Below are the first three updates. Birth story to come later when we have some time to write it up.

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The stats: Arrived @ 1:30AM on 7/23/10, 8 lbs. 12 oz., 22.5 inches, with boy parts :-)

The facts: Baby and mom are doing well. He gave us a scare by breathing in meconium just as he came out and was therefore not able to breathe normally, but the nurses and doctors acted very swiftly and were able to clear out the mouth and throat. Baby is doing well now, in observation in the NICU. K & D are completely exhausted from a very lengthy intensive labor. K lost her voice and of course is sore, but is doing well otherwise.

And finally... the name: Adam Irwin Diepenbrock

With the excitement of the trip to the NICU, we haven't been able to take any pictures yet. When we do, they will eventually be posted on Dave's website, http://david.thetyphoon.net/photos.

We're so grateful for your encouragement -- thanks for your continued support and prayers as we move into life-as-three!
~ Adam, Kristen, & Coach Dave :-)

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Time goes by so fast here, I can't believe its been almost 24 hours! We "just" got back up from the NICU, Adam is doing wonderfully. The nurses down there are very superb too. We'll see the neonatologist in the morning and try to start breastfeeding. Adam was showing very strong rooting reflex while we were there, so we're even more excited. Maybe then we'll have an idea of how long they expect Adam to stay in the NICU. K is using a breast pump for now to get ready. As much as we'd love to have him up in the room with us, I at least am happy to have one last chance to get some good sleep.

We had a nice visit earlier with Mom Susan & Aunt Tricia and they were able to go see Adam too, it was nice to see some familiar faces in a land of countless nurses. We have deep & inexplicable gratitude for Amy in her excellent role as "assistant coach", helping me take care of all sorts of things so I could focus on being with and assisting K during labor - especially in keeping all those nurses in check, and the Jack in the Box delivery was crucial to my sanity too. Also clutch in the success of the burrito exit was our nurse midwife Cheryl who delivered Adam. K was much calmer and labor was significantly more productive anytime she was in the room.

At some point we'll write up the "story", but we're saving that for another time when we're better rested. For now, enjoy the photos!

-Daddy Dave (and Mommy Kristen)

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A quick (or not so quick) update:

Going Home: We think they'll discharge Kristen tomorrow sometime; she's recovering well but there is still quite a bit of pain all over. There's no time frame for Adam: it could be tomorrow (although that's unlikely) or it could be in two weeks; it just depends on how comfortable the NICU doctors are with his progress and how his lab results come back. We're not sure exactly how going home with Adam will work -- we'll have to talk with the NICU folks about that tomorrow once we know more.

Adam's Progress: Speaking of Adam's progress, because of the meconium in his mouth and throat, they are running blood test for any infections. The results should come back tomorrow on that. He's been on an IV since a few hours after birth so he's well hydrated, but he is retaining fluids a bit; it's likely just the kidneys taking a little bit of time recovering from the birth, but they want to make sure about that. The good news is he has urinated some and he's had one bowel movement so far.

Breast Feeding: We started feeding this morning at 6am, and have been feeding probably about every four hours. Ideally, he'd be feeding a bit more frequently, but we think that having the IV in might be affecting that. Adam really likes to fall asleep before, during, and after feeding. He's also been taking his time -- often our feedings have lasted 90 minutes with about 20-40 minutes of actual feeding time in there. What happens is he'll show signs that he wants to feed, but as soon as we get him up and near Mom's warm body, he goes back to sleep! Mom has been very patient as we both try to wake him back up to eat, but he's a very heavy sleeper (not sure where he gets that from!)

All in all we're both doing very well and in high spirits. Again thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

-D&K&A