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