Friday, January 30, 2009
1/30/09 Weigh In Results
Mia finally eclipsed her birth weight today, weighing in at a whopping 7 pounds 6.5 ounces, which was actually 5.5 ounces more than she weighed on Monday. Pretty soon she might actually start to fit into her newborn clothes! She clearly got her size from her mother!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Parking in Boston (a non Mia related post for a change)
This was submitted as a letter to the editor of the Boston Globe/ Mayor Menino was described in Brian Ballou's article today, entitled "digging in on shoveled spaces," as being of the mind that a "common sense approach" should apply to the parameters around saving parking spaces when it snows. It is clear that his stance reflects the many who have taken it and run with it to the extreme. Many abusive citizens hold onto spaces with ugly markers for weeks on end and then react criminally when others seek to use the spaces that they are laying claim to. In fact, our parking spots are public property and should be no more subject to reservation than a seat on the T or a spot on a public beach or park. There should be no rationalizing one person's claim to a piece of public property above another's. This is blatantly wrong and exactly the kind of behavior that runs against the establishment of the "sense of neighborhoodliness" that public officials have called for in response to a rash of recent break ins. It is time for the city to take a hard stance against this bad practice that has been taken too far for far too long. Let the city plow the streets and let the parking spots be available to all on a first come first serve basis. Certainly some citizens would be angry with public officials if this were the established rule and norm, but at least they would not be angy and frustrated with eachother over something that none should have a right to claim.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Revelations from 13 days of being a parent
- Being a parent is the best thing in the world. This one is hard to explain, but so true. Try it and you'll like it, but it is hard to imagine being a single parent or not having help because it is a lot of work.
- The baby industry is out of control. I am convinced we just have way more stuff than we need. Not complaining, because it is all nice and useful, but having a baby seems to have gone the way of consumerism like most other things. I think this helps to explain why buying people gifts always feels so hard. It is because everyone already had everything these days. Same goes for having a baby. We seem to have everything all of a sudden so the challenge is figuring our when and how to use it. One of the best examples of excess is the baby wipe warmer we have. It seems to warm the wipe a bit but really, when we change her she is generally not too happy anyway, so what is the point?
- Appointments with the pediatrician take a long time! We were in a grove of 20-30 minute appointments with Staci's Dr. during the pregnancy. We now seem to be in the 1-2 hour range plus travel time, which with Mia is much greater. The picture you see with this post is our first appointment with the pediatrician after leaving the hospital, which was also the first time we took Mia out of the condo.
- Everyone wants to help and most have opinions. We were really prepared from all of the classes, reading, etc and at times it all feels like a bit much but the help is great. It is odd to think that we still have really yet to experience what it is like to take care of Mia on our own, but soon enough...As much as being a new parent is a challenge, we were definitely ready for it and take a lot of confidence from our preparation.
- Baby books are fun. We've had a lot of fun putting together a baby scrap book for Mia that I am 100% convinced she will love having when she gets older. I highly recommend doing this to any other expecting parents.
- Technology enables sharing of the new baby experience in a wonderful way. We've been sharing pics through picasa, posting through our blog, emailing, and skyping video calls with friends a family that make it feel like Mia is known to so many so quickly. Not that long ago none of this was possible. Pretty cool stuff.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Day Mia Juliet Kahn Was Born
Mia Juliet Kahn was born January 5, 2009 at 6:52pm. She arrived a 7 pound, 5 ounce bundle of joy, stretching 18 1/4 inches long. This is how it happened…
January 4th was a quiet Sunday at Staci and Ian’s condo in South Boston. The nursery had been organized, the doctors were on call, the weather was mild for the time of year, and Staci and Ian waited patiently for a sign that the baby was coming. Staci and Ian woke at a typical hour, after having had a nice dinner out the night before. Staci made banana pancakes with yogurt and maple syrup for breakfast and Ian had coffee and a bagel. Ian went to the gym and prepared for a quiet day that would probably be highlighted by watching football playoff games on television and sharing a game of cribbage with Eric Young. Staci made plans to go shopping that day with Jennifer Young. The day began to unfold as planned, with the two passing the time casually while waiting for the baby to show a sign that it was her time to arrive.
At 7 pm Staci began to feel intermittent cramps, which were not overpowering, but still, different than usual. Staci and Ian did not know at the time, but this was early labor and it would continue for several hours.
By 11 am the contractions were getting stronger, but they were still somewhat sporadic. Staci tried going to bed but sleeping would not be easy on this night. After tossing and turning for some time, Staci realized that she would not be able to sleep. January 4th had passed and by 1am on January 5th it became clear that active labor was starting. Staci and Ian recorded each contraction on a sheet of paper for an hour and they were consistently 5 minutes apart, with most lasting for nearly a minute. Things were happening, but active labor for first time parents can last for a long time.
At 2am Staci took a shower. Taking a shower helps to relax through the contractions and cooled down Staci and allowed her to feel refreshed. After Staci had finished her shower and dressed, the contractions continued. By 2:45 it was clear that it was time to get moving to the hospital. A call was placed to Staci's Doctor and then messages sent to family and close friends while bags were gathered for the trip to Beth Israel.
After packing the car, Ian drove Staci to the hospital at 3am. The drive was made with caution due to freezing rain conditions, but there was no traffic at this time of night, so the trip was easily made.
Staci and Ian arrived at Beth Israel by 3:30am, which was expecting the couple on the 10th floor. Triage confirmed that active labor was well underway and admitted Staci and Ian into labor and delivery, room 14. The nurse, Maura, told Staci and Ian at 4am that Staci was 3 cms dilated and 90% effaced. Staci's contractions were strong and it was now only a matter of time before that baby would arrive.
The delivery room was fantastic. It was spacious and private with a great view of Cambridge and Fenway Park. Staci was breathing through her contractions while listening to music from the portable iPod stereo. By 6am a new nurse, Cheryl, had taken over for Maura, and Staci was 5 cms dilated and 100% effaced. Meanwhile, the contractions kept getting longer, stronger, and closer together. Still, Staci kept breathing through each contraction. She was doing great, but the contractions were becoming difficult to bear. By 8am, an epidural was in order to lessen the pain and by 9am Dr. Mary Carson said Staci was at 6cms. By the next exam at 11, Staci was up to 8cms, with only 2 more to go until pushing would begin. While this was good news, Dr. Carson also found that the baby was slightly turned to the right, meaning a less than ideal, but still fully deliverable, position. Dr. Carson was hopeful that her position would improve through the rest of labor, but did not believe this would be a significant roadblock.
By 1pm Staci was 9 cms dilated, but not yet fully dilated. The doctors started pitosin, which is a naturally occurring hormone that when administered promotes stronger more regular contractions. The purpose of the pitosin was to move things along to 10 cms. The pitosin started with a light dosage and was increased gradually over an extended period of time.
By 3pm a new nurse, Abby, took over for Cheryl, and Dr. Carson was getting concerned about the lack of significant progress – Staci was still at 9 cms despite significant pitosin dosages and labor was now much longer than expected and getting harder and harder for Staci and the baby to tolerate. Dr. Carson talked about the possibility of needing to do a C section if things did not improve. The baby's heart rate was already getting higher than it should during contractions and Staci was on antibiotics because she had a fever of 101.
Despite the challenges of labor, Staci finally made it to 10 cms at 4pm and it was time for pushing to begin. Staci pushed vigorously for 90 minutes. She pushed as hard as anyone could, despite exhaustion from being in labor for so long. Eventually, pushing had to stop, because although Staci made some progress, a lot remained and Staci's fever was persisting while the baby's heart rate remained high. The doctors said it would be best to opt for a C section. While this was a difficult thing to accept, after so much labor and so much pushing, this was the best thing for Staci and the baby.
By 5:30 Staci and Ian were on the move from delivery room 14 to a nearby operating room. The Doctors took Staci for preparation and Ian got dressed for the operating room and let the family know the news. By 6 Staci and Ian were in the operating room together. Staci was given a local anesthesia but was fully awake and aware of what was happening. Ian sat by her side, holding her hand and talking her through every moment, experiencing the birth and in the company of a large group of some of the world's best medical professionals.
The experience of a C section is surreal. The mother experiences the process through her ears, unable to feel as a result of numbing anesthesia, and unable to see from a large blue curtain, but the noise is spectacular at times. The father can hear and see, though parts of the operation are hidden by curtain, and the baby, instead of being pushed out as nature intends will experience being pulled.
Staci took the operation very well, which took roughly 20 minutes from incision to baby. During that time, little was known by Staci and Ian, who had never been through this and were not planning to have a C section. You could say Staci and Ian were not well prepared for this process. After about 20 minutes, a loud, very clear sucking sound took over the room as the baby was pulled from the womb. Crying followed, and Mia Juliet Kahn was born. It was exactly 6:52 pm.
January 4th was a quiet Sunday at Staci and Ian’s condo in South Boston. The nursery had been organized, the doctors were on call, the weather was mild for the time of year, and Staci and Ian waited patiently for a sign that the baby was coming. Staci and Ian woke at a typical hour, after having had a nice dinner out the night before. Staci made banana pancakes with yogurt and maple syrup for breakfast and Ian had coffee and a bagel. Ian went to the gym and prepared for a quiet day that would probably be highlighted by watching football playoff games on television and sharing a game of cribbage with Eric Young. Staci made plans to go shopping that day with Jennifer Young. The day began to unfold as planned, with the two passing the time casually while waiting for the baby to show a sign that it was her time to arrive.
At 7 pm Staci began to feel intermittent cramps, which were not overpowering, but still, different than usual. Staci and Ian did not know at the time, but this was early labor and it would continue for several hours.
By 11 am the contractions were getting stronger, but they were still somewhat sporadic. Staci tried going to bed but sleeping would not be easy on this night. After tossing and turning for some time, Staci realized that she would not be able to sleep. January 4th had passed and by 1am on January 5th it became clear that active labor was starting. Staci and Ian recorded each contraction on a sheet of paper for an hour and they were consistently 5 minutes apart, with most lasting for nearly a minute. Things were happening, but active labor for first time parents can last for a long time.
At 2am Staci took a shower. Taking a shower helps to relax through the contractions and cooled down Staci and allowed her to feel refreshed. After Staci had finished her shower and dressed, the contractions continued. By 2:45 it was clear that it was time to get moving to the hospital. A call was placed to Staci's Doctor and then messages sent to family and close friends while bags were gathered for the trip to Beth Israel.
After packing the car, Ian drove Staci to the hospital at 3am. The drive was made with caution due to freezing rain conditions, but there was no traffic at this time of night, so the trip was easily made.
Staci and Ian arrived at Beth Israel by 3:30am, which was expecting the couple on the 10th floor. Triage confirmed that active labor was well underway and admitted Staci and Ian into labor and delivery, room 14. The nurse, Maura, told Staci and Ian at 4am that Staci was 3 cms dilated and 90% effaced. Staci's contractions were strong and it was now only a matter of time before that baby would arrive.
The delivery room was fantastic. It was spacious and private with a great view of Cambridge and Fenway Park. Staci was breathing through her contractions while listening to music from the portable iPod stereo. By 6am a new nurse, Cheryl, had taken over for Maura, and Staci was 5 cms dilated and 100% effaced. Meanwhile, the contractions kept getting longer, stronger, and closer together. Still, Staci kept breathing through each contraction. She was doing great, but the contractions were becoming difficult to bear. By 8am, an epidural was in order to lessen the pain and by 9am Dr. Mary Carson said Staci was at 6cms. By the next exam at 11, Staci was up to 8cms, with only 2 more to go until pushing would begin. While this was good news, Dr. Carson also found that the baby was slightly turned to the right, meaning a less than ideal, but still fully deliverable, position. Dr. Carson was hopeful that her position would improve through the rest of labor, but did not believe this would be a significant roadblock.
By 1pm Staci was 9 cms dilated, but not yet fully dilated. The doctors started pitosin, which is a naturally occurring hormone that when administered promotes stronger more regular contractions. The purpose of the pitosin was to move things along to 10 cms. The pitosin started with a light dosage and was increased gradually over an extended period of time.
By 3pm a new nurse, Abby, took over for Cheryl, and Dr. Carson was getting concerned about the lack of significant progress – Staci was still at 9 cms despite significant pitosin dosages and labor was now much longer than expected and getting harder and harder for Staci and the baby to tolerate. Dr. Carson talked about the possibility of needing to do a C section if things did not improve. The baby's heart rate was already getting higher than it should during contractions and Staci was on antibiotics because she had a fever of 101.
Despite the challenges of labor, Staci finally made it to 10 cms at 4pm and it was time for pushing to begin. Staci pushed vigorously for 90 minutes. She pushed as hard as anyone could, despite exhaustion from being in labor for so long. Eventually, pushing had to stop, because although Staci made some progress, a lot remained and Staci's fever was persisting while the baby's heart rate remained high. The doctors said it would be best to opt for a C section. While this was a difficult thing to accept, after so much labor and so much pushing, this was the best thing for Staci and the baby.
By 5:30 Staci and Ian were on the move from delivery room 14 to a nearby operating room. The Doctors took Staci for preparation and Ian got dressed for the operating room and let the family know the news. By 6 Staci and Ian were in the operating room together. Staci was given a local anesthesia but was fully awake and aware of what was happening. Ian sat by her side, holding her hand and talking her through every moment, experiencing the birth and in the company of a large group of some of the world's best medical professionals.
The experience of a C section is surreal. The mother experiences the process through her ears, unable to feel as a result of numbing anesthesia, and unable to see from a large blue curtain, but the noise is spectacular at times. The father can hear and see, though parts of the operation are hidden by curtain, and the baby, instead of being pushed out as nature intends will experience being pulled.
Staci took the operation very well, which took roughly 20 minutes from incision to baby. During that time, little was known by Staci and Ian, who had never been through this and were not planning to have a C section. You could say Staci and Ian were not well prepared for this process. After about 20 minutes, a loud, very clear sucking sound took over the room as the baby was pulled from the womb. Crying followed, and Mia Juliet Kahn was born. It was exactly 6:52 pm.
Mia was perfect and the earliest family pictures were taken right away in the operating room by a medical student who had been observing the operation. Mia made a brief visit to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where she was examined to make sure she did not carry any infections from Mom's fever, and then quickly pronounced a healthy baby. Staci was moved to a recovery unit, and soon thereafter joined there by Mia, Ian, and later by Grandma Joanne. By 9:30 the family was joined by Papi Mitchell on the post pardom floor, room number 582, where they would stay for four nights of recovery and exploration of the new relationship that would blossom with the new parents and their new daughter, Mia Juliet.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Mia Juliet Kahn has arrived
Born January 5, 2008 at 6:52 pm, Mia Juliet Kahn arrived 7 pounds 5 ounces, 18 1/4 inches long. Check back later for the full story!
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