Things I wish I would have done before you were born:

• measured my belly circumference
• made a video journal
• taken more pictures of my medical staff family
• ingested a few more chalky protein bars
• hired a photographer for your birth
• somehow been able to express my gratitude better to those who held us up for the past months
• taken one last belly picture of my last day of pregnancy

After getting a few hours of sleep, they woke me up early to start prepping for your delivery.  The NICU and Delivery Room had been on alert for your upcoming delivery for weeks, and we were confident in the medical team that would be on hand for your birth. 

Because of my preeclampsia, I had to be put on a powerful dose of a nasty drug called Magnesium Sulfate through an IV.  However, I tolerated the early boluses fairly well.  

I said my goodbyes to our close family who were gathered for your delivery, and even more were gathered in the waiting area. Your Uncle Kirby read Scripture which calmed our hearts.  I was anxious, but I was ready.

Ready to see your faces.  Ready to hopefully hear your cries. Ready to get you out of my BELLAH!!!! Ready to start the next chapter of this unique adventure.

My surgery began right around noon.  There were some worries of complications from the strain my body had carrying you, so they watched me very closely. I didn’t feel pain, just lots of pressure, pulling, and tugging. Your daddy was fascinated by it all. He was so incredibly brave.

At 12:33 Henry was first born, and I was able to take a deeper breath than I had taken in weeks. Brooks and Clark followed close behind in the next minute, and Isaac who was enjoying the penthouse suite took some coaxing to come out at 12:35. 

They rushed you quickly into the resuscitation room next door, but I could hear your small whimpers.  They brought Isaac back into the delivery room for a quick peak, which gave me a chance to lay eyes on him for the first time.

Daddy went next door to meet each of you, and check on how you were doing.  Your Apgar Scores were good, and you were all breathing on your own.  You had a team of respiratory therapists, nurses, and neonatologists evaluating and caring for each you.  In all, the delivery room was crowded with more than 30 medical professionals!

You were all ALIVE and breathing your first breaths of life, which was nothing short of miraculous.

As they wheeled me to recovery, you were all somewhat stable.  It was your mama’s turn to take the spotlight once again.  I had lost a lot of blood, and my high blood pressure was setting off alarms every minute. Your daddy was torn between sharing the news with family and friends, and staying by my side.

Henry Samuel

2 pounds 12 ounces

Brooks Layton

3 pounds

Clark Thomas

3 pounds 7 ounces

Isaac Edward

4 pounds

The next few hours, and really days are a complete blur for me.  I remember naming you with Daddy by looking at your pictures because I was too critical to visit you. I remember finding out that  Isaac and Clark both needed to be put on the ventilator to help their premature lungs to breath. I remember Daddy splitting his time between visiting each of your little pods upstairs in the NICU.  I remember everyone coming into our room congratulating us, but I wasn’t coherent enough to tell them your names. I  frustratingly could never remember them all, and would loose consciousness mid-speech. I remember hearing about my possible complications including stroke, hemorrhage, pulmonary distress and the immediate need to get my blood pressure controlled.

I remember being afraid for our lives…

{Continue to Part 6…}