Ryan's Birthday Pics

Go to our PICASA album for more photos.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Ryan Elijah
7 lb 10 oz
20 inches long
Born at approx 2:10pm

we're both really tired, so we'll post pics tomorrow.

2:30-5:30 am. Pitocin is increased up to 10.0mL/hr (I'm told that anywhere below 18mL/hr is normal)

5:30 am. Exam: Cervix is 3cm dialated, 75% effaced.

6:15 am. Pain is intolerable. Brooke requests Phentinol (sp?). It's fairly useless:
It only slightly reduces the pain
It makes the mom AND baby drowsy
The effects only last for one hour...and you're only allowed 3 doses.

7:45 am. Brooke gets an epidural.

8:30 am. Exam: still at 3cm dialted, 75% effaced

9:15 am. Epidural isn't working. Anesthesiologist returns to correct some kinks in the hoses and the placement of the catheter.

9:30 am. Brooke is pain-free and sleeping for the first time since arriving to the hospital

12:45 am Pitocin IV drip is in (30 units Pitocin in 500mL saline solution, dripping at 0.5mL/hr). We're going to try to nap before the big contractions begin.

01:30 am Pitocin dosage increased to 1.0mL/hr. It's definitely working. Contractions are much more intense and spaced about 4 minutes apart.

02:00 am Pitocin set to 2.0mL/hr

02:30 am Pitocin set to 4.0mL/hr. Periodic uncontrollable shaking.

10:45 pm After an hour of walking, still no progress. Contractions are slowing and intensity is low. Brooke is will be hooked up to the monitors for another hour, then at which point she might get Petosin (sp?).

It's finally happening!

07:15 pm Arrive at hospital
08:30 pm Nurse confirms that water has broken & the cervix is 1.5cm dialated
09:15 pm Begin walking around the halls to help labor progress

I'm using my cell phone, so the posts are going to be short.

38 Weeks

We did absolutely nothing productive all weekend. Most of our time was spent walking around with the goal of inducing labor. We were unsuccessful and we have the belly photos to prove it....

Goleta Beach at sunset....

The "bump" photo revisited. Compare it to the one taken at 24 weeks....

Lake Casitas, viewed from Highway 150....

37 Weeks

No baby yet. But I think we're finally done with our preparations.
For the baby's room, we've:
- Boxed up our desktop computer and stored it at my work office,
- Sold the bookshelf and desk, replacing them with a dresser/changing table and nightstand,
- Painted the greenish-brown file cabinet white,
- Put down a big rug,
- Washed and folded all of the baby's clothes

Other preparations include:
- Installing the infant car seat,
- Installing the Co-Sleeper bassinet,
- Packing the hospital bag,
- Packing a diaper bag, and
- Selecting a FIRST NAME! (see photos below)

36 Weeks

This is a common sight around the apartment as Brooke prepares for her first committee meeting tomorrow. Hopefully, after the meeting, we'll have a better understanding of when she'll graduate...


While Brooke is working, I'm trying new recipes. This week I made one of my favorite dim sum dishes: Law Bok Gow (Turnip Cakes). It was so simple and delicious, I'll definitely make it again.

(1) Shred some Chinese turnips (Daikon Radish). Boil the shredded turnips for about 10 minutes. Drain.


(2) Dice Shitake mushrooms & Chinese sausage. Saute them together.
I've chosen to leave out the dried shrimp, otherwise I'd probably include it in this step.


(3) Mix rice flour and water. It should be approximately the consistency of half & half.

(4) Mix all the ingredients together. Add some salt. Pour into cake pan.

(5) Place the filled pan into a makeshift steamer pot. Steam for 1 hour.



(6) Let cool. Cut into 1" thick slices. With a frying pan and some oil, brown both sides. Enjoy.



The people at my work threw me a baby shower today. I don't think guys normally get baby showers, but I'm not one to refuse free baby gear.


I got a bunch of great stuff and I also learned something very important at the baby shower.....after 6 years of working together, my coworkers still don't know my name. I got two cards with the name "Ben" and one "Vin".


Obviously not everyone got my name wrong...

16 vs. 35 weeks

I can't believe we thought Brooke's belly was looking big at 16 weeks...


Here's a look at Brooke today, in the same shirt, at 35-1/2 weeks...