Wednesday, October 31, 2007


Welcoming Finley Cannon Steed!
Finley came into this world in quite an adventure. On the way to the hospital, Mark's Camry began making popcorn sounds, and suddenly died as we turned into a parking stall. It was leaking fluid and showed no sign of revival. (I commented how odd that the car's water had broken, but not mine!) The serendipity of the moment was not lost on us, and we both laughed that at least we weren't going anywhere in the next few days. A few days and a grand later, the car is all better. :)
In the hospital, they put me on oxytocin at 11 PM and my contractions, which were 7 minutes apart when I arrived, became closer together and stronger.
By 2 AM I had an epidural for pain, so I was able to rest better. Near 6 the doctor broke my water, I was fully dilated, but waiting for the baby to descend the birth canal. At 7, the nurse had me push a few times, then brought the doctor in. I pushed twice for him and then the baby was born! My mom said he came out riding a wave like a surfer (Mark caught it on video, so I'll verify). They put him on a blanket on my chest right away and I fell in love instantly. It was amazing to see him for the first time. He was smaller than I expected, but exactly what Mark predicted, 8 lb 2 oz. and 21 inches long. Because he wasn't in the birth canal for very long, his nose remained unflattened, and quite noticeable.
It took us a few days to settle on a name, but it helped that Jaxon came to visit at the hospital yesterday morning and announced, "I named the baby Finley." (Although he can't remember it now, he calls the baby "our newborn baby" I like Finley better than "baby what's his name" which I'd been using lately.
I stayed in the hospital till today (Halloween), and we came home at 11:30 to balloons, banners, and brothers who were so excited to see our new family member.

Here's our webalbum

5 comments:

Chelle said...

He is so cute! And you look really great in the hospital pics for having just had a baby-seriously! I'm glad to hear you are all doing well. :)

Four Winns said...

you guys all look great! I'm so happy for you and glad that everything went smoothly - aside from the broken car. I wish you lots of luck until he's only waking up once a night. Man, those first few months can be a killer!

Kate said...

YEAH!!! I hope everything is going well. He didn't take too long to come. Hooray for Finley. Can't wait to meet him. And what a CUTE name. LoOoVe it!!

EmilyCC said...

Congratulations! Glad to hear things went smoothly--and that the car made it to the hospital.

Love Finley and love his name!

We'll need to bring you some hummus (in your tupperware container) when you're up for visitors.

Alisa said...

Congrats Jess and Mark! I think he is just so cute.