Sunday night update

The last full update explained that the doctor was coming in at 12 to check in on Heather, and I had a pair of scissors in my hand cutting the cord before that hour was out. Mental eh? I had no idea things would happen that fast.

After 3 days it was obvious to the doctor that the baby wasn't coming out via normal means. Heather had a fever, she couldn't stop shaking and was totally wiped out because of extremely limited sleep. I had 5 minutes to get my scrubs on, pack up the rest of the stuff, move stuff to a recovery area & head into the staging room where they were to perform our C-section.

While Heather was being prepped the the anesthesiologist came past me asking "are you nervous?" "Of course" came the obviously reply, "I'm shitting myself". OK, Nah, I didn't say that last bit but it sounds better than my jelly spine whimpering. He picked up the accent and started whistling the Colonel Bogey March which was a nice touch.

I was called into the room and sat up at Heathers head, with a partition from her neck downward. She was still shaking and it was al in alll a daunting experience, even though we had both researched and seen videos from our classes. Old Colonel Bogey was great, he had me stand up and watch the birth. I took some pictures but I've no idea what to do with them! Oh yeah, first girlfriend. Right.

I cut the cord and then me and our kid were off to the nursery while Heather received the final touches to the procedure.

We took his temperature (high because of Heather's fever), did all the tests and given an APGAR score of 8 to 9, which is apparently splendid.

We had a bunch of pictures taken by Heidi, Sarah with me looking like I'm about to pass out but confidently happy. We gave him a bath there and we went to meet mum in the recovery room.

Heather was given something that stopped the shaking, she is looking great now. The fever went down, we are not to sure what that was all about.

We moved to the room where we will spend the next 4 days. Heather's parents, sister, Josh and Sarah came in, which was great because she hadn't seen people in a while; it was great for her to feel good enough for it.

I've now changed a crappy diaper and learned the swaddle wrap on something that isn't a doll. Amy, our nurse, gave me a great breakdown of what we are up to with the new science project. She is another excellent staff member of CPMC.

We confirmed "Jack" right when I did the last post.

And here we are. Heather just found Extreme Makeover Home Edition so is totally set up.

Finally, my ma told me that today was the date of my Nan's birthday. She also died on my birthday, i think 6 years ago. My mother thinks she is somehow watching over me / us. That's a pretty nice thought and, if you know anything about me, while that kind of comment is not my typical reaction I'm rolling with it.

Introducing ...

Jack Aaron Ruder. Born July 13th @ 12:58PM. 7lbs 13oz, 19". Everything is checking out great, Heather is the most relaxed and contented I've ever seen her.

More to follow later.

Sunday morning update

Heather had a procedure at midnight last night that put her into labor. Things happened really fast for about an hour and a half and then slowed right down. The doctor is coming back in about 15 minutes and will tell us what's next. She has 5 different machines plugged into her and would divorce me if I took a picture, so, instead, is a picture outside the room and the last 4 nurses' names on the board. Exciting stuff.

2 1/2 day hospital update

We're approaching the 60th hour at the hospital, and there ain't nothing going on in there. The most exciting thing today was hearing Heather finally go to sleep!

If Heather doesn't go into to active labor tonight or tomorrow morning our doctor will book a C section for Sunday afternoon.

Our nurses are switching over every 8 hours, each one has been great. Heather is being a trooper, and even though I'm biased I'm pretty sure she is a nurse favorite.

Heather's note for the blog - "I haven't left this room in days so I doubt I've anything interesting to say" :(.

On a lighter note, here's a picture of me finding our the car was locked in a garage. Guessing it doesn't matter, I'll not be going anywhere for a while :).











Also, a big thanks to Heidi, Becca, Josh and Sarah who have been great, helping out with anything we have asked for. Cheers chaps.

At the hospital - the first 36 hours

Heather and I are at the hospital getting ready for a baby to pop out.

Heather was a day past our due date of July 9th so our doctor booked Heather for a nonstress test to make sure the baby was all good. We arrived yesterday morning at 8:15AM and planned to be out for breakfast around 9AM. Turns out the test could have been better (low amniotic fluid) so we had to check in to OB reception and get ready for a baby.

We were in OB reception for ages, hanging out in the admitting room watching major laborers (I'm sure that's an incorrect term) come in, and, quite rightly, were moved to the labor rooms before us. It was really busy, seems like there must have been a few San Francisco power cuts in October 2007. But, the nurses were great, a little nuts - they were shouting at each other in a seemingly productive and efficient way. Heidi, Heather's sister came in, shook her head is odd disbelief that her little sister was certainly having that baby, hung out & dropped off a bunch of food which I've been eating ever since.

After about 12 hours we were sent to the room where Heather can deliver. She is now hooked up to monitoring machines and IV drugs to induce labor. She is obviously really tired.

I'm guessing the next post will be once the action starts or after the baby is born.

An Intro

I know there are other Ruder's in the world. I've met a bunch of them and grew up with three of them. There are Ruder Internet presences on myspace, facebook, friendsters and linked-in profiles all across the internet with my last name in it.

In any case, this particular Ruder is Mark Ruder. I'm an English Ex pat living in Marin, across the GGB from San Francisco in California. If you're looking for Heather Ruder, you'll be looking for my mother or my wife (while most men apparently marry their mothers I can guarantee they are both completely different people). Heather Ruder (wife) will also knock out a few posts on this blog from time to time.

In any other case, this Ruder has taken the domain theruders.blogspot.com to post, primarily, about an impending birth of our first son (TBD Ruder). I really hope to embarrass him by 1) being a really annoying father or 2) showing pictures of a weeing child to the first girl (or boy, as long at it isn't their kid) he dares to bring home. I seem to remember my mother (not wife) doing that to me, it's only right to pass on what is now a family tradition.