DAVID. CYNTHIA.CAMERON

www.thejoiners.com

First Week

Cynthia and I went to the mall this evening to pick up a few things. It's nice to have a built in experienced babysitter in Cynthia's mom. She has come down to stay with us for a couple of weeks, or until Cynthia and I pack her stuff and put it on the sidewalk. I seriously doubt that would ever actually happen as she has been very conscientious of allowing us space to experience our daughter. She is truly a blessing.

Cami really likes the Aggie War Hymn...she and daddy love to "Saw varsity's horns off...Short...hey."

We got all checked out and planned on leaving after the 1 o'clock feeding. Cami had other ideas. She didn't want to wake up, then she didn't want to take to Cynthia, then she wouldn't stop crying, you get the picture. It's amazing, when that starts to happen, you go through a myriad of emotions: concern, frustration, anger, guilt for being angry, impatience, etc. We had them all.

We finally got away around 3, Cami slept the whole way home. Our neighbor Sid heard us drive up and met us in the driveway. It's wonderful to have such caring friends and family. They are truly excited for us and genuinely concerned about our new family.

I think Cami must like her new home, she has been extremely relaxed the entire time. Cynthia's milk has definitely started to come in so she has started reducing the amount of supplemental formula we're giving Cami.

The pediatrician came down and said Cami has lost about a pound, but not to worry too much. She did ask us to supplement her feedings with a little bit of formula. So I added that to the log. Yea, that's right I have been keeping a record of all Cami's inputs and outputs right down to the start and end times, durations, percentage of actual feeding to resting, etc. etc. That's anal, but I think the nursery gets a kick out of it when they come down and ask how Cami is doing.

Cami did great tonight, actually sleeping a little too long between feedings. It's all right with us, we need the rest.

Cami's still feeding OK and Cynthia's milk has not come in, but that is not abnormal. It will take a few days.

She gave us another rough night. It was broken up with a trip to the sonogram lab to look at Cynthia's legs. They have swelled up pretty big and the nurse is concerned there may be a blood clot.

The sonogram turned out negative for clotting. That's good news, but it's official, Cynthia's staying through Friday.

Breast feeding continues to go well. Cami seems to fall asleep right after getting started on mom. It's a lot of work to keep her awake. I usually tickle her feet, that seems to work, and it's fun too.

I tried to go to work this evening after the office had closed. I figured I could get a few things done...wrong. As soon as I got there I turned on the computer, opened Microsoft Word, started to type, stopped, flipped over to the web page for just a few peeks and realized there was no reason to fight it. I wanted to be with Cami, and not even work was going to stop me. I never thought I would have ever said something like that!

Tonight was a rough one. Cami didn't feed very well and was up crying all night. We did not give her to the nursery at all, choosing to tough it out. That was tiresome, but worth it.

She's been resting comfortably and got to enjoy Cami's company for most of the afternoon. Lot's of pictures and lots of ooohs and aaahs.

Cynthia even started to breast feed. It was actually pretty smooth. Cami took to mom as well as could be expected.

For the first night we let the nursery keep Cami, except for feedings. Other than that we tried to get some rest. Yes, I did stay with her. Good Husband, good husband. I even changed her diaper a time or two.

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The Birth

You know how your spouse sometimes doesn't even have to say anything you just know what their thinking. Well that was the case this morning. I asked her if she had her bag packed, she just looked at me, so I told her to call the doctor and I would throw some things together.

We got to the hospital around 4:00 AM and they set us up in a room and tried to make Cynthia as comfortable as possible. Dr. Jackson always calls in around 5:00 AM so we were just waiting. The nurse said that Cynthia was truly in labor but that Doc has been known to work miracles and might stop the labor. Apparently, that was not going to work for Cynthia, or the baby, because her water broke about 5 till 5, just in time for the Doc's call.

Of course now everything changed, here comes the IV, calls to the anesthesiologist, a set of scrubs for Daddy, yada yada yada.

I started making phone calls, first to my sister, no answer, Cynthia's parents, no answer, hey guys...we're having a baby here, answer the phone... I called my folks next, thank goodness, someone answered. Like myself earlier, they needed no explanation, a call at 5 AM from me, at this point in my life, meant one thing only. They said they are on the way. Next was Cynthia's brother, bingo, two in a row, I asked him to handle making the rest of the calls on her side of the family tree while I went back to my side. I tried my sister again, seems she just talked to Cynthia, you got to love caller ID and a resourceful sister. When she answered she was in the shower getting ready to come join us. Finally, I got through to both my grandmothers but missed my Aunt and Uncle.

The Doc arrived around 6:00 AM and rearranged some of the scheduled C-sections to set us up for a 7:00 AM delivery. The anesthesiologist also arrived to do the epidural which meant Daddy needed to go get acquainted with the waiting room.  While I was waiting, the folks showed up then my sister. Tick tock tick tock.

I headed back to see how Cynthia was doing and she was feeling "great." Seems the epidural kicked in. About 5 after 7 they took her in the operating room and told me they would get me when they were ready. I sat down in the rocking chair to relax...rock rock rock rock...rock rock rock rock...rock rock rock rock...come get me already.

When I went in Cynthia was all prepped and ready, they sat me down by her head and I took a few seconds to define my boundaries. It's OK look here, I don't want to look there, I might not want to see that part, I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO LOOK OVER THE LITTLE SCREEN...you get the idea.

Everyone got started and talking amongst themselves. Seems Dr. Jackson went to a wedding where they did not serve any alcohol!?! It's interesting to come to the realization that for them this is just another day at the office. Part of me wanted to say, "Hey, pay attention that's my wife and my child there", but I figured as long as they are just chit chatting everything must be going fine.

I heard Doc mumble something about it being very green! I couldn't resist so I stood up looked down at Cynthia and said "Doc said the baby was green, we need to talk." The anesthesiologist liked that one particularly because he remarked that while I didn't say much, when I did it was a zinger.

Anyway, they got the little one out and placed it on Cynthia's belly. That's when I violated one of my boundaries and looked directly at the baby. I saw two things:

1. It was a girl (fooled us all).

2. It was the most gooey, gray, slimy little thing I had ever seen, just like on the Discovery Channel.

I immediately returned my eyes to "My area" and told Cynthia we had a little girl.

They took Cameron Vaughn over to the cleaning station and started working on her. Thank God. Once she was presentable I went over and saw the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. You can't understand the feeling until you experience it. There is an immediate and unquestioning emotion of love that pours out over this person who you have just met, know nothing about, but somehow can't stop looking at. It's nothing like the love for a spouse, friend, Mother, Father, Sister, etc. This is your child, no one else's.

After bath time, it was back to Mommy for a few photos then off to get weighed, tagged and fingerprinted errrrr footprinted. Before I could get to the nursery I stopped in the hall to show the folks and sis. I didn't immediately let on to Cami's sex, but somehow, to a person, each one guessed right.

After dropping her in the nursery I headed back to post op to be with Mom. I apologized to her saying that I think I squeezed too hard and something popped out. I wasn't exactly sure what it was until I saw that we now had a boy. The anesthesiologist loved that one, but Cynthia didn't even flinch, even under heavy sedation I can't blow one by her.

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Third Trimester

Cynthia, ever the thoughtful person, suggested I might go ahead and head to FL on business Wed. and Thurs. She said she would be fine....I DON'T THINK SO! I seem to remember a certain ski trip about 12 years ago when she said "go ahead down the mountain without me, I'll be fine." Yea, it was colder in the room that night than outside! I think I'll stay. I want to anyway.

Cynthia goes back on Friday, I hope they schedule the C-Section, I work a lot better with a schedule. This unknown thing is not for me...

Anyway, for everyone who helped with "positive thoughts" it worked. Thanks from the both of us.

On a more serious note, he has asked us to come back for a high resolution ultrasound tomorrow. Apparently, he has been worried about the baby's kidneys but would not elaborate. Hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to report good news, until then think positive thoughts...we are.

He also said that he's going in after it next week...we don't know when, but it will be next week. If your waiting to vote do it now, time is running out.

The new ultrasound has revealed that she is one week farther along than everyone figured. Therefore, they will continue to try and control the contractions but frankly, if she goes into full blown labor it would be OK to take the baby, which weighs in at a "light" 7lbs 13ozs.

We also learned that she has been having contractions, she just could not tell due to the back (kidney) pain. They are trying to control the contractions to avoid going into labor.

This kid is already like his dad, always testing the water and pushing the limits. We have asked it nicely to move, but it is not listening. If it continues to disobey us, I'll have no choice but to GROUND IT TO IT'S WOMB...errrrrrr...I MEAN ROOM. That's right, no coming out, not even to eat or go to the bathroom for the next, say, three weeks. Maybe then it'll think twice before challenging us...

Tuesday she has another appointment, if the baby is still breach I hope the doctor decides to schedule the C-section so we can remove that little "unknown" from our brains and start preparing.

Well the Ags lost again, only this time it was fun to watch...disappointing...but fun. I have never, and may never, see our team play in blizzard conditions again, let alone blizzard conditions in Shreveport, LA!

This will be the last peaceful Christmas for a while. Next year I'm sure will be chasing our little bundle of joy all over the house. The upside though, is that means toys, lots of toys...fun for Daddy's everywhere!

I wrapped her presents in diapers this year, it seemed kinda fitting, problem was I did a pretty good job of it. I know, I know, don't get too confident, those packages weren't kicking, crying and peeing...

It was Cynthia's birthday today. My folks, sister and I took her to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Good flick.

Seriously, when Cynthia brought up these classes a month or two ago, I wasn't that receptive to it, but she thought we should go. There were three classes: Infant Care, Childbirth and Nursing (Mom wanted to come to the infant care class as well). Oh, and all the classes are at the Baby's R Us...during the evening...in full view...of everyone! Well, I made a deal...I would do the Childbirth, privately at home. I would do the Infant Care...but only with Cynthia. Sorry, but I was not showing up with my Mommy and my wifey! Mom would just have to go without me...sorry Mom. I drew the line at the nursing classes...

November 23, 2000

More web updates. I hope everyone likes the new format. I haven't been updating as often as I would like.

I got an email early on suggesting I use another name beside "little one", "it", etc. Well now's everyone's chance to help with naming whosywhatsis. Click on "Fun Stuff" and play the name game. We really need the help.

We voted this week. I wonder if Cynthia could have cast two votes? Maybe if we were living in Florida. Seriously, I think the little one will be old enough to count before they sort this thing out. What a fiasco.

Cynthia spent the last couple of days registering for her shower. I have asked for a new regulator, BC, dive computer. I can't wait...

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Second Trimester

OK, OK I haven't been updating the page like I should have. Works been busy...no, I've been out of town...no, I haven't been feeling well...Oh crap I just haven't done it. I really do appreciate all the inquiries though, I didn't realize that that many people had been following our progress. I apologize to all!

Cynthia's appointment have been pretty routine. That's a good thing.

We have been doing some of that baby shopping. We're starting to look at cribs, changing tables, rockers, etc. I didn't realize there was all this stuff. I keep telling Cynthia that a nice sturdy box ought to do the trick. She just looks at me and I laugh then she laughs. The problem is, I think a box really just might do the trick!

We are starting to think about names now. She suggests names and I test them out..."Now starting at Quarterback for the Texas Aggies...Jarred Joiner." Hey that one might work! It sounds better if you say it with a slight echo effect in your voice..."Nowowowow Startinginginging atatat Quarterbackbackback" you get the idea.

Today was the amniocentesis (I think I got that right). We got to see some hi-res ultrasounds of the little one. It's amazing what you can see spine, ribs, legs, fingers and that GREAT BIG HEAD. Check out the ultrasounds for a close-up.

Before the test was done we met with a genetic counselor. I ordered a pretty blonde girl with long legs or a tall athletic male...she didn't think I was funny. Seriously, this lady asks Cynthia and I about our families where they are from etc. etc. I guess it helps her classify us and assign risk factors of various health disorders. She went through the questions with Cynthia first which gave me a heads up on what to expect. When she got to me she asked if my parents were living, I said "yes", she then asked their names, so I told her, "Tom and Judi." Then she asked if they had any brothers or sisters and I said "yes they did." She said how many I said "he has a sister, she has a brother." She asked their names, I said "I already told you." She looked puzzled, I said again "I just told you their names." She didn't think that was funny either...or she didn't get it! Seriously, this whole genetic counseling was a waste of time...for us...I can only imagine what it is like for that 1/2 of 1% who actually find something.

Results from the tests will be in about a week.

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First Trimester

Cynthia had her first official visit to her doctor today. He confirmed no scuba diving for her! He didn't say anything about me (other than don't rub it in). He took a couple of new ultrasounds, I've already posted my opinion of those things. The doc says the little one is 8 weeks 3 days old, and should join us no later than February 3, 2001. Actually, he said if it doesn't show up by then, he's going in after it!

We are starting to receive emails from friends who have visited the site. Thanks. We are saving them to put in a book or something, so keep them coming. I think it will be fun one day to turn them over to the grown up little one saying something like "back in my day we had this thing called email and the internet..."

We told my folks last night. We used this page as the vehicle to get the message to them, Mom saw the banner at the top of the page right away, Dad well...didn't catch on. What's with the guys in this group. I wonder if they had any faith in me? I know Cynthia was threatening to put more men on the job if I didn't get it right soon, but c'mon.

Received some e-mail responses for the website today. There's some name calling going on! OK, that's my mom we're talking about, I'm not sure I like that. By the way, the person that thought the name up...I know where you live...

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