The Tale of Dane's Delivery

"Call me Ishmail. Some time ago never mind the year..." Oh wrong story you wanted Dane's Delivery not Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Just sit right back in that chair right there and I will tell you the tale of Dane's Delivery. It all begins on October 15th 6:00 P.M. in the year of our Lord. We came in and got checked in to room 304. They started the Cervatul (not sure how that's spelled) at 7:00 P.M. and we sat and watched CSI: Miami as we waited. Tonya began to lose her water shortly after 7 and would for the rest of the night. I felt the urge to eat and since Tonya wouldn't be able till after 9 I struck out for McDonalds. After eating as fast as I possibly could while still relaxing I made my way back. We finished CSI around 11:00 P.M. with the general consensus that it was a poor ending to season 6. Neither of us would sleep much because Tonya's IV hurt her constantly, the machine's alarms kept sounding and neither of us were comfortable. At 2:00 A.M. they started Tonya on Petocin which is designed to get her uterus to contract. She began contracting shortly thereafter. Tonya would contract and attempt to get Dane to labor down until around 12:00 when the Doctor Kramer came in and said she could have and epidural since she was now dilated to a 3. The anastiseoligist (Dr. Feelgood) came in to give the epidural but it was a challenge and Tonya endured quite a lot of pain like a pro. I went out to eat lunch and let Tonya rest only to be disturbed by the nurse telling me I needed to come back to the room. Right when I got back to the room Tonya told me that the new shift doctor, Dr. Olehausen, wanted to do a C-Section. He felt that due to the fact that Dane was still a -3 and hadn't moved down any at all he felt he wasn't going to come naturally. We felt that since he was the expert we would let him make the decision. Everyone was shocked by the this Tonya's nurse Karen asked, "what happened I went to lunch and I come back and you're having a C-Section?" We were a little worried but none more than Becky, Tonya's mom and Dane's GiGi. Becky knew all to well that her side of the family produced women that had problems with labor. I think everyone was a little nervous but the staff here at Liberty Hospital is top notch and gave us the up most confidence. I had to wait in the room as they prepped Tonya for the surgery. I offered up a lot of prayers for her, Dane, the doctors and the procedure. Karen, the nurse, came and said she was ready so I shuffled off in my scrubs, booties, hairnet and mask entering a new chapter in my life. I entered into the surgery room with multiple nurses, Dr. Olehausen (who I hadn't even met yet), Dr. Feelgood and his two assistants. I sat next to Tonya's head which was separated from the rest of her body by curtain. My knees knocked and I continued to pray all the while the staff was cracking jokes and trying to set us at ease. Tonya seemed so relaxed it calmed me down and as Dr. Feelgood gave her a shot of the good stuff she looked over at him and said, "you are my best friend right now." One of his assistants made the comment that more people name there babies after there own Dr. Feelgood's that they do the doctors that deliver their babies. Dr. Olehausen laughed at this and his expert hands continued to work. After they delivered him we would later find out that his cord was wrapped around his head twice. This explains why Dane hadn't moved down. I feel that Dr. Olehausen was a blessing from God because he made the decision to do a C-Section much earlier than he normally would for what seems like a hunch. I firmly believe that this hunch was from God. Still I digress, the surgery went off without a hitch and Dane was born at 3:58 P.M. on 10-16-09. I had to resist the urge to ball I was crying so hard. I was so excited to be a father! There isn't adequate words to express the elation I felt at seeing him. The nurse referred to Dane as a young John Stamos and though he won't know who that is I felt honored. Awaiting Dane's arrival were his Grandpa and Nana (my dad and mom), Gigi and Aunt Kaybay (Tonya's mom and sister), Great grandma (my Grandma),Uncle Jason and Aunt April (my brother and sisiter-in-law), Great Uncle Mike and Great Aunt Diane (Tonya's Uncle and Aunt), The Hausners (-Stefanie), Linda Knappenberger and Diana Dobson (Tonya's friends from CDC). Everyone came back to see him and hold him except Linda and Diana. It wasn't long after all the holding that he had to be taken back to the NICU due to some low blood sugar. The IV is taking care of that and he should be out of there by tomorrow.

That is the story of Dane's Delivery I know it is hard to capture the true emotions of it but that's the best I can do.

-Jake

Dane and Tonya Update

Here's the latest update on Dane. His blood sugar is a little low so our family doctor decided to err on the side of caution and place him in the NCIU. He will remain in there for up to the next 48hrs while he is given the needed glucose through an IV. He's also enjoy a nice tan under some warming lights so maybe he will get just a little bit darker. As it stands now the only visitors he will be able to have during the next 48hrs is the Grandparents. Sorry to everyone else. If there is a change and he can have more visitors we will update you guys and let you know. Keep him in your prayers. Oh and by the way the nurse said he looks like a young John Stamos, BOO YA!

Tonya is doing great she finally can move both legs now...well really only the right leg. The pain medicine is working wonders and I quote her telling the anastieligist "you are my best friend right now." She was amazingly strong not only while he was getting the epidural (which she didn't need thanks to the c-section) but also during the c-section as she made jokes just like her regular self. The "best friend" comment was actually made while they were making an insicion. She is keeping jello and water down and if all goes well she will be eating the biggest cheeseburger she can get her hands on tomorrow.

-Jake

Welcome to the World Dane

Dane is born on 10-16-09 at 4:30 P.M. 8lbs 4oz and 21 inches long!

Hospital Status Update

We arrived at the hospital last night at 6:00 P.M. Due to uncomfortable beds, painful IV and odd beeping neither of us got any or much sleep. At 2:00 A.M. they put Tonya on Petocin and she has been on it every since. Her contractions have increased but last time they checked she is only dilated to a 1 and Dane is at a -3. We would be going home except last night Tonya decided it would be a good idea if she let her water broke so one way or the other we will be leaving here with a baby. The way things are going we would appreciate if all visitors could refrain from coming today. We know you all care very much but Dane is being diffucult right now and we appreciate the privacy.

-Jake

Time is up....

So today was my 40 week appointment and I had an ultrasound to see how big he is. It appears I am birthing brutis beefcake because he is approximately 8lbs 7 oz. We are scheduled to go to the hospital tomorrow night at 6pm and they will start the pitocin on Friday morning. If all goes well we will be holding baby Dane by Friday night. Everyone say a prayer for Jacob because he is a nothing short of a basket case. I think I should have kept this all a secret :)

Danes Room

So here are some pics of baby Danes room, we finally finished putting up all the decorations. A big thank you to aunt Pam for all of her help.

Danes Bedding
Changing table
Isn't his name just adorable?

Officially unemployed

So Wednesday was my last day at Continental Disc Corporation. I was there almost eight years so it was kind of an emotional day. Lets just face it, it is not so much the "job" that I will miss but instead the people. I think back over the years to all that Jacob and I have been through and how my coworkers played a part. They have been there through our wedding, 2 deployments, 2 graduations, etc. No matter how tough the day might be or how frustrating the job can be at times the people made such an impact on us. One thing is for sure, CDC people take care of each other.

So now that I am technically unemployed everyone is asking me how I feel. To be honest I am a little terrified. This is the first time since I was 16 that I have not had a full time job. Even when we moved I had a job lined up. It feels a little strange to go to bed knowing that I do not have "somewhere" to be. Right now is especially strange since I have not started my new job of being a mom. One thing is for sure, I feel so blessed to be able to stay home and take care of our baby. I am so thankful that I have such a supportive husband that is willing to sacrifice the material things to make our family a priority. Lets face it, it is not easy living under 50% of the income you are used to having. So as much as I am nervous I am equally if not more excited. The countdown is drawing near and I am ready.

CDC thanks for all the fun times and happy memories. I will be back to see you soon.