Welcome Home Little Man

Camden is now 5 days old and has spent 2 whole nights in his new home. The first night, he wanted to stay up and take it all in. He slept and ate much better night # 2 and we hope that pattern continues. Today was my first day back to work, and everyone there was so great. They had congratulation signs over my desk, presents, and treats in the breakroom...it made coming back to work not so sad, but I still missed the heck out of my little family.


Today, mom (Misty), Hillary's mom (Margo), friend (Nell), and sister (Natalie) came over and kept Hill & Cam company. Mom drove them to the hospital for a check up to see how he was progressing with his feedings. We are proud to say that he is almost back to his original fighting weight of 7 lbs 10 oz. He has been an eating machine here lately, taking up a lot of Hillary's day. We don't seem to mind though, right now anyway. I even still enjoy getting up in the middle of the night to change his diaper just to hold him and calm him back down. I know, I know, give it another week and I'll let him sit in his own filth before draggin myslef out of bed. But for now, we couldn't be happier caring for him in anyway we can.


Yesterday was my first father's day and I was sooo proud to show off my new little boy. It was nice to be with family over the holiday. It is so fun to be a little family ourselves. We are also so glad to have wonderful friends in our life who have (and continue to) provide us with dinners and gifts. Thank you all SO MUCH. We definately feel loved. Well, more postings and pics to follow. I need to get with Camden's cousin Gage and uncle Adam and even get some videos on here too!!

He is finally here!!!

What a beautiful and precious little baby boy God has blessed us with!!! Camden Zachary Novak was born 7 pounds 10 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long...we don't know where he gets his height. He was born at 4:29 a.m. June 13, 2007. He has his mom's ears and his dad's cowlicks. His mother and I have fallen head over heels in love with him already!!

Let me just tell you absolutley amazing a woman my wife is. She was so determined and confident and relaxed through, in my eyes, some of the most unmatchable pain I can imagine. Even during painful contractions where she was unable to speak, she was an angel still saying "please and thank you" to those helping her after the contraction was finished. I put her name up for cannonization for sainthood with my connections at the Vatican. She began her induction at 7:00 a.m Tuesday morning and began having painful contractions at 3:00 p.m. She endured those progressivley stronger contractions for 9 hours before finally receiving an epidural at midnight when she was 6cm dialated and 100% effaced.

Family friend, Maureen Lyon was Hillary's Doula and was an pillar of strength and source of calmness for her and I both during the labor. Camden was handling all of the excitment with stride and his heart rate was strong and in the perfect range; however, after about 2 hours on the epidural Cam's heart rate shot up to over 180 beats per minute and Hillary started to have a fever. The nursing staff tried to lower his HR with oxygen, turning Hillary, shutting off the Pitocin (which was set at 26 mL/hr which is 6mL higher than typical)...none of these meaures helped. Hill was re-checked and was about 8-9 cm dialted and the doctor was called. The OB arrived and said let's not wait any longer, let's get him out of there. Within minutes, we were rushed into the OR for an immediate C-section because he was in distress. So, after all of enduring labor, Hillary ended up with a C-section and both her and Cam are doing fabulously. He is so perfect we just wanted to share this with everyone we knew and thank them for all of their prayers during this stressful and scary labor. The power of prayer is untouchable. We love you and thank you all. MANY MORE pics and update to follow!!!!!

Latest update!

Good morning family and friends! We wanted to give you a quick update on Mr. Camden's arrival. We visited out doctor yesterday and were frusterated to hear that there is still no change (still 2 cm dilated). Our Dr. wants to try the induction again on Tues. June 12th, which is Joel and I's 3rd wedding anniversary! We were a little hesitant to be excited about going through that whole process again. We will be exactly 41 weeks on Tues. and she absolutely won't let us go past 41 weeks and 3 days because of other complications that can come with a late baby. So we decided to go for it again on Tues. Our Dr. reassured us that at 41 weeks she will be much more agressive about making him come out! Last time she wasn't willing to break my water because there is no turning back after that. She said many times breaking your water is like flipping a light switch and much progression takes place after that. However, if there still isn't progression, we run the risk of needing a c-section. That's a little scary to think about....but precious Gage arrived by c-section, and he is absolutely perfect! Thanks Natalie for the great example you've been to me during this whole process!

After our appointment yesterday, we are CONVINCED we have a little sweet little brat on our hands. :) Our Dr. was concerned about his lack of movement, so she hooked us up to a monitor for 20 min. to track how often he moved. I'm not kidding...it was like he was doing gymnastics. Joel and I were cracking up at how my belly just leaped around everywhere. The kid doesn't move ALL DAY, and then decides to really show off when we're hooked up to the machine!

We're thankful for a healthy baby, and for everyone's thoughts and prayers. We are trusting that God is in control and He is the only one that knows our baby's birthday. Hopefully Tues. brings happy news! Hope everyone has a great weekend! Until next time...

Stubborn Little Boy

Well, I know we posted last time that it would be Camden's birthday soon, but he really didn't think that was a good idea. He is pretty content right where he is!! Hillary was induced Monday morning at 9:00 am and started the pitocin (synthetic oxytocin that your body produces to push you into contractions/labor). She got the full dose at around 1:00 pm, and stayed on that dose about 14 hours. The progression was VERY slow and Hillary didn't feel contractions regularly until about midnight and with increased intensity around 2 am...but only if she was laying down. Once she was up on a ball or walking around the contractions went away which is an indicator of false labor. She was no further dialated but about 75% thinned out, which is not good progress in 24 hours.
The OB suggested to go home get some rest, see her on Thursday and maybe set up another appointment to be induced again next Tuesday...we hope it happens before then. Pretty discouraging news after Hill worked really hard and we had a long day of anticipation and medical procedures. It is tough when you wait so long to meet your little baby and have to go home without him. So, keep us in your thoughts and prayers and pray for peace, courage and strength. We are so blessed that even though our little punk kid is stubborn, he is still really healthy with a good strong heartbeat and seems to have a mind of his own already. Thanks for all of your concerns and love. We can feel the support of family and friends. We will post again SOON to update everyone. This time, no pre-mature happy birthday wishes!!!

Happy Birthday Camden!!

Well, our pregnancy journey is just about officially over! Then the REAL journey begins!! :) Tomorrow morning, Joel and I are heading to the hospital at 6:00 am to be induced so we can finally meet our little guy. The anticipation of knowing what is about to happen in just a few short hours is crazy!! I doubt there will be much sleeping going on in the Novak household tonight (and for many nights to come!!) We are so ready to be able to call our family and friends without the eager question..."is it time"??? For 2 weeks now, we've been disappointing everyone with the same old..."she feels fine". Joel and I decided today that Cam is definitely grounded as soon as he makes his entrance into the world, as he has been disobeying his Mommy ALREADY!! His "I'll come when I'm ready" attitude is SOOOOO his father. :) Speaking of...I can't imagine a more excited and eager Daddy than Joel right now. He is absolutely precious!!! He'll be a fantastic coach, even during those un-christian moments in the delivery room that I'm sure to have!

We are so excited for life to change tomorrow, we can hardly stand it! Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers for a safe, quick and gentle delivery! :) The next post will be pictures of Camden Zachary Novak! Stay tuned....