Charlie's Birth Story
Charlie was born April 7th, 2012 at 3:57 am. His birth was wonderful, fast, and perfect. A delivery could not have gone better. We went to the hospital around midnight, our Midwife Jessica Breese was there and waiting for us. The room was dimly lit, votive candles, music and the tub for a water birth. We had wonderful care throughout. David, Jessica Breese (Midwife/coworker/friend), Krista Blanton (Midwife/coworker/friend) and Jane Cleveland (RN/coworker/friend) were all amazing getting me through labor. I delivered in water, Charlie was perfect, vigorous and crying, Apgars 9/9. Wt 7 lb 4 oz, 20 inches long. No needles, no IV, no drugs, minimal fetal monitoring, I am still amazed. I could not have planned a better birth and I owe a ton of thanks to my support team with me.
Jane putting Charlie's 1st hat on.
Right after delivery, Jessica Breese checking on Charlie after handing him to me.
Proud Dad and an awesome Husband!
Aunt Erin and Nana meeting Charlie for the 1st time.
My Midwives and friends Krista and Jessica.
Charlie getting his 1st bath. Michelle (newborn admit nurse) teaching David what to do.
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| Aunt Erin |
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| Nana | | |
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| Ready to go home! |
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| Charlie ready for his 1st car ride. |
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| Saying goodbye at the nurses station before we leave. |
Charlie's 1st Days at Home
Charlie came home on Easter Day. He has been awesome. Between David, Aunt Erin, Pop (My Dad), Nana (My Mom) and I he has been held since birth. Charlie is awesome at cuddling, pooping, peeing, and eating. We have had a lot of help around the house and I have been able to just chill out with Charlie 24/7. I am happy I have newborn nursing experience and an awesome family to help. We are all doing great.
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| Erin Pfeifer holding Charlie on Easter his 1st day at home. | | | | |
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| Sitting in my lap, a little smile |
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| Chillin |
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| 1st Doctor's Visit |
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Aunt Erin didn't stop knitting for Charlie. This is one of her many hats she made for him.
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Amy is Awesome: A Post From a Proud Husband and Father
I liken child birth and the days after to an ultramarathon, where one person runs for 50 miles and they have a support team giving them encouragement and supplies along the way. In the fitting-for-Colorado analogy, Amy would be the ultramarathoner and I (along with many others) would be her support team. Before experiencing Amy going through labor, I knew how strong and determined she can be when she wants something. I also knew that she wanted to have an unmedicated water birth, but wasn't sure if she would be able to do it. I believed that she could, but I knew she was not as convinced that she could. So, much like a person running when they are tired or hurting, I knew all Amy needed was support and encouragement to push her through difficult contractions and through the transition portion of her labor. We were both so lucky to have midwives Jessica and Krista present for Amy's labor and delivery. The provided a great balance of encouragement and motivation and allowed Amy to be the patient instead of the provider. Even as Amy asked (read: demanded) for an epidural at the crux of her labor, we (her labor support team) were able to calm her down and keep her motivated. But the funny thing is, reading her post above, it doesn't convey how amazing and awesome she was through the entire experience. As she experienced intense pain each contraction, she was able to trust herself and those around her and focus on each contraction. It was much easier for me say she can do it then for her to believe it. My most vivid memory of her labor is how proud I was of her. Her midwife Jessica said that Amy's delivery was amazing, but I would add that both Amy and her delivery were amazing.
Now, as Amy and Charlie are learning one another, her "support team" have news roles. We are now trying to allow Mom and baby to spend as much time bonding as possible, which means we are doing many loads of laundry (Charlie is quite the ninja pee-er and pooper), make meals, and make Amy and Charlie comfortable. It has been great to both see them bond, but also to have some bonding time myself (Mom's got to sleep some time). As Amy and I reflect on the entire birth experience, we both can't believe how amazing it was and how lucky we are to have Charlie. We are grateful for all the support we have received from our friends and family in Colorado and from all those in Ohio, California, Oregon, Florida, New Jersey, England and beyond. Life Is Good!
