Birth day 12/20/10

Finally lots more pictures of Ben's arrival to the world... warning, there really are a lot of pictures to come but I don't think our family in NC will complain too much - it's been hard being away from home for such a big time in our lives!

The short story of Ben's arrival is that it was long!

Last pregnant picture before heading into the hospital.

When we got there I was contracting every 2-3 minutes but not in active labor (which I knew) and was dilated only a couple centimeters. So over the course of the next 29 hours, my labor was augmented with medicines but it was a SLOW process - he was not in a hurry.

Andy watched a lot of movies...

And got some work done...
and watched more movies...

I got an epidural about 24 hrs in and finally progressed far enough to break my water and that was the ticket - I could immediately feel all my contractions again through my epidural! So my water was broken after being there 29 hrs and then we had a baby in the next couple! I dilated completely in about an hour and a half and then pushed for 18 minutes and we found out that our little bean was a BOY!

Andy did a great job (he was a little squeamish about the whole labor thing) and I was just glad he wasn't passed out on the floor. I was so surprised he was a boy! I don't think I realized how much I must have really thought we were having a girl until he was a boy! I bought into a couple of old wives tales that were definitely wrong this time

Benjamin Michael Gainor 12/20/10 08:49

Andy holding Ben for the first time

6 pounds 13 ounces, 20 inches long.
I had been measuring anywhere from 2-4 weeks behind during the last 10 wks or so of the pregnancy, meaning smaller than I should so we weren't sure how big he would be or if he'd be significantly small for 39 weeks along but he must have just been balled up tight in there. He's a perfect (small) size!

He was not so much a fan of his first bath
He got to meet lots of family by Skype including here with Uncle Gray and Aunt B in India!
Nana (my mom) made it to Colorado before he was born since he took such a loooong time!


We love him so much already and feel so blessed and grateful for a healthy baby and safe delivery. We are amazed by this responsibility God has given us and are so thankful. It puts the birth of Christ our Savior, fully God and man, in a whole new light this season.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord ... Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! " Psalm 127:3-5

(just to be clear, our quiver and hearts are plenty full with one right now!)

Lots more pictures to come!