AT LAST!!!!!!

After a long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, (pauses to take a breath) long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long time and through much tribulation and happiness, Andrew was finally evicted from his comfy abode in the womb.

After our appointment with our doctor, we had a strange hankering for some carrots... Ok, not really... We did talk to the doctor and she seemed in favor of the decision to start to induce Georgette. We had decided to wait a week for Andrew to join us on his own, but he enjoyed it too much in there to leave his comfy abode.

We went out to dinner with Don and Georgenia and then came back home, picked up our hospital supplies, gave Georgette a blessing and headed over to the hospital. After checking in, they took us to room 236. She changed into those comfy gowns and started the barrage of vitals that would last the duration of the hospital stay.

We started the induction process at around 8:30pm, then started the Pitocin at 12:30. Labor continued really well until she reached around 5cm. That lasted a few hours before we decided to go for an epidural. Bringing Andrew into this world in the hospital was a pretty long ordeal, but things went really really smoothly considering certain events. After the epidural, it was recommended to go with a cesarean. His head just wasn't engaging like he should have.

They wheeled her into the OR and within 15 minutes had delivered Andrew. He was born at 5:52pm and was 8lbs 3oz and 19 inches long. I think his head weighed in at around 3lbs because it looked so big. They had trouble pulling him out by hand and he slipped out the first time with suction. I was so amazed that he was so alert and awake when he finally came out.

They started to clean out his lungs and mouth which he really thoroughly enjoyed... So much that he would scream about how much he liked it. I went over and started to talk to him. It was so amazing that as soon as he heard my voice, he looked right at me and calmed down instantly. I think my heart melted right then and there because he recognized my voice.

It really was a huge roller coaster of emotions for us both. It was so surreal to me when I heard him cry. I remember looking over the drape and seeing him come out. One of the first things I saw was his nose, it looked exactly like Georgette's and his strawberry blond hair. That hair comes from grandpa Harrild! I remember his hands were HUGE as well as his feet. Every time he cried, his whole body would turn a deep red with an orangeish tint to it.

After they finished with Georgette, they took us back to 236 where we waited there for a post-par tum room. The rest of the week was a huge blur for the both of us. Part of it still doesn't seem real. I remember thinking this is incredible, a new person has joined us and we are completely responsible for his wellbeing.

His temperature was difficult to maintain at first, but by the time we left, he was able to keep it up. The left ear failed the hearing test twice, but the third time he passed with flying colors. He really is amazing and in great health.

I am really amazed at how well that went. I truly felt the presence of our Heavenly Father and Savior with us the whole time. I don't know that I have ever felt so calm until we came home with him.

That first night was just too stressful. I had a hard time feeling comfortable with him sleeping on his own because of his difficulty of maintaining his temperature while we were in the hospital. Georgette was afraid she was starving him to death because he doesn't like to nurse very much at this time.

That's about all I remember at this point because of all that's happened, I'm still waiting for everything to catch up. And now on with the pictures!

Here is Georgette and I before we went to the hospital. Notice the round pregnant looking belly.

Here is a picture of Andrew shortly after he was cleaned off in the OR. Notice his look of extaticisim!(Is that even a real word?)

Here is a picture of his hand in comparison to mine. So tiny, yet so big.

Here is a picture of mommy holding him after her recovery. What a beautiful woman she surely is! I love you beautiful!

Here's a picture of daddy holding Andrew. Notice the weather system around Andrew's head. It's practically a planet!


Here is Auntie Tricia enjoying her aunt-hood!

Here are some random pictures of Andrew.







This is the after photo of Georgette. Notice the lack of round belly!

Andrew in his take home outfit on the day we left the hospital on Saturday morning to come home. Notice the remarkable resemblance to him being the most adorable kid ever.

The new family picture. It sure is amazing what's transpired in the past year.

Andrew, who once looked large at the hospital, in his crib. He is so tiny!