20 Months and 4 Days

I finally have a bit to catch everyone up on the news!  It’s Sunday morning and Daniel is catching up on sleep, Adam is probably eating breakfast right about now, and Isabelle is cradled in her glider snug as a bug in a rug.

Let’s go back in time……Wednesday Jan. 7th 4A.M.  We woke up after only a few hours sleep and got ready for our long day.  Only, we didn’t realize just how long and emotionally grueling it would turn out to be.  Got to the hospital at 5:30 and checked in.  The staff is incredibly nice and explain everything and why.  Adam was with Daniel and they were trying to be on their best behavior.  Fortunately there were no other patients in the room.  The room we were in was just a room to prep you for surgery.  They drew blood, paperwork, hooked me up to monitors, and took care of a few procedures that we don’t need to go in to.  We were delayed a bit since we had to wait on the NICU staff so they could attend to Isabelle at birth in case of complications.    Finally, we were off to surgery.  My parents, Daniel’s mom and aunt, and my sister were all there.  We had to pass by them on the way to the OR.  They were taking care of Adam.  I was doing fine until I saw him.  I cried as I left my baby with them.  The look on his face and the way he was crying for me just broke my heart.    I got all setup with my epidural and the next thing I knew we were getting started.  All the nurses and doctors were so kind during the surgery.  They explained things, comforted me ( I was crying pretty much the whole time), and included Daniel in to keep him comfortable too.

Isabelle made her diva debut at 8:25AM.  She cried to announce her arrival, but was quickly taken to the NICU team and I heard nothing else.  It was terrifying to be lying on that table not knowing what was happening to my daughter.  Daniel did a great job at keeping me calm because I had no clue that she was requiring oxygen and they were even “bagging” her.   The doctors were using the bag to assist her breathing.  I didn’t know all this until way afterward.  Finally, I heard her crying loud and strong!  It was wonderful.  They let Daniel over to see her and they brought her to me for a minute and then she was gone.  While bein sewed up, her doctor told me that she was ok, but her breathing was very rapid and that sometimes is a sign of  an infection.  She would be in the NICU for a while and that’s all I really remember.

The next two days were so difficult.  The surgery went well, but it left me worn out and sick all day.  I threw up every liquid I was allowed to have.  If I sat up from laying down I promptly got sick.  I felt fine other than that.  They tried 3 different medicines to stop the nausea, but finally it just eased away in the evening.  My mother was there the whole day.  She was my rock.  She held my hair back, she comforted me, and she saw parts of me that she hadn’t seen since I was 5!    She’s just amazing.  My sister made us a beautiful mum for the door, a boutennire for Daniel, and a “flower” arrangement.  The “flowers” are socks!  Too cute. 

I was not able to see Isabelle until she was over a day old!!!!  Fortunately her daddy and family got to see her, but since I was unable to walk there I couldn’t see her.   There was no way of wheeling me in the hospital bed to her.  I never thought I would have to go through what I did and not be able to cuddle and bond with her shortly after.  It just never crossed my mind.  I was assured she was ok and I saw tons of pictures, but I physically ached to see her.  Thursday morning they got me out of bed and I was so ready.   I knew the sooner I was up and around the faster I could get to her.  Once I was up I didn’t stop.  Daniel was visiting with her when my nurse and I made the trek to NICU.  He was surprised to see me.  I finally got to hold her and it was wonderful.  She was bruised and bandaged, but she was in my arms.  The rest of the time she was there we visited as much as we could.   All of her time in NICU was pretty much a precaution.  She has the VSD (ventricular septal defect) or “hole in the heart”, but the breathing was causing the most concern.  She stabilized quickly though and all her bloodwork came  back negative for any infections.  She did have IV’s, and once one blew they had to resort to putting one in her head.  It sounds worse than what it was.  They said they are easier there because the veins are closer to the surface.  The NICU nurses were wonderful.  They spoiled all of us.  They decorated her isolette and even made something for Adam.  They sent us home with enough formula for a week, diapers, wipes, blanket, two diaper bags…it was wonderful to have such caring people looking after our baby girl.

We finally got out of the hospital on Saturday around 3 or so.  We had our first visitors at home.  Carlos and Brenda came over with dinner.  They didn’t make it up to the hospital.  We actually told friends that we’d set visits up for after we got home.  It was better for us and Isabelle to just kinda get through the NICU days quietly.  The visits we did have were great though.  They provided relief from the worry and everyone was truly excited to see the baby.  I felt so much better on Thursday and I think it showed.  I was able to laugh and tell stories. 

Saturday night we settled in and Isabelle was being a diva.  She’s trying to pull a fast one on us.  She wants to eat some, then rest, then eat some more.  Sorry little girl, but Mommy and Daddy are not going to feed you every time you are awake.  She thinks that when she first wakes up it’s time to eat.  So, we are working on that.  Other than that, she slept great and so did we.  She’s got slight jaundice, so her healthy appetite and numerous diaper changes are helping with that.  It’s amazing to look at all the pictures that have been taken and see the changes that have taken place.  She weighed 8lbs. 6.2 oz at birth, but discharged at 8lbs 1 oz.  Her eyes are open more and she was awake for a good while last night just looking around. 

Adam is 20 months old today and Isabelle is 4 days old.  I am a mommy to 2!  I have a son and a daughter.  My life is amazing right now.  I’m thankful for what God has blessed me with.  Thank you to everyone who said prayers for us, for Isabelle’s safe arrival and recuperation.   She is a strong little girl who went through so much in her short life already.  We’ve cuddled her so much to make up for the time we lost.

I’m uploading the pictures so hopefully I’ll get enough time to get them all sent out.