Elias Is a Week Old

Elias turned a week old on Friday, January 16.  Here are some photos we took of Elias over the last few days.

Elias' Second Day

We stayed busy today as nurses and specialists checked on Karen and Elias every couple of hours to make sure everyone is doing well.  Sophia and Grandma made another visit, as well as our friend and neighbor, Marge.  Elias passed his hearing test.  Karen and Nate had their "special delivery" meal for dinner.  Nate had steak and Karen had lobster.  It was excellent.  Elias continues to work on nursing.  His current weight is 4 pounds, 8 ounces - 4 ounces less than when he was born.  If all goes well, we'll be leaving the hospital for home tomorrow afternoon. 

Grandma and Sophia visiting in the morning.

Marge

Nursing!

Steak and lobster meal - hospital style!

Elias' First Day and Night

Elias had a great first day.  Older sister Sophia and Grandma Rachel visited.  Sophia received a few gifts from her little brother!  Elias continued to work on nursing.  Karen felt pretty good throughout the rest of the day and remained awake until we went to bed.  Karen fed Elias every three hours throughout the night. 

 

Elias Maxwell Vander Broek

Elias was born at 11:21 AM on January 9, 2015.  He weighed 4 pounds, 12 ounces.  His length is 18.5 inches, his head is 12.25 inches, his chest is 11.5 inches, and his abdomen is 11 inches.

Elias and Karen are doing well.  He's working on breastfeeding.

Something Actually Happened

Karen's water broke on her own sometime between 9 and 10 am. It sounds like this birth is going to happen today!  Karen is resting now. 

9 Months of Images

9 weeks

14 weeks

16 weeks

19 weeks (at Tour de Fat in Denver)

20 weeks

24 weeks

26 weeks

28 weeks

30 weeks

32 weeks

34 weeks

 

 

35 weeks

36 weeks

36 weeks

37 weeks

No Baby Yet, No Sleep and an Epidural

Karen was awake all night with painful contractions every couple of minutes.  They continued to give her medicine that will help induce her.  Around 6:30 this morning (Friday), they gave her an epidural.  Soon, they're going to break her water, which should help speed up the process.  Now that Karen is mostly numb from the belly button down, she's feeling a lot better and may be able to get some sleep.  From now on, she can only drink clear liquids and eat Popsicles.

We really hope she will give birth soon.  We've been at the hospital for 24 hours already.    

Eating ice, Friday morning, shortly after the epidural.

Karen, excited for her dinner, Thursday night.
She had salmon, mashed potatoes, a salad, a roll, a brownie, and skim milk.

Starting to relax after the epidural.

Waiting for something to happen

We got to the hospital on Thursday at 7:30 am. They installed the monitors at 8:00 am and gave Karen her bracelet at 8:30. Around 12:30 pm, the doctor gave Karen medicine that will help her begin contractions.  Right now it is almost 5 pm and Karen is just starting to have some minor contractions, along with a little pain. I'll keep you posted as things progress. We're going to order dinner soon!

Karen and Nate

Our nurse, Brittany

Taken Wednesday, the day before going to the hospital.

Karen filling out paper work in the delivery room.

Ready to deliver a boy!

Looking at the tablet, waiting for the medicine to start the contractions.

Our doctor, Adrian.