Happy 2-Week Birthday, Airi

Well, I guess birthdays and anniversaries are a good time to look back and reflect on where we have come from and where we are headed. Today is the two-week anniversary of Airi's birth and all sorts of memories of her first days are coming back to me as I sit and reminisce.

I remember two weeks ago today, when we headed to Jeil Women's Hospital in Haeundae Beach to wait for Airi to arrive. We checked into our private room and waited until Rie said it was time to go down to the delivery room.

After a bunch more hours, Rie announced that the wait was over and it was time to call in the professionals. The doctor agreed and the nurse transformed the bed into a birthing table. When it was time, I held Rie's hand and looked into her eyes. I was telling her how great she was doing and that we were almost there, when our eye-to-eye contact was blocked. One of the nurses had jumped up onto the head of the bed and was facing backwards. She was straddling Rie's head with one knee next to each ear. When the doctor said "Push", Rie pushed, and so did the nurse who was pushing on Rie's belly.

After a bit, the top of Airi's head was visible and after some more pushing, not much more had come out, so the doctor ordered a rest break. We all just waited for a few minutes in silence. It was a bit jarring to go from all of the activity and hubbub to nothing. I almost expected some elevator music to start up. Music for waiting. Once we were all recovered, and ready for some more, Rie and the nurse pushed and the doctor pulled.

At 8:26 pm on November 2nd, Airi was born.

She was 2.8 kg and 45.5 cm long. Airi was also a lovely shade of blue. After a few seconds of crying, she started turning red. The nurse held her up in front of Rie and counted off fingers and toes and other bits. I got to cut the umbilical cord, while Rie and Airi had some quiet time together.

Airi was whisked away for her inaugural bath and the doctor finished up with Rie. A bit after 9pm, we were all reunited and Airi lay down for her first meal.