Gabriel John Drouillard
I am writing this page just hours after Gabriel was born. Gabe and Mary are settled in their room, and both are sleeping now - I hope.
Warning: Nekkid baby pictures are just a few screens down - including one taken right after birth (and before cleaning).
Gabriel John Drouillard
Born April 2, 2001 3:15 PM
10 pounds 1 ounce, 21 inches
Gabe is our third boy. Both of the others were born via c-section - after a whole lot of labor and pushing. Mary had real trouble with the first one (Don), and the second one was in distress.
Rather than go through all of that and still have to go through a c-section, Mary and I decided to cut to the chase. We went with a planned c-section.
This time, things went smoothly - sort of. We got there a bit later than we wanted (no comments from the peanut gallery), but things didn't proceed according to schedule anyhow.
The people there are wonderful, and they got Mary prepared quickly. Unfortunately, the first blood sample didn't work out right. Mary had to be poked again, and a third time when the second poke didn't bring any blood.
After that, everyone waited for the lab to cough up with the results. That's why we didn't get to the operating room until about a quarter to three.
It went smoothly, but it is still very nerve-wracking to have your wife wheeled into the operating room. I'm sure that it's even rougher for her.
After two kids, I figured that we were veterans. Not quite "ho-hum", but we knew what to expect.
Still, I was literally on the edge of my seat when they announced that he was ready to come out. We both knew intellectually what to expect, and had been looking forward to this baby for a long time. Still, nothing compares to seeing your baby for the first time.
As I was looking, the anesthesiologist asked me if I was planning on taking a picture. I had intended on taking one later, and had left Don's little digital camera in my pocket for safekeeping. I took it out and grabbed the first picture of Gabe.
See? I warned you that this was a brand-new unwashed baby picture. Ain't he cute?
After what seemed to be way too long, they brought Gabe to me and Mary. I held him up to Mary so that she could see and touch him. She was flat on her back, so she couldn't do much. The anesthesiologist took these pictures:
I went with Gabe back to the recovery room while they finished with Mary. Poor little gabe had to go through all those indignities that newborns must endure: a vitamin K injection, rectal temperature, blood sugar test (because he's so big), and a bath. Everything, including the blood sugar, came out perfectly. Every blood sugar test came out fine, so he doesn't need any formula for extra calories. This is our first baby who didn't end up getting fed some formula in the hospital.
Gabe is in the warmer letting us all know his opinion of the situation. Soon after this (and too late, in his opinion), Gabe was given his first meal. He didn't have to be told twice what to do with the offering! He latched right on - much quicker than the other kids.
We expect that Mary and Gabe will be coming home on Thursday. Meanwhile, I'll be shuttling back and forth between home and the hospital. Don (6) and Paul (2 1/2) are at their grandma's house now. I'm sure that Paul is missing his mommy. Don probably is, too.
They will get to see their mom and their new baby brother tomorrow, and will probably be sleeping at home tomorrow night. Meanwhile, I'm going to have to divide my time between seeing Mary and doing things with the two boys.