Babylopnik (I miss you guys)

"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling) 12/01/2018 at 22:45 • Filed to: Family, Baby

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Warning: Not car related. Swagger wagon buffer image below for those not interested.

It’s sleepy time for everyone but me, so I thought I’d write this to give anyone that was interested an update...

I have been busy. Between work, preparation, and the impending baby, life has kept me from being around much. It has been a big change and the big day finally arrived yesterday.

My wife has been miserable for a number of weeks now. We’ve barely been able to sleep. It has been terrible. I was a total zombie at work for the last couple weeks.

On Friday at 03:45, my wife got up and sloshed. Her water had broken and it was time to get ready to go. The plan was a natural delivery with an epidural because my wife can’t handle pain very well. It went pretty sideways from well before we made it to the hospital and just kept going downhill.

First of all, baby was not at all active or responsive to us the night before and that morning after the water broke. Didn’t realize why until later.

We arrived at the hospital a little over an hour later as they triaged us, baby had a slow heart rate when they got her hooked up, then sped up to a stationary normal level with none of the typical accelerations. This is a baby that was known for really strong activity from twice a week tests over the prior 8 weeks, so it was that much more troubling.

They admitted us as they weren’t going to let us leave unless things looked good for long enough and the water had broken. They were pretty sure the water hadn’t broken, but the lack of changes in heart rate worried them. We rolled my wife to the room and baby’s heart rate remained stable, but with no accelerations.

Baby stayed at that higher normal heart rate for a couple hours, then started dropping in rate every time a contraction came. They decided to get an epidural in at the first opportunity and would wait to use it until pain became severe enough.

They use a scalp monitor after they realized the water had broken and it looked worse than the earlier monitors were showing...

As they installed the epidural, every contraction brought baby’s rate down. The epidural took a long time to place, too. Immediately after that, my wife went to the bathroom and baby’s heart rate dropped to the 60s. The nurse questioned the sensor placement and we couldn’t tell if a contraction was ongoing, but it was low enough to deeply worry the nurse. I open the bathroom door and ask if she’s in a contraction, she says that she is and then that it stopped. The rate doesn’t rise at all (it was doing this before she went to the bathroom, but nowhere near as bad) and about a minute or two after it started, the nurse hits some kind of emergency button. Sirens go off and everyone drops everything on our wing to rush into the room as my wife is trying to get back to the bed. They try on her back to hopefully fix it, but nothing. Then they tried the right side, then the left. No acceleration. They get her up on her hands and knees, which doesn’t help, so they rush a gurney in and move her to it. As everyone is rushing around with paperwork the heart rate finally goes up to the normal range and they stop the emergency C section they were starting.

My wife breaks down crying. I was crying in the moment before that because I was worried someone might not make it (birth is always a risky thing).

We discuss it with the doctor and look at the history, deciding that it’s in baby’s best interest to do a voluntary C section instead of an emergency one, since it would be riskier to do an emergency one and baby might not survive labor if this pattern kept up.

All went well from there and we now have a ridiculously strong newborn baby boy named Callum. He does things I didn’t think newborn babies could do, like roll, lift his head, turn his head, lift his body on hands and knees, pull his arms out of even the tightest of swaddles, etc.

My wife is feeling better and hasn’t needed any additional pain medication since the procedure, which is surprising everyone. If it continues to go as well as it has been, I guess that tomorrow I’ll learn how to put him in a car seat for the ride home. I wanted to take him home in the FoST, but the car seat is a tight fit and my wife doesn’t want to sit in the back, so we had to bring her car. Kind of sad, as I wanted his ride home to be slightly special like mine was, but it was a different era and I don’t think they’ll let you take a baby home without a modern car seat, let alone in a car with no seatbelts today...

I hope to one day be as awesome as Tristan and bring baby on cruises with you guys.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/01/2018 at 22:53

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“ All went well from there and we now have a ridiculously strong newborn baby boy named Callum.”

Honestly dude, reading the beginning part so so so stressful for me, but this sentence made me happy. I am really glad everything is OK.

If you ever need anything, let me know. I am not too far away (despite being in a different country).

WilliamsSW > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/01/2018 at 22:56

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I was getting pretty worried as I read this - but soooo oh glad for the happy ending! Congrats to all 3 of you! Sounds like he’s ahead of the curve. And get used to it - he will continue to scare you again and again!  

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/01/2018 at 23:00

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Glad everything turned out well! Congrats.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/01/2018 at 23:02

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Yeah, living it was quite stressful, too. He was always such an active baby on all the tests, so all of this was deeply distressing. For much of that morning I was worried something was being cut off, which can cause lifelong problems for otherwise genetically normal people. I know someone that has a step daughter that had her umbilical cord wrap around her neck and cut off oxygen so the baby came out alive, but with severe mental deficits.   For a while in there after the alarm was hit, I was afraid I’d lose one or both of them, too ... When it all came out okay, I was so relived. Even as they were pulling him out, I was worried that I might see the cord around his neck or something...

Thank you, my friend. :)

fintail > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/01/2018 at 23:06

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Congrats!

Ian Callum?

shop-teacher > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/01/2018 at 23:08

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Congratulations!!! Having a kid really knoc ks you on your ass, in the best way possible.

While the particulars wer e different, the birth of our first child did not go well. I have experienced the terror of not knowing if everyone was going to make it home. Fortunately we all did as well.

Enjoy your new adventure! While difficult in many ways, it is also incredible.

Spaceball-Two > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/01/2018 at 23:08

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Oh man. First. Congrats ! He’s a strong little dude and will be good and Mrs. will recover, just takes time. That whole process is so stress inducing I wonder why anyone does it.

Second. That’s a big healthy boy. He just wanted out.

You’ve got some fun and honestly trying times ahead of you but you’re solid. Hold em tight you’re just getting started. 

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/01/2018 at 23:14

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This was a nerve-wracking read, but glad it turned out well! Congrats and wish a speedy recovery to your wife.

fhrblig > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/01/2018 at 23:26

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Congratulations! Is he named after Ian or Moray?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/01/2018 at 23:34

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Oh my sweet Jesus, I’m glad that turned out okay. Reading the first 3/4 of your post I was like, “Oh God, it can’t be...”

I need a beer to relax now.

Oh! Let's do a drive soon.

Chariotoflove > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/01/2018 at 23:34

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Welcome Callum!  Wow, I was worried for a minute there.  Congrats, Dad.  I wish I could say you get to sleep now, but...

Tristan > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 00:07

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Hi, Callum!

I think my heart stopped at least twice reading this. My God, what an emotional rollercoaster. My daughter had some slow heart rate issues during her birth, but nothing this severe. Daughter #2 is due to arrive on 15 December- hopefully Callum and her can meet on a future cruise!

DipodomysDeserti > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 00:14

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Congrats! Glad momma and baby are doing well.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > fintail 12/02/2018 at 00:15

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Actually, I was supposed to be Malcolm but my grandmother forbade my parents from using it. My wife didn’t want to use the name they were going to use for me. Malcolm means “disciple of St Columba”, while Callum is the Scottish name for “ Columba”. We also wanted a name that wasn’t too popular.

We had a handful of options and wouldn’t choose one until he was born. Most didn’t seem to fit.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > fhrblig 12/02/2018 at 00:16

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See my response above. This was among our pool of names.

dogisbadob > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 00:42

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Glad the baby is ok

fintail > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 01:03

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Interesting, lots of work was put into that . And a fun coincidence with your Ford.

Svend > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 02:07

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Congratulations to all.

Sounds like he’s going to be keeping you both on your toes.

Future Heap Owner > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 04:11

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Hoo boy, you really took me for a ride! I’m glad everyone is okay, and congratulations on shepherding another life into this world of ours.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 05:25

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congrats!

you’re all well, so that ‘s the main thing.

AdverseMartyr > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 06:19

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Congratulations!

Having an entire medical floor flood into the room in response to the emergency code is one of the scarier things I have watched in my life (my wife’s heartrate and blood pressure both practically disappeared right after our son was born). All turned out fine for us though , and I’m so glad to hear all turned out fine for you as well! I’m pretty sure I lost a year or two of my lifespan in a couple of minutes though.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 06:42

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Congrats my dude! He looks like a handsome little lad! Your mission now is start teaching him car stuff as soon as possible. :P

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 08:00

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I’m so glad it all worked out well in the end.  My heart was dropping as I was reading.  

f86sabre > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 08:22

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Congrats, man! You and your wife are starting on the best adventure ever. You should have led with the pic of you and Callum though. Was making me worried as I read through.

Here is the unsolicited daddy advise I give everyone:

- find a moms group ASAP and when your wife is able to get up and out get her there. The hospital should offer one or a lactarion group. Both are good. Why? Being a new mom is hard. Lactation is more complicated than they make it sound, both her and the baby will being going through changes in the next few weeks that are nice to be able to bounce off of people and this will allow her to build a network of folks who are either in the same phase or have just gone through the same phase as you.

- invest in a good set of headphones . I always popped on a podcast when I had duty. Babies cry. After making sure that all was well they sometimes continue to cry. Good headphones and something good to listen to takes the edge off.

- sleep as best you can. We put a matresss in the kids room for the first six months. I would take the first four hour shift and she would take the second. That way we both managed 4 solid hours of sleep In our bed plus what ever can be gained in between feedings. She’d pump and store milk for when I was on duty.

I understand about wanting to take the baby home in the cool car.  I was able to bring mine home in the Evo. It made me happy.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 08:28

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congrats mate :)

alls well that ends well

nermal > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 10:08

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Congrats!

Steve in Manhattan > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/02/2018 at 19:27

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This is a fantastic outcome - now to start buying him Matchboxes and Hot Wheels.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 03/05/2019 at 00:35

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I was thinking about you today, hope things are going well!

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 03/05/2019 at 01:28

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I was thinking of people here, too! You, specifically, because I know there’s a cruise this spring that you’re organizing.

Things are slowly stabilizing. I am still tired most of the time, but a lot more functional. This has been truly crazy in spite of the fact he’s an amazingly easygoing baby and he sleeps better than they’re supposed to at this age . He just hit a major developmental milestone, too. It’s interesting to watch.

Sadly, he probably won’t have his first passport until sometime around May, but I am also not sure I could pull off a long overnight trip with him yet. A day trip might be possible if the stops are no more than a few hours apart. He needs it so we can book his first international flight for next fall...

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Tristan 03/06/2019 at 23:56

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I hope all went well with daughter #2 and that you’re getting some sleep again!

I hope they can meet on one, too. I’m trying to figure out how to take him on upcoming cruises.

He was really difficult at first, but has become a lot better in the last couple weeks. 6+ hours asleep every night anymore, which is great. He’s been really healthy as well, aside from an illness shortly after birth that ripped through all of us .

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > shop-teacher 03/07/2019 at 00:00

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And the worst way. So tiring. I am finally getting back to semi-normal.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > f86sabre 03/07/2019 at 00:14

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She doesn’t have a local group and hates the isolation, but the hospital did have a special first time parent lactation training and a follow up training a few days later. We did a few more visits with them after that, but she decided not to go to the free mommy groups they have there (free until 3 months old), which disappointed me.

As for crying? He does, but he’s not loud and he’s pretty chill as babies go. I know he’s really easy compared to most, which scares me about the prospect of another baby. His worst issue has been gas, which caused problems until I figured it out and we started giving him gas drops. Recently we added probiotics to his feedings and the gas dropped off so much that he doesn’t need the drops except at night. It was his biggest issue outside of getting sick within a week of birth.

Sleep was so bad. Drove us insane. He’s a sleep talker/cryer, so we were constantly awakened by him. About 4 weeks ago, out of desperation, we set up his camera and moved him to his nursery (I tried to do similar 4 weeks after he was born due to being completely wiped out at that point , but my wife tripped out). He sleeps better/longer and we sleep better/longer. If anything is a problem, it detects it and alerts our phones, which we can also use to watch him. He sleeps like a champ and has been doing 6+ hour stretches since we moved him to the nursery. Last night he did over 10 continuous hours of sleep, which seemed a bit excessive, but we let him do it.

We also found that my tighter swaddles keep him asleep longer/better until he started outgrowing the swaddle blankets we have, when we switched him to this sleep suit thing that has worked very well (he didn’t do well in the other fancy expensive swaddles until he was old enough for this one).

I’m finally feeling semi-normal again.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 03/07/2019 at 00:26

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Thanks! I think he’s still a handsome little guy.

Steve in Manhattan > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 03/07/2019 at 00:47

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So it’s all good?

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Steve in Manhattan 03/07/2019 at 00:56

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Doing well. However, a  little small for toy cars...

Steve in Manhattan > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 03/07/2019 at 01:04

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I’d do a basic collection, then let him start adding when he’s 5 ... but then again I have zero kids.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 03/07/2019 at 11:15

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Certainly is! :)

f86sabre > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 03/07/2019 at 19:14

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Sounds like you have mastered the new dad achievement!  I’d still work on getting him and your spouse to join a group. It really does help to have a community.