Kashton's Story

Kashton Tate Christiansen

Born January 26that 2:02 PM

8 pounds 4 ounces

21 inches long

I'll spare you all some of the details, but wanted to write down a little about Kashton's birth so I don't forget!

We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 AM on the 26th all nerves and excited jitters. I had been progressing for weeks and been scheduled to be induced. 8:15 they started my pitocin & 9:00 AM broke my water. Once my water broke my contractions started coming more regurlary. About every 3 minutes (and they felt hard!!) It felt like a long morning and my progression was slow. About 12:30 to my sweet relief, the anestheologist was finally out of surgery & I got my epidural. At this point I was at a 7 & VERY thankful for modern pain meds! Once I received my epidural, my contractions came fast. With both of my deliveries, once my body relaxes from the epidural I "go fast" as the nurses would say. And it's a good thing. Shortly after, with each contraction Kashton's heartrate would drop. Low enough that the nurses were worried. It would pick right back up after the contraction was over, but drop instantly when the next would come. They put me on oxgyn & had me alternate laying on my sides to try and help this, but it didn't much. It was still dropping. My Dr. came in and decided it was time to push. Mid pushing, we found the problem. Kashton had his umbilical cord wrapped not once, but twice around his little neck. Dr. J quickly unwrapped the cord and a few pushes later (with the help of some suction, we were trying to get him out & the sooner the better!) ... he came. He came and didn't cry. It was silent long enough for Nate to ask why he wasn't crying. Those were the scariest moments of my life. I remember looking at a worried Nate and then it happened, the sound of a perfect screaming infant. Sweet relief. Sweet, sweet relief. A respitory specialist & our nurses checked him out & about 10 minutes later he was placed snugly in our arms. Perfect. Those first moments are always so precious. We're so thrilled to have our sweet little boy here. He has dark hair (which has already lightened up a lot) and is a great baby. We're loving this little adventure & our family of four.

Nate & Kashton when he was BRAND new!

Jackobi meets Kashton for the first time. She wasn't too sure what to think, but is totally in love with him now. She's a great helper!

proud big sister? I think so!!

Heading home from the hospital!!

She's decided she likes to hold Kashton ... a lot. Thankfully she figured out the whole head support thing a little better than in this picture!

.. 2 days old ..

Keeping things interesting & making sure we don't forget her.

Let the adventure begin!!