Last Wednesday around lunchtime, we went in for Annie’s regular checkup at Kaiser Permanente Fontana where Dr. Tsai informed us that she was 1cm dilated. We didn’t think too much of it because we were still a week and a half away from the actual due date of the 4th of July. As the day passed everything was completely normal, but around dinnertime, Annie started to notice slight cramps in her abdomen. This made us believe that perhaps baby was coming soon. I got up for work the next morning and Annie told me that she couldn’t get any sleep because she was having contractions throughout the night. They were short in duration and long in between, but they started to become stronger and stronger all of Thursday. Annie woke me up early Friday morning (2:30AM) saying the contractions were over a minute in duration and about 4 minutes apart. We called the hospital to ask if we should come in and they stated we could either come in now (with the possibility of getting sent back home) or wait it out until the contractions got closer together. We waited….and an hour later, the contractions were now 2 minutes apart…we rushed to Kaiser Fontana. No traffic at 3:30 in the morning…very convenient. The app that helped us record all these contractions was the Contraction Timer on Android.
First order of business, was to get an IV. Annie, having never gotten an IV before, said it was worse than the contractions. That, or maybe the fact that they had to stick her 3 times before they got it right.
The place was pretty empty that early so we got stuck with only the biggest suite available…yeah, I know….sucks! =p
At about 7cm dilatation, Annie couldn’t handle the pain anymore and called for an epidural. Afterwards, she felt no pain at all…just a little pressure. The nurse even informed her that she had 2 really big contractions, but Annie felt none of that. Epidural = working!!!
Of course, we contacted our families at the wee hours of the morning, and they all rushed on over to the hospital with food and gifts. Unfortunately, Annie was only allowed to eat/drink ice chips until after the delivery.
At noon, we were nice and relaxed at 10cm dilated and ready to go, but the nurse informed us that she had another patient in the same situation but in much more pain. So she told us to wait. It was early and no sleep up this point…this is how I felt:
The nurse and doctor finally made their way to our room 2 hours later. Here are their tools…
So at 2:30PM, June 24, 2011, we were blessed with a 6lb 14oz, 21in boy, whom we named Jerelle Christopher Yambot. It was truly a miracle to witness all of it happening. You know that feeling when your heart sinks and your eyes start to water??? That’s the feeling I got when Jerelle let out his first cry…my heart melted.
Time for an hour of bonding time…
My little dinosaur….RAWR!!!
Two very proud Lolas! (Lola – Tagalog/Filipino word for Grandma)
We were then transferred to a smaller room for the recovery period for Annie and baby and to finish all other administrative stuff.
Jerelle’s 1st shower given by our Korean nurse, Jung.
And now (today), Jerelle is a week old…happy week old bday, baby!!! He’s happy.
by Jove
Congratulation guys! He is so perfect! I have a 3 years old, and time go by so fast. Cherish every moment as you can bec. next time you know the boy will be taking back to you
. It such a wonderful experience to have a child!
Great Job! Greetings!
Greetings from the DC airport, congrats Jove and Annie. I don’t think I’ve known a client/couple as long/well as you too. I couldn’t be more thrilled and honored to have met you back in 08. From your e-session in Vegas and then wedding to watching you grow as photographers to now being parents, I’m just so happy and proud of you two! I hope to meet little Jerelle soon! Congrats!!!!
Wasn’t that heart sinking, watery-eyed feeling the most amazing feeling in the world? My eyes got watery reading this post! Jerelle is so beautiful and handsome! Congratulations Annie and Jove!
xoxoxo