Collin Frederick Stryker

We are so pleased and proud to announce the arrival of Collin Frederick Stryker!!! He was born Monday morning, September 22 at 10:28am, weighing in at a whopping 9 pounds!!!
For those of you out there who enjoy reading labor stories, here's mine...

I actually had some false labor last Saturday night. I woke up at 2:53am with a painful contraction. I then lay awake for about 3 hours, noting the times of the contractions, which ranged from 8-13 minutes apart. Eventually though, I fell back to sleep, and woke up contraction-free. It was a good wake-up call (literally), in that it helped Ethan and I evaluate how really ready we were.

Anyway, fast-forward to Sunday night. Ethan and I were in bed, finalizing our baby name choices, and discussing the week ahead. I turned over at 11:30 to turn off the light, and felt my water start to break. Here we go!! We called my friend Kelly to come over to be with the kids, and finished packing the hospital bag, made the kids' school lunches, etc.

When we arrived at the hospital, we started in the assessment room where they hook you up to the monitors and evaluate your labor. Mine was certainly progressing with contractions now about 4 minutes apart. We then headed to the delivery room.
I labored well for a couple of hours. I especially liked sitting on a birthing ball for a while. When the contractions started to get to be unbearable, the midwife sent up the anesthesiologist to give me my epidural. I kind of felt like a wuss at this point, like I was giving in. Not to mention how I cried like a baby when getting my epidural. But to be honest, I don't know how I would have managed to have any strength to push this baby out if I hadn't gotten it. Any of you brave women who have gone all-natural have my utmost, highest respect.

Anyway, after the epidural kicked in, Ethan and I got to sleep for a couple of hours. I was so grateful to get that rest. Then, around 9am, I started feeling painful contractions again. The midwives boosted my epidural a few times, but it didn't seem to make a difference. Finally, the midwife checked me, and said that it would be starting a little early, but would I like to try pushing? I tried, and was pleased that the pushing actually helped alleviate the pain of the contractions. 45 minutes later, Collin was born!

It was a truly rewarding birthing experience, to be honest. I really felt like I pushed this baby out, which I didn't really have with Tim's birth (I was too numb from the epidural) or Maddie's (who was c-section).

Immediately after he was born, he was put on my chest. Ethan and I were thrilled when we heard that it was a boy! Ethan got to cut the cord, and I just held him while they delivered the placenta. No one took Collin to suction him or anything. They just told me to have him on his side so he could get rid of the mucus in his lungs. They didn't even weigh him for the longest time. But when they did, boy were we shocked to hear that he was 9 pounds! I still can't believe that I had a 9 pound baby inside of me!

At this point, the midwife told me that I had a bad tear, and they called in a doctor. They quickly took me to "theater," which is basically a surgery room, to stitch me up. At this point, I was pretty tired. I just tried to zone-out through it all, and rest.

I was returned to the delivery-room, where Ethan and Collin were waiting. I was able to nurse Collin for the first time, eat lunch, and rest. Ethan left later that afternoon, and returned with the kids after I was moved into my recovery room (and yes, I was able to get a "single"). The kids were both so excited to meet their new baby brother. Maddie was especially emotional about him. She was happy, loud, nervous, and soooo talkative. She asked a thousand questions, and really proved herself to be a protective, mothering, older sister.
Eventually, Ethan and the kids left, and then it was just Collin and I together for the night. It was a little rough at times, especially since my legs were still recovering from the numbness of the epidural. But, we made it through the night just fine.

Ethan came back the next morning after bringing the kids to school, and I was able to eat and shower, and start feeling human again. In the afternoon, I asked if I could go home. The midwives said that would be fine. They supplied me with my medication, the pediatrician gave Collin a look-over, and that was it. We were outta there!!!
We arrived just in time to the kids' school to pick them up. It was great going home all together as a family. The kids were so excited about having Collin at home.
Since Tuesday, we have been managing just fine. I'm trying to take it slow, which isn't easy looking at the condition of my house. Ethan has been incredible: taking care of the kids, me, changing Collin's diapers, laundry, dishes, etc. And of course, this week was supposed to be a very busy work week for him. He's gone in to work for the last three days. Poor Ethan... he'll be so glad when my parents are here to take over tomorrow (that is, after he has to wake up at 4am, and drive 2 hours to go pick them up at the airport!!) Poor Ethan.

Collin is doing really well. He is eating just fine, and pooping up a storm. Night-time hasn't been too bad. Yes, he's awake and alert for part of the time, but he also usually sleeps straight for 4-5 hours somewhere in that time, too. So, I won't complain.And in case you were curious about his name, Collin was one of the only names that we both liked that we agreed upon. We also thought it sounded a little British, which we thought would be special for him. Frederick is the name if my grandfather (my mom's dad), who passed away when I was a teenager, but whom has always stayed very close to my heart.

Thanks to all of you for your kind wishes and congratulations. We feel so blessed at this addition to our family. Collin has already brought so much joy into our home.