So Friday morning there was some fun. Katie woke up around midnight (Friday) with some contractions. They weren't 5 minutes or less apart so eventually she went back to bed. She woke me up around 1AM or so, but I slowly fell back asleep. It was exciting that she was actually having contractions, but we both knew that it was not labor.

At this point the doctors had told us that Katie was completely effaced, and then a week later told us the she wasn't effaced at all. I guess the previous nurse practitioner didn't look enough? Yea, we're changing doctors.

Anyway, I'm sure you are all waiting for me to get to Saturday. Well Saturday around midnight, Katie was awaken by some contractions. She woke me up around 2 AM as the contractions started to approach the 5 minutes apart mark. I wasn't prepared to mark down the contractions. First I tried using my blackberry, but it was cumbersome to switch from the home screen to the memo pad to write down the time. Plus I didn't have a seconds indicator. Finally I just turned on my computer. The only thing I could think of with a seconds indicator was my trusty talking clock.

If you don't know about my talking clocks: When I was 13 I wrote a talking clock in visual basic. For some reason I had a dream of writing a talking clock in C++. That dream came true when I was 24! They're available at my website

At about 3:30 AM we decided to head over to the hospital. Katie's contractions varied, but definitely averaged around 5 minutes apart. I took a shower, and Grandma (Karius) got her hair all ready. Once I determined that Adam would like to see his father for the first time in a "It's Miller Time" T-shirt, we loaded up the car and headed to the hospital. Not before I left a message on the front door to the Empire Carpet guys who were to show up between 8AM and 5PM "Wife in Labor Please Call."

To be continued...

Whew! What a rollercoaster! It is Day 11 and I finally have 2 hands to write a little blog entry. Adam slept for 7.5 hours last night. When he started squirming this morning I shot out of bed and searched for the clock. I couldn't believe it when I realized it was 4:30 a.m. and he had fallen fast asleep at 9:00 p.m. the night before. I felt like a whole new woman!! So, let's go back to Adam's first day from my perspective.

After a whole whopping one hour of sleep I woke up at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday the 28th with contractions about 8 minutes apart. Like the good wife that I am I let Mike sleep for a couple of hours until my contractions were 6 minutes apart. At 3 a.m. I told him and my mom to start getting ready because my contractions were pretty consistently less than 5 minutes apart and it was time to go to the hospital. They got themselves all showered and prettied up while I sat next to Mike's "talking clock" and had to time my own contractions. And for those of you that know me yes my hair was a disaster and I could barely care enough just to put on a fresh pair of clothes. (Contractions are not pleasant). My contractions started slowing down when we got to the hospital unless I was walking the halls. They were talking about sending me home (although my contractions were 4 minutes apart and an 8-9 on the pain scale). So, I was determined to keep the contractions coming and I would set "mini-goals" as to how far I would walk. I even started doing the stairs..whatever it took! Mike stayed back in the hospital room to take a nap. The nurse was a bit surprised when she came to check my progress and found Mike sleeping in the hospital bed. By the time they came back and were still talking about sending me home I was ready to pull out fake tears, because I hear that works. But, they finally decided to admit me and break my water.

Well, that was about the time the pain really kicked in, ESPECIALLY after they broke my water. They asked if I wanted an epidural and I was ALL about it. Let me tell you..epidural is a BEAUTIFUL thing. As soon as I got it I conked out and slept for over an hour. I woke up with a big smile on my face and still didn't feel a thing. Mike was looking at my contraction sheet and was amazed that I wasn't feeling anything. During my hour nap I went from 4 cm dilated to fully dilated and ready to push. Then they turned the epidural down and I went from being pleasant to nagging the nurses every minute (I'm surprised they didn't turn off the call button) that I needed to push. They wanted me to just blow the urges to push out through my mouth like blowing bubbles because the doctor was busy at an emergency c-section. Well, after I wouldn't let up with the call button the nurse finally said we could start pushing. An hour later with the doctor running in and putting on scrubs as fast as she could because I refused to stop pushing little Adam arrived. Mike said that he thought it was funny because the first thing I said when they put Adam on me was "That's my Baby!" He started talking about how that was an excited utterance and in court it would hold up as not being hearsay..or something like that..and that it was an obvious statement so it was funny that I would choose to say that. I don't really know what Mike was talking about all I know is that I was SO HAPPY to be done with the labor part. The other funny statement I made was "How do women do this?" I guess I said that while I was pushing.

Well I just heard some bubbles coming out of little Adam and an "aroma" is quickly filling the room. Mommy duty calls!

Adam is sleeping in today. He showed me how to put posts on his blog and wants me to write on as a guest writer. Kids these days!

Adam's due date was June 21. Katie and I eagerly awaited that day expecting something to happen. Yea we knew that Katie would probably go into labor within the week before and week after the due date and we saw the bell curve, but for some reason we still expected something to happen by the due date. After the due date was especially hard. Katie was getting big and tired of lugging this baby around. Katie was still working, but running out of work, since she didn't want to start new projects just to leave for three months. I myself was getting tired of lugging around my cell phone. I even had to bring it in to the racquetball court! It was difficult knowing at any moment Katie could go into labor and change our lives forever. Was it today? Was it tonight? It felt like I was getting married, except at any moment, somebody was going to run into the room and grab me for the ceremony!

After the due date pasted, the doctors gave us a light at the end of the tunnel. They set an inducement date for June 30. It was exciting to have a cutoff date. Katie decided to make the Thursday before that her last day of work. Friday the doctors wanted to take an ultrasound and a non-stress-test, so I took off work to join her. The non-stress test was pretty boring. The most exciting part was when Adam fell asleep and they used this taser looking device to wake him up. We could imagine him saying "Don't tase me bro!"

To be continued...

Yesterday was a long day. Big party lots of new faces. I slept ok. At first for about 4 hours and then little short naps for about an hour. Mom wasn't excited about the short naps.

Uncle Adam and Katie left yesterday. I hear Grandpa (Karius), Aunt Sarah, and SuzyQ are leaving this morning. It'll be nice to get some peace and quite here!

Dad is going to try to go to "work" today. It's hard to believe he gets anything done other than play video games. Mom is a little worried, but she still has Grandma here to help out.

There is plenty of new pictures up in my photo section. Check them out. I even have a video of my actual baptism.

Well better go, I got some diapers to fill,

Adam Michael

Hey All,

Last night was great! I got 5 hours straight of sleep.

Today I was baptized! Aunt Sarah and Uncle Adam (the old Adam) were my sponsors. Dad says he was real nervous about their lines, "Adam Michael Dobbs". :-) Since I don't feel like talking yet, Uncle Adam and Aunt Sarah had to respond for me.

After the Baptism, everybody came over to visit. Grandma & Grandpa Dobbs, Grandma & Grandpa Karius, Uncle Bryan, Aunt Kristin, Uncle Adam, Aunt Sarah, Aunt SuzyQ, Great Aunt Geri, Great Aunt Julie, Great Uncle Mike, Great Uncle Al, Great Aunt Nancy, Uncle Matt, Mr. Kranman, Mr. and Mrs. Will, Nick, Ali, Mr. Woods, Mr. and Mrs. Moore as well as others (sorry I'm just a week old I can't remember everyone who came!). We had some snacks, burgers and cake.

Well I better go, I'm getting hungry!

XXOO,

Adam

Yesterday, Aunt Suzy held me for 4 hours before bed time. I slept like a baby! Then when it was bed time my foolish parents thought I would just go to sleep. At about 2 AM they realized the error of their ways. At about midnight Mom took me into the other room, while Dad got some sleep. At about 5:30 Dad took over and brought me downstairs for the usually Halo 3 game play. Somebody should really have a talk with him. He always just tells me to keep quite when Daddy is interacting with the brutes. What kind of father figure is that?

Eventually the rest of the slackers got up. Aunt Sarah changed a diaper and sung to me while I screamed for Mom to quit sleeping and fed me. Around 9:30 Mom came down and fed me. Boy I was hungry. Why does she sleep so much?

Word,
AMD

Yesterday, my parents took me for a walk in the stroller. It was nice, Dad did a lot of cool wheelies. I stayed up the whole time and for the most part enjoyed it. We went around the block, and my parents introduced me to our neighbor. She seemed nice, but I was disappointed that she didn't give me a gift.

So late last night Grandpa (Karius), Aunt Sarah, and Aunt SuzyQ came over. They tried to be quite, but I was up already. What a bunch of slackers! Last night I slept pretty well. Mom got up and feed me at 10,12:30, and 4:30 to feed me. Dad feed me at 8:30 and I pigged out. I was hungry, but after I ate I got the itus. That helps me sleep.

I woke up this morning and everybody was still sleeping. Dad brought me downstairs and took care of me by playing Halo 3. He says it's "educational."

Well It's bath time again, so I better go.

Adious,
Adam Michael

Yesterday, I had my first doctor's appointment at 10:30. My parents were extra worried about getting to the doctor on time. They left at about 9:45 AM and got there with plenty of time. The doctor's office was quite impressed. Not as impressed as they were with me. I weighed in at 9 pounds 10 ounces, 2 ounces gained in the last couple of days. The doctor expected me to lose about 10% of my weight, but I gained weight. Dad says I'm going on weight watchers! :-) I got a clean bill of health. My parents were worried about my wheezing and heavy breathing, but the doctor said that was normal. She said I was in great shape, and that I don't need to be supplemented with formula anymore. It's just breast feeding now. No lemon, freshly brewed please!

Grandma and Grandpa (Dobbs), Uncle Bryan, and Great Grandma Shum came over for dinner. It was fun hanging out with them. Uncle Bryan is a big wimp. You should have seen him try to burp me. He hits like the little sister I never had.

The PU's (Parental Units) and GPU (Grand Parental Units) are improving. Dad was able to pretty much sleep from about 10 PM to about 8 AM. He had to get up a few times to help while Mom went to the bathroom. I wonder why she doesn't just have her parents put a diaper on her and change her. Mom slept between feedings, and Grandma? Well Grandma was too good to get up in the middle of the night for me! The nerve!

Today Mom demanded that she be left alone. She's going to kick into high breast feeding mode, and wants to be able to walk around and feed/pump in front of the boob-tube. Other than that it's just time for some R&R. Pops needs to finish cleaning up the newly finished basement, cut the grass, and clean him self up. Grandma needs to prepare the fine meals she promised. Finally, mom needs to start ramping up production, I'm a Dobbs boy and that means hunger isn't just a state, it's my existence!

I'm looking forward to Grandpa (Karius) Aunt Sarah, and Aunt SuzyQ coming to visit tomorrow morning. I can't wait to hear about this fishing thing that Grandpa does. With Sarah it sounds like I just might, just might, have some one who can actually take care of me, instead of just staring at me like a deer-in-head lights. SuzyQ sounds too artsy for me, you should see the work she did in my room. Real fancy like. I can't even hold a crayon!

Uncle Adam is coming a little later. I can't wait to meet him. I hear in baptism, the old Adam is washed away. I wonder where Uncle Adam will go. It fits since Mom and Dad say Uncle Adam smells.

Word, as in word to your mother,

Big A

Today I woke up at home! Mom, dad and grandma (Karius) were tired, but pretty proud of the debacle last night. We made it, that's the best way I can phrase it! :-) I had some fun with them. Mom and Grandma need some diaper training, so I soiled two diapers before they could buckle me up. They're improving. I finally gave pops a Golden Shower TM, at first he thought it was some warm bath water. Boy was he surprised. You should have seen the look on his face as he cowardly covered the sprinkler system with his hand. All I could think was "You Got Peed On!" HA HA

Grandma and Grandpa (Dobbs) stopped by. Mom and Dad were real excited that they were coming over, but when they got here they ran out the door to do some errands? Then when they got back they ate dinner and still didn't hang out with Grandma and Grandpa. Mom went up stairs to chat on the phone and Dad took a nap and setup the dehumidifier in the newly finished basement. How rude! I hope I'm not as socially inept.

Well things changed tonight. Mom, Dad and Grandma had this big plan to take shifts. Mom was going to take 9pm to midnight. Dad midnight to 3 AM. Mom 3-6 AM and Grandma 6 to whenever. What a bunch of dorks. I was tired and didn't feel like messing with them, so I just slept between feedings. Plus it helped that I actually got properly swaddled. They tried using these cheap blankets. I'm to buff for that! Do I look like the 6lb wimp my pops was? Grandma picked up a special swaddle blanket, for buffs like me. It's got some nice velcro snaps, so my arms stay secure while I'm sleeping.

Mom took me downstairs and was able to watch about 30 minutes of tv from midnight to about 3. I slept between feedings so she slept. Dad and Grandma got their sleep upstairs. Mom even took me into Mom and Dad's bedroom for a little. Until I should them how to make bubbles-in-the-pants. Dad changed me, took me downstairs feed me and guess what? Played Halo 3? What kind of father is that? I know the combine better than him? Plus he could barely hold the controller must less play the game. It's so embarrassing.

Well I better go, I hear Grandma (Karius) is getting up. I'd like to hang out with her a little bit outside of my lame parents.

Chao,

Adam

Wow what a night! Around 8:00 PM last night (June 30) the doctors finally let me go home with a clean bill of health. They had to wait until 8:00PM to let the 48 hours cultures develop to make sure I didn't have any infections. I hear no news is good news. I had one last feeding at the hospital and off we went!

Oh I left the hospital at 9 1/2 pounds, my birth weight. What can I say, I like to eat!

My parents had to make sure I was buckled in my child seat. Mom didn't like the base mounting in the car, but after some convincing and manual reading, she consented. I was tired and slept through the car ride.

Once we got home, I hung out by the TV for about 30 minutes. Then mom and dad decided to do some skin-to-skin time... I don't know where they got that hippie stuff, what a bunch of weirdos! That really ticked me off. Once they calmed me down they thought I could just lay in my crib. Boy was I made then.

I was so hungry last night, but my worthless parents wouldn't feed me. They kept telling me, well the hospital people said every 2-4 hours. It's only been one hour! You think at least Dad would understand the Dobbs Hunger. I was cranky and kept up Mom, Dad and Grandma (Karius) for hours, as they tried to keep me asleep. After fussing around Dad finally just fed me, rocked me from 2AM-5:30ish. He got to read some child care books. Maybe he'll nix the hippie stuff. He keeps trying to swaddle me? Do you like to be put in a straight jacket pops? Huh?

I did have some fun last night. Ever try the human sprinkler? Grandma (Karius) and mom thought I would just lay there nicely. Whoop! Sprinkle sprinkle. You should have seen their looks. Priceless. Grandma (Karius) shrieked in terror as Adam's provided a warm Gold Shower TM to all.

Well, it's time to soil my diaper, eat, and scream. Mom and Dad are getting a bit too comfy.

Abam

Last night was great. My worthless parents actually stopped by at 11PM and feed me. They've been feeding me a lot, so I had about 45 ml and fell asleep. They slept in, but stopped by at 8AM. They're going to be in for some good times (great oldies) once we get home.

The doctors are taking me in for my circumcision today. I'm not sure what that is, but it doesn't sound fun.

At 8 am they fed me another 47ml. I was wide awake when they got here, but I got really sleepy after that meal.

I'm off the IV and had that awful IV needle taken out. Now we are just waiting for the cultures to comeback before they will send me home. That should come in around 8pm. So I should be chilling in my crib around 8pm tonight!

The camera lady finally came by and took my mug shot. I'm not sure if my parents will open their pig-skinned prisons and pay for any pictures, but it was sure fun! Next stop feeding!

Today I had my first feeding at about 11AM, since my breaths went down to 66 or so breaths-per-minute (instead of the 100+ breaths I started with). I am feeling a little better now, the doctors still want to keep me in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) until I am consistently around 60 breaths-per-minute. My next feeding is around 2pm.

I just had my 2pm feeding. It was tasty. I'm breathing just fine now. They say I might be able to bust out of here Monday around 5ish. They just want to monitor me and get me all my antibiotics. My next feeding is around 5pm. Mom and Dad are happy, they can't stand the Hospital food.

Pastor, Lori, Grandma Karius, Grandma Dobbs, and Grandpa Dobbs visited me today. They were boring so I just slept in. Pastor read Psalm 127 and Matthew 19:13-14 to my parents and gave a quick prayer.

Dad updated my picture page to include a nice slide show of my pictures. I think it's just great. He is so smart!

Adam Michael Dobbs! Today I was born! I am having some respiratory issues and won't be out of NICU until Monday. I'm not sure what the big deal is, I just like taking lots of short breaths. The doctors tell me not to worry, since it's probably just fluid in my lungs. They're giving me antibiotics just in case its an infection. Either way I should be home Monday! I'm looking forward to helping Dad with chores. Dad is looking forward to the tax deductions and credits.

I met Grandma Karius, Grandma Dobbs, Grandpa Dobbs, Uncle Bryan and Aunt Kristin. Uncle Bryan scared me. He's not a looker!