Life is an interesting thing. You try to plan the way you want things to go and life decides otherwise. That's exactly what just recently happened to us and our original plans have gone straight out the window. To say that the last few days have been stressful would be a gross understatement. It has been an emotional roller coaster and one I hope I never have to experience again. On Tuesday the 12th of February Brandi had a c-section delivery and our little guy joined our family forever. To preface the event I need to you bring back to Friday the 8th of Feb. After already working 3 consecutive night shifts at the hospital, Brandi was informed that she was going to be called into work again on Friday night. When I first heard the news I was less than happy. I hadn't hardly seen her for several days and I was hoping that we would be able to hang out. During the first hour of her shift she mentioned to one of the nurses that she wasn't feeling very good. The nurse told her to go up to labor and delivery to get checked out. Labor and delivery checked her blood pressure and immediately admitted her. As most of you know, Brandi had developed a condition called preeclampsia during the pregnancy. Preeclampsia to put it shortly, is a high blood pressure condition that 5-8% of first time moms can get. It can be a very nasty and serious for both mom and the baby. Brandi gave us a couple of scares and we're so blessed and lucky we caught it when we did. My wife is the most amazing person I have ever known. In the last few days she has been through more than I could ever imagine and I love her more than anything in the world, and would confess to anyone that she's the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. She is my freaking hero. For me, the hardest thing so far has been playing the role of innocent bystander. I’ve wanted so bad to help any way I could, but have felt so helpless through a lot of the ordeal. I've never been so physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted in my entire life. Now a day later, Brandi is recovering slowly but surely and should be able to come home to me in 3-5 days. The thought of "what if she hadn't been called in?" has raced through my mind a thousand times. Her getting called in that night may very well have saved her life. Although this has been an extremely trying time, the blessings we have already received during the last week are too numerous to count.
On February 12, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. at just 28 weeks along, our little Dylan was brought into the world. He weighed in at 1 pound 14 ounces and 13 inches long. Brandi and I love him with all our hearts. We have been told that pre-term babies that have been in distress at any time during the pregnancy do better in the NICU than pre-term babies that hadn’t had to struggle. Our little Dylan had found himself in this very situation and because of that has proven to be a true fighter thus far. He seems to be progressing very well and although everything most likely will turn out just fine, there are a few things we will still have to watch for. It’s going to be an up and down journey and we’re hoping and praying for the best. Just hours after Dylan came into this world I remember looking at him in the new-born ICU and saying to the nurse “Now I got to worry about this little guy” and the nurse grined and said “Welcome to parenthood, you’ll be worrying about him for the rest of your life”. I just smiled, realizing she was absolutely correct. They say that parents should plan on having pre-term babies in the NICU until their due date. His is on May 6 so we'll see what happens. Words can not express how amazing it is to see a little guy his size yawn, sneeze, cry, and stretch. I just get so amped to see him every single day. He is such an awesome little boy and he's so cute.
After they stitched up Brandi from her c-section and enroute to her new recovery room, her nurses brought her up to the NICU so she could see Dylan. They raised and adjusted her bed so she could lean over and touch her little guy. What happened next was the greatest moment in my life. The very second she began to talk to him, Dylan’s eyebrows rose dramatically and he began to almost reach his little arms towards the voice. He had recognized his mommy’s voice and wanted to be with her. There were several of us standing by his bed and after we had seen what had just transpired we all looked up at each other with utter amazement. It was an absolutely incredible moment and I couldn't hold back the tears from streaming down my face.
We would like to thank our friends and family for the countless phone calls, text messages, prayers, fasting, faith, brought over dinners, flowers, and goodie bags. This really has been a humbling experience and it has been so awesome to see so much support from the people who we love so much. To quote the the words of one of our doctors "Your prayers are working"! Please continue to pray for Brandi and Dylan. Dylan has a bit of a journey ahead of him and we need all the help we can get.
Trust me when I say that seeing him in a picture doesn't fully do him justice. Seeing him in real life is total different experience. He is so tiny.
Here Dylan is wearing Daddy's wedding band.
We will have many more pictures soon!!!!
