Our Valentine Surprise!!

Warning: If you don't have a lot of time, don't start reading. There is a lot to catch up on, and since things have been a little crazy around here, I haven't done it yet. So here it goes.

Our crazy life began early Sunday morning on Valentine's Day. At 1:30 am I started having a sharp pain on my right side at the top of my belly. I could not find any way to make it feel better. I tried sitting, laying standing, a bath-everything, and it would not go away. So finally at 6:00 I woke A up and told him we should probably go to the hospital to check it out. We called my mom and she drove out to stay with the other kids. We ended up getting to the hospital around 7:30 am. Of course when we pulled into the parking lot, the pain was gone. We decided that since we were there we should just have everything checked out. We went in (I really felt stupid checking in because I wasn't in pain anymore) and they got me set up in a room and hooked me up to some machines to check both the baby and me. After about 3 hours, and a few more tests, the nurse came in. We were expecting her to tell us that everything was fine and that we could go home. Instead she said that I had something called Hellp Syndrome, and that the only way to cure it was for me to be induced and have the baby today. We were a little shocked and scared to say the least. I looked at A and started crying. I couldn't believe that this was happening. She was not supposed to come for 5 and 1/2 more weeks. I was worried about her, and if she was going to be okay. We definitely were not ready. We had nothing ready at home, and did not come to the hospital with anything. Luckily we had some great family that really stepped up and took over for us. My sister and her family went out to our house to take care of the kids.

Finally at 5:41 pm she was born. She was 18.5 inches and 5 lbs. 8 oz. She was a lot bigger than anyone had expected. The doctor thought she would be in the high 4's, so we were glad about that. After she was born, I saw her for 15 seconds, and then they took her to the nursery where many nurses and doctors were waiting for her. A went with her to the nursery while they finished up with me. Finally at 8:30, I was able to go and see her. My heart broke to see her hooked up to so many machines. I was able to be with her for an hour, and then they came and told us that they were going to transport her to a different hospital. I could not believe what was happening. I wasn't even going to be able to be with my baby, but I knew that she needed to go so they could help her get better. A little bit later, the transport team brought her into my room so I could say good-bye. They had moved her into an incubator and had her stabilized so they could take her in the ambulance. I couldn't believe that I was saying good-bye to my new baby. We decided that A would go with her to the other hospital and spend the night there with her. The next day was awful. I had to sit at the hospital all by myself without my baby. One of the worst parts was hearing the baby next door crying. It was the beginning of a long emotional roller coaster for me.

I was finally released on Tuesday morning. We headed straight to the hospital were she was. It was weird going into the NICU. After scrubbing down all the way up to my elbows for three minutes, I went back to her room. I tried really hard to put on my brave face, but I couldn't help but cry. I didn't know how many machines one baby could be hooked up to, and I thought she was hooked up to a lot at the first hospital.

The next two weeks were a whirlwind. Trying to balance being home with the other kids, and being at the hospital with her was probably the hardest. When I was home, I felt bad that I wasn't with her; and when I was with her, I felt bad that I wasn't home with the other kids. Luckily, we are very blessed with great friends and family. I was able to go spend some time with her every day and every night. A and I joked every night when we were driving to the hospital that we were lucky to have so many date nights. Day by day, she kept getting better, and slowly was taken off machine after machine. Finally two weeks after she was born, we were able to take her home. I couldn't believe that it was happening. A and I drove up to the hospital that morning got our last instructions and they sent us home. When we got home there were signs hung up on the front door and window. The kids were so excited. It had been a long 2 weeks for them too. They knew they had a new sister, but they hadn't been able to see her yet. We had shown them pictures, but it's just not the same. It was great to finally all be home together, and not have to drive to the hospital two times a day.

It's been a crazy 5 weeks for us, but we are doing good now. We all seem to be adjusted to having her home. The kids are all doing good; they are very helpful. D is a very good baby too. She is very mellow and easy-going. Hopefully she stays that way. We are very blessed that everything went well with both D and I. Thanks to everyone for all the help, prayers, and support you gave us. We wouldn't have been able to make it without you.


Here are some pictures, sorry for the overload, but it's been a while.


He won't admit it, but I know he is
happy he has another sister.


What a cute bunch of kids!


5 weeks old



Here is a sequence of D at the hospital and then coming home.




D hooked up to all the machines.


This is a look at all the machines she was hooked

up too. Yes, all of them.

Daddy giving her a kiss.


Finally being able to hold her. We weren't able to

hold her until she was 5 days old.

Giving her her first bath at

the hospital.

Going Home!!


The kids seeing her for the first time, and

sanitizing their hands so they could hold her.

C was so excited that she was coming home too.

So excited that she feel asleep.

S is a great big brother to all his sisters.


The girls holding her. I still can't believe that

I have 3 girls. Crazy!!