Homeward Bound

Well, we just got released from the hospital and are on our way home. Let me tell you, it's been a VERY long week. I am glad that we will be out of that cramped hospital room and away from the "food" that they serve. I am sure that being in our own environment will be a nice change for us all.



Nicole is doing well. Yesterday she began walking the hallways of our floor. She doesn't get very far (100 yards or so) before she tires out, but the exercise has been good for her. All of the doctors are happy with how she has been progressing and they think she is healing up nicely.


TR is adjusting nicely to this great big world. Unfortunately, it is cooler and brighter than his old dwellings and he doesn't get that immediate supply of food like he's used to (wouldn't it be great if we got to have the benefits of an umbilical cord after we were born?). He has lost a little weight since he was born, but no more than the acceptable amount. I guess he feels that he needs to diet, since everyone mentions how big he is. Poor kid's already self-conscious about his weight.

We have been getting more sleep now and we are adjusting to taking short naps around the clock whenever TR gives us a reprieve.

We are loving this new season of our lives.

Love,

Dustin, Nicole & TR (Thomas Anthony)

Location:On the road...

Prayers

Thank you all for your prayers today. Nicole had a very serious hemorrhage this morning that had the doctors exclaiming, "we're losing her". She had a lot of blood loss and they had trouble stopping the bleeding. They also were unable to get any O+ blood for her. It ending up taking 30 minutes for two units of blood to be delivered to her. She ending up being in the OR for over two hours, all the while we really weren't sure how she was doing.

Your prayers were such an encouragement to us during this difficult time. Going from the extreme high of seeing your son being born to the extreme low of watching a dozen doctors swarming around your wife futilely attempting to bring her back. It was a roller coaster to put it mildly. I was an ABSOLUTE wreck when I finally was able to see Nicole again.

We are now all together again and everyone is healthy and safe.

Thanks again.

Love,

Dustin, Nicole, and TR

Size

8lbs 4oz

21in.


Love,

Dustin, Nicole & "Danger" Ribergaard

Introducing...

TR - Thomas Anthony Ribergaard




Love,

Dustin, Nicole & "Danger" Ribergaard

He's Here

Here he is.







Love,

Dustin, Nicole & "Danger" Ribergaard

He's Coming

His head has just started coming out. He's got some hair on that head, like his beautiful mom!


Love,

Dustin, Nicole & "Danger" Ribergaard

Highway to the Danger Zone

The time has arrived! Nicole has just started pushing. Danger will be with us any minute now.

Love,

D&N

The Floodgates Opened

About 15 minutes ago, Nicole jumped in the bed and exclaimed, "oh my!". She started noticing a cool, wet feeling on her legs.

Her water broke!

No, it wasn't as exciting as in all the movies, it was actually pretty calm.

Current status: 5cm


Love,

Dustin, Nicole & "Danger" Ribergaard

Location:The Hoover Dam

Moving Forward

Yeah! Nicole is at 4cm now. After being at 2cm for so long, this is a great encouragement. Next check is around 7pm.

Both Nicole and Danger are doing well. Nicole is closing her eyes again to get some much needed rest.


Love,

Dustin, Nicole & "Danger" Ribergaard

Labor: Take Two

Here we sit in our delivery room of Kaiser. It's been over 36 hours of contractions for Nicole. They started on Sunday evening and have not let up since. Our Monday morning appointment was a little discouraging - 'go home and wait some more'.

So wait we did. Nicole was pacing back and forth in the house for hours. Her contractions were intense - going as far as hitting one every 2 1/2 minutes for almost two hours. This on top of not sleeping since Sunday morning.

This morning we went back out to Kaiser once more. And again we heard the same thing - 'you haven't changed, still at 2cm'. I don't think they believed us when we said that she's been having real contractions for this long without seeing any results. There is a medical term for it, but I can't remember the name nor pronounce it.

Our initial plan was to go drug free, but with the difficulties that Nicole has been facing we have opted to go with the epidural. The anesthesiologist
just did the shot, so her pain should subside in a few minutes. It will be nice for her to finally get some sleep.




Love,

Dustin, Nicole & "Danger"

Location:Kaiser...again

Delay Of Game

This kid can't seem to make up his mind. We are now back at home. After walking around for two hours, Nicole did not dilate any more. So our two options were drugs or go home and wait a little longer. In an effort to go drug free, we chose to wait it out at home.

One of these days we will have a son, just not yet it seems.


Love,

Dustin, Nicole & "Danger" Ribergaard

Location:Home...again

The Danger Report

So, it appears that "Danger" is finally ready to make his appearance. Nicole had a checkup this morning and she is already at 2 cm. After a long, difficult night of contractions, she has made progress. Our doctor has told us to walk around Walnut Creek for a couple hours to loosen things up.

We will keep you all updated.


Love,

Dustin, Nicole & "Danger" Ribergaard

Location:Kaiser Walnut Creek