Many Faces of Liam!!

William Sean Sullivan

Welcome to the world!


WILLIAM SEAN SULLIVAN aka LIAM

January 7th, 2009 at 5:48pm


5 lbs - 11 oz 18.5 inches

Liam arrived 9 days early from his estimated due date, but was at least very thoughtful and let me have a good nights sleep before all the laboring began. I was awoken by my water breaking at 6am and then quickly woke Sean as well. It was a Wednesday and the first day in awhile I had off from work, so my plan was to pack our overnight bags, clean the house, run any last errands and prepare for the big day. Well, that was all thrown out the window and Sean and I managed to throw all our bags together and left for Sagua Managu. Sagua is the first and only birthing center here in Guam and an amazing place. So that is where for the next 12 hours I labored as my wonderful coach (Sean) helped me get through it without epidural or meds. I thought I might hate him during this time, but I actually found him very encouraging and helpful. He would jump at anything I needed and even held my hair as I vomited during contractions (birth is beautiful?).

Sagua is a great place. They encourage you to get up, walk, use a therapy ball, take a warm shower, eat, whatever will further along the labor and keep you comfortable. They let anyone visit you that you want, they let you watch TV during pushing if you want. Diane Walker was our nurse midwife the delivered Liam and she was using all sorts of tricks to help me get the little guy out. And little he was!! 5 pounds, 11 ounces, but felt like 1o pounds to me! (Look how small he is in his carseat).

Being in Guam half way around the world, you would think we were on our own, but we are surrounded by friends and support here. The Bantz's were there right away that morning getting Sean a coffee, Lynda brought us her camera when ours died and even little Caleb helped by massaging my back during some contractions (so sweet). The Sabo's are another family here, and Crissy and Lynda went to the house to clean up, do our laundry and get some sheets on Liam's bed for his homecoming. We are very blessed here. My mom and dad will be here for 3 weeks on Jan. 25 and Ruth, Sean's mom will be the next visitor in March/April, followed by Sean's dad and Melissa after that. We are VERY blessed!!

Liam is such a gift. We haven't needed to watch much TV since we've been home, because he is our entertainment. He just has to sleep and we can't stop watching him. He has had a tough time latching on for nursing, but we have used the islands lactation consultant, Barb Mafnas, to guide us through and Liam has figured it out. He's growing strong, which is a relief, but also means he will grow up someday and leave off on his own. All you mothers that warned me....they DO grow up fast! It's only been 2 weeks and I feel like he's always been with us. He's much more fun out of the belly than in it!