Our Early Arrival

Surprise! Jonah Wesley Kent made his debut on Thursday March 5th, 2009 after deciding that 36 weeks gestation was quite enough. Wednesday the 4th was our 36-week check-up, at which time we were sent on our way with everything being "normal" and "on schedule". Thursday Rebekah went to work despite feeling some mild abdomenal cramping, and worked a half-day. At noon she emailed her boss that she wasn't feeling well and was going to take some work home to do for the afternoon. See you tomorrow. P.S. Don't worry, I'm not in labor. Around 2:30 pm the "cramps" started getting worse, and were following closer together and coming more intensely. After a 3:30pm call to the doctor's office (still not beliving this was labor, after all there was no breaking of waters), Pat threw car keys at the next-door neighbor playing outside with her kids and said "Something's going on - if we don't come home can you feed the cats tomorrow?" And we were off. 4:00 - at the doctor's office in Fort Collins, Rebekah was 7-cm dilated. Congratulations - someone is having a birthday today! WHAT!? NOW? Better get to the hospital! 5:00 - checked into the hospital. 5:30 - up in the delivery bed, 9.5-cm dilated. Spinal block demanded and received - holy crap this is painful! 6:53pm, after thankfully managing to turn around from being "sunny-side up"- Baby Jonah arrived.

It was indeed a crazy day! Jonah is doing very well for being a premie. He was in the neonatal ICU for 3 days so he could be monitored, but overall is very healthy and we guess just ready to join us. This morning he passed his "car seat challenge" and hearing test, and was discharged with flying colors. We are all enjoying being home together. Pat and I are holding up well so far with the frequent, round-the-clock feeding schedule Jonah is on. Although the sleep deprivation is affecting Pat's vocabulary, in that he asked the nurse at 3am if it was time for baby to have some more collegen...instead of colostrum. I don't know - do you think Jonah has pouty enough lips or should we sign him up for Baby Dr.90210?

We'll sign off for now. More pictures and stories to come soon.

Love,
Rebekah, Pat, and Jonah