Zachary Edward

Procedural Testing for our "PreTerm" Boy...

Zach is considered PreTerm by 22 hours---he almost made it to a full 37 weeks!
Because of his early arrival, some additional tests were run. Darn the carseat test! 90 minutes in his carseat, hooked up to monitors, was completed for 87 minutes with no problems...in the final 3 minutes, he failed the test. We spent 24 hours in the NICU. We were released on July 13 around 2:00pm...Daddies sure can shop FAST for a new carseat when given the chance!

Meeting Friends for the First Time

We set visit times for less than two hours per day in the hospital and during our first week at home....Zach's needs are first!
During special first visits, it was wonderful to see friends in a different light!
Zach received loads of love!

Nathan and JD

Tara

Arlene and Ron

Amanda and Arthur (and Justin!)

Diane

Elizabeth and Hannah (and Edwin!)

Gloria

Genifer

Rainey

Raleigh

Katherine

Nate

Megan

Arlene, Maddie, and Meg

Avery

Mark and Aunt Beth

Paige

Uncle Greg

Shelly and Delaney

Meeting Family: 9am on July 10,2011

After settling into the postpartum room around 5:30am,

we all got a few minutes of sleep before calling family at 8am announce the good news and invite them to meet Zach.

Grandma Robin, Grandma Elinor, Aunt Beth, and Uncle Greg all hugged Zach.

Great Uncle Buddy, Great Aunt Gloria, and second cousins Nicole and Michelle stopped by after a feeding session. (we totally forgot to capture this moment!)

Delivery! July 10, 2011, 1:55am

Thomas photographed the room number as "breadcrumbs" to find his way back to the room!

Lauren's advice to laboring moms... be sure to feel your baby's head as it exits the birth canal--this was the BEST motivaton! A second wind!

At 1:55am, Zach arrived into this world after his intense journey. There were no complications after this delivery. We immediately spent about 2 hours of skin-to-skin time with him. His scent was intoxicating. His " Pterodactyl" cry warmed our hearts.

6 pounds, 9 ounces and 20 inches long

Mommy and Daddy are in love.

Smitten.

Our LD Nurse, Wavel, was completely amazing!

Pre-Delivery: "My Water Just Broke!"

Saturday, July 9, Thomas went to the Museum for the day and Lauren had a packed day planned. She began by attending the Breastfeeding class from 9-12noon. Then, she satisfied her "beef" craving at Railhead--Yummy lunch! Finally, she was determined to conquer the back pain that followed her all week: Massage Envy, PreNatal massage (just the lower back).

As soon as the massage was complete, she stood up and her water broke. Gush.

Thomas received a "911" call at work and knew that it was "go time." Until he got there, Brandi was wonderful at keeping Lauren calm and secure.

Lauren and Thomas stopped by Nathan and Tara's house to finalize DOG CARE plans...these photos were taken moments before driving to Baylor.

Every year on Zach's birthday, he will wear this tie for a photograph. This was Grandpa Ed's tie, and Thomas wore it to work on July 9.

While waiting around for things to happen, the reminder that a little man would soon be checked out at the Infant Warming Station was great motivation!

JULY 9, 2011
At 3:10, Lauren's water broke.
At 4:20, we were in Triage at Baylor.
At 5:07pm, 3cm and 75% effaced
7:40pm, +5 minutes, 4cm
8:10pm, Epidural--after the "last cry contraction"
8:50pm, 5 cm
11:00pm, 10 cm, almost time to push
JULY 10, 2011
1:55pm, Zach is born!

Sleepytime Shower, May 21, 2011

Thank you Elizabeth, Amanda, Michelle, Jennifer, and Tara for hosting a beautiful shower--welcoming Zach into the world! The Sleepytime theme was perfect!