Gavin Rama Dotulong
Friday the 20th
We went to the doctor for a check-up Friday night, he said everything looked fine but just to make sure he ran a no stress test on the baby. The test came out fine and we were given the green light to go home and wait for another week for the baby to arrive. The doctor asked me if I was walking, and I told a little white lie that I was. Mommy had also been asking me if I was walking, and while I had taken a short stroll around the garden Friday morning, I wasn’t really serious about it yet.
Saturday the 21st
I woke up early and couldn’t get back to sleep. It wasn’t raining and I thought, well, there’s no excuse not to get your butt in gear and get this baby out, so I drove to Petitenget beach and spent about 40 minutes walking and listening to my Ipod. It was a beautiful overcast morning, there was a nice breeze blowing off the ocean and plenty of other walkers to smile at. It’s amazing what you can accomplish before you usually get out of bed. When I got home Hengky was just starting up the computer and Gregor was still asleep. The day passed quietly and uneventfully. I was eager to get Gavin out as soon as possible, so I rewarded Gregor with some beach time when he got up from his afternoon nap. It was still overcast and breezy, but not raining. Iluh and Gregor played in the sand and I repeated my morning’s walk- going a bit farther. The tide was up so there was less beach to walk on, but the exercise felt good as I hiked over the softer sand. When we got back and had showered, Wolfgang appeared with a picnix. We added to his feast with what we had in the house, and Hengky, Wolfie and I were soon sitting around eating salmon pate, bread, fine cheeses and grapes. What a nice treat. As it was Saturday night, Wolfie and Hengky also cracked open a few bottles. Before the drinking began I took Hengky aside to tell him that I really had a feeling tonight might be the night, but he shrugged it off and I relented. Later Lala came by with two friends and Richard, Kaufik and Monique came over fresh from diving. We kept snacking and they all kept drinking. Amazingly, still no rain.
After everyone left, I was feeling a bit tired, but also strangely energetic, so I read in bed while Hengky slept beside me. As I was reading the first contractions hit. But still I wasn’t sure. I got Hengky’s watch and the pregnancy book. I leafed through it while timing contractions. After about an hour of increasingly significant pains coming regularly seven minutes apart, I had a pretty good feeling this was it. At the same time, I wanted to be sure so Hengky wouldn’t accuse me of being overdramatic hahaha.
Sunday the 22nd and onward
A little after midnight my waters broke and there was no doubting it now… this baby was coming and the walking had done the trick. I roused Hengky and we set off for RS Puri Bunda, the maternity hospital off Jl. Gatsu in Denpasar that we had chosen. While I was getting checked, Hengky registered us for the nicest room in the place. Typical Hengky, maddening but also so endearing. The nurses reported that I was dilated 2 cm and that I should wait for a few hours to fully dilate. I was allowed to go relax in our suite.
The night passed painfully as the contractions came closer and closer together. The need to push was nearly unbearable, yet somehow the hours passed and I was finally being collected for the delivery room. I was fully dilated and ready to go. We started at about 7 am and I was given the green light to push. The pushing actually surprised me. I found that it was far less painful than the night of contractions had been. I was eager to get Gavin out and at first I thought it would be possible as his hair came into view. The doctor originally told me I would have an hour to push. After each contraction and subsequent bearing down we listened to the baby’s heartbeat. I was given oxygen to keep Gavin strong.
The hour was up and still no sign of Gavin. His head appeared and receded again and again, but no progress was being made. I was still feeling very strong and extremely determined to get him out the way he had come in, so we kept going for another hour, but still Gavin stubbornly refused to budge. The doctor was concerned that the endeavor was too stressful for the baby and that there must be something preventing his arrival, so we finally agreed to a cesarean section, not willing to risk the dreaded vacuum.
The next 30 minutes were the worst, as the contractions kept coming, but I was no longer allowed to try my hardest to push Gavin out. Finally I was ready for the operation and I drifted into sleep as Gavin was pulled out of me. Hengky stayed for every minute of it, recording the gory details with delight as Gavin entered the world. After he was cleaned up, he was brought briefly to me, then whisked away to an incubator for the next four hours.
I spent two hours in recovery and was amazed to be visited by not only Hengky, but Gregor and Mimi, (with Gregor beaming from ear to ear about his new little brother), Tom and Mia, Lala and Ottie and Niniek. It’s possible others came in, too, but I was still too loopy to notice. I called my Dad and Brinton, but as the connections were bad I’m not sure they got more information than that Gavin had arrived. I was eventually wheeled back to the suite and waited rather impatiently for Gavin to be brought in. The stitches weren’t hurting too bad, but I was thankful for the remote controlled bed that kept me from having to strain too hard. I wasn’t allowed to leave the bed, anyway.
Gavin was finally brought in and he was amazing. A full head of shocking black hair thick as could be (Hengky), a sharp little bule nose (me), delicate soft skin smelling like heaven. He took straight to the breast and suckled away. When he cried he turned beet red like a little tomato and I was thrilled to hear how strong his lungs were. Word spread fast and we had tons and tons of visitors so I got to repeat my birth story again and again and Gavin was marveled at.
We stayed in hospital until Tuesday, the 24th, and enjoyed every moment of it. The room was perfect, the staff friendly and helpful. There was a bed for Hengky (and a smoking patio), the food was bearable (though thankfully I had Mia to supplement it with her gourmet treats)! I didn’t get a chance to get up and enjoy it til Tuesday morning, but still found it luxurious.
The best part of the room, though, has to be that they send a nurse to the house for one week after the baby goes home. Ibu Eka comes every morning to bathe and massage the baby and even looks after me a bit to make sure that the milk is flowing smoothly and I don’t have any concerns. Now that is a treat indeed!
The pictures above show that Gavin’s Granddad and Grandma are celeberating the birth of Gavin even though they are far away in DC. The first photo is a stork sign on their front door welcoming Gavin. The second is of proud Granddad dressed in his winter clothes and ready for some biking. The last photo is Granddad with the sign for the front lawn proclaiming Gavin’s birthdate and weight. Thanks for celebrating guys!
January 23rd, 2006 at 13:56
Wah…
matanya masih merem ya…
lucu…belum terlihat seperti bapaknya atau mama nya…
Nice PIC…. kronologisnya terlihat jelas pada pics ini.
CONGRATULATION to Hengky, Thea & Gregor
God Bless U All…
January 23rd, 2006 at 14:11
I remember reading Gone With The Wind, one of the characters said that “the happiest days are when babies are born” - now I really know what it means. Thea did a wonderful job, and little Gavin is SO cute! Congrats to the Dotulongs.
January 23rd, 2006 at 14:15
It was Melanie that said that ….Congrats Hengky, Thea and Gregor!
January 23rd, 2006 at 15:28
Wow Erwin, didn’t know you read Gone With The Wind.. yep that’s right it was Melanie Hamilton (later Melanie Wilkes) who said that.
January 23rd, 2006 at 15:40
I didn’t read the book, just watched the DVD. I like her character though
January 23rd, 2006 at 18:54
Merem soalnya lagi tidur, Fik…
Kalo sekarang udah keliatan belum mirip siapa?
Hidungnya mirip Hengky kayanya, matanya mirip Thea
January 24th, 2006 at 00:31
Hey Hengke and Mia and Gregor, congrats got the news on the other side of the ocean just this morning. Hope mummy and baby are doing good. Got the link from Juju. All the best! Corey from Canada
January 24th, 2006 at 08:35
habis keluar tidur, kecapekan ya?
January 24th, 2006 at 08:37
is that Ottie?
January 24th, 2006 at 09:17
Thank you … Thank you .. for all the supports… !
Win, kalau html code nya thumbnail nya di jejerin 4 gimana ?
Yang lalu kan 2 tuh, kalo memanjang gini mah nggak bisa nambah tulisan entarnya…. Tumb nya mesti ukuran kecil berapa biar bisa muat 4? Email gue yah …
January 24th, 2006 at 11:20
Thank you Corey ….
Rohmad: Bukan itu Umbilical cord nya …
January 24th, 2006 at 11:26
Congratulations to Hengky and Thea, to a new baby boy!! Happy for you two…
January 24th, 2006 at 12:04
Congratulations to Hengky and Thea, cute baby boy!
tepat juga yach gue tanya elu, ga taunya kemaren nongolnya.
Happy 4 U 2- All the best!
January 24th, 2006 at 12:26
Hey hey hey!
Selamat selamat selamat!
Syukur semua berjalan dengan lancar!
How’s everybody?
January 24th, 2006 at 12:36
CONGRATS!
Duh senengnyaaaa ..
January 24th, 2006 at 15:26
Wah… Ko Hengky n Thea, congrats yah! He looks so healthy n cute, ngoplosnya pas… Hehehe… Eh, jadi inget berarti ini ponakannya si Theo. Hahaha… God Bless You guys!!!
January 24th, 2006 at 17:09
Yvone: Iya emang berkat pandai bapak menggoyang.. jadinya oplosan nya pas …. :-))
Sonia, Bayu Marchel and everybody.. thank you very much …
January 24th, 2006 at 17:46
Congrats Thea, Hangky and Gregor. Maybe Andrew and Gavin can play togeather, they are only a couple of months between them. We’ll teach them to dive.
January 24th, 2006 at 20:25
Thea, Hengky
Congratulations from Emily, Fein and Seb in Shanghai!!!!!! Nose looks like Hengky’s, everything else (except that part!!) looks like mum.
See all of you this Saturday!!!!!!!
Sleep well haha!!!
January 25th, 2006 at 04:56
i’m so happy for you all!!!!! can’t wait to meet the beautiful little bugger! i’m so overwhelmed at the thought of Thea just giving birth- i’m at a loss for words. love you!
January 25th, 2006 at 07:53
He looks like mommy………….so cuteee…..no matter what i think babies look so much better when they are not crying =) =)
January 25th, 2006 at 10:46
You mean like his papa ?
January 25th, 2006 at 18:09
Hebat..Thea…kamu bener2 pejuang yang dahsyat…
tapi Hengky hebat jg lho..walau cuman jadi suporternya..hi.hi..hi..
selamat..ya.
January 25th, 2006 at 23:49
good god! just look at that black mopped head! i must admit that most newborns are monstrousely UGLY, but hot damn MAMA, that kid is gorgeous! and so are you. had to wipe off a few tears when i saw those first pictures. i love you very much and can’t wait to hear all the gory labor deets! my love to hengky and gregor too!
January 26th, 2006 at 15:19
thea…that means u did not know that gregor n i were playing with the statescope in the recovery room? hehehee….
January 27th, 2006 at 08:17
Thea! Wow luv! You give me hope…beautiful as ever - even while giving birth. Congratulations Mommy! Congratulations Hengky! I can’t wait to meet Gavin in March (I suppose it will be nice to see you again too…:-) Hengky and Gregor too.
PS. Its always so nice to welcome another of my own special, 1/2 American 1/2 Indo race! :O
xoxxxxx
January 27th, 2006 at 12:01
Thea,
I am in tears to see you all grown up, married and having a baby of your own! I am very happy for you. Gosh, I remember you and Jenna as little tots…and it seems like yesterday.
Gavin is just adorable!
We need to come to Bali, I feel like an honorary grandmother.
Take good care of that adorable little one, I know that you will be a wonderful mother.
Lots of love,
Jill
January 27th, 2006 at 15:08
Thea!! Gavin is such a beautiful little boy - no surprise really given how lovely his mom is…. congratulations to you all!!! Now more than ever I want to get out to visit you and your beautiful family
Much love from Hector and I from a cold and grey England …
Adam x
January 29th, 2006 at 05:23
Wow, Thea, what a beautiful family you have! Congratulations to all of you. Looks like you really toughed it out, and looking at that Gavin, no wonder you’re in such good spirits about it despite the trial. I hope very much to be meeting these gorgeous men in your life and to go diving with my beautiful cousin before long!
Love, Emily
January 29th, 2006 at 16:10
Thea and Hengky,
congratulations!! i wish i was still in indonesia when you gave birth. your baby is soo cute! Half white and half asian babies are the cutest,,,, you should see my baby pictures(just kidding, hehe)
hey Hengky, how could you photo document all of that? I would be too freaked out to hold the camera steady! two boys, your going to have your hands full huh? way to go cousin.
brian
January 29th, 2006 at 16:33
Congratulations, Thea & Hengky! Gavin is sooooooo adorable! I enjoyed reading about it all and looking at your pics.:) Great job toughening it out, Thea! I knew you’d do great! Hengky, you’re an awesome photographer! I wish I was back in Bali to see your new addition. Hopefully it won’t be too long till we can go back!
Love,
Prissy
January 30th, 2006 at 09:46
Brian: I still have more pictures when they did the ceasarian…
Too scarry to upload here…… I just uploded pictures without blood, he.. he..
Prissy: Thank you…. hope will see you here soon ……
January 30th, 2006 at 12:44
Whoo hoo! Congratulations you guys! How exciting! Gavin is sooo lucu! I wish we were still over there. Just one more great excuse to go back to Indo soon! Thea, awesome job…you’re a tough cookie! Hengky, great pics and support! Gregor, you’re a big brother! I’m so happy for you all…you’re an awesome family! Miss you guys!
God bless,
Love, Patty
February 1st, 2006 at 12:16
Congratulations Thea and Hengky, The pictures are wonderful and wow what an experience. You did it! Gavin is so beautiful. How is Gregor accepting the baby? I would be bet that he’s wonderful with him. I remember when Brian Thio had to get used to 2 baby sisters. He was sooo good to them and protective. When someone from the states goes to Indonesia, we will be sending gifts to say not only congratulations but also thank you a thousand times for treating us so well while scuba diving etc, when we were in Indonesia. We all really appreciated it and loved the good visited. Love, Linda
February 2nd, 2006 at 14:54
i learned some new words from this story :D. belum sempet euy ke kerobokan ..
February 2nd, 2006 at 17:22
Thanks to everyone for their support… we have had Gavin at home now for a little over a week, and despite the sleepless nights, he is an absolute joy! We are all settling into life with a baby, and Gregor is a fantastic big brother, always kissing and hugging his little “adik”. I have also recovered remarkably well from the C-section… Hengky never lets me get away with acting like a princess, so I was up and running from day one. Stay tuned for more, there are surely good stories to follow!
February 11th, 2006 at 00:50
hey congratulations dotulong family! lovely pictures, worth thousands of words..
February 11th, 2006 at 15:04
Hengky and thea and gregor,
I really enjoyed the pictures. welcome to the new world baby gavin! Wow, Thea, C-section thats impressive. Best wishes as your beautiful family continues to grow. Looking forward to meeting baby gavin in person some day.
February 12th, 2006 at 22:26
Aduuuuh…selamat ya buat om hengky ama tante Tea…Gregor punya adik baru nih….buat Gavin slamat datang k dunia nich..maaf ya baru tau dari Lala nih…senangnya………………..
February 23rd, 2006 at 10:23
Hoiiiii…bro apa khabar lama tak bersua. Selamat utk anak kedua yah..biasa ini sobat lama yg terlupakan…Kalau main ke jakarta call me bro 0813-11307689…Teman SMP dan SMA kalau tidak ingat..hehehhe….
April 27th, 2006 at 05:51
What a wonderful journey, and what a beatiful baby boy!
Tell him straight away to call us uncles!
Great job, Thea and Henky!
Much Love,
Tata & Ken
Melbourne
June 5th, 2008 at 11:08
gmn kbarnya krg pasti udh gede ya……