Your birth story.
I won't bore you with all details of my pregnancy, but you were supposed to be born August 28th. That day is Papa Lew's birthday. He was pretty ecstatic to hear you might be coming that day! However, August 7th, I started to feel some pressure in my abdomen. Not enough to really concern me. I had a doctor's appointment the next day anyway. The next morning I awoke early to the pain feeling more severe and it felt as if my stomach was going to burst open. I went to my doctor's appointment in tears and explained all that I was feeling. Dr. Nelson immediately stated that my uterus could rupture based on my symptoms. She asked that I head over to the hospital immediately. Daddy was at home with your big sister Brynn, so instead of going to the hospital I drove back home. I didn't want your daddy to be without the car. I ran in and grabbed my bag that I had mostly packed thank goodness. Daddy drove us all to the hospital and dropped me off. The plan was for me to be watched through the night and placed on a monitor. Those plans changed quickly when I went into full blown labor with contractions coming quickly. It was very intense and I was hurting. Daddy waited for Nana to arrive at the house then he left so he could be with me. We were both so nervous, but he is the BEST at being there and supporting me. At 5:03 you were delivered via c-section. You were perfect in every single way. We thought everything went very smoothly and they kept telling us everything was fine. They took you away while they stitched me back up then I headed down to recovery where I would have to wait 2 more hours before I could see you. Oh, that was just terrible. The waiting is the worst part. Your pediatrician came in and sat down beside me in recovery and I just burst into tears. I knew something wasn't right. I was sort of out of it, so all I remember is him telling me that you needed to be monitored because of your oxygen level and your sugar level being too low. He said I wouldn't be able to hold you yet and that you would have to stay in the nursery. There are no words to describe what an awful feeling it was to hear all of that. My heart sank. You did come early, so I was prepared that there could be some issues, but it was still very scary. Your dad and I were both very scared and felt helpless. One of the nurses that I know was kind enough to bring you to me for a brief moment right when I arrived to floor just so I could hold you and kiss you for second. Then she took you away again. If we wanted to hold you then we had to go to the nursery. You had to be hooked up to IV fluids to get your sugar levels back up. They were pricking your foot every 3 hours to check your level. It was really low starting in the 20's. Sometimes it would be getting higher and then it would plummet again. You were such a fighter through it all. A couple days in they let you stay in my room during the day, but then at night I'd have to take you back to be monitored. You had plenty of visitors! Family and friends came to visit you and support us. Your big sister Brynn met you in the hospital, but she didn't really understand what was going on. Then finally they let you stay in my room and I would just have to wake up every three hours in the night to pump and then get your sugar checked. We stayed in the hospital until the following Tuesday. The doctor finally let us go home after you passed three glucose (sugar) checks in a row. I've never seen your daddy move so quickly in his life to get all of our things down to the car and ready to go. We were both so ready to get home! Brynn, nana, and nonni were waiting on us there.
We placed you down on the floor in your car seat so Brynn could see you. She was fine while you were in the car seat, but the minute I took you out, she got VERY upset. She was so upset she wouldn't let anyone touch her. It took daddy and I a little bit to calm her down. It broke my heart, but I knew this would be an adjustment for everyone. The next day Brynn was fine and we all started to get settled into life as a little family of four. I want you to know that she needed a few days to get settled to you staying and pulling attention away from her, but after that...she could not love you more. She pets your head like a dog. She kisses you. She brings you a paci when you cry. She knows you are something special and it makes our hearts so happy. Because that you are...so special.
A couple days after we brought you home we took you to your check up at the pediatricians office. You seemed to gain a few ounces and everything was looking great. I continued breastfeeding and pumping. However, over the next two weeks I noticed that you had diarrhea and would pull away from me when I tried to feed you. You also became very fussy. It was such a struggle and my heart was breaking. I cannot tell you how hard I was working to get this breastfeeding thing down. I wanted nothing more than to give you the best. At your 2 week check up- we were told you had a dairy allergy and you had lost weight. I was instructed to remove all dairy from my diet. Wow that was really difficult too. Your daddy was right there to help me and took me to the grocery store to pick out dairy free foods. I couldn't really tell a difference for a couple of weeks because it takes that long to get dairy out of my system.
During this time you slept a couple times all the way through the night. I would think you were on a roll and then the next night you would wake up several times. So way to trick me:)
This first month was busy and exciting. You started to keep your eyes open a good bit towards the end of the month. You are so tiny in my arms. You have a soft cry compared to your sisters at this age. Of course we had many visitors at home to see you. Just like with Brynn- Nonni stayed for a few days then Nana came. Then we had a week in between and then Rae Rae and pop pop came to stay for a little while. Rae Rae ended up staying for ten days. Everyone is always there to lend a hand and give us lots of help. It's hard for me to accept help because I am so used to doing everything on my own. I'm getting better though.
Learning to handle two babies has been going well. Sometimes are hard because you need me at the same time Brynn does. She is learning to be patient if we are breastfeeding though. Some days are easier than others, but I certainly would not have it any other way. This momma is surely blessed beyond measure. It feels like our family is complete.
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