A Baby Is Born

We went to the hospital for a check-up after work. Leanne was a bit nervous.

After the check up, they said you have the evening but come back within a couple hours for induction. It’s time for this baby to come out!

I tried to be cool and collected but I was freaking out. I thought we had more time! At least a week more! But the baby couldn’t wait. We quickly ate, packed our bags into the car, made sure the car-seat was installed and ready to go, and headed to the hospital.

Labor didn’t take nearly as long as we thought. Leanne was such a trooper through the whole thing and was tougher than I could ever imagine. After only 20 hours of labor, baby was born!

We knew almost right away when we saw him that his name was Forrest. Now time for his birth story! While Leanne was having contractions and pushing, we had a playlist ready to go with such hits as “I Want To Break Free” by Queen, “Push It” by Salt-N-Peppa, “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross, and “The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani. We were all dancing to the music between pushes, even the midwife and her nurses! Baby Forrest was born to “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga.

I was on the right side of Leanne, a nurse was on the left, and the midwife was directly in front of Leanne being the only one fully gowned. When the baby came out, guess who got completely sprayed! Like a targeted missile, baby Forrest aimed everything directly at his dad! Leanne gave a giggle. The midwife’s gown remained completely spotless.

Forrest’s Dadimaa came all the way from Florida to Japan and made it just in time!

When Forrest was born, I couldn’t help but have a tear in my eyes when I first saw him. We made him, and he is so precious. I love him already. Leanne did skin to skin and breastfeeding during the golden hour and I did skin to skin too. I think it really helped with bonding. He has a full head of hair just like dad!

Every sound he makes is so beautiful and I love him so much. I can’t wait to get to know him. I can’t believe I’m his dad.

Skiing

This year’s winter was mild with relatively little snowfall, resulting in less than ideal skiing conditions. However, I took advantage of a recent snowfall and made the most of the situation.

While I went skiing in Hachimantai, Leanne went on her own hiking adventure nearby.

In other news, Leanne is now 31 weeks! If you have suggestions for boy names, give them now! Seeing the baby move around in the belly is.. weird, but also really cool.

Don’t kick mom kiddo!

This fetus is super active and kicking all the time. He punches/kicks so hard you can almost see the feet, elbow, or fist outline on Leanne’s tummy! I used to think he was tap dancing, but as he’s getting bigger, he’s getting a lot more force behind his movement. Now, I think he’s practicing karate.

I have made a new haiku for him (he’s now at 29 weeks and the size of brocolli).

Practicing your kicks
Kicking mom in her tummy
Don’t break uterus!

Third Trimester

We are officially into the third trimester! Per Leanne, the fatigue of the first trimester is coming back with the added bonus of back pain. We do know officially that the baby is a BOY!

We feel emotionally ready but also… not. For example, I feel like I’ll be great dad and will have so much fun playing with the baby. Yet, I still am not 100% sure how to change a diaper. Thank goodness Mom will be coming to help, and we are so grateful for her!

Week 18 Haiku

I have fallen off track on writing haikus for each week of pregnancy, but I’m determined to get back on track! This haiku is in commemoration of week 18 of pregnancy when babies get their fingerprints.

Tiny fingerprints
Exclusive to only you
Special baby boy/girl

The end is boy/girl because we still don’t know the gender! Hopefully we’ll know soon though!