One year ago today my back started to hurt. I knew in my gut the contractions were starting again. It was a Sunday and Jeremy was going to leave to get some rest and Aunt Cheryl was heading up to 'take over'. They started monitoring me and sure enough the contractions were starting again. The nurse said they were still infrequent, so we started writing down the times. Aunt Cheryl got there and Jeremy left to basically take a shower and head back up, just in case.
They became more and more frequent and when the nurse checked me, she said Hagen's bag was bulging so far she was afraid she would burst it trying to check. Of course, she then called the doctor and the race was on.
Aunt Cheryl called Jeremy and he got to the hospital in about 5 minutes (we live about 15 to 20 minutes away.) I can't believe he wasn't stopped by the police - no telling how fast he was going. The nurses were moving at a very fast pace, which I think made me even more nervous. When Jeremy got there they had already moved me to Labor and Delivery and were prepping me for surgery. I had about 4 nurses doing different tasks. Jeremy comes running in and runs right up to me, grabs my hand and said, "It's going to be okay." He is as pale as a ghost, sweating, and panting! I say back to him, "Are YOU going to be okay??" One nurse pulls him aside, sets him down on the couch and gives him some apple juice. I think they thought he was going to fant!
Here we are right before they wheeled me back to the OR.
They give him some scrubs and instructions. They were taking me in first and I would get my spinal tap and get me completely ready. Then they would come back and get him. He was to wait in the room.
After they were completely ready, I remember I was lying on the table waiting and the OB came in. They were about to start and one of the nurses said, "Wait, where is the dad?" She then got on a radio and said, "We need the dad in here, stat." (I thought it was funny they used the word 'stat' ... apparently they don't just use that word on Grey's Anatomy!)
When both boys were pulled out, they sounded like little puppies crying. One of the nurses came over to get Jeremy and took him over to the isolettes.
They wheeled both boys by me and I got a small glimpse.
Here is Hagen. He is actually in a bag just like Mason, but they have already put the blanket over him by the time this picture was taken. (The bag was for warmth.) They were both breathing on their own, they had NCPAP (nasal continuous positive airway pressure) to help with their breathing.
Here is Mason. Again in the bag for warmth, they just haven't covered him in his blanket yet. (To get an idea of his size, look at the bulb syringe beside him.)
After I was taken to recovery, I was hooked up to morphine (thank you) and they allowed me to be wheeled to Cook's to see them. To this day, I have no idea how they had the room to wheel my bed to each of their isolettes.
Here I am seeing Hagen for the first time in the NICU. (Notice my hand clutched to the morphine pump.)
Here I am seeing Mason for the first time in the NICU.
Here we are at 1 year old -
Hagen
Mason
{We are getting professional pictures taken on Thursday so I will post those pictures later.}
We decided today was the perfect day to take the gifts we received from the party to the NICU.
...stay tuned for a special post tomorrow about Cook Children's and their wonderful nurses and doctors...
Here are the boys with all the gifts. (And Izzie couldn't resist getting in on the picture!)
Ginger lovin' on her Hagen.
Dr. Lynch catching Mason up on the happenings of the NICU.
Mason flirting (as always) with Ginger.
Hagen with Dr. Lynch - worried she might try to stick him, ha ha.
Mason
And here we are at 2 years old with our bears!
