After a few more evening feedings and lots of patience, we are packing up to go home. Our postpartum hospital stay has been filled with joyful experiences, comforting visits with friends, and incredibly helpful staff.
Michael's grandma, aunts, and uncle are on their way from Houston. They should be here by about the time we get home. That is of course assuming I can figure out how to get my son into this car seat!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Labor and Delivery Photos
It took a while to process this first set of photos during our initial bonding period. Everything is just so new for all three of us. I think we are learning well and getting to know our son has been a blast overall. Trying to interpret baby noises and gestures is certainly a challenge.
Here are some interesting features God included on babies that Jean and I have become intimately familiar with:
Here are some interesting features God included on babies that Jean and I have become intimately familiar with:
- a compact little nose that can breath while up against something
- a pair of lungs that can alert mom and dad to the slightest discomfort
- little baby fingernails setup and ready to scratch everything (even himself) right out of the womb
- a propensity to suck just about anything
- the ability to sleep through conversations, closing doors, mom and dad's meals, and flowing water faucets
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Our Family is Recovering
After much more rest and bonding time, all three of us feel much better. Both Jean and Michael have gotten a clean bill of health from the doctors.
We are excited to have visitors both at the hospital and at home. We just ask that you call before coming. We are planning on heading home tomorrow.
I know the few photos from my camera phone are sorely lacking in both quality and variety. Do not fret! The shots from my big camera will be uploaded soon.
We are excited to have visitors both at the hospital and at home. We just ask that you call before coming. We are planning on heading home tomorrow.
I know the few photos from my camera phone are sorely lacking in both quality and variety. Do not fret! The shots from my big camera will be uploaded soon.
Friday, January 26, 2007
A Long Awaited Miracle
When Michael was born a little over 12 hours ago, we were both exhausted. We are only now recovering. We moved up to our postpartum room, rested for quite a while, and started to learn how to feed Michael. Before I rest more, I want to spend some time reflecting on the events of the last 24 hours and share here.
Jean was in labor for a total of 28 hours during which we each only had brief periods of sleep or any kind of rest. We did get a reprieve last night when our doctor evaluated the situation and suggested Jean be taken off the Pitocin to rest, shower, and eat. However, at 6:30am this morning after more than 24 hours of contractions, Jean was still only dilated 5cm. Apparently, labor which is induced in such a way makes for stronger contractions than normally created by the body. It is quite a feat for Jean to have made it that far without any pain relief. By that time though, the pain was just too much for her and the danger of infection was increasing with every hour. We decided to go with the epidural which ended up relaxing Jean enough for her to take a break and nap.
Like our doctor, neither of us wanted Jean or the baby to have to endure a Caesarean section, but we had resigned ourselves to the fact that it was probably the safest route to go now. While I was away less than 30 minutes for a quick breakfast, our doctor arrived and found that she was completely dilated (10cm). What a blessing! Apparently all Jean needed was to be able to relax and let her body prepare itself. Almost immediately, we began to deliver. Unfortunately, because Jean was so tired and because she had little sensation due to the anesthesia, it took 2 hours for her to push Michael out. It was quite the ordeal. The best part of that story though is that the doctor told us we would have to get a C section after all if Jean could not get the baby out in 20 more minutes. Wouldn't you know that threat was all it took and Jean had Michael out in a few more pushes! Special thanks go out from us to our many labor and delivery nurses, Tricia, Kim, Pauline, Cheryl, Lauren, and Wendy, and of course, to our very patient and wonderful doctor, Jose.
For me, childbirth has been a miraculous experience. The sights, sounds, smells, and feel of it all is still so vivid in my mind and heart. I wish I could really share this with all of you, but that would be impossible with just words and pictures. Most of it was pretty tough, even for me as a coach, but the rewards both Jean and I are reaping now are so very great. I have begun to see how much of a wonder and privilege it is to be a parent. I hope to be able to share as much of this ongoing miracle as I can possibly translate to text.
We are so richly blessed by your prayers and support. Thank you so much for the many comments and email replies. Our family is overjoyed to be able to continue the adventure of life together with wonderful friends and relatives like you.
Jean was in labor for a total of 28 hours during which we each only had brief periods of sleep or any kind of rest. We did get a reprieve last night when our doctor evaluated the situation and suggested Jean be taken off the Pitocin to rest, shower, and eat. However, at 6:30am this morning after more than 24 hours of contractions, Jean was still only dilated 5cm. Apparently, labor which is induced in such a way makes for stronger contractions than normally created by the body. It is quite a feat for Jean to have made it that far without any pain relief. By that time though, the pain was just too much for her and the danger of infection was increasing with every hour. We decided to go with the epidural which ended up relaxing Jean enough for her to take a break and nap.
Like our doctor, neither of us wanted Jean or the baby to have to endure a Caesarean section, but we had resigned ourselves to the fact that it was probably the safest route to go now. While I was away less than 30 minutes for a quick breakfast, our doctor arrived and found that she was completely dilated (10cm). What a blessing! Apparently all Jean needed was to be able to relax and let her body prepare itself. Almost immediately, we began to deliver. Unfortunately, because Jean was so tired and because she had little sensation due to the anesthesia, it took 2 hours for her to push Michael out. It was quite the ordeal. The best part of that story though is that the doctor told us we would have to get a C section after all if Jean could not get the baby out in 20 more minutes. Wouldn't you know that threat was all it took and Jean had Michael out in a few more pushes! Special thanks go out from us to our many labor and delivery nurses, Tricia, Kim, Pauline, Cheryl, Lauren, and Wendy, and of course, to our very patient and wonderful doctor, Jose.
For me, childbirth has been a miraculous experience. The sights, sounds, smells, and feel of it all is still so vivid in my mind and heart. I wish I could really share this with all of you, but that would be impossible with just words and pictures. Most of it was pretty tough, even for me as a coach, but the rewards both Jean and I are reaping now are so very great. I have begun to see how much of a wonder and privilege it is to be a parent. I hope to be able to share as much of this ongoing miracle as I can possibly translate to text.
We are so richly blessed by your prayers and support. Thank you so much for the many comments and email replies. Our family is overjoyed to be able to continue the adventure of life together with wonderful friends and relatives like you.
It's a Boy!
Michael Alexander Beyer was born at 9:50am weighing 8 lbs 9 oz, measuring 20 in long.
Mom and child are healthy and resting. Dad is pretty darn excited!
More details to follow.
Mom and child are healthy and resting. Dad is pretty darn excited!
More details to follow.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Still in Labor
Immediately after my last post Jean's water broke. That was a very exciting event for us. Since then it has been a day of increasing Pitocin levels and strengthening contractions. Overall we have had a positive experience.
As you can see, we have become big fans of ice chips, Lifesavers, and birthing balls. The next activity on tap for us this evening is Jean's favorite movie... Pirates of the Caribbean!
As you can see, we have become big fans of ice chips, Lifesavers, and birthing balls. The next activity on tap for us this evening is Jean's favorite movie... Pirates of the Caribbean!
Labor
Around 7pm last night, our doctor arrived to begin the process of inducing labor. That definitely began contractions which became more regular through the night. It was a night filled with frequent, laborious trips to the restroom about once every hour. The IV has certainly been keeping her hydrated!
Jean was able to rest overnight with brief periods of slumber. The evening shift nurse checked on us from time to time, and when she arrived about three hours ago to end that first step in the process, she found that Jean had dilated about 1cm. That is good news, though it did not cause her to begin labor which was among the possibilities. The next step began soon after. Since just after 5am, Jean has been on a drip of Pitocin, which has begun to induce labor. It appears to be doing that very well. Glancing over at the monitors, I can see our baby's heartbeat within safe parameters and Jean's labor contractions happening regularly. She is napping right next to me now, trying to rest as much as possible as time and the baby permit.
Depending on how things go, I am not sure that I will post much more until our baby is born. I am appreciating the opportunity to be present with my wife during this miraculous time in our lives. Sure it will be hard and tiring, but it will also be joyful and glorious. I am looking forward to sharing some of that experience here.
For the technically curious, I am not aware of Internet access available to us in our Labor and Delivery room. So, my laptop is connected using my mobile phone through a process called "tethering". Though I can post short updates along with photos from the camera in my phone, it gets a little unwieldy with long messages. I have read most of your replies and comments to Jean, and we have enjoyed them very much. Please keep the prayers and well wishes coming!
Jean was able to rest overnight with brief periods of slumber. The evening shift nurse checked on us from time to time, and when she arrived about three hours ago to end that first step in the process, she found that Jean had dilated about 1cm. That is good news, though it did not cause her to begin labor which was among the possibilities. The next step began soon after. Since just after 5am, Jean has been on a drip of Pitocin, which has begun to induce labor. It appears to be doing that very well. Glancing over at the monitors, I can see our baby's heartbeat within safe parameters and Jean's labor contractions happening regularly. She is napping right next to me now, trying to rest as much as possible as time and the baby permit.
Depending on how things go, I am not sure that I will post much more until our baby is born. I am appreciating the opportunity to be present with my wife during this miraculous time in our lives. Sure it will be hard and tiring, but it will also be joyful and glorious. I am looking forward to sharing some of that experience here.
For the technically curious, I am not aware of Internet access available to us in our Labor and Delivery room. So, my laptop is connected using my mobile phone through a process called "tethering". Though I can post short updates along with photos from the camera in my phone, it gets a little unwieldy with long messages. I have read most of your replies and comments to Jean, and we have enjoyed them very much. Please keep the prayers and well wishes coming!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Getting Ready
Check out this photo. They have nice, spacious rooms here. The pleasant furniture and atomsphere are already making a difference for me!
We were just asked all sorts of medical questions. After that they started Jean's IV and attached the baby heart monitors. We can hear the baby's heart now! That's been my favorite part about our doctor visits so far.
Jean sure looks like a hospital patient now with her gown, wrist bands, and stuff all around her. And a very beautiful one at that!
We were just asked all sorts of medical questions. After that they started Jean's IV and attached the baby heart monitors. We can hear the baby's heart now! That's been my favorite part about our doctor visits so far.
Jean sure looks like a hospital patient now with her gown, wrist bands, and stuff all around her. And a very beautiful one at that!
Out the Door
We are off to the hospital!
The bunnies are in good hands, our house is in order, and we are ready for an adventure.
The bunnies are in good hands, our house is in order, and we are ready for an adventure.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Out to Dinner
The lack of recent posts is direct evidence of the fact that we have been busy. We were at the doctor's office last week (two days before our due date) and found out the baby just was not ready to come out yet. At that point, he scheduled us to induce Thursday the 25th.
Jump forward a week and here we are at Pappadeaux for a celebratory dinner. Our doctor wanted us to come in to the hospital tomorrow to start the process so we figured a night out was in order.
More later when we get home from what I'm sure will be a tasty dinner.
Jump forward a week and here we are at Pappadeaux for a celebratory dinner. Our doctor wanted us to come in to the hospital tomorrow to start the process so we figured a night out was in order.
More later when we get home from what I'm sure will be a tasty dinner.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
The Great San Antonio Freeze of 2007
The Winter Storm Warning is over but the effects are still quite visible. This holly bush in our front yard has seen better days.
The weather started to get dangerous about 48 hours ago. Highway and road closures followed. Our office prepared for a day of working remotely which came to pass after a night of freezing rain. So do you call that an Ice Day? It definitely started to get better this afternoon, so I suspect we will be back to normal tomorrow.
Yesterday morning, after we saw the thin film of ice everywhere, we brought our bunnies inside. From the looks of their hutch this afternoon, I am sure they really appreciated our consideration. By way of offering their thanks, they have not made too much of a mess in the utility room.
Overall, the inclement weather did not treat us too bad, but I am sure that has everything to do with not working outside, not having to drive anywhere, and having a solid roof over our heads with an efficient heater to go with it.
The weather started to get dangerous about 48 hours ago. Highway and road closures followed. Our office prepared for a day of working remotely which came to pass after a night of freezing rain. So do you call that an Ice Day? It definitely started to get better this afternoon, so I suspect we will be back to normal tomorrow.
Yesterday morning, after we saw the thin film of ice everywhere, we brought our bunnies inside. From the looks of their hutch this afternoon, I am sure they really appreciated our consideration. By way of offering their thanks, they have not made too much of a mess in the utility room.
Overall, the inclement weather did not treat us too bad, but I am sure that has everything to do with not working outside, not having to drive anywhere, and having a solid roof over our heads with an efficient heater to go with it.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Winter Storm Warning
That is the forecast for tonight and tomorrow, during the week we are due to deliver. It is enough to make me more than a little anxious about the imminent arrival of our child. So much that I have changed my tune from "Hi, little one, it's time to leave your 5-star hotel accomodations" to "Uh, little one, go ahead and heed the warning and stay indoors for another day or two".
Until recently I have relied on The Weather Channel's My Weather for forecasts and radar images of some of my favorite locales. I have also certainly configured more than my share of widgets, gadgets, and other zany utilities from various vendors in what seems to be a never ending search for efficient and usable weather information. Lately though, I have been satisfied with our government's National Weather Service and their frequent delivery of detailed updates in the form of RSS feeds for our local region. This site was highlighted in a recent episode of one of my favorite technology podcasts, DL.TV, for its attention to detail.
On the home front, we are still in a holding pattern. We enjoyed a visit from my parents this weekend in what will probably be one of our last attempts to clean and prepare for our new arrival. Jean has been doing very well despite her awkward size and frequent need for rest. She has only experienced mild contractions at this point. We are scheduled for a visit to the doctor's office tomorrow unless they are closed for inclement weather, and we expect to get more information about our delivery options. As soon as we know more, we will post it!
Until recently I have relied on The Weather Channel's My Weather for forecasts and radar images of some of my favorite locales. I have also certainly configured more than my share of widgets, gadgets, and other zany utilities from various vendors in what seems to be a never ending search for efficient and usable weather information. Lately though, I have been satisfied with our government's National Weather Service and their frequent delivery of detailed updates in the form of RSS feeds for our local region. This site was highlighted in a recent episode of one of my favorite technology podcasts, DL.TV, for its attention to detail.
On the home front, we are still in a holding pattern. We enjoyed a visit from my parents this weekend in what will probably be one of our last attempts to clean and prepare for our new arrival. Jean has been doing very well despite her awkward size and frequent need for rest. She has only experienced mild contractions at this point. We are scheduled for a visit to the doctor's office tomorrow unless they are closed for inclement weather, and we expect to get more information about our delivery options. As soon as we know more, we will post it!
Happy Birthday Dr. King
I found this photo today via the Flickr Blog. I cannot believe I did not get a photo of the marble pedestal that was apparently inscribed by the National Parks Service a few years ago to commemorate the location from which Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke. I reviewed my photos of our July 4th 2007 vacation in Washington, D.C. and though I captured many angles of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Reflecting Pool, I did not get a picture of it. I would really have liked to see it.
Jean and I were talking about MLK day yesterday, and after thinking about it more, my feeling is the same. Though the man is certainly worth celebrating, I try to focus more on the movement he encouraged in our country. That is the spirit of the whole celebration anyway as I understand it. Working for social justice and equality is a worthwhile activity every day of the year, but perhaps today we should consider how our work can and does fit into the bigger picture. Are we doing what we can in the world to spread peace and justice? ... And tomorrow we can get back to it!
Happy Birthday Dr. King. As you said in your famous speech, "Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom to ring — when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children — black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics - will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!'"
Jean and I were talking about MLK day yesterday, and after thinking about it more, my feeling is the same. Though the man is certainly worth celebrating, I try to focus more on the movement he encouraged in our country. That is the spirit of the whole celebration anyway as I understand it. Working for social justice and equality is a worthwhile activity every day of the year, but perhaps today we should consider how our work can and does fit into the bigger picture. Are we doing what we can in the world to spread peace and justice? ... And tomorrow we can get back to it!
Happy Birthday Dr. King. As you said in your famous speech, "Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom to ring — when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children — black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics - will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!'"
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Week for the (Mac and Gadget) Geek 2007
This week begins another exciting year for the Mac and gadget geeks among us. Though January 1st is when the year begins for almost everyone else, we faithful wait a week or two to begin our celebrations. The 40th annual International Consumer Electronics Show, CES, and the Macworld Expo 2007 are two exciting events that have traditionally been held at the beginning of the year and set the tone for things to come.CES already started with Bill Gates' keynote address Sunday night and coverage by awesome websites, blogs, and podcasts. Macworld will really begin this morning at 9am Pacific with Steve Jobs' keynote address, which if Apple's PR department is to be believed, will be their biggest announcements in many years. I told Jean and the baby that we need to delay labor and/or any hospital visits until well after the keynote address so I have time to process it all.
Hopefully I will get the chance to react to the various product and service announcements during the week, but if not, rest assured that I will at least get a summary or two up at some point.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Mobile Blogging is Working
With our due date getting closer, I am eager to plan ways to communicate the news to our family and friends, as well as providing timely updates. Yeah sure, the traditional phone calls and mass email message will work, but I just would not be me if that was all I aspired to achieve.
My migration to Blogger last month gave me the ability to post from any Internet connected computer, but while we are in the hospital or otherwise on the move, I also want to contribute content. While I was testing my migration, I tried to setup support for posting to my blog with my mobile phone, so called moblogging. I have a Cingular 2125 generously supplied by my employer. Blogger supports moblogging from certain cellular carriers by associating the MMS address of the originating phone with a blog in their system. I was able to complete the association process, but I have not been able to successfully post using that method. I am still unclear as to whether the source of the difficulty I encountered was Cingular, Blogger, or both.
I finally got it working, but not as I had originally envisioned. I have had a Flickr account for quite some time, and though I enjoy the service and community very much, the other methods by which I have shared photos with friends and family have served me well enough to maintain the status quo. In trying to establish a simple and elegant method of moblogging however, I have taken my first step toward a more active relationship with Flickr. I have leveraged Flickr's support of posting to my photostream by email and then forwarding that post to Blogger. I had no idea Flickr completely supported this within their system until I started investigating more of their feature set. All I have to do is send an email from my phone to the correct address, and Flickr does the rest. As you can see, I am even able to attach a photo taken from the camera in my phone which is posted as well.
I must say, I am impressed with the results!
My migration to Blogger last month gave me the ability to post from any Internet connected computer, but while we are in the hospital or otherwise on the move, I also want to contribute content. While I was testing my migration, I tried to setup support for posting to my blog with my mobile phone, so called moblogging. I have a Cingular 2125 generously supplied by my employer. Blogger supports moblogging from certain cellular carriers by associating the MMS address of the originating phone with a blog in their system. I was able to complete the association process, but I have not been able to successfully post using that method. I am still unclear as to whether the source of the difficulty I encountered was Cingular, Blogger, or both.
I finally got it working, but not as I had originally envisioned. I have had a Flickr account for quite some time, and though I enjoy the service and community very much, the other methods by which I have shared photos with friends and family have served me well enough to maintain the status quo. In trying to establish a simple and elegant method of moblogging however, I have taken my first step toward a more active relationship with Flickr. I have leveraged Flickr's support of posting to my photostream by email and then forwarding that post to Blogger. I had no idea Flickr completely supported this within their system until I started investigating more of their feature set. All I have to do is send an email from my phone to the correct address, and Flickr does the rest. As you can see, I am even able to attach a photo taken from the camera in my phone which is posted as well.
I must say, I am impressed with the results!
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Food and Fellowship
Another activity I am excited to be continuing in the new year is our weekly "guy's night" gathering. As in many regular male activities, a primary motivation is food. Pizza is usually our cuisine of choice, and philosophical conversation is just as common as meaningless, yet witty banter. We just finished tonight in prayer and are returning to our separate lives.
Tonight I am most excited about and thankful for the fellowship we share as Christian men. It is truly a pleasure to participate. Thanks guys!
UPDATE: Looks like my "on the fly" camera phone shot did not have enough light to do justice to the results of our meal. Oh well!
Tonight I am most excited about and thankful for the fellowship we share as Christian men. It is truly a pleasure to participate. Thanks guys!
UPDATE: Looks like my "on the fly" camera phone shot did not have enough light to do justice to the results of our meal. Oh well!
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
A New Year of Exercise
Jean and I just finished our first session of the new year. We went to Bally Total Fitness cause it was pretty cold and wet outside these past two days. It sure was crowded! Resolutions maybe?
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