She's Here! She's Home!

        Daddy and I went to the hospital around 8:45pm on Monday, August 12.  Like your sister, you were scheduled to be induced the next morning, but the doctors gave mommy some medicine the night before to get ready. You didn't like the medicine, and the nurses made mommy flip from side to side to try and keep your heart rate up. We made it through the night, although you and I didn't get much sleep.

       

        Dr. Mary, the doctor that delivered you and Paisley, came in and broke mommy's water around 7:45am. Shortly after, mommy asked for an epidural to help with labor pains. The anesthesiologist came a little while later, and mommy was excited to have some relief. However, the epidural didn't work for some reason so mommy was still feeling everything. In the mean time, you were getting ready to come, and mommy's body had gone from 4 to 9.5 cm very quickly. The nurse called the anesthesiologist to come fix the epidural, and this time it worked- thank goodness. A few minutes later, it was time to get ready to push. Dr. Mary came in, asked mommy to push one time and out you came. You were born at 10:27, and you were beautiful. Mommy got to hold you for a few minutes before the nurses and daddy weighed you and measured you. You were 7lbs 8oz and 21 inches long. Then the nurses gave you back to mommy and daddy and we cuddled for a little over an hour, just the three of us. It was perfect. Next, Paisley, Grammie, and Papa came to meet you. Paisley loved you right away, and of course Grammie and Papa couldn't get enough of you. You were the sweetest little thing!

      After all of the introductions, it was time for your bath and a few routine checks in the nursery. While mommy waited for you to come back, they moved me from the delivery room to a nice hospital room. We sat and waited; Paisley and mommy even took a little nap on the hospital bed, waiting for you to join us. A little while later Dr. Drummond, your pediatrician, came in and explained to mommy, daddy, grammy, and Papa that there were a few health problems your tiny body was dealing with, but she wasn't sure why. You were anemic and you had heavy jaundice. The explanation we were given and the details of what was going on in your little body took a long time to discuss with Dr. Drummond, and an ambulance had been called to take you to USA Women's and Children's hospital where you could receive the care you needed. We were all shocked and scared by the news, even though we know that God is always in control. We decided that daddy and granny would follow the ambulance and Grammie and Papa stayed with mommy because I wasn't allowed to leave the hospital quite yet. I was very heartbroken and wanted to be with you so badly. The doctors let daddy and me go into the nursery and hold you while we waited for the ambulance. By then, you were already hooked up to all kind of things, which was upsetting to mommy and daddy. It seemed like just a couple of minutes and the EMTs were there to take you. They sent mommy and daddy back to my hospital room. A little while later, they brought you in on a stretcher in a big transport incubator that would keep you safe and warm for the ride. It was completely awful seeing you in there, and mommy cried, wanting to hold you so badly. Daddy prayed over you for protection and healing. A few minutes later, you were gone, and all we could do is pray.

     After 4 days, we were given your diagnosis. You have something called Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency. We don't know what all that will entail, but baby girl, you are our perfect blessing. We couldn't be more thankful for you and are so thrilled to be home with you. You are so small, but you are SO strong. Mommy and Daddy are PROUD of you.