Cohen Reid McDonald

Hello friends!

Well things never happen as planned and babies are no exception to the
rule we found out yesterday afternoon!

I woke Sunday morning to very sharp contractions. Within a half hour,
I knew these ones were different than the ones I had 2 weeks prior.
Shawn was in New Jersey and I called him immediately and started
trying to get some plans for him 'just in case'. I left for the
hospital around 8:30...and when I came they checked me and I was at
the same place I had been since my last regular visit. I was suprised
because I felt sure something more was happening. They nurse left and
soon after I was in labor...mom called and I couldn't even talk to her
on the phone the contractions were so intense and close. When they
checked me again just before 11:00 I had quickly progressed to almost
7cm dilation and the water bag was bulging.

THEN everyone started moving! I was quickly admitted and taken to the
birthing room. I guess no one expects a first pregnancy to go like
this... THey put me right into the birthing massage jet
tub...alleluia! It was so nice. For the next couple of hours I was in
there...the contractions were very close and intense, but between the
jets and the awesome midwife and nurse and friend Tara, I felt like I
could handle it. The only time I asked for drugs (more like pleaded!)
was when the little guy was moving down past my pelvic bone...ouch!
But that did not last for too long..thankfully. And I got no
drugs...which I was glad for in the end. I had told them ahead of time
that I didn't really want them even if I begged. So after the worst of
the contractions was over, I had the overwhelming urge to push so the
midwife checked me and said, 'time to have a baby!' I was freaking
out! All of the sudden, I felt dread...like, 'can I do this?' and then
soon after 'i have to do this' kind of thoughts. I got out of the tub
and into the bed...on all fours..hands and knees...and started
pushing...the nurse was rubbing my back and the midwife was pushing
against my bottom so I could push back against her...and about 30
minutes and 5-6 hard, long pushes later, I was laying in the bed with
my baby on my chest.

Talk about surreal.

They handed him to me immediately and he started screaming. They cut
the chord and then told me, 'its a boy!' Shawn was on speaker phone so
he got to hear the first cry and Tara was video taping so when Shawn
got in last night at 11:00pm, he got to see the birth of his son.

We decided on the name Cohen Reid. Cohen is a Hebrew name associated
with the preisthood of Aaron and Reid is just a name we like that
sounds good with Cohen.

He is the tiniest baby I have ever seen...5.5lbs and 16.5 inches long
at first measurement. He is red like a little Indian and looks a lot
like his daddy. He definately as Shawn's lips and chin...we think he
has my shaped eyes and the nose is too swollen to tell...he has black
curly hair from God knows where (Shawn and I were both bald as cue
balls until 2yrs!)

They actually think he is a week younger than expected...BUT amazingly
he is doing great! He is eating like a champ and latching on really
well...his blood sugar and body temperature are being maintained
perfectly...and he is pooping and peeing almost constantly. These are
all unexpected things for a baby born 5 (or more) weeks early. The
nurse this afternoon said, 'he is acting so much older than he
is...his maturity is a miracle for his age and size' I just said
'THANK GOD' Usually babies like Cohen have to stay in the special
nursery for at least a week, but he is doing so well we are going to
be taking him home tonight or in the morning.

I am feeling really good...no tearing,..no soreness...I lucked out.
Its funny...the pain was so intense but then the minute they handed
him to me, I completely forgot it. Beth is here now with us and I took
a bath in the same tub I labored in yesterday and she asked if it made
me freaked out...I was like 'I can't even remember the pain' and its
so true! Its awesome...

The best thing for me is seeing Shawn with Cohen...as I type this they
are asleep together...Cohen is all cuddled up to daddy looking like a
glow worm (did anyone else have those dolls?) in his tight blankets
and little cap...and Shawn looks so happy. Its a thousand times better
than anything of the hard moments...and he's been alive less than 30
hours!

So that's our update...please pray Cohen keeps eating well and
growing...these pics are from yesterday...he already looks
different...will send more later.

Much love,
Kate


A message from Shawn:

Well the little Twerp has arrived and is melting Kate and my hearts
Already. I feel so blessed to have such a beautiful little Boy. Sorry
for the Mass email but time is something we are lacking right at the
moment. Hope you all enjoy the pictures and look forward to share this
beautiful new life with you all.

"Love like you've never been hurt, work like you don't need the money;
dance like no one is looking." ~Unknown

Cohen Reid McDonald
Born @ 1:28 Pm April 29th
5.5 Pounds
16 1/2 Inches