Welcome home!

Dear Will, 

After our five day stay in the hospital (St. Vincent's Resort and Casino as the Hadley Moynihans refer to it), we were given the green light to take you home on April 5th! We gathered our stuff together while the nurses and doctors did final checks on you and Mom, I took a load of stuff out to the car and then we put you in your adorable "coming home" outfit. You started screaming from the moment we changed you to the moment we got you out of the room owing to discomfort with your first footed outfit and first experience in a car seat. This screaming spanned several minutes but I'm sure it was a lifetime to your mother as I had to run out of the hospital, get the car and park it near the entrance. Once I got back and was able to swing you in your carrier, however, you calmed right down and remained that way during your first car ride. Neither Mom nor I could entirely believe that we were taking you home!

Your first time on your changing table. You are also digitally indicating how many days old you were. So smart!

Once home, we settled you in bed with Mom so you could both relax while I ran myself ragged unpacking and putting everything in its right's place. We tested out your changing table about a dozen times but we couldn't tell if you liked it or not since you peed and pooped all over it. However, everything else seemed to be to your liking as you had a mostly quiet day resting on your mother or I while we stared at you lovingly. You also slept pretty well that night, only rising a couple times as Mom and I began to see a limited sleep schedule in our future. Your 2:00 am feedings were wonderful as you were so snuggly as I rocked you in your chair in your very own room. Your 2:00 am feedings after I went back to work on the other hand, not so wonderful! Your Mom continued to recover from her surgery while I couldn't sit still. I hope you do not have the obsessive compulsive disorder with which I was cursed as I was special type of exhausted when I finally laid down to sleep that night. 

Testing your new chair also known as the Fisher-Price Mom's and Dad's Backsaver

The next day your mother and I made a classic new parent mistake and allowed way too many visitors! While we love each and everyone of said visitors, it was a bit much for your mom, who was mostly bed ridden and it was a bit much for you, who was totally overstimulated. Visitors included Auntie Bunnell, Auntie Kelly, Auntie Brenna as well as Brenna's husband, Todd and 3 month old, Myles followed by Auntie Stef, Uncle PJ, Alexandria, Aurora and Amo. Kelly and Bunnell brought us lots of food and took care of Mom as did Auntie Stef while Uncle PJ and I went to do the grocery shopping. We managed to weather the visitor storm and, in truth, it was nice for me to have a hand in helping you and your mom, but I don't think we'll allow that many people to come at once again. At least not until your high school graduation.

Your lovely godmother and you in your first official portrait

On that Sunday, we kept it quiet save for a quick visit from Nana, Papa, Uncle Pat and your Great Great Uncle Bob (who is Papa's uncle and my godfather). Uncle Bob was visiting for Great Grandma's 80th birthday so stopped by to say hi. It was nice to see him and I know he liked seeing you! We had a restful remainder of the day in preparation for the following day when we made our first visit to your pediatrician, Dr. Kelliher. You did great at the doctor's office and only cried when you were stripped and put on a metal scale and then again when I jammed you into your car seat. After the doctor's appointment, you fell asleep in the car so we took a leisurely drive around Holden to let you rest. It was a beautiful day so Mom and I enjoyed the drive and talked about how wonderful you are. 

Your new play mat. As opposed to your "old" play mat which was Mom's uterus.

I was able to stay home with you and Mom until Wednesday but Grandma came to stay for Thursday and Friday to help take care of Mom and you. Mom and I feel so lucky to have you home with us and so lucky to have the wonderful network of support that our family and friends comprise. As you grow more and more alert, we hope you love our home and your room. We can't wait for all the memories that our family will share at Dempsey Junction.

Love,
Dad

Now Arriving, William James Dempsey

Dear William, 

You're finally here! William James Dempsey. At 3:13 am on April 1st, 2013, you were pulled from Mom's belly and into the world. At 9lbs, 8 oz and 21 inches long you were a big, healthy boy. So big, in fact, that you still had to be suctioned out despite Mom having a Cesarean section! Mom and her doctor had planned to do a C-section at 12:30 pm on the same day but you had other plans. Mom and I headed to the hospital the morning of the day before your planned arrival thinking that her water might have broke but we were sent home after it was determined to be a false alarm. Later that day, Mom started having contractions that became very painful so we headed to hospital again. This time we were there to stay as the doctor decided that you were coming and that we should proceed with the C-section ahead of schedule.

My two beauties

Your very brave mother was prepped for surgery and taken to the operating room while I put on scrubs and waited to join her. We both got very nervous once we were separated as everything was happening so fast and becoming so real so quickly. When Mom was finally ready for surgery they brought me into the room to sit next to her and hold her hand during the procedure. Mom was very scared and I was very scared for Mom. After about ten minutes had passed, the doctor extracted you from Mom's belly and we heard your first cries. What a set of lungs you have! The nurse took you to an incubator and a team started to clean you off, weigh and measure you, give you your shots and make sure you were okay all while Mom was being sutured up. When both you and Mom were okay, the nurse brought you over to me and I held you for the first time. Mom looked over at you and started crying tears of joy. It was the greatest moment of my life.
 

Snuggling with Mom

After Mom was ready to be wheeled to the recovery room, the nurse snuggled you up on Mom's chest and we went off to recover. You looked so content snuggling up on Mom so, of course, the nurses had to start manhandling you to try and get you to breastfeed! After you were sufficiently warm and calm, you and I went to the nursery so the nurses could check on you some more and give you a bath (which you hated!). You weren't doing anything but wriggling and crying but I could not have been a more proud father. Once you were settled, I went to check on Mom who was recovering in her room and meeting her nurse. We decided we would try to get some sleep which equated to about five minutes of closing our eyes. Then I went back to get you from the nursery so we could just stare at you and love you. 

 

You are ALWAYS so cute when you're sleeping

We were in the hospital for five days and four nights while Mom recovered from her surgery and it was confirmed that you were a healthy baby. The staff at the hospital was wonderful and so supportive, particularly the nurses. It was an excellent experience and gave us a chance to practice our newborn care skills under the watchful eyes of the nursing staff. The cot I had to sleep on was miserably uncomfortable and both Mom and I slept not at all but it was all worth it to get you into the world. Over those five days, Grandma & Grandpa, Nana & Papa, Uncle Pat, Uncle PJ, Auntie Stef & Amo and Great Grandma & Malikkah came to visit. All agreed that you are a beautiful baby (though we are all biased!). On Friday, our little family headed home but that is another story!

 

This is my favorite picture of you since you look so cute. In reality, you were merely taking a breath from your screaming fit after we stuck you in the carseat!

 

Love, love, love you,

Dad