This morning, at 5:49 a.m., our son Jonah was born. Jennifer had contractions starting last night, and then at about 3:45 she had rupture of membranes. We called her mother, and though the wait was less than 10 minutes, it felt as if she would never get there. We got her in the van, and immediately zipped across town. I won't tell you how fast I went, if/how many red lights I ran, etc. I wasn't going to stop for anyone anyway. I probably broke more traffic laws than I ever have committed in my life. Needless to say, very soon we arrived at the hospital.
Jennifer's obstetrician was waiting there with a wheelchair, and she got in it and we went upstairs. What happened next was a blinding amount of paperwork that I signed as fast as I could, while Jennifer's IV was being placed. Jennifer was trying to mentally prepare herself for a delivery without anesthesia, but when every contraction got worse, the anesthesiologist was called and arrived quickly.
He sounded like the guy in the ads for micro machines when he told her about the procedure. As fast as he could get it in, he did. It didn't immediately work, and the pain was worsening by the minute. There was no time to even break the bed down at this point. So, by the time he was born, the anesthesia worked well.
Jonah came into this world at 5:49 a.m. and we saw his face for the first time. Words can't express that moment for us. He was born at 40 weeks and 1 day, 8lb, 7oz, 21 inches. Jennifer and Jonah are doing remarkably well. I can't believe he was so big, so healthy, so beautiful. Holding him is a joy. We'll shoot for getting out of here tomorrow at noon or so. Chloe came in and had trouble wrapping her mind around her baby brother being here. She will be the boss, though, for many years to come.
If you want to see his pics, please email me.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Patience Patients....
It looks as though our son will be born on 7/18/2009! The time is very near. Our bags are packed, Chloe has been briefed, our family is near, and my sister and her kids are in town. Tonight I noticed the crickets for the first time. Jennifer is contracting, and it could be tonight, but if not, she will have help tomorrow a.m. starting at 8 a.m. She's been at 4 cm for a while, so it shouldn't take much to get him here. We have settled on his name (and boys names are SO much harder than girls, in my opinion).
To my patients, I really want to thank you for your patience during the time I had off today and the time I will be off. I know that if you know me, you understand that I am much stronger in my practice when I have my priorities straight, and being a husband and father (as you see in my profile) are very important to me. So, I am going to take this time to support Jennifer, and to do some male bonding with my son. I appreciate your understanding during this time, and I have full confidence in my partners and staff, and I will keep up with all pressing issues during my time off (probably a full 2 weeks).
We have been blessed indeed. Jennifer, Chloe, and I have had some really great times recently. Jennifer and I have had the opportunity to do some of the things we want to before shifting gears, and the second time around we feel like it will be less scary than it was the first. As always, we thank you for your thoughts and prayers, we certainly feel them.
To my patients, I really want to thank you for your patience during the time I had off today and the time I will be off. I know that if you know me, you understand that I am much stronger in my practice when I have my priorities straight, and being a husband and father (as you see in my profile) are very important to me. So, I am going to take this time to support Jennifer, and to do some male bonding with my son. I appreciate your understanding during this time, and I have full confidence in my partners and staff, and I will keep up with all pressing issues during my time off (probably a full 2 weeks).
We have been blessed indeed. Jennifer, Chloe, and I have had some really great times recently. Jennifer and I have had the opportunity to do some of the things we want to before shifting gears, and the second time around we feel like it will be less scary than it was the first. As always, we thank you for your thoughts and prayers, we certainly feel them.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Miracle
Jennifer's pregnancy has been a tough one. With Chloe, it was a "textbook" pregnancy on what normal should be. It didn't seem like she had one notable problem throughout. Our son, on the other hand, has given us fits already! There were 3 times when we thought that his health was in serious jeopardy. The two latest were in April, and we ended up in OB triage for one episode, and then she was hospitalized for another. She was only 28 weeks of gestation (out of 40) when this happened. Her doctor stopped the contractions, and gave her steroids to help mature his lungs. We have been living with the possibility that it could have happened again, and at best, she would have been in the hospital for a long, long time. During this time, she did what the doctor asked, taking it easy, staying hydrated, etc. Like most things, it was out of our hands. Despite the best in medicine, terrible things can happen.
I asked for the prayers of many, and we thank you for your prayers for Jennifer and our son. Though we are anxiously awaiting his birth, all of the ultrasounds have been good, she has not faced premature labor, and he has been vigorously moving. We are now definitely at 37 weeks, and needless to say, the risk is much lower to him than it was. I have found myself living week to week hoping and praying for yet another week of maturity and growth before he is born, but this is such an answered prayer to get this far under the circumstances.
Even in our world full of billions of people and more who have come before us, in my opinion, each life is truly a miracle. To the faithless, it is viewed as "rolling the dice" and a matter of chance, perhaps good luck. To me, conception, implantation, gestation, and birth are indeed very risky, and to be born healthy is miraculous. To rely on God when it is out of our hands is very tough. With everything in our being, we want him to be born healthy. I've been praying for them a lot, and I thank my family and friends and patients and church for their prayers, and for their continued prayers for our family during this time. Everything good in life is a blessing that I will not understand in this lifetime. I certainly don't deserve it.
Being a father has taught me many things. I have a love that I never knew or thought possible. It is true and deep. Even though I can't, I would try to move Heaven and Earth for them in their need. However, even in my best love and intentions, I am flawed and imperfect. It is like I would pour out all my love on them, but I only have a cup to pour, and God's love is like the whole ocean. Standing where I am, with my cup, I still don't understand God's love for us, but I am grateful.
I asked for the prayers of many, and we thank you for your prayers for Jennifer and our son. Though we are anxiously awaiting his birth, all of the ultrasounds have been good, she has not faced premature labor, and he has been vigorously moving. We are now definitely at 37 weeks, and needless to say, the risk is much lower to him than it was. I have found myself living week to week hoping and praying for yet another week of maturity and growth before he is born, but this is such an answered prayer to get this far under the circumstances.
Even in our world full of billions of people and more who have come before us, in my opinion, each life is truly a miracle. To the faithless, it is viewed as "rolling the dice" and a matter of chance, perhaps good luck. To me, conception, implantation, gestation, and birth are indeed very risky, and to be born healthy is miraculous. To rely on God when it is out of our hands is very tough. With everything in our being, we want him to be born healthy. I've been praying for them a lot, and I thank my family and friends and patients and church for their prayers, and for their continued prayers for our family during this time. Everything good in life is a blessing that I will not understand in this lifetime. I certainly don't deserve it.
Being a father has taught me many things. I have a love that I never knew or thought possible. It is true and deep. Even though I can't, I would try to move Heaven and Earth for them in their need. However, even in my best love and intentions, I am flawed and imperfect. It is like I would pour out all my love on them, but I only have a cup to pour, and God's love is like the whole ocean. Standing where I am, with my cup, I still don't understand God's love for us, but I am grateful.
Monday, February 23, 2009
It's a boy, for sure!
Today we had the 20 week ultrasound, the fetal survey. Everything looked great! We are now sure that he's a boy, so we will now need to name him. We are excited about having a boy. I grew up with a big sister, so I am particularly fond of the order.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Announcement
We are having a baby! Our second, and it is a boy! We are open to suggestions for names. We are so wired for a girl that we won't know what to do with a boy :).
We had an outing at Disney World this past week that was fantastic. Chloe loved every minute of it. I told her the day we left that we were going to Mickey's house, and sure enough, by 3 p.m. by the miracle of flight, we were there. She actually saw Mickey's house, and had her picture with him there.
Disney World is a price gouge. For the price of going to the Wilderness Lodge, one could actually go to THE wilderness lodge for a fraction of the price. So, I wasn't really impressed with Disney, but magic did happen when I saw Chloe's eyes light up when she saw things. She loved the carousel, rode her first roller coaster with me, loved Cinderella's castle, loved the dinners, shows, fireworks, and especially the parade.
It will be a while before we go back, but the memories will be fond. Our family loves to travel. I look forward to our future adventures together, whether they be to Disney or beyond.
We had an outing at Disney World this past week that was fantastic. Chloe loved every minute of it. I told her the day we left that we were going to Mickey's house, and sure enough, by 3 p.m. by the miracle of flight, we were there. She actually saw Mickey's house, and had her picture with him there.
Disney World is a price gouge. For the price of going to the Wilderness Lodge, one could actually go to THE wilderness lodge for a fraction of the price. So, I wasn't really impressed with Disney, but magic did happen when I saw Chloe's eyes light up when she saw things. She loved the carousel, rode her first roller coaster with me, loved Cinderella's castle, loved the dinners, shows, fireworks, and especially the parade.
It will be a while before we go back, but the memories will be fond. Our family loves to travel. I look forward to our future adventures together, whether they be to Disney or beyond.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Family Birth
I have a new nephew! December 3, 2008, Jeremiah Ryan Allen was born, 7 lbs 5 oz. I haven't gotten to see him in person yet, but he is beautiful. This makes me an uncle for the 6th time :) Congratulations to Lynn and Andrea, and welcome to our world Jeremiah.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Farewell, Dr. Barron
Dr. Steve Barron was a fine physician, who was one of the physicians who believed in me enough to work with me and make me a partner in the practice. I worked with him from August 2004 until January 2007. I have assumed care of many of his patients when he fell ill. His patients were fond of him, and are thankful for the excellent care that he provided. We at Halls Family Physicians are deeply saddened by his passing.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/dec/02/dr-steve-barron-58-passes-away/
http://www.legacy.com/knoxnews/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=120888514
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/dec/02/dr-steve-barron-58-passes-away/
http://www.legacy.com/knoxnews/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=120888514
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