I'm a dad!!!!

Yes, it finally happened, folks! Ruth Anne Mathewes is born!

For the intrepid, here's the brief birth story: at 1am on Friday the 7th (not long after we had gone to bed), Jo woke me up saying she was having contractions. Unlike a textbook birth, they began less than 5 minutes apart, 1 minute long each, and reasonably strong. We eventually got up, got in the shower (relaxing yourself often exacerbates things), watched some TV, and after about 2 hours the contractions were strong enough that our doctor told us to head into the hospital. We arrived close to 4am, and our good friend from church Amy, who is an obstetrics nurse and acted as our doula, arrived. She was great to have there, as she knew us well and was a kind of translator for everything that went on. Jo's water broke around 6am, and things progressed quickly from there. She was in a lot of pain as she dilated 4, 5, 6cm, but by 7cm she had gotten into a completely focused, impenetrable state of mind. Every contraction she controlled and made to work for her, and it helped her continue on the fast track, so that at 10:49 the doctor said she was 10cm and could go ahead and push. I held her hand and counted out seconds for her to push by, but I could also see everything. I watched the head crown, then fully emerge, and finally little baby Ruth pop out. It was 11:00 exactly. She was tiny at 5lbs 12oz, and skinny at 19". The cord was wrapped around her neck, but fortunately caused little alarm and no danger.

It truly was one of the most amazing, life-altering experiences to see my daughter be born. It's deepened my faith, and left me in awe. To hold Ruthie, to look at her big, deep blue eyes to imagine all the days and years we have to spend together, is simply indescribable.
I also can't express enough what an amazing job Jo did. Only once did she say that she couldn't do it, and in the end did it all, quickly, perfectly and without any medication. She's a trooper, and she's my hero. She's also recovered well, and when we left the hospital this afternoon around 2:15 she walked out as opposed to taking a wheelchair.
Ruthie is often quiet and subdued, but also lets herself be known when she needs something. She insists on being swaddled tightly and held as close as possible. She's nursing well, too. She's got a full head of dark hair, but with her parents that'll surely fall out soon a make way for some towheaded locks.

So that's pretty much everything. Thanks so much for the kind thoughts, everyone. Another Bonnarooster is born!


more photos at: www.flickr.com/photos/saucylittleone/sets/72157603409891073/