Well look who showed up today!!! Our little guy decided to make his grand entrance early this morning! What a shock this was!!
I woke up at midnight with contractions. I was actually having them and they were in my dreams! So I had no idea how long I was having them. I called Miriam since she's 2 hours behind us...I wasn't sure if I was overreacting. She definitely thought I should get to the hospital. So I called my doctor and she told me to check into the hospital to get checked out. So we woke up the kids and piled into the car.
They checked me out, I wasn't dilated and my cervix was still thick. I was dehydrated, and they figured that was the cause of my contractions. They had me drinking a ton of water...hoping my contractions would go away.
I texted my RS President, and she came up to the hospital to sit with the kids in the waiting room. After an hour, we went ahead and gave her our house keys to go hang out at the house.
An hour and a half later, contractions are still there...and I think my water had just broken. They went ahead and checked me again....I was dilated to a 1.5 and my cervix had thinned out. So 20 min later she returned and confirmed that my water had broken...and we were going to have our baby this morning!!! My doctor was on her way and I was going to get prepped for my c-section. Patrick called my dad to let them know that Everett is showing up 3 days early and to come into town!
This was the 1st time my body has started labor on its own...and I was so shocked! And by the way...contractions really do suck!! I shouldn't have to endure 4 hours of contractions...AND have a c-section! But I was anxious to get rid of the contractions and to get this c-section started!
Everett Jacob Irish was born at 4:11 am. 7 lbs 1 oz and 20.5 inches long. I was surprised he made it to 7 pounds! I was afraid he'd be barely over 6 pounds!!
After they cleaned him up, they put him on my chest for skin to skin. Love holding my little guy!
Patrick went home to relieve our RS President and then brought the kids up.
Elliott was so enthralled with Everett! He kept looking at him and asking a bazillion questions! So cute!! He is the proudest big brother!
They were bored...and my parents weren't going to get into town until around 4. So he took them home and hung out for a while. I did find someone to stay with them...but we decided against it. Emily was having a really hard time...starting with having to get up at midnight...and then me being stuck in a bed...and with the new baby. So Patrick stayed until my parents showed up.
I did nurse Everett a few hours earlier for over an hour...he was doing great!
The next feeding, was when the "fun" really started. I nursed him for about 30 min. The nurse came to take his vitals and his temp was 1 degree under. So they took him away to the nursery. The nursery is only used for sick babies at this hospital...they are expected to stay in the room with you.
Soon after Patrick showed up, the nurse came to talk to us about Everett. Apparently, with him not being able to maintain his body temp....that could be a sign of infection. So they ran his white blood cell count...and it was pretty high. But they weren't that worried because he was eating great and pooping and peeing just fine. So they went ahead and started an IV of antibiotics. I was a little sad and upset by this...but I knew it was for the best for him. He will have to stay in the nursery for 48 hours to finish the antibiotics. And we weren't THAT worried.
I eventually sent Patrick home. There really was no point in him staying in the hospital with me. There was no baby in the room to help me with...and I wanted him to get a good night's sleep.
Come 10 pm, the pediatrician came to talk to me. He was really worried about Everett. His blood platelet count was really low. He felt it best to transfer Everett to Cook Children's Hospital. If he took a turn for the worst, it would be more dangerous to transfer him then. Plus, they deal with these kind of things on a daily basis compared to this smaller hospital. I completely agreed...but I was so so upset by this. I immediately called Patrick in tears. I asked him to come back and to follow and be with Everett at Cook. He came immediately. I wanted him to give Everett a blessing, but he forgot his oil....so we called my dad to come and help out.
They brought Everett to me before he was transported. He had tubes everywhere! I didn't realize that he was being life flighted over to Cook. He was in this big huge transport contraption....it was pretty amazing and scary at the same time. Patrick and Dad were able to give him a blessing. Patrick did it so softly that I could never hear it. But I'm happy that he was given one and that my dad could be there for it too.
This is a lovey the transport team gave me. I was to sleep with it, and then Everett could have it so he could still smell me and be comforted.
My sweet little boy. I love his seatbelt! It was so heart wrenching to see him being taken away from me. This was one of the hardest things I had to be put through....and I've been through some HARD things in my life! It has been quite the whirlwind for the past 24 hours. Midnight was when I started having contractions and not even sure if I was having this baby yet...and 24 hours later at midnight...my baby was being taken away from me and life flighted to the nicu at the children's hospital! Wow!!
Patrick beat the transport team to the hospital. At 2:30 am Cook started running their own tests. Already, Everett's blood platelet count was in normal range and his white blood cell count was in a normal high range. Because of this...I think I slept for a few winks...but not much.
Day 2
I woke up early at 6 am. My goal for the day is to start walking!! I wanted to try to get released asap!! The nurse helped me up...and I felt great! I did hurt some...but I wasn't shaky on my legs! Doctor came in a few min later...she didn't even know that Everett was transferred out. As soon as she found out, she said all I needed to do was to urinate 3 different times and take a shower and she'd start on my discharge papers. My nurse was amazing!! She did all she could to get everything rushed for me. I was drinking a ton of water and did urinate 3 times....and I showered. I felt amazingly better than my previous 2 c-sections! I was discharged from the hospital at 10 am!! Amazing! 30 hours after having a major surgery!
Patrick and my mom showed up to take me to Everett! I was so so happy to see my little guy!!!
When we arrived, they were putting in a 2nd IV...the 1st one stopped working. The 1st one is where you see the cotton ball in the middle of his head. The 2nd one is on his right side. I was so surprised at how well he took it...he never once peeped...or whined while they inserted his IV! Afterwards, he just seemed so content and happy. I'm going to miss this sweet little boy this week when I can't be with him!
Patrick took me home after a little bit. I needed to get my pain meds...I was starting to hurt. I decided to stay the night at home and Patrick would come for me in the morning. Patrick insisted on staying with Everett 24/7! I couldn't have asked for a better man to be such an amazing father to this sweet little guy!!
When Elliott got home and saw that I was home with no Everett...he was so so upset. I told him he should be home by Sunday. He is such a sweet big brother.
Day 3
Patrick came home at 4 am. We both got showered and were out the door by 5 am. I was so excited to be able to spend the day with my little sweet baby boy!!
At 8 am I was able to bottle feed him...and then change his diaper for the 1st time! It was even a poopy tar one...and I did not mind! Amazing how excited I was to change a poopy diaper!! My day consisted of pumping and bottle feeding Everett. Patrick let me do it all!
After the last feeding I gave him, I cuddled with him for a while. When I put him back in his bed...my arm, under his head, was wet. And then I noticed it smelled like egg dye. I was afraid it had something to do with his IV. I fell asleep and finally saw the nurse a few hours later and briefly mentioned it to her. And sure enough...his IV was leaking and he had to get a new one! Oh gosh...I hope I didn't mess it up!! His 3rd IV is now in his arm...and once again...he didn't make a peep!! They did put a sugar concoction on his pacifier to distract him...but must be some good stuff!
They started upping his milk 5 mL per feeding. By the end of the night, he was at 50 mL and at full feedings!
Tonight at family prayer, Elliott prayed for Everett and that he'll come on Saturday.
Day 4
We decided to start our day a little bit later so we could take Elliott to school. Patrick didn't get to see Elliott at all yesterday.
Everett had a hard time staying awake during his feedings. It's always so difficult to keep those newborns awake!!
The discharge nurse came to talk to us...and talked about all the requirements we, as parents, had to do in order to be discharged when Everett was ready. We made sure we had every single thing checked off!! She went ahead and checked off baby orientation for us since this is our 3rd and we really did know how to care for a baby....and I think she knew how anxious we are to get out asap.
The last feeding we were there for....Everett was wide awake!! Eyes open wide...looking all around him...it was so fun to be able interact with him so much!! Afterwards, I woke up Patrick (he was napping) to spend time with him since he was still so alert.
The doctor finally came in and talked to us. Everett has met all the requirements to be discharged tomorrow!! He can now maintain his body temperature, his blood counts are in normal range, and he is at full feedings!! And he has given me clearance to finally nurse him!!!
It was so hard to leave him today. He was still so alert and happy....I cuddled him like crazy before we left. But we are so excited to be able to bring him home tomorrow!!!
The 1st thing Elliott asked when we got home is if Everett can come home Saturday...he was so excited when he told him yes.
