Thomas Heber Kimball

It's time to blog about the newest edition to the Kimball family!! On Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, we welcomed new little Thomas Heber Kimball to our family at 11:01 PM. He was 7 lbs. 14 oz. and 20 inches long, despite being 2 weeks early!

Ok, here's the detailed story (beware, it's long):

Monday morning I woke up with my water broken. John was already at school, and since I wasn't having contractions, I waited for him to get home and we got things ready to go. We had to stop by a few stores to find a good carseat (I know, we're procrastinators!) before heading to the hospital. By the time we got there and got checked in, etc. It was about noon. After the checkup and waiting to see if I would go into labor on my own, they decided to start me on pitocin at about 2:30. I was dilated at about 3 cm upon arriving and at about 6:30 (after hours of hard contractions), I was only at a 4. Frustrating! John was calm through all of this--almost too calm! He read a book and we attempted to watch Letters to Juliet to help distract me. It only kind of worked.

I got the epidural at about 6:30. It worked pretty well except for what they called a "hotspot" where the epidural didn't take and I felt the full contractions. Ouch! Unfortunately, this didn't go away for most of my labor, but it was much better than no medicine at all. I had an oxygen mask put on for a short while when Thomas' heart rate looked a little stressed, but that fixed the problem and soon had it taken off.

Like the nurses predicted, things really started going after I got the epidural. When they checked me about 2 hours later, I was dilated to a 9.5! A short while later, I was fully dilated and they got things ready to start pushing. I was lucky and only pushed a few times before they said to hold on while they got my doctor. When she had gotten set up and ready, it was again only a few good pushes. They brought a mirror out for the end so I could watch my son being born and it was an amazing and yet strange experience. I was surprised to see a head full of hair! Once he was born, then put him on my stomach and began wiping him off and taking care of things. John cut the cord and watched as they took him off to make sure he was ok.

I was almost in shock while he was on my stomach, trying to grasp the idea that this was MY son, the one that had been kicking at my ribs for the last several months! It was a while before this really settled in and became real, but it was an amazing, happy experience just the same. When they took him away to get him cleaned up and make sure he was ok, I felt a little anxious to get him back! I delivered the placenta and got stitched/cleaned up as they took his APGAR scores. (8 and 9 out of 10). He was all the way across the room and John was able to be close and take pictures, and the nurses kept cooing and commenting, but I could hardly see! Apparently he was grasping for anything and ended up rolling over and holding onto the side of the bassinet.

They eventually had John bring him back to me and I held him in my arms for the first time. What a sweet spirit he has and we both were elated. I stared into this new little face, his eyes open and taking in the new world. We knew at that point that he was definitely a Thomas, and so his name was set. I unwrapped him and put him against my chest for some skin-to-skin contact and it was so neat to have him so close and warm. His sweet little body with soft skin and peach fuzz all over just made my heart melt!
Soon after, I did my best at the first breastfeeding attempt. I felt like I was all thumbs! It was awkward and half-worked. The first few days of breastfeeding were ultra painful and somewhat difficult. Luckily, with the help of a lactation specialist, nipple shields, and some practice, we have since gotten pretty good at the process.

I finally had something to eat (I'd only had a bowl of cereal and 2 pieces of toast that morning) and got through with checkups, etc. and then moved down to the recovery room. I was able to move my legs and even stand up so I could go down in just a wheelchair. John promptly fell asleep on the couch, but I couldn't sleep--I was just too excited and riled up! I just sat there thinking and happy for most of the time between the millions of checkups, etc.

My mom and John's parents came to visit Tuesday morning and brought beautiful flowers and gifts. Later in the day, my sister Candace and my dad visited with more flowers. We spent the day getting used to our new son, getting some rest, letting everyone know the good news, and kissing and snuggling our little man to death! We couldn't (and still can't!) get over how sweet and cute he is!

Wednesday, John headed off to some of his classes and I had a good friend Nicole visit for a while. It was fun to talk and show off my baby. :) I was able to get up and get a shower and get ready for the day and it felt great. I tried to get some rest and was somewhat successful. That evening, John came back from class and we gathered our stuff and our son to leave. While at the hospital, Thomas had finally passed his hearing test, passed his biliruben test, and gotten a lot better at breastfeeding. I also had gotten a flu shot. We dressed him up all cute and went for our very first ride in the new car with our new son in his new carseat! We stopped to get my prescriptions and arrived at home. It was so neat having our new little guy in our old setting and I started imagining the new life we are getting on to.

The next day (Thursday), John's mom came to visit/help since John was going back to school. She stayed overnight and went with me and Thomas to his first dr's appointment. He had his biliruben checked and found it was a little too high, so we would go back to the hospital to check it Saturday morning. He also was circumcised and was VERY brave.

Carol left soon after and my parents and little brothers came up that evening. Once again, it was fun to show off little T. :) We watched Conference with my family Saturday and went to the hospital to have his biliruben levels checked again. (They poke his little foot every time and get a vial of blood). :( Luckily this time he passed. We also gave him his first bath! (Which he screamed through, of course) My mom and I went shopping after the guys got home from Priesthood and had a successful trip.

Sunday, my parents left, but my sisters Candace and Angela visited with Matt, Candace's boyfriend. We had a nice visit with them before they had to go and we enjoyed the rest of the Sunday and Conference.

On Monday evening, my sister Christine and her son Sammy came to visit! I SO appreciated her help cooking many meals for the fridge and freezer to get us really stocked up. She also made us a delicious cake, sewed some peepee teepees :) and burp rags, helped me go grocery shopping, and did a MILLION dishes! I was so grateful for her company and help. They were able to stay Monday and Tuesday night and left Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, we had John's brother Trevor and his wife and son visit. We had dinner and once again showed off our little guy. :) It was a nice visit as well.

Throughout this time, we had 2 meals brought to us by the Relief Society from complete strangers in our ward. I am amazed the service people do for those they don't even know. I look forward to getting to know both of them better, they will make great friends. John has managed to keep up with school and ROTC. We also have been for a couple short walks and had fun at the park behind our apartment.

Now it is Friday and we are looking forward to a nice weekend not going anywhere and relaxing. :)
We love our little Thomas with his funny grunts and squeaks. He is a brave little boy who doesn't cry much and has a head of ADORABLE light brown hair. (It's hard to see in pictures) I was so happy when I noticed he has his momma's dimples and nose and with hair and face like his daddy's. He's a snugglebug that scowls his little eyebrows and LOVES to be held. Despite a couple of frustrating nights with his little midnight parties, we love him to death! Welcome to the family, little guy!!