On Thursday, Sept 29th, Brett and I went in for our ultrasound appt to check on Gabriel's growth. He had been measuring small and the Dr's wanted to make sure everything was ok. Well, Gabriel seemed ok, but they found a problem with the placenta. So the Dr put me on bed rest and said she would discuss the situation with her other Dr in the morning and see what the next step would be. So, blindsided and concerned with this news, we headed home.
Friday, Sept 30th, we woke up early to a phone call from our Dr urging us to get dressed and head to Dayton to see a specialist. We scrambled around so fast, getting ready, packing hospital bags and a baby bag in the thought that we might not be returning home that evening. We met with a specialist in Dayton at 12:45 and had a very detailed ultrasound. It was such a nerve-wracking experience, listening to the Dr go over every detail of our little baby and praying everything was ok. The Dr confirmed there was a problem with the placenta and would like to do a non-stress test. So we went in another room and listened to Gabriel's heartbeat for awhile to make sure he was doing ok. Finally, the Dr confirmed, we needed to deliver that night because Gabriel wasn't thriving. For some reason, the placenta was not getting enough nutrition to him and they were afraid it would shut down all together. So they sent us back to Lima to meet with our Dr to set everything up. Again, we were blindsided and concerned and our heads where just swimming! We were going to have a baby, TODAY!!
So we got back to Lima around 3:30 and met with our Dr who said we would be having a c-section that night, then left the room! Brett and I just looked at each other and full of questions and panic! Finally, she came back, and said we would be having a c-section between 7 and 8 and to just head over to the hospital. Wow. So we left there, for the last time as just Brett and Brooke. We headed over to St. Rita's for the start of a very eventful evening and weekend.
My last belly picture, at 36 weeks exactly!We are in the labor and delivery room getting ready for pre-op
After this it was a whirlwind of getting IV's hooked up, signing papers, digesting the info, and realizing we were going to meet our little boy soon and become parents.
To save you any gory details, the surgery went fine. VERY intense! But all in all, fine. Here is Brett with Gabriel just minutes after he was born. He was 5 pounds, 1 oz and 18 3/4 inches long born at 8:35pm. We were blessed to even have this time with him as they told us he would probably be whisked away to the NICU and we might not even see him once he was delivered. But we got just a few moments with him that were so special. I LOVE this picture of him with his daddy :)
Our 1st official picture as a family! Brett brought him over to me while they were still working on me so I could touch him. Thankfully the nurse unwrapped my wrist so I could touch his little cheek, I just remember being so stunned all I could say was "Hi!" over and over... it was such a moment. I remember how awesome Brett was with me, holding my hand the whole time and reassuring me. Then watching over Gabriel making sure things were ok with him. I've married such an amazing man, he reveals this to me every single day, I am SO blessed!
Gabriel was on oxygen and antibiotics in an isolette following his birth in the NICU. To the surprise of his Dr's and the nurses, he progressed very well and was off oxygen in 2 days and off antibiotics in 4. We were fortunate enough to be able to stay in an extra room following my discharge while Gabe was still in the NICU so we could be with him and I could nurse him. He was discharged on Thursday, October 6th! Here we are getting ready to leave the NICU! We were so excited to be bringing our baby boy home!
The first night was very rough, but we are starting to get a bit of a handle on things now 3 weeks later! We've been so fortunate and blessed to have amazing family and friends bring us meals and help us out these first few weeks. It's amazing how much your life changes! Everyone tells you it will, but until you have your little one you just don't realize what a life altering event it really is! It takes a bit to adjust to this fact, especially when everything happens 4 weeks early! We weren't quite ready yet! But, lesson #1 of parenting I suppose! :)But we are so BLESSED to have a healthy baby boy and are loving getting to know him. He's doing well, and has gained a pound! He certainly loves to eat! And poop! haha He's not allowed to go outside yet, since he had respiratory distress when he was born and is a preemie, they don't want him exposed to the elements or any germs as much as humanly possible. So we stay inside and watch a lot of TV :) We look forward to getting out someday, but he has many many days and years in which to go out and see the rest of the world.
In the picture above, he is in a onesie that Brett wore when he was an infant. Deb brought it over and I think it's so awesome he's wearing an "I Love Daddy" outfit that his own Daddy wore! :) Gabriel is 3 weeks old today and technically not due for another week!
We will keep you updated on all of Gabriel's milestones and progress!!
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