks in this one. Don't know what happened with that shot, definitely no stretch marks (thank goodness) and knock on wood that I don't get any either.

He's hanging out all in front. I'm not complaining by any means, but sometimes I think I could topple over at any time since I'm so front heavy.

Doctor says everything looks good. She's guessing he's going to be in the high 7's, low 8's when he's born, so we'll see. He continues to be most active in the early morning and at night. At night when I'm doing my kick counts if I can't get him to wake up Scott just has to say something and touch my belly and he starts kicking up a storm, guess he already loves his daddy.

Wednesday Whatevers

Random thoughts for this snowy Wednesday:

Thanksgiving

Scott and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. We spent the day with a couple families from church. I definitely got all southern on these midwesterners by bringing sweet potato casserole and pecan pie! Both were a hit. We are thankful for so many things this year. Here's a portion of our list: our family and friends, our awesome church family who has welcomed us with open arms, our upcoming bundle of joy-great pregnancy & that I only have 3 weeks left, Scott's finally finished with school and most importantly for our faith, God and our salvation for without Him nothing else would be possible.

Pregnancy

I think I'm hitting the "uncomfortable" stage; however, I ironically write that on a day I feel great. Not the case yesterday though. Definitely starting to have more Braxton Hicks contractions and lots of cramping in my back. Also, I'm now checking myself in the mirror every time I cook, bake and eat. After many incidents of spilling food on myself and not knowing, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Residency

Scott's on call again this week and I still turn my head every time he gets a page and answers by saying, "This is Dr. Kochenower". Weird! I don't know if I'll ever get used to it.

Friends

Looks like it's going to be a busy May; 2 weddings and a baby. I'm so happy for them; such a wonderfully exciting time in each of their lives and all of their friends and family too.

And as I write this my absolute favorite Christmas song of all time "O Holy Night" is on.