Harvey is here, December 31, 2014

Let me back track for a second...
Harvey was due December 25, but he didn't decide to come. My London doctor, Chris Barnick was leaving for Switzerland December 27, so we had a plan B just in case. I met with Dr. Eleni Mavrides on Monday December 29. She was really pushing being induced that day or the next. I wasn't really on board. Yes, everyone has their own opinion on this, but nothing was wrong I didn't understand why we would force him to come. Anyways she signed me up to be induced on December 30. I called my doctor's assistant, Rachel (his secretary) and we decided to cancel the induction and just wait. Dr. Barnick would be back on Jan. 3 and said I could wait for him till then.

Well, around 5am on December 31, I woke up with some pain. Wasn't bad at all. I played on my phone to distract myself. They were getting closer, so I decided to start timing them, and got up to get ready for the day. Josh got up around 5:30am and started gathering our hospital bag and items. He called the hospital around 6am but they said the contractions were not long enough so just stay home and wait it out...maybe take a bath. Not even 20 minutes later they were coming 5 minutes apart and lasting 50 seconds. We decided to head to the hospital because we had to call a taxi and were nervous about how long it would take us to arrive.

On Oxford Street- it was bumpy!

We arrived at The Portland Hospital at 7am and they took us up to labor and delivery. I happened to be the only patient there. They hooked me up to monitor baby's heart rate and my contractions. I liked watching the contractions to see when they were coming and when they were going down. It was getting more painful but not too bad yet. 

Last bump picture!

The midwife told me I had a long way to go. She wanted to bring me tea and croissants. I nibbled a little, but wasn't really hungry. The pain was getting way worse, like WAY...but they kept saying "oh you have many more hours to go". At 9am, she was pushing me to go walking outside. I couldn't even imagine putting my shoes on the pain was so bad. I didn't know how I was going to make it if the pain was already this strong. I kept telling Josh I was a loser because I felt like I couldn't handle more pain than I already was, and how will I last 4 more hours? Josh was sweet and just kept letting me hang on him. Josh basically told the midwife that we were not going for a walk. At 9:15, she suggested a bath...as she is filling up the tub I tell her, "no, something is way different and I feel like the baby is coming!" She checks me and says, "oh my! You ARE ready to push!" So at this point the room becomes complete chaos! The doctor isn't here yet because they told her she had lots of time, they are yelling down the hallway for a pediatrician, and more midwives! It's kind of a blur to me as I am sucking on the gas and air they offer as a pain relief. I start pushing as they are taking the bed apart and the doctor runs in. 9:50am Harvey is here!
The first thing I say to the midwife is, "glad I didn't go for a walk!"

Harvey looks perfect! He cries immediately and passes the pediatrician check.

Weight: 3.585kg= 7lbs 14oz
Length: 54cm= 21.5in (they don't do this here but they were curious because he looked long to them)

Granny

   

LOVES sucking on his hands

Daddy

As we waited for our room Josh rewarded himself with Wasabi!

At this hospital we get newborn pictures, but since it's New Years Eve no one can take them tomorrow, so I asked them to come today. As soon as the move us to our room, the photographer comes. Harvey is only 5 hours old and took pictures like a champ. The photographer thought he was a day or 2 old.

Harvey and mom

Aunt Katie is holding him

Getting ready for the BU Cotton Bowl Game

Listening to the game with dad

Needed an outfit change before the game

Fancy hospital dinner

The room...pretty nice!

Hospital Visitors

Danielle Stone

Aunt Katie got to see Harvey before she left

Matt Stone

January 1, 2015
They said we could go home today, but we decided to stay for 1 more day. Today Harvey got a bath from the midwives and checked up on by Dr. Simon Bignall, the pediatrician. The hospital puts on a tea. They let me pick lots of options from the tea menu. Very London!

Tea Time

January 2, 2015

Going home day! 2 days old

Harvey got another bath before we left. We packed up everything and took a taxi home. In the States they make sure you have a car seat, but since many don't drive here a car seat is not necessary. I was very nervous, but no one was out and the driver went slowly. Josh was wearing Harvey in our Ergo. Harvey's going home outfit is from a London store called John Lewis. I think it's pretty cute!

2 days old

January 3, 2015

3 days old

Another great thing about London is the postnatal after care. The midwife came over to check on Harvey and I. It was nice not to have to get everything together to get out of the house! The Doles came over with a yummy lasagna. It was a huge help not to have to even think about dinner.

Skyping with Grandpa in Houston

3 days old

January 4, 2015

4 days old

Look how I love to sleep! Dad thinks its funny and made this picture.

January 5, 2015

5 days old

Daddy went back to work and the midwife came to check on Harvey and mom. He got weighed again and they did a heel prick blood sample. They screen for many different serious health conditions. He cried at the initial prick but calmed down pretty quickly. He really liked swinging in the scale she weighed him in.

Weight: 3.480kg= 7lbs. 11oz 

January 6, 2015

6 days old

Harvey got his first "real" bath from mommy and daddy. He LOVED it! Just sat and hung out while we washed him. The water was getting cold or we could have kept him in longer. We washed him in our guest tub since or kitchen sink temperature is too extreme. 

January 7, 2015

7 days old

Wow 1 week has gone by so quickly. Harvey is getting a little better at sleeping for longer spans of time. Mommy is happy about that for sure. He still loves his hands. We swaddle him but sometimes leave his hands out for him to self sooth with. We introduced Harvey to Paddington. He was very interested and liked how soft he was.

ooooo Paddington

Mom and I started the Ningxia challenge