24

Unlike Jack Bauer, the twenty-four hours following Ian’s birth were the best Aileen and I have ever experienced. Most people (especially moms) told us to keep the baby in the nursery the first couple nights so that we could sleep. But we just couldn’t let him leave our sight. I felt like a little kid who just got the best Christmas present ever and not able to put it down for weeks! All I wanted to do was hold Ian, watch him sleep, look at his facial expressions and wonder what he must be thinking. One thing was for sure, he loved to sleep! We held him and looked at every body part to see what exactly mommy and daddy contributed to this beautiful, amazing creation of God.

With the abnormal ultrasound results early in the pregnancy, we were worried that he may have an ano-rectal malformation. But one of the first things we checked was whether he had a poop shoot. And we were so relieved to see that his was there! Now we just had to wait for something to come out…

The first thing that we noticed about Ian was of course his hair! He can thank Aileen for that. After his first bath by the nurses, his hair and skin felt so soft. And his smell was the most incredible thing ever. I could have just smelled him all day long!

With regards to his other body parts, Aileen definitely gave him her ears, nose and feet. I can take credit for his lips, hands, and butt. But his eyes and chin look like they came from both of us. His eyes are the most beautiful things. When he opens them, they have the appearance both of innocence and profound wisdom. People may think he looks older because of his hair, but I would have to disagree. There is something special about his eyes. Something I just can’t wait to find out. What are you going to teach us, little Ian?

The following day was filled with more holding, some attempts at feeding, and lots and lots of pictures! Family and friends came to visit bearing flowers, balloons and golf balls (thank you harabugee, harmunee and Uncle Justin!).

Thank you Lola, Lolo, Auntie Aimee and Uncle Benny for being there with us through it all! Ian was so blessed to have such a warm welcoming party waiting for him when he arrived.

Labor and Delivery

I awoke Thursday morning, two days before her due date, to find myself alone in bed. I sat up to find Aileen sitting in the chair, staring at the clock. I immediately knew.

“How many minutes?” I asked.

“Five or six,” she replied.

“Since when?” I asked.

“Midnight,” she sighed.

It had been too uncomfortable to lay down with the contractions, so she had spent the last seven hours sitting in the chair. She had not gotten any sleep. The minute her head nodded off during the night, she was rudely awakened by another contraction.

She bared the birth pains as best as she could for another ten hours before she couldn’t take it any longer. “Let’s go,” she said. So I grabbed the suitcase, my coat, and the keys and were on our way.

In triage, Aileen was already four centimeters dilated and was admitted to labor and delivery at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. She was visibly uncomfortable with each contraction, but when the epidural was placed, she was a new person. Those of you who urged her to get the epidural, you were right!

At midnight, she was ten centimeters dilated and started to push. After 2 hours and 44 minutes of pushing, a head full of hair popped through. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his head but was quickly removed by the doctor. Then the rest of his body slid right out and he immediately started to cry. I don’t quite remember what happened next, but the baby was placed on Aileen’s belly and her first words were, “Ooooooohhhhh, ooooohhhhhh, baby…look at you.” Like a good pediatrician, she vigorously dried him off. The OB presented me with the cord and scissors which I clumsily cut. Then the baby was taken to the warmer for a routine checkup.

I followed the baby to the warmer and while Aileen was waiting for the placenta to arrive, she said, “I think he looks like an Ian.” I agreed. Ian Jukes Namm born at 2:44 a.m. on November 13, 2009, weighing 7 lbs 11 oz and 19 inches long. Ian: God's gracious gift. It was the luckiest Friday the 13^th ever.

This Is Only a Drill

I awoke Wednesday morning, three days before her due date, to find Aileen sitting up in bed, grimacing, and looking at the clock.

“Contractions?” I asked. She nodded her head. “How many minutes?”

“Seven,” she replied.

These contractions were different from the Braxton-Hicks she had been experiencing throughout her last trimester. The main difference was that these lasted longer, and were quite a bit more painful.

Our obstetrician had told us to come in when they got to three to four minutes apart. I figured we had some time until then so prepared some hearty breakfast burritos for her knowing that once she was admitted in the hospital, all she could have would be jello, juice, and ice chips until the baby was delivered.

Aileen had prepared the suitcase days before, and it was sitting in the corner of our bedroom, next to the crib. She had already called her mama and they were preparing to drive over from Berrien Springs as soon as her papa came home from work.

After breakfast, she sat on the couch. “How many minutes now?” I asked.

“They stopped,” she said in disbelief. And they didn’t come back for the next hour. With the action suspended, I decided to go to work.

“Do you have your cell phone?” she asked. It was more of a command than a question.

“Yup,” I replied. I made sure the ringtone was on the loudest setting and left for work.

I called her a few times from work, but things remained quiet that day. But we knew our baby would arrive any day now. Her parents decided not to come until the next day.