Welcome to Brett's blog section. In this section we give a write-up to notable points in all things Brett.

- Enjoy,
Michael

Blow out!

This phrase strikes fear and cringing through all who have raised kids. All these years, I never suspected it would happen to me...ohh! the agony, the suffering, the Clean-Up! All was copasetic and happy with Brett cradled in my arms, as we watched a movie this lazy Sunday morning. But then rumbling and gurgling sounds start reverberating from deep inside the precious bundle I use to call, "Son". I was not prepared for the ongoing disaster. The little guy makes a slight squeak and mumble...then a happy chirp as bubbling sounds erupt from below his cute puppy dog "onesie". I, still slightly oblivious of the consequences of such as series of sounds, was clueless. When I felt moisture on my hands, arms, and lap, I unexpectingly look down.... "I'm hit! I'm hit!," I call out to my partner. Like a well trained veteran, my partner reacts with cat like speed towards my position. I ask her in desperation, "how bad is it?" All she can do is assure me that things will be all right and I will probably pull through. But, her gasps as she investigated the scene told the whole story...my sweats, shirt, and possibly my socks would need to be trashed.

Let's blow this joint!

We couldn't wait to take Brett home and not have nurses coming in at all hours during the night and day. But, then we were completely on our own........with no instruction manual! :-)

Our stay at the $1000 a night hotel.

We were so impressed with our hospital stay. After deliver they moved us into a large room for our little family to settle into for our stay. There was a fold out couch for Michael to sleep in and Vicki had a double bed. Most of our time was spent lying in the bed staring at Brett!

Brett breaks into the world:

I don't know if he was really crying when he came out. But he sure was cute. Apparently, he was perfectly ripe, he was mostly done with the protective marcanul (the white stuff that covers a baby to protect it's skin). His skin was pink and he had all his digits.

For a while, Brett didn't open his left eye. Both Vicki and I, were a little nervous until we saw all the goods. About three minutes later it opened. Yes, there were two.

2.5 hours of pushing:

By the time we got to the hospital, the contractions only had 10 to 15 second gap in-between. The standard is a minute or more. These near end to end contractions, obviously was wearing Vicki down fast.

Shortly before noon, the pushing begins. Vicki pushed vigorously for two and a half hours. After an excellent effort, our baby pops out all at once. KaPow! "Its a boy!"

Quite a ride, for those who have not been on the front lines for such an event. A real adrenaline rush. However, I just had a plush seat...Vicki and Brett were the stars of the game.

We are off to the hospital:

While Vickie's contractions were less than a minute apart, their duration's were fluctuating. Before taking off to the hospital, we decided to wait until they stabilized. Some not familiar with the process would anticipate that we would rush into the hospital once any contractions started. But, it is often best to stay are home as long as possible. Once the mother to-be gets into the hospital, they are not allowed to eat or drink anything until the baby is born. If you have long labor, she wont be able to eat for 20 plus hours. Sure, she gets an IV and ice cubes, but its not quite the same.

Around 7am, the contractions were pretty close in length, I think around 25 seconds in-between each. And, we were off to deliver this baby.

Vicki's water breaks:

3:45 AM and Vickie wakes me up with that quintessential phrase "My water just broke." (Factiod: only 15% of women have their labor begin with the water breaking.) In class they mentioned that after a water breaking it could be several hours before labor sets in or until contractions come in close enough to move to the hospital. Vicki mentioned I might want to go back to sleep until contractions are close, meanwhile she took a shower just in case. Good thinking! Contractions started about 10 minutes later at less than a minute apart.

In the picture here, Vicki tries one of her favorite poses to reduce belly pressure. I was worried that I might get a smack for taking this picture while she was going through contractions, but then she would have to catch me first. ;-)

Almost 9 months in and Vicki is ready to pop:

Vicki constantly fought Brett's feet when he was in the womb. Several times a day she would have to press down with both hands on her belly to dislodge a foot under the ribs. Brett was born at 20 inches tall. And, often after birth he demonstrates that he likes to kick his feet and stretch his legs.

Every day Vicki wakes up surprised at how much she has grown while saying, "I can't get any bigger." A phrase I have heard most pregnant women utter repeatedly late in their 8th month.

But on April 27th she was correct.