Week 39.5 Asher Weaver McGlone

Molly gritted her teeth through contractions during a Sunday evening program meeting. I was putting Silas to sleep at the time, and heard her come home. Silas heard her too and asked “Can I go see Mommy?” I said I’d go get her for him. She was already in the shower, spraying down her belly to alleviate some of the pain. She was quickly at 1 minute intervals and really hating it. Fifteen minutes later we were at the hospital, having taken an extraordinarily long time to walk the 1.5 blocks. Our friend April was entertaining Silas at home, and my parents were in their car on their way down from Chalfont.

At 10 we were at the hospital. At 10:25 we were in the birthing suite. At 11:25, after 15 minutes of pushing, Asher Weaver McGlone joined us. He weighs 8 pounds 14 ounces, 20.5 inches, and his face is half-bruised. If labor is too fast then the mother’s body doesn’t have time to totally relax, and that kid has a really tight squeeze out into the wider world.  But we’re told the bruising should heal soon. He was born purple, but now his skin is a glowing red.  Don’t ask me, I don’t know. I’m sure things will equilibrate. He’s nursing well and all vitals are good.

I stayed overnight at the hospital. My parents brought Silas back down to Philly this afternoon, to meet Asher in the hospital. He couldn’t have been cuter with his new little brother. He almost cried when we turned Asher around to face the camera in the other direction: he couldn’t see Asher’s face anymore. He’s going to be a great great brother.

Molly labored without drugs for the second time, which is beyond me. The pain was worse than during Silas’ labor (she reports, and I can believe.)

Since Asher was born so late on Sunday they’re asking that we stay until Tuesday (tomorrow.) Goodness do we hope it’s earlier rather than later. Somebody said we’d need to stay a full 48 hours, which is probably safe, and we should be thankful for the benefit and care, but right now sounds really irritating. But there are much worse things.

Photos below. I put Silas down to sleep a little while ago and I’m going to crash really hard soon. More to come on Friday. We can’t wait for everybody to meet Asher. We are very lucky.

I’ll leave you with an exchange I had with Silas during bedtime tonight

Silas: “Daddy what’s that bracelet?”

Me: “I need that to pick up Asher at the hospital tomorrow. It says I’m his daddy.”

Silas: “But  you’re my daddy.”

Me:  “I’m both your daddies.”

Silas “Yeah!!!”