Baby Owen Faulkner

Chauncy and Alan had their sweet baby on Sunday (August 16th, 8 lbs, 7 oz and 20.5 inches). Her due date was August 21. On Friday, she thought maybe her water had broken. It was a false alarm. However, it meant that something was probably starting to happen. On Saturday, she was feeling more uncomfortable than she ever had...but the way she explained it, I thought it was all in her head.  Saturday afternoon she was having contractions 11-14 mins apart that were "uncomfortable". At 9:37 PM, after I had gone to bed, I got a text that said "Eh, ouch". Next thing I know, it was 5 am and she was in the hospital, 4cm, just getting an epidural. WOOHOO!! Just three hours later she was 7cm. We thought for sure the baby would be here soon!

Ben and I had a date planned that day in Seattle. So, we headed to Seattle and had donuts at Top Pot then headed to the Pacific Science Center. He was such a fun date! We were at the science center for several hours, but Chauncy wasn't making much progress. bummer. Ben and I killed some more time by playing in the fountain and the awesome park outside the EMP (there's an awesome rope climbing thing! He loves to climb, so that's all he ever needs at a park!!). We then had a late lunch at McDonalds (his first McDonalds ever). At this point, Chauncy was pushing and was up for a visitor. I thought for sure Owen would have arrived by the time we made it to the hospital. So, my tired little buddy and I drove to Kirkland. I promised him a popsicle if he was good in the hospital (I know. My food choices for him that day were outstanding). Alan watched Ben in the waiting room while I went in to see Chaunc. She looked so good. She was exhausted and very frustratred from being up all night and from pushing for so long with no progress...but she still looked great. I had no idea what to say to her to encourage her!! I didn't stay long because she wanted Alan in the room and there's no way I was going to bring Ben in!

On our way out of the hospital, Ben's bottom somehow got really pinched in the escalator. My poor, tired buddy was soooo sad. So of course he got a popsicle!! But, he took three bites of it in the car and then told me his tummy was done with it. Two seconds later, he was out like a light.

Chauncy ended up pushing for another hour and then Alan texted to say she was going in for a C-section. My anxiety went into high alert. Not only for her, but also thinking that I would be doing this whole thing in a few weeks. After the C section, Owen had to go to NICU for some monitoring. At the time, we didn't have much information, so Brenna and I were kiiiiind of nervous. But, he was fine. Just a little stressed. Poor Chaunc was in her hospital room all by herself. Alan didn't want to be alone with the baby in NICU, so my mom was with Alan and Brenna and I were getting our kids ready for bed, so we couldn't drive all the way to the hospital. Alan and my mom sent some sweet, sweeeeet pictures of the little guy. I couldn't stop staring at them!!!

The next day, I had an interview at work. What a joke. There was NO WAY I could think about anything else besides Owen (and also my upcoming birth.....yikes). After work, I headed up to Kirkland. Chauncy and Alan were sleeping, so Brenna, my mom and I took shifts holding Owen while they slept. I loved the time to just soak him up!!! I didn't really get that with Lucas (he was the first nephew and I had zero idea of what to do with a newborn or what to do for Brenna). With Eli, I didn't see him in the hospital, plus I was preparing for my first baby to come! With Aldon, I didn't see him until a while after he was born. So, the experience of just holding Owen quietly and sitting with Chauncy and Alan for a few hours was special! He is such a sweet little guy! He would scream when they unwrapped him, but would settle right back down after he got bundled up again.

The coolest part about visiting them was to see the INSTANT change in Chauncy and Alan as parents. Holy smokes! Chauncy was exuding something I've neveeerrrrrrr seen from her. It was a relaxed confidence + love for her baby. I wish I could explain it better. It was soooo beautiful! And Alan instantly switched on his "super dad and husband" switch! It was cute seeing him with the doctors and nurses. Everything they said, he wanted to know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. When my mom mentioned that Owen had rolled onto his side while he was sleeping, they were both VERY worried about that. I know Joel and I were worried about the little things when Ben was born, but watching them in the hospital room, it was kind of comical (and very sweet) how concerned they were!!

So, now it's been a few days since he's been born. Chauncy is totally focused on her baby and sleep (how could you not be?!). But oh man, I miss her!!! I miss texting and emailing with her all day long! When she does text Brenna and I, we're hungry to hear as many details as we can and see as many pictures as possible! But, obviously, we're not her priority right now so we take what few details we can get! Joel, Ben and I are going to go up there today or tomorrow so Joel and Ben can meet Owen and we can all soak in that sweet family together!