6:15pm - How does a contraction feel?

The discomfort is starting to kick in...poor Nicole! Women and moms, I have to hand it to you, you are my heroes!

Nicole's pitocin is now at 24mu/min. !!

2:45pm

- Around 2pm, Nic's pitocin was increased to 16mU/hr. She is definitely feeling it more now. Not the crazy "made for movies" contractions yet, but definitely getting stronger. She's starting to become uncomfortable.
- More jello, and orange popsicles. I've been informed that the first thing she wants when she's done is a hot turkey sub from Jimmy John's.
- I had a yummy salad and vegetable soup, and felt bad about it. But Nicole was gracious and didn't mind.
- Otherwise, Nic is doing great and so is Hudson! He's got great "heart rate variability".
- There's not much on tv in the afternoons...
- Hudson will be a fan of - the UNC tarheels, the Braves, the Rays, the Bucs and Cowboys, and the Magic. The Yankees? I'm not so sure...but he does have a cute Yankees uniform (sorry Robert...)

noon

- Nicole is feeling some more frequent contractions, that seem stronger but still only slightly uncomfortable. The monitor says about every 2-3 minutes (but I'm not sure)
- Pitocin just increased to 8mu/hr.
- Otherwise she feels good.
- We've been going bonkers waiting for some action and for the match...

I just found out I matched at Emory for cardiology! Woo hoo!

10:35 am

1-2 cm dilated
-2 to -1 station
Pitocin started - they start at 2mu/min and increase 0.5mu every 30 minutes
Nicole's feeling just fine. Mild contractions around every 10 minutes.
Jello and apple juice requested. She's hungry!

Waiting...

This is a video from inside the delivery room....NO its not Nicole pushing....just saying hi!

Update

Nicole is going to be induced tomorrow - Wednesday 6/17 at 6am! The doctors moved us up because a spot opened up. Nicole is happy about this - she's ready! So tonight is our last night as childless parents...we're going to celebrate by going out to eat...and going to bed!

videos!

Hey everyone, we just bought a new handheld camcorder (great idea Amy) ...using your advice, we will be making videos and recording some memories. And I discovered just now, I can post them here too!

This is a message from lil ol' me...everyone else is asleep...

We went to the doctor today...not much change! Still 1-2cm dilated, 80% effaced. It was a little bit disappointing that we didnt have much progress, but the good news is Hudson is doing just fine. Amniotic fluid levels, heart rate, movement, all look good. We have a date for induction set for Thursday, June 18th. On Wednesday, June 17th, we find out where we match for cardiology! Ahhhhhh! I think I started this blog with a similar entry, finding out where I matched for residency...

Thanks to everyone who have been calling, emailing, or texting to find out how Nicole is doing! She's hanging in there....I can't believe I'm gonna be a dad!

still no baby!

Today we are 40 weeks and 3 days. Nicole is doing well, but still having those pesky cramps that don't really count as contractions. Maybe they are getting mildly more uncomfortable...the doctor told us we're not ready to go in until the contractions are crazy intense. So Nicole responds, "So I have to wait for pain?" He says, "Yep." Anyways, Monday (tomorrow) is our next appointment. I think that if we aren't in action by then, we'll probably ask to be induced.

In the meantime, I would like to advertise what I do for my pregnant wife.

- I function as Nicole's shoehorn, helping her put on her shoes. In fact, today, when she needs me, she just says "Oh Mr. Shoehorn!....."
- I cook...sometimes
- I make the bed
- I put together the baby's swing
- I woke up at 4:15am because Nicole can't sleep and wants to take a walk around the neighborhood, so I sleepily walk with her...
- I try to entertain her to distract her from her cramps...like going to the UNC planetarium and watching "adventures of the solar system" (ages 8 and up)
- I massage her feet with lotion
- I get her cold watermelon to eat

And I'm not complaining, just simply stating and loving every minute of it. She is my hero and has really done well with all of this. Sofie is "dog of the year" - she's been very understanding and will make a great big sister/nanny.

Question - should I buy a camcorder and tape record the birth?

contractions

...happening about every 7-10 minutes! Not too strong yet, they're not the crazy painful types, just really tight. We called the doctor, but sounds like we're in prelabor, not "active labor", quite yet.

baby's coming!

Hey everyone,

Just a quick update that the baby is almost here! Nicole is 39 weeks and 4 days today...we had our checkup at the OB, and everything is going well. She's stayed about 2cm dilated for the last few weeks, so we are getting anxious! I can't believe we're about to become parents. Though I've had 9 months to think about, it still doesn't feel totally real!

I've been able to "practice" a little bit with Dave and Karen's daughter, Natalie. She is adorable and now just over a year old, and has lots of bubbly personality. Seeing her grow up and become a little person definitely makes me excited to be a dad and see our son grow up!

We'll let everyone know when he's born. Can't wait! Hudson Cole Cheng will be joining the world soon!

Alan