While I was pregnant Jason would sing to Noah through my belly button.  He wondered if Noah would recognize his voice once he was outside the womb.  Well, we are currently up at 2:15 am, just finishing a rather long, brand-new parent type of nursing session.  He nursed really well this time, which is good, since we leave the hospital tomorrow.  Jason is about to take Noah back to the nursery but wanted to calm his crying first, so he started singing to him (not for the first time since he’s been out).  Noah LOVES his daddy. Every time Jason talks and, especially when he sings, Noah immediately quits crying and just stares at him. Even though nursing hurts like crazy, I don’t know that I’ve ever experienced a sweeter moment than this one.

I am finally getting around to telling our story!…

Jason & I got to the hospital a little before midnight on Sunday.  We spent some time praying and talking and crying (me, of course), and then went in.  By 1 a.m. I was all “hooked up” and ready to go.  I started contracting around 4 a.m., and Dr Parker broke my water at 6:45.  Contractions got quite a bit harder at that point, as I was dilated to a 4.  I told the nurse I would be ready for the epidural fairly soon, and she told me she would ask for it, but that it would probably be an hour.  Well, 15 minutes later, I was already getting it.  It was wonderful!  It gave me the shakes for a while, but VERY small price to pay.   Around 10 am or so, Dr Parker was expressing concern for Noah’s heart rate, which was dropping during contractions.  Apparently he was compressing the cord.  Doc tried to reposition me a couple of times and watch the monitor off and on for about an hour.  Around 11 a.m. he told us that we needed to deliver Noah by c-section, because he didn’t want to risk the health of the baby.  I was quickly prepped and in the surgery room in no time.  Noah was born at 11:42 a.m.

I will never forget the anticipation as I lay on that surgical table.  I could tell they were getting close to having him out and then… he let out a cry!  The whole experience was beyond surreal.

He is picture-perfect.  Deep blue eyes (for now, at least), light brown wavy-ish hair, long fingers and toes, and a button nose.  He’s been great so far – very alert, very curious and observant.  He’s a bit of stinker at nursing, but he’s getting it more & more each time we try.

Jason & I are so grateful for all of you – tons of prayers, messages, and encouragement.  There is so much I’d like to say, but I think I’ve fallen asleep 15 times trying to get this post done.  Morphine will do it to ya!

Love to all, the THREE Pettetts