Ethan Man

Ethan Allen Putnam was born to Mark Allen Putnam and Jennifer Marie Putnam on April 27, 2008. I have more of a labor story to share with you all if you don't mind... Okay so I was getting sick of being preggo, I am sure those of you who have been pregnant would already know that the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy are the pits. I was putting on five lbs. a week due to water retention and my blood pressure was steadily rising. I was ready to get this kid out!!! One night I began having steady contractions and they weren't going away like the classic false alarms. Also it was the night before my due date. You see the difference from this pregnancy from the last one was that I was induced with Tatum. I didn't go into labor naturally. So I wasn't sure how this would all go down. My contractions weren't so painful, however they were lengthening in intensity and duration and happening every two minutes. I packed our stuff, Mark and Tatum and I headed to the hospital. Finally I hoped I would be having this little guy within the next few hours. So I only hoped. I went in there with an iron will to not have an epidural. I wanted to be strong like my Step Mom who popped out five children with no drugs. I can only look back and chuckle at myself now. Lets just say that my intent was noble. The contractions worsened and I didn't want to breathe let alone grasp reality when one hit. I only thought "if someone has something heavy, give it to me so that I may knock myself unconsiuos" The worst part was that i was merely dilated to a four. A mesely four centemters. After hours of labor, lots of pain and an undilating cervix, I opted and gave into the epidural. Yes, I felt like a whimp. However, I was excited that Mark and I would be welcoming the newest addition to our Putnam family, our son, Ethan. Just to spare every detail, I ended up having a c-section after about 12 long hours of labor. I was only dilated to a five and my Doctor said that we shouldv'e been ready to push several hours prior. Mark and Susie, my step Mother were able to be in the room with me when Ethan was born. I remember they looked like marshmellows with all their gear on. It was sweet. After a few tugs and pulls and alot of pressure I remember looking into Mark's happy and anxiuos blue eyes when I heard a faint tiny cry and Dr. Ott said " Well Jennifer it looks like your the new Mommy of a little baby boy" and Mark and I cried only a little. I saw Ethan's tiny face as the nurse brought him to me wrapped up like a little burrito. He looked just like Mark. :) He was 5 lbs. 15 oz. 21 inches long with a head of dark hair.