Happy Birthday, Travis!

Well, right about now was the time that Travis was supposed to be born. His c-section was going to happen at 9:30 this morning. Instead, he’s swaddled up in a bassinet, soundly sleeping in our room. Funny how things turn out, huh?

The hospital room was less of a train station than the night before, but was still filled with all kinds of distractions to sleep. Kelly hit the “call” button quite a few times, mostly for problems with her IV lines getting disconnected. A phebeloblahblahblahigist staffperson came in around 4 AM and happily turned on all the lights while she stuck Travis for one last blood test. My evil twin began scheming about finding out where she lived and walking into her house at 4 AM, turning on all the lights. Lucky for me it was just a fantasy.

Kelly’s epidural line came undone at some point in the night, leaving her increasingly uncomfortable. I discovered it when she asked me to pick up Travis from her arms. I stepped into a pool of drugs on the floor, causing me to shift my balance and steady myself with a hand on her sore abdomen! Ouch!! If her drugs were still in her, I might have gotten away with that. But no such luck. She eventually talked to me again, so I think she’s okay.

Travis is one of the most enthusiastic eaters I’ve seen. He spent most of the night smacking loudly and eating his sleeve. His appetite has outpaced Kelly’s supply at this point. While he might have another day to be fully fed, he certainly shouldn’t have any trouble with things once we get there. The kid knows how to eat.

Travis’s constant smacking causes him to swallow air, which led him to be uncomfortable at points last night. The first time it happened, I was concerned he was really suffering from hunger. Kelly and I bickered about what to do. She told me to walk around with him. I balked, and instead lay down with him. When that didn’t soothe him, I popped up and walked him around, which led to a sizeable burp from him followed by immediate calm. I meekly conceded to Kelly that I don’t know what the hell I’m doing and will listen to her from now on. 🙂

In spite of the speedbumps, we did manage to get some sleep. I conked early in the evening and was out so far that I didn’t her Kelly’s IV alarm or the two nurses who showed up to do vital signs on her. It was a short nap, but very deep and refreshing. Earlier this morning, I gave Kelly a break and slept with Travis on my chest for a while. It was so nice hearing her snoozing next to me and at the same time having our son snoozing in my arms. Good quality family time was had by all.

This morning I remembered an important rule from when Hallie was an infant: sleep when the baby sleeps! We forgot that yesterday and have visitors in this morning, which is when Travis will be slumbering the deepest. Another group of visitors will arrive after work this evening, which I think is a better time to visit since Travis will likely be active then. (For any of you who are also interested in visiting, give me a call on my cellphone or leave a message at home and arrangements will be made. I check email once a day, so don’t count on catching me that way.)

Kelly got her epidural out this morning and had her IV disconnected, so she’s free to move about the cabin. It was a relief to her to brush her teeth yesterday, and I’m sure she’s looking forward to a warm shower today. We could be leaving as early as tomorrow, depending on how she feels. If she takes the appropriate drugs with her, I think we’ll be better off at home. The sleeping will be better there, no matter what.

I found myself really missing Hallie last night and wanting our family to all be together again. That can’t happen soon enough for me. Let’s get on with life!