He's Here! Meet Caden Paul Zahrte

Caden Paul made his debut into the world on Friday, May 8 at 4:30 pm, weighing in at 7 pounds 10 ounces, 19.5 inches long. I started having contractions around 11:30pm on Thursday and, after a quick call to labor and delivery, we headed to the hospital around 3:00am. I was dilated to 3cm when I arrived and they decided my bag of waters had not ruptured as I had originally thought, however, I was contracting regularly. After waiting and being rechecked at at 6:00, I had progressed to 4cm and they admitted me. I was given an epidural and pitocin around 9:30 am. At 2:30 I was 8cm, and at 3:00 I was 10cm and ready to push! An hour and a half later our little bundle arrived. The coolest part was that our OB was on call (that hardly ever happens!) and she let JZ help deliver Caden. With a little help from Dr. Panzarella, Jeremy got to catch him and then cut the umbilical cord.

Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We are all adjusting to each other and doing our best to try to figure this stuff out without an instruction manual. If we haven't gotten a chance to call or see you, we will soon. Right now the hours of the day are just slipping by and we're trying to enjoy as many of them as we can.

In the meantime, here are a few pictures from the big day!

We are now in full labor - Caden's heart rate is on the top, and my contractions are on the bottom. Thank goodness for an epidural!

Catching a few last ZZZZ's before pushing

Hope this one isn't too graphic - all private parts have been cut out! This shows JZ's arm on the bottom catching him as he comes out.

Our first moments together. For anyone that is wondering about my fear of not "recognizing" him and "knowing" it was my son when he first came out, don't worry, I did. How could I not? He looks just like his daddy!



Kim and Nana Z



Proud Papa

Grammy and Caden

My favorite little guy!

Sleeping with Daddy

Handsome boy