The Arrival of Anthony Leo - March 28/29

On Sunday night, March 28th, we had finished our traditional daily routine (lounging around, going for a walk, ordering spicy food for dinner). We even did some massages that were supposed to spark labor. But, with nothing more than a little indigestion, we went to sleep at around 10pm. Amy woke up around 11:30pm with some pains in her stomach and back. Anthony slept soundly. As the pains became more regular and in intervals, around midnight Amy started to watch the clock to time the pains. At around 1:15am on Monday morning, Amy woke Anthony up and said "I think something is going on over here!" while pointing at her belly. Amy told Anthony to keep sleeping and that she was going to go into the living room where she would be more comfortable. Sensing this could be "it", Anthony got out of bed and joined Amy.

The time was....



And Amy looked like this when there was no pain....



And she looked like this when there was pain.....



Still unsure what exactly was going on, we decided to watch some TV, begin to time the contractions (length of them and time between) and rate them for pain. Amy called her mom in Boston to give her a heads up since her parents were in Boston and were planning on coming down. Supposedly, woman "nest" (running around the house, getting things ready, clean, etc) right before labor. Anthony didnt get that mem, as he was the one nesting while Amy relaxed on the couch. As contractions went from 10 minutes apart to 4 minutes apart, we decided to call our doctor at about 4am. The doc said, based on the description, that we should go to the hospital at our leisure.

The time was....



Amy got dressed for the trip



We had our bags packed



The baby's room was ready, including the car seat. We hoped the next time we would be back in this room would be with our little bundle of joy.



At around 5am, we headed to Mt. Sinai Hospital at 98th Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. It was pouring rain as we made our way to the hospital. First, we were going to get checked out by the triage team to determine what was going on.



Plenty of time for a video in the triage room



Miraculously, upon checking into the triage unit, Amy's contractions got irregular and not as frequent. Was this all a hoax? Was she not in labor? Did we stay up all night for nothing? The doctor on duty thought Amy was very far away from giving birth and seemed to implied we should go back home. Our doctor got the report (that Amy was 2 centimeters dilated and 80% effaced) and disagreed with the other doctor and wanted us admitted. She was going to be in the hospital at 7am and we weren't going to know more until seeing her.

We got settled into the delivery room, not really knowing whether we were there for good. They hooked Amy up to monitors so we could see the baby's heart rate and contractions. Anthony tried to interprete the machines - damn, he should have been a doctor like his father wanted him to be!



We saw Doctor Blumberg at 7am and she confirmed that this was the day for our delivery. We both began to work the phones - calling family with the update. Amy's parents hit the road down to NY and Anthony's parents were on call ready to get into the city on a moment's notice. Today also happened to be Julie's birthday - a cool thing that our little boy will be sharing a birthday with his Aunt Julie!



The last few contractions got very intense so it was time for the epideral. Amy was nervous about getting this done, but was a happy camper after it was successfully administered - no more pain! In fact, she thinks that there should be a national holiday named after the inventor of the epiderual.



And while Anthony would like to take credit for coaching Amy through this difficult physical ordeal, truth be told - it was this little button that really got Amy through the delivery! More pain medicine!



Anthony scouted out the room - this is where our baby will be put to be warmed up right after birth.



And this will be the cute little hat he will wear (and the mouth cleaner so that we will be able to hear his loud cry immediately!)



A little video of the delivery room.



Handsfree automatic cameras are key. Anthony came equipped with a video camera, a small digital camera and a large digital camera - can't miss these moments!



Ummm, maybe we should have paid attention to those breathing exercises we were supposed to do - never too late to study up! He-he-ho, he-he-ho....



Coach Anthony was there to put a cold towel on Amy's forehead and kept refilling the ice chips. Not much else to do other than keep people informed and be at Amy's beck and call (for once!).



Amy was progressing nicely throughout the morning. She went from 2 cm and 80% effaced at 5am to 4 cm by about 10am. Then, it really started to speed up. 7 cm and 100% effaced around 11:30am and the report from the doctor that "we're going to have a baby within an hour". About an hour later, Dr. Blumberg came back into the delivery room and announced it was time to push. So, thus we began the 3 pushes for 10 seconds each during each contraction. Amy was a champ, doing very well, and was very calm (no yelling!). The people yelling, actually, were the doctor and the nurse who were encouraging Amy to push. Luckily, Amy had explained earlier that everything in her life is a competition and that her sisters only pushed for 30-60 minutes with their first child. So, the doctor remembered and used that as motivation for Amy -- "Show your sisters Amy, push harder!". Whatever works!

Amy's face got red during the pushing (like it does when she runs on the treadmill) but our nurse, Gracial, and doc (and coach) were all very impressed. And, then less than 40 minutes later, our son had arrived!! Anthony Leo Civale was born at 1:18pm on Monday, March 29, 2010. He was immediately put on Mom's chest and Amy helped the nurses clean him off. Dad had a very important job too - he cut the cord!

The first two pictures of Anthony Leo.




Anthony's first movie appearance.....



Mom of the year, Amy, looks on with total joy and amazement!



Cute Anthony was not too happy at first, testing those lungs...




After the initial exam and a 9 out of 10 on the Apgar test, Anthony went on the scale. He weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds 9 ounces and was 20 inches long.



After the weigh in our great nurse, Gracial, got Anthony swaddled up and ready for the big delivery to mom!



Amy's first moments with Anthony after being full swaddled.




First few moments with mom, on video.



The cute little guy



It was now Daddy's turn - big Anthony was beaming....




Our first family shot



Our second family shot



Our third family shot



We were overjoyed at the arrival of our son. Amy did an amazing job, Anthony Leo was perfect in all respects, and Daddy was beaming from ear to ear and filled with love and amazement!



We enjoyed these moments together in the delivery room. Shortly after his birth, Anthony Leo would get the opportunity to meet both his sets of grandparents and several aunts and uncles. He and his parents couldn't wait!