• 0-6 Months
• 6-12+ Months

Hey Everyone!

The final results are in: On Wed May 4th at the early morning hour of 1:11a.m. we welcomed little Jasper Chang Manning to our family. Catherine was and continues to be an absolute superstar. She began irregular contractions on Tuesday morning and as they gradually grew in intensity she continued on with the day as usual, including a work phone meeting at 3:30pm. Between 5pm and 6pm when she could no longer talk through a contraction it became clear that this was it: Jasper was on his way.

We made a trip to the hospital at around 7pm. After a brief exam we were giving the option of going back home or waiting at the hospital. We were eager to do as much of the labor at home so back we went where the real fun began.

We screened off the windows, turned off all but a couple dim lights and propped pillows in each chair, the couch and bedroom. For me it was the most intimate, beautiful and loving time I've experienced. With each moment that Catherine rode the intense rushes my awe of her grew. She seemed to accept the intensity with a natural trust that I never could have imagined. Throughout the entire experience whether resting beneath a blanket or riding it hard she seemed to always understand it was all okay, it was natural and right.

As the intensity grew we knew we needed to get back in the car and head to the hospital. Honestly, that was hard to imagine. Both of us had the urge to just to deliver Jasper here at home. The outside world, riding in the car, especially the bright lights and strangers in a hospital seemed too overwhelming. In between contractions we wondered if there was anyone to call who could come over now and help us through. So much of the night had been guided by deep instincts and I knew that now is probably not the time to follow this seemingly primal urge to birth in privacy at home. But I needed reassurance and perspective. Basically I needed someone to tell me what to do. I followed my intuition to call Hannah at around 11:30pm. Hannah immediatley understood us wanting to stay home as well wanting to be as safe as possible. I told her how I wished there was a 1-800-mid-wife number we could dial and have a midwife arrive at our front door in minutes. I returned to Catherine while Hannah quickly called her doula-friend She called me back with the clear answer I needed: Go to the hospital now.

We parked in the 20-minute patient drop-off parking spot. I retrieved a wheelchair and cruised Cath up to the 3rd floor. Within 5 minutes her water broke and she went from 7 to 10cm dilated and 100% effaced. A nurse called: Okay, find a doctor . . .she's delivering now! There was no time to do the paper work. Within 20 minutes the doctor announced that we could see his head. I was instructed to tell Cath that his head was indeed visible and even though I had been told that the baby's head would mold into the shape of a cone at birth, I still wasn't convinced that what I saw was actually a head, but I assured Cath anyway. With strength and determination hard for me to fathom Catherine had pushed Jasper into the world by 1:11am.

As if perfectly planned his head returned to its beautiful normal shape while he was passed to his mama. He let out a brief cry during his first moments then relaxed on mama's chest. He anchored himself gripping my finger, taking turns looking into our eyes and examining our faces. Already he looked so curious and content. And he was even happier when mama nursed him seconds after his arrival.

We both love him more than we imagined we were capable. Sometimes I tell him I don't think it's possible to love him more than I already do but then he makes a funny little noise and I do.

So with a new found respect, awe and humility I want to say happy Mother's Day to Catherine and every other mother.

Here are some photos and sort movie clips of the new addition to all of us:

http://www.chadmanning.com/Jasper/

Love, Papa Chad

p.s. please excuse any typos...I'm learning to type with one hand while holding a baby in the other...now Jasper and I are off to make a card for his mama...