25 December, 2010

Ethan is Here!


We are so excited for the newest addition to the Shim family! Ethan was supposed to make his grand appearance on Dec. 15th, but decided that he wasn't quite ready yet, much to his mother's dismay. My mom came into town on the 11th to help out and we got to have a lot of fun waiting, and waiting, and feeling like I was going to be pregnant forever! We had really hoped that he would come before Joe's family arrived on the 18th so that we could all spend the week and Christmas together, but that didn't work out either. Early the morning of the 20th, Ethan decided that he was ready to come. I wasn't really anxious to sit around all day, so we all went to the Denver Aquarium. I wish I had been in a better position to enjoy it! By 5:00 that afternoon we went to the hospital and checked in. I had big plans to see how tough I could be before getting an epidural, but by 7:00 I was done trying to be tough.

I really appreciate what the epidural did for my pain level, but apparently Ethan did not. Labor slowed way down. Eventually we decided to try pitocin so that the contractions could speed up and labor could progress. However, Ethan did not tolerate the pitocin very well and when things would start to speed up, his heart rate would drop and we would have to back down with the medicine and start all over again. By 7:00 in the morning, we finally got the contractions regular and "adequate," but Ethan wasn't progressing at all.

At 8:00 I started feeling lots of pressure and hoping that he would come soon, we kept waiting. By 10:00 I was ready to tap out like a trashed wrestler. We opted for a c-section because he wasn't making any progress and the doctors started to notice swelling on his little head.

My mom had me and my other 3 siblings all by c-section and had told me for years that it was a great way to go, so I wasn't really all that scared, just exhausted and frustrated. Again, amazed by what modern medicine can do, I was soon prepped and within a few minutes it seams, I was looking at a beautiful little boy with a LOT of hair. It took me quite awhile to realize that this little guy was mine and the one that had been having hiccups and kicking matches inside of me for the last several months.



Ethan was 8 lbs. 4 oz and 20 inches long. We are grateful that we were all able to get him here safely and I am doing very well under the watchful care of an amazing husband and mother. Especially at this time of year, we are reminded of the miracle of the birth of our Savior and his divinity and purity. To see a little baby and to know that our Savior's life started out this way is humbling. Our Father's plan is perfect. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

Ethan, Me, and my mom

Joe, his mom and dad, and Ethan

Cousins