September 11th 2009

My little man this is the story about the day that you were born. It turns out that the day you were born I was in labor all day long and didn't even realize it. Mommy went to work that day and even though I hadn't been feeling well I didn't know it's because you were on your way. After I got home from work it was about 45min later when my water broke at 9:15pm. Mommy was waiting for daddy to finish cooking dinner so that we could go to bed for the night. I was sitting on the couch when I felt something weird. I went into the bathroom and that's when the water started running down my leg. I called the doctor that was on call and he told us that we should go into the hospital just to get checked out. I don't think he thought that I was in labor because I wasn't really sure yet that it had been my water that had broken. I'll admit I was a little scared because your due date wasn't for another 5 weeks! I called your grandma to tell her that I thought my water had broken and me and your daddy were going into the hospital, she immediately left to come and meet us. On the way down to the car as mommy was getting in your daddy asked if he could go back upstairs to get his soda, haha. Looking back on it it's definitely funny but at the time mommy didn't think that it was. On the way to the hospital mommy started having some pretty painful contractions and your daddy just thought that it was so exciting. Once we got to the hospital it took us a little bit to figure out where we were going which to mommy wasn't very fun since I was in lot's of pain. Once we got to labor and delivery they made mommy sit in the waiting room which was a little upsetting. About 10min later when they called me back they checked to see if my water had really broken. When they realized it had they checked to see how dilated I was and I was already to a 6. They called the doctor to let him know that you were on your way. While we were waiting for the doctor to come and see us the nurses became a little worried when your heart rate dropped down to 90 during mommy's contractions. They had me turn onto my side and tried to keep me calm until your heart rate began to rise again. Once you were okay and the doctor came in they moved us into the labor and delivery room and mommy got her epidural. Mommy didn't realize there was a button that she had to push to help with the medicine but once the nurse told me it was pretty easy after that. After that it was lot's of waiting until you came. Your heart rate dropped one other time so to help they gave mommy some oxygen. About 3am is when I really started to feel the urge to push. And before I knew it at 3:52am you made your way into the world. You were beautiful and I never knew I could love something as instantly as much as I loved you.

They only let me see your for a minute before they took you up to the NICU because of how early you were, daddy and grandma went up with you while they got you situated. Mommy didn't get to see you again until after 5am. Mommy and daddy visited you lot's while you were upstairs in the NICU and you had lots of visitors those first few days. You had to stay in the NICU for a whole week because you had jaundice and they wanted to make sure you were eating well enough and could gain weight. Mommy and daddy came to visit you every 3 hours at 8am, 11am, 2pm, 8pm, 11pm. We only missed 3 of your care times during the day so that it didn't feel like we were living at the hospital. We wanted you to know that we love you and tried to spend as much time there as we could. The day that you came home was just as exciting at the day that you were born. We were so excited it was really hard to leave you at the hospital all those time's throughout the week. You are the greastest thing in our lives and we love you very VERY much.

September - October 2009 1st Pictures of Gabe

Welcome Beautiful Baby Boy!
Gabriel Jack Smith
Born September 11, 2009
Born at 3:52 am
7 lbs 1 oz, 19 inches long
Born at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane Washington


It was so amazing to be there and be able to watch you come into this world! You are truly a blessing to us all. Mommy didn't have to much trouble with the delivery. You did surprise us though, by coming 5 weeks early. We weren't quite prepared for that.

Grandma has two very special friends, Connie and Diane, who now also have adopted themselves to also be your "Grandma's". You are one very lucky little boy. Your cousin Megan was also there for your arrival.