Pictures!

To begin, Karalee continues to get better, although she is still weak, in pain, and itches all over. The baby has cried a little and eats a bit, but lately has been sleeping a lot! Of course, we think he is adorable, and hopefully with the pictures, you can come to that conclusion yourself.

Aside from the Ashton-like eyes, Karalee has mentioned that he looks like his aunt Crissy when she was born. I am interested in comments about who he takes after, because for now Karalee and I can tell best that he is just very cute!

So I tried to put the photos in order from what I think are the best photos of Nathanat the top, but I got the order backward. So, scroll down first and then work your way up to see the photos--please.

He's Here!

Please welcome... Nathan Ashton Merrill

Stats:

Date: Sunday, June 21, 2009
Time: 7:17 pm AZ time
Weight: 6 lbs. 12.5 oz
Height: 20 inches long
Head Circumference: 13 inches
Chest: 12 and a half inches

Mom and Baby are doing great. Curtis was able to watch them pull Nathan out, and Kare (just like every time she watches A Baby Story) became teary the second she heard Nathan's cry. She also said that it was the most horrible feeling she has ever had in her life when she felt all the "not so gentle" tugging and pulling inside. But she made it and she is doing very well. She is extremely tired and having a hard time keeping herself awake at the moment, understandably. 18 hours of labor... jeez! Nathan has also had his first feeding which, I am told, went pretty well. Now Kare wants to know when SHE can eat! The nurse brought out more Ice chips, much to her dismay. Curtis says Nathan has dark blond hair and gray-ish blue eyes. He says the shape of the eye is very much from the Ashton side. (At least for now.) He said Nathan is very cute and the best Father's Day gift ever.

Delivery Time

Due to the fact that Kare has been at 6 cm for the last 3 hours, and because she has a small pelvic area, the Dr. has decided to perform a c-section. Kare is in there right now and Curtis is awaiting anxiously just outside the door.

5 and 6

4:00
5 cm. Baby's heart rate dropped, so they put Karalee on oxygen for about 40 minutes. Baby's heart rate went back up.

5:40
6 cm. 100% effaced

Crystal Light and Otter Pops

So I, Curtis, came home for a bit to find our cell-phone chargers--our phones are nearly dead and so we're going to charge them and might not be reachable for a bit--but Karalee also insisted that I get her some Crystal Light to drink and some Otter Pops to eat. She also said to hurry back to the hospital. So here I go!

4 and a half!

1:30 AZ time

13 and a half hours in, Kare is at 4 and a half cm! The doctor has decided to cut back the patocyn to try and ease the contractions so as not to wear out Baby Nathan. Hopefully it doesn't make things slow down too much. There was a slight nervous moment when the nurse came in to say that Nathan's heart rate dropped a little. They had Kare change positions and now all is well. Nathan is in position... he crawled up to her ribs for a little bit at first, but now he's back. One more chapter of Harry Potter down. Oh and lots of chills. And some pressure. That's about it for now.

update

Crissy: It's been almost 5 hours, what is going on? :)

Curtis: We're about to have a baby.

Crissy: REALLY?

Curtis: Yes, she's progressed to a full 2 and a half cm.

Crissy: Ugh!

Things are progressing slowly, but Kare and Curtis were able to get a nap in, and a chapter of Harry Potter.