Welcome Baby Bentham!

Jude Liam Bentham was born at 3:30 am on Christmas morning.  Here's the Coles' notes on how it all went down, with a pic of Chels with babe, and one of me right out of the tub!

Chels and I planned on having Christmas at her aunt and uncles in Cloverdale, 45 minutes outside of Vancouver.  Although we planned on staying the night, Chels started having some contractions around 8 pm.  We decided to come home for the night just in case.  At 10 pm the contractions were 10 minutes apart and not that painful.  By 1 am they were 4 minutes apart, lasted for over 2 minutes, and felt like grim death.  It was go-time. 

We met our Doctor (Kiran Nayar - she's amazing btw) at the hospital at 1:30 am and Chels was 3-4 cm dilated.  She hopped in the tub in the birthing suite which made her considerably more comfortable.  When they checked her cervix at 3:15 she was fully dilated.  She hopped back in the tub (I joined her this time) and after 14 minutes of pushing and screaming like she was lifting a bus off of a bunch of school children, out came our little man!  All 7 lbs 11 oz of him.

What a champ she was to blast him out in 2 hours!  Many thanks to the people of South Community Birth Program, and the people at BC Women's Hospital... especially to the kid who came in and played Christmas carols on his trumpet on Christmas morning!  We're thankful for all your support and care.  

Jude means (and I paraphrase) give praise and thanks to the Lord.  What a fitting name for a Christmas baby born in such a way - one that succinctly, in one syllable articulates exactly how we feel as parents.  

As for Jude, What can I tell you about him?  Well, thus far not much.  He likes boobs and sleeping.  That and he can't wait to meet you.

Chels - you're my hero,

Bryn