Really? One Month Already?

And lot's of "Firsts" to Report...If anybody knows us at all, you will know the importance of dog walks in our daily lives...Here's Simon on his first dog with Dad at the ripe ol' age of 1 week. Silly dog hat on to commemorate the event.First long dog walk at 1,000 Acres in Troutdale.First participation in U.S. Census!First Family Portrait...Thanks Leann!First pie with his name on it! And nope, Mom, didn't bake this one! It was from our friend, Jen! Mmmm, pie. Unfortunately, it was not to be "First Taste of Pie" but instead, "First pie flavored Breastmilk!"First butt of silly joke from Aaron! See the movie Idiocracy for the reference. This is an Amazon label for a gift from Aaron.First official...

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Markus' Birth Story for Simon

I got "the call" on Monday at 2pm. I took the bus home and squared away the dogs. I brought Pago to her kennel and dropped Einstein off at Sherri’s. Things were already different and I could tell I was excited. Normally, I bring the dog bed and go inside and chat a while, but this time I walked Steiner back to the gate and left. Liz and I went home and even managed to get a night’s sleep that night.The next day things went well, although I thought Liz went over board with making apts. By the time we were done with breakfast we had an appointment with the midwife, her friend Chris, the acupuncturist and an ultrasound. There was a scheduling mix up with the midwife, and she wasn't there....

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Part 4: I Guess since we are only doing it once, we may as well do it all!

Hospital Help I immediately made the decision to transfer to Providence. I decided I needed an epidural for rest and a lot of pitocin to get a vaginal delivery out of the situation. I had worked there as a nurse and felt they were very baby friendly and would be flexible with the transfer from home. Within minutes of the decision, I was dressed and heading for the door. Markus apparently put on a valiant face and seemed totally fine with this turn of events. It wasn’t until afterward that I learned he was really nervous about this change. My support team was totally on board and supportive of the change of plans. Catherine came in our car and Markus drove. We were...

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Part 3: I Guess since we are only doing it once, we may as well do it all!

Home ZoneWhen Jesse arrived I was in the shower working on coping. In the other room, my hyponobabies tape droned on as it would for much of the next 24 hours. It sure didn’t afford me a painless childbirth (still unconvinced this happens from hypnosis or shear luck of the draw) but the message was soothing and since I’d listened to it nearly every day of my pregnancy, the familiarity was helpful, especially the continuous positive tone. Shortly after Jesse arrived I decided I wanted the tub set up. While I was waiting for Markus and my sister to set it up I got the bathtub running. There is some standard birthing wisdom that it’s best to avoid the tubs until you are in active...

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Part 2: I Guess since we are only doing it once, we may as well do it all!

Pre-Ramble This is a different type of birth story. This is the midwife side of my brain story, the one with a time line and some facts and events. It actually took me a while after the birth to figure this version out. Which, actually, I’m totally proud of, because that means that for most of my labor I was in Laborland-working hard, focused, giving up as much control as I could and not concentrating (too much) on the clock. One of my fears about labor, was that I wouldn’t be able to enter that place. I was concerned I would hyper-focus on time. At some junctures I did need to pull my attention into time passing, especially as things slowed and eventually stalled. But when I asked how...

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Part 1: Labor Land-My Birth Story to Simon

It’s been a week now, Simon, that you have been in our arms and hearts. Your birth journey was a long one. Immediately after you were born my heart opened up and sang. At first the labor was a hazy, misty time. Images floated up and then submerged. There was no linear memory of time and events. Memories of this kind, with my mind deep in the hypnotic waves of hormones and contractions and pain were of feeling wrapped in a circle of love, of faces close to mine, words of encouragement, moments of anger and doubt; and one of sharp, intense fear for your well-being. I remember your father most of all, his support was constant, unwavering. His excitement and awe and the experience...

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Our Little April Fool You Baby!

Simon Eugen Weltin arrived 7 minutes past midnight on April 1st, 2010 (an April Fool's baby and sharing his birthday with his Swiss Grandfather!) after a very long home labor (28 plus hours of hard labor) and a short delivery at the hospital. He was 7#9.5 ounces, 20 inches long and 13 inch head circumference-not the giant baby I had been anticipating. He was in there kinda of funny, head facing up, instead of down and then tilted to the side-this makes for a long labor and we needed a bit of extra help in the end to get him out, while he was still a happy camper and tolerating labor well. I am happy with all the support we had and think both the labor and the delivery were incredible...

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