I started writing this a long time ago, but I didn't want to post this version of it because I feel like I am only focusing on myself and not Jake. I've tried rewriting it, but it always turns out to be the same story. While Jake's birth was possibly the best day of my life, it was also one of my scariest. Read on and you will see why. So here it is...the story about the day Jake entered our lives. (It is continued from a post in September titled "January 3, 2008: The Day my Water Broke.)After Dr. McKee left the triage room that morning with the news that I was having a c-section in an hour, I started crying. I wondered if we were doing the right thing by having the c-section; I knew all of the risks of having a c-section and I knew all of the risks trying to deliver a big baby vaginally. I was afraid that if I made the wrong decision and something bad hap pend (God forbid), I would blame myself the rest of my life. Tyson was so sweet and just reassured me that we were making the right decision. I have never prayed so hard in my life.
Mandy came and prepped us for surgery. I quickly had to take a bunch of medicine, put on my cap, say my goodbyes...it was time to have a baby! I kissed Pat-Pat and Granddad goodbye and was rolled down the hall in my bed with Daddy at my side. We got to the OR and Daddy had to wait outside while they put my spinal block in; I remember being so upset because the staff were all talking amongst themselves as if I weren't even there (Mommy doesn't like not being included in conversation). I was trying to make small talk when I noticed something wasn't right. I couldn't swallow.
Dr. McKee and Dr. Przybysz had come in the room at that point and called Daddy in. After that, it was pretty much a blur pretty much. Your Daddy could tell something was going on, but I didn't want to freak him out. Dr. McKee began to cut and said the usual, "you're going to feel some pressure." All I could think was, "Pressure? How about I can't swallow down here?" I was so afraid the spinal block was numbing me too high up and I was afraid I was about to stop breathing. I then told Kyle, the nurse anesthetist, what was going on and that I couldn't swallow. He was like, "Your mouth is just dry." Whatever. I told him, "No, I can't swallow." He then repeated back to me like I was deaf, "Your mouth is just dry." Whatever. I then said, "Fine. Then can I have something to suction out my mouth?" He did just that and realized that indeed, my mouth wasn't dry. FREAK OUT MODE!! They did a number of things for me once they realized I had actually lost my swallowing sensation; all of this totally took away from your birth. I did manage to hear you cry, your APGAR scores (9/9), and your weight (9 lbs. 8 oz). In the midst of all the drama of me not being able to swallow, I did manage to tell Dr. McKee, "I told you so!" And then back to drama...they called your Daddy over to see you while I was getting sewn up. Luckily, you were fine, so the attention quickly turned to me. At this point, the anesthesiologist had come in to try to figure out what was going on; I was so afraid that I was about to stop breathing. And to make matters worse, I heard Dr. McKee say, "bleeding profusely." Good Lord!! What next? At least my baby was okay! And then they brought me over to you; 3 things came to my mind: 1) "Oh my gosh he's huge!", 2) "Oh my gosh that's not my baby...he doesn't look a thing like me OR Tyson," and 3) "he sure does have some long fingernails!". Yes, even in the midst of thinking I'm about to die, I still have a sense of humor. But really...YOU WERE HUGE! You were also so sweet, and I'll never forget that moment they put you next to me. It made it all worth it!
Our nurse Holly was ready to go back to the room with you, but Daddy was afraid to leave Mommy. Throughout the whole ordeal, I tried to remain calm and not show how scared I was because I didn't want your Daddy to worry. He could tell, though, how afraid I was and told Holly he wasn't ready to go up. I reassured him that I was ok and to go on up to the room with you. I can't remember much else after that. Either way, swallowing function or not, they sent me back to the room.
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I didn't realize before the delivery that St. Vincent's recovers mom and baby in the room together at the same time, but either way, it was awesome! Once I got up to the room, Daddy, Pat-Pat, and Granddad had already gotten to be with you and watched Holly do all the "newborn stuff." We had only been apart about 15 minutes or so while they sewed me up, so it was really nice being able to be with you so soon after the c-section. I still couldn't swallow once I returned to the room, but no one else seemed too concern. Luckily, the spinal started to wear off soon after I came to the room and my swallowing reflex returned!
Unfortunately, though, once the spinal wore off, the pain began. I was on a Morphine PCA, but I kept telling the nurses that my IV wasn't working right and I wasn't getting the medicine. Oh the drama. I couldn't even enjoy my chunky little baby!! Lucky for us, we were surrounded by tons of family and friends who made sure you were well taken care of since Mommy had so many issues. Despite all of these problems that I kept experiencing, I did keep thanking God that you were alive and healthy and doing so well. And despite all of the problems, it was by far the best day of my life and I would do it again tomorrow if I had the opportunity. I hate that I wasn't able to focus totally on you on your birthday, but I promise you that I have spent every day so far and every day for the rest of our lives focusing totally on you. You are the best thing that have ever happened to Mommy and Daddy, and we love you so much. Happy Birthday!
Playing nicely in the wagon with the Tylenol box
Nope...Temper tantrum #1
Recovering from temper tantrum #1, Jake decides to push the wagon around the house...
...until it got stuck...temper tantrum #2
Meet Bob
Bob goes everywhere with Jake
8 Months Old
10 Months Old
11 Months Old
Almost 12 Months Old
