The Smarty Party

So maybe these posts are a little out of order but I really haven't had time to sit down and write out the whole story. I wonder why?:) My days have consisted mostly of visiting Kylie at the NICU and pumping milk for her, but I have also been taking care of insurance paperwork, finding a pediatrician that is in my medical group, unpacking...a little, and washing Kylie's clothes and blankets. Many faithful blog readers have already heard this story and I admit, it might get a little long, so I'm writing this out more for myself than anyone else...I'll try to not get too graphic but no promises:)

Tuesday, Oct. 27th was a typical day for prego Becky. I went to the OB at 4:30PM that day and everything was normal. I was just over 33 weeks and she told me she would be checking that Kylie was in the correct position at my 35 week appt. I went home and did a little packing. I remember thinking that Kylie was moving around a lot that evening. I went to sleep and awoke at 3:45AM, Oct. 28th with stomach cramps. My cramps were getting more and more consistent and I began to fear they were actually contractions. What to Expect said to call my doctor but we were hesitant b/c it was the middle of the night. Around 4:15, we finally called. There are 3 doctors on call in my OB's group, and I was thankful that my doctor was the one on call that day. She called me back and told me to go ahead and drive to the hospital. I went through a contraction while talking to her. We were timing them and they were coming every 5 minutes. At our birthing class 2 nights before (we only made it to 2 of the 5 classes), the teacher told us to go to the hospital when contractions were 5 minutes apart. She also told us to make sure we ate before we went. So even though I wasn't hungry, I tried to eat a quick bowl of cereal while trying to think what I should bring to the hospital. I called my parents on the drive to let them know what was going on...basically, I had no idea what was going on but I wanted them to know I was on my way to the hospital. I was mostly just scared. I was supposed to have my shower at school that day and I remember thinking, well, maybe I can't make it to school but I should be fine to come back after school for the shower. Also, I really hoped I'd be able to wear my cute Halloween basketball costume to school on Friday.

We got to the hospital and they checked me in to triage. The nurse told me the goal was to stop the contractions and keep my baby inside as long as possible- even up to 1-2 weeks more. She gave me a total of 3 shots, one every 20 minutes that lessened the contractions. It helped for a little while. She went to check how far dilated I was and she saw my water bag right there which apparently meant I was already fully dilated, 10cm! This scared Matt and I a lot. The nurse said I couldn't break my water so I needed to lay as still as possible so as to not break it. The ultrasound technician came in to make sure the baby was in the correct position and thankfully she was.

They wheeled me into the delivery room. They hooked me up to an IV and gave me something at 9:00 that was supposed to prevent a possible infection. It needed to be in me for 3 hours though before I could deliver. They also gave me a shot in the butt that was supposed to help the baby's lungs develop. This needed to be in me for 24 hours in order to be effective. Meanwhile, the contractions were getting stronger again and I was in pain. My cell phone only had 1 battery bar left and I was so ticked at myself for not bringing my charger. I called and texted friends and family, as well as coworkers to let them know I wouldn't be able to make my shower as well as some important meetings I had that day. Matt called in a substitute teacher for me.

I waited around in pain until 10:30 when my doctor finally arrived. She checked and said my baby was definitely coming that day. I called my parents to let them know and they immediately booked a flight. I asked my doctor if I could have an epidural. She said yes and the anesthesiologist came. I was formerly terrified of this shot (remember how I passed out when watching the video of it?) but it was nothing. They numbed my back and I barely felt a thing. Plus, I had been given so many shots that day and that pain was nothing compared to the contractions. The anesthesiologist was wonderful and very calming. The epidural was heaven. I know I could have done the whole thing without any pain medication but the epidural made the whole thing so much more pleasant and enjoyable for me. Matt would watch the monitor spike to the highest level possible with a contraction and I was cool as a cucumber, not feeling one thing. I loved it. Pastor Shawn was at the hospital at this time. I think Matt had texted him earlier. He came in and prayed with us which was really kind and comforting. At 12:30, my doctor came back in and said it was time to deliver my baby girl. The IV fluid had been in me past the 3 hours needed and there was no way Kylie could wait a full 24 hours for the shot for her lungs to help. My doctor broke my water and I started pushing. At the bedside was my doctor, nurse, and Matt. In the corner of the room was a NICU team of 4 nurses and doctors with a bed all set. The nurse asked if I could bend my knees and I was like yea, of course. But I remember staring at my leg, unable to move it. She had to do it for me. However, after really concentrating, I was able to move my other leg up on my own.

The pushing didn't hurt at all except I felt like I had to really hold my breath a lot which was exhausting. Kylie came out crying at 12:53PM. It made me happy that she was crying. The NICU team took her, did a few things to her, and then let Matt cut the umbilical cord. They put her in my arms for a few seconds, snapped a quick photo, and then took her to the NICU, where Matt followed behind. Later, I was told she weighed 4lb 13 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. My doctor said it was a good sign that they were able to weigh her b/c if she was super critical, they wouldn't have been able to weigh her.

I didn't get to see her until around 4:00PM. My parents arrived around 3:30 I think (thanks for picking them up at the airport and driving them to the hospital Tim!) Jim and Rachel came a few minutes later. It was so nice to see my family but very weird that everyone could only see me, and not my baby. Finally I got to go to the NICU to see Kylie. She was so precious and my eyes just fill with tears even as I write this.

She's come so far since that first day. She had breathing tubes in her nose giving her oxygen. Those are now out. She had an IV giving her nutrients and wasn't able to have any of my milk for 2 days. Her IV is now out and she's getting full feedings every 3 hours. She's able to nurse some, took her first bottle last night, and is being tube fed the rest through her nose. When she was first given milk, they gave her only 2CCs. Now she gets 45CCs. As a point of reference, 15CCs in a Tablespoon. She was in the incubator keeping her warm and now she is able to keep herself warm, out of the incubator. She had jaundice and was under the billy ruben light, but is now jaundice free. She weighed 4lb 13 oz and even though she dropped all the way down to 4lb 5 oz, she now weighs 5lbs! She grunted when she breathed on her birthday but she now breathes silently and effortlessly.

Some favorite moments for me have been the first time I felt her tiny breath on my face, her common sneezes and hiccups, the first time I saw her open her eyes- well really just one eye, she has always favored her right, and every time I get to do Kangaroo with her- where she just lays on my chest and sleeps, skin to skin. I love it when her tiny hands move on my stomach. And of course I love seeing Kylie with her Daddy. Matt is so good with her and much more comfortable holding/ repositioning her than I am.

We praise you Jesus that Kylie is growing big and strong! We never could have predicted her arrival to be like this but we know that You knew it all along and are in control of every situation. We are filled with love for our daughter and even though it seems unimaginable, we know that You love her even more. We thank you for her expert nurses and doctors that are giving her the best possible care that she needs right now. We pray for continued strength for Kylie and that you will be preparing Matt and I to be parents, devoted to teaching her about Your love for all of us.

Matt cutting her umbilical cord off.

Our very first family photo- too bad you can't see Kylie in it!

The first time we saw her in the NICU.

Visitors!

Not pictured visitors: Krista and David, Mike- sorry we didn't get pictures of you guys!

A better family photo...Day 2

The hospital did a really nice Congratulations Meal for Matt and I- it was a wonderful and thoughtful treat! Overall, I thought the hospital food was quite good.