I started this post in the middle of the night, while “on duty”. Delirium must’ve taken over, because I accidentally deleted the entire entry towards the end. So here it is. Again. I’ll try to sound just as enthusiastic 🙂
Our Birth Story
During the last 3 weeks of the pregnancy, Kevin and I were on pins and needles, ready to go into labor at any moment. With every tingle, every foreign sensation, all eyes were immediately on the closest clock, watch or cell phone, ready to time contractions. Our little one must’ve sensed that eagerness in the air, because Brady Chan made his grand entrance into this world 2 days early!
It all began at 2am, Thursday, September 9th – just a few hours past my 30th birthday. I woke up feeling something different from any sensation I’ve felt during the pregnancy. Somehow I just knew that they were contractions (real ones) and the greatest gift of all would present itself very soon. After laboring at home all day into the early evening, the pain got to be too uncomfortable to handle by dinner time and my heroic effort was over. We headed to UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center after dinner so I could get checked in and drugged up. It was bliss for the next few hours and Brady was making great timing! All hopes of a quick birth, however, was dashed by 11pm Thursday, when progress stopped at 8cm. After 12 hours of laying in the hospital bed, morning had arrived; I was exhausted, riddled with back pain and on the verge of visiting Meltdown City, when the doctor came in and said I was at 10cm and ready to push soon. I hadn’t slept in 30 hours and my legs felt like cement blocks from the epidural, so it was very much a mental preparation. Psyching myself up to “push”. That’s when Kevin stepped up to the plate.
His coaching instincts kicked in immediately and for those who know him on the water, Kevin is one of the best at instilling motivation and encouragement. As we counted down each push, “10, 9, 8, 7…” he was 2″ from my face and exerting probably as much effort as I was. The nurse jokingly said he’d make a great professional birthing coach haha. After 2 hours of pushing (yes, 2 glorious and “memorable” hours) and a vacuum assisted birth (since Brady has a big head like his mama), our little bundle of joy entered this world at 10:19am on Friday, September 10.
Kevin and I immediately broke into hysterical sobs. We had made it. The past 9 months. The past 32 hours. Love and respect for each other had increased exponentially overnight as we experienced the birthing of our son, Brady Chan.
Brady is 6 days old today and boy, has this week been full of laughter, joy, sleepless nights and self-doubt as new parents. Thanks Google Search Engine; for reassuring us that our baby isn’t “colicky” (whatever that is), showing us how to assemble these damn feeding bottles with a zillion parts, and the correct way to swaddle. At 2:32am on any given night, we can rely on you.
Brady’s turning into a handsome little fella, with eyes like Kevin, lips like me and dimples that prominently show themselves during feedings. He kisses the air when hungry, has a baby doll cry and hasn’t peed in our faces yet. There are just so many things to love about him and we’re both so excited to discover more. Kevin and I want to thank everyone who’ve stopped by to visit or sent gifts of congratulations. You’re all wonderful friends and we invite you to meet little Brady next time you’re in the neighborhood 🙂
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