It’s been nearly a year since this silly blog was started, something to help record the events of this baby’s coming.  Something to make me write things down, so he doesn’t wonder in 20 years why he’s the only one without memories jotted somewhere.

The section was like all other mundane sections.  No complications, great anesthesia, kind doctor and nurses, cut and baby out in seven minutes.  Tubes tied.  Not much of a birth story when you just check in, get IVed, roll down to the OR, and pull the baby out. We spent about 2 hours in recovery before getting our private room, and introducing him to his sister and brothers was wonderful.  They think he rocks. 

Now he’s 11 days old, a place I thought I may never reach.  Although truly a blessing, the year was long.  Each day seemed to just drag on and on.  Now, from the moment he arrived, everything has sped up one hundred fold, and I am already grieving how quickly he is growing.  He is only waking once a night, nursing like a champ, and cries very rarely.  He is the very manifestation of the capacity of God’s love, in that after three other children, we are as in love with him as physically and spiritually possible.  Our hearts just get bigger, to make room.  God must have a ginormous heart, to fit all of us in.

Although nothing like so many must suffer through, the mere 36 hours spent in NICU were some of the hardest I’ve ever endured, and gave me a completely new appreciation for the pain of parents that must walk that for days, weeks, and months.  Just the thought that he was over there, instead of in the room with me, near me, sent me into tears I couldn’t stop.  I cried for two days like I’ve never before.  I was just out of control of my emotions.  And his little life was never truly in danger.  What must parents do who fear for their children? We are so grateful it was so minor an issue, but my hormones didn’t see it that way…

I’m not posting a pic yet, as I’m having weird, protective, hormonal issues still.  I don’t really even want much of my family to hold him, or breath to close to him!  I think this will pass, it has in the past.  If you are one of the three people who stop by here, and just have to see what he looks like, leave a comment and I’ll send you one directly.  Maybe (kidding). 

We feel peaceful, complete, and excited about the future with this boy in our lives.  Now I just have to figure out how to get all this entries into some sort of hard copy form, to put in his scrap book…any ideas? 

Hey yall,

This is just a quick update, as I am pretty tired.  It’s been a trip,  
and I just wanted you to know I’ve not forgotten your sweet prayers  
and thoughts, or that I need to get to you, but there has just not  
been time.  Short version is that baby ended up in NICU for 36 hours,  
starting about 8 hours after he was born, and things were just nuts  
for us, with the section recovery and all at the same time, as you  
can imagine.  He is just perfect now, but it was scary for a bit, as  
there was fluid in his lungs, a need for a feeding tube, oxygen, IVs,  
Xrays, tests, antibiotics, etc., all of which is really terrifying  
just hours after giving birth, when he has to be taken from you, as  
you can imagine, and Ang, I know experienced.  They say it was just a  
slow transitional thing, and he was returned to us after a day and a  
half.  We came home yesterday.  In the big pic, it was just a blip,  
but we’re sure glad it’s over.  And blessedly, breastfeeding is going great, despite our intial setbacks with NICU.

B has all the pictures, some really great ones, but it will be a  
couple of days before I get organized enough to get them to you.  I  
so appreciate your love and prayers, and am so glad to be home with  
our new boy.  He is, of course, perfectly beautiful, and still,  
naturally, nameless.  We are in love, and the older children are  
smitten.  It truly was worth this whole past year…and countless  
more…

Love,
Al

Surgery scheduled for 10:30 am, tomorrow morning.  Finally.  Rie, Renay, Ang…I will call or email as soon as I can, it may be a couple of days or so…there will some pics, but I won’t be in charge of posting them…so it may be a few days…

I feel mellow.  I think that is good.