Welcome to the World Ethan!

On Wednesday, March 20th, while playing with Braydon I thought I felt my water break. We waited until Terry got home from work, and had dinner. It still felt like something was leaking but I still wasn't having strong contractions. We decided to be safe than sorry, so we packed up Braydon and dropped him off at my dads and headed to the emergency room.

We got checked into labor and delivery. They ran the nitrate paper test and that came back inconclusive. So they ran another test and it came back positive for Amniotic fluid. However I didn't know this but figured it out when they came in to put in my IV. It took them 3 nurses and 6 sticks but I finally got my IV set up. They sent us walking because I still wasn't having strong contractions. We walked for a hour with no change, so I got hooked up with pitocin and set up for the rest of the night.

At about 8, Dr Phillips came in and had to break my water again because I had quit leaking. I was still only about 2 cm dilated so they upped my pitocin again. Around noon I got on the birthing ball to try and get things going because I still wasn't progressing, that was when things got to be painful. They gave me the epidural, and I was able to take an afternoon siesta.

By 4:30 I was dilated 8 cm so my doctor decided to stick around. At 6 pm she came back and checked on me and I was ready to push. After 20 minutes of pushing, our baby boy made his appearance at 6:24 pm weighing in at 8 lbs 10 oz 20.5 inches long on March 21st.

It's here that I must admit he didn't have a name and at first glance I wanted to call him Creighton. But I quickly changed my mind and we decided on Ethan Terence Bueltel. He was perfect in our eyes and we were so happy to have him here. Especially me 3 weeks early since he was so big. :)

For those that don't know our family story, our oldest son Braydon was diagnosed with Saggital Craniosynostosis. So we were cautiously optimistic that Ethan wouldn't have it. However concerns from our pediatrician on an oddly shaped back of the head sent us for skull X-rays at his 1 week checkup. Skull X-rays confirmed that Ethan's saggital suture has also fused. So now we get to follow the same path that we followed on with Braydon. Our two boys look like they could be twins 3 years apart and now they will most likely have matching scars as well.

Terry and I appreciate all if the concerns , thoughts and prayers. While having to take this journey again, we know with God's and all of your support we can handle anything. We start our appointments with the plastic surgeon on Tuesday. We will try our best to keep everyone updated as best as we can.

Much thanks and love,
Erin, Terry, Braydon and Baby Ethan