♥ A SUNNY LIFE ♥

My precious Alexander,

The story of your birth began on Monday, December 4, 2006 when your Daddy and I went for another check up at the Medical Center. They said Mommy’s blood pressure was too high and the protein level in my urine is above normal again (Mommy had developed a severe preeclampsia on the 30^th week of being pregnant with you). After being admitted at the Labor & Delivery for an observation they sent us home and asked me to bring in 24 hours urine sample for the next appointment, which is on December 7, 2006.

Little that we know when we went for what supposed to be a normal appointment turned out to be one of the happiest days in our life and also the saddest. Mommy and Daddy went there at 9:00 AM and to my surprised they requested another blood works to be done and they didn’t do the NST (Non-Stress Test) like usual. I know my blood pressure has been sky rocketing since the past week but when Dr. Richards walked into the examination room with a weary look on his face, I just know something is wrong. He then explained that Mommy’s blood pressure and protein levels were way too high that I could get a stroke or seizure any minutes and the only way to avoid that is to bring you out into this world.

You were only 35 weeks that day and although you suppose to have about 5 more weeks to go, we’ve known since they diagnosed Mommy with a severe preeclampsia that you will have to be born early but I was praying so hard that they’ll let you stay inside Mommy for at least until you’re 37 or 38 weeks old. That news from Dr. Richards in a way breaks my heart because you had to be born by an emergency c-section that day.

After taking care of all the paper works, they let Mommy and Daddy went home to gather some stuffs. Although we’re so happy to see you, deep inside our hearts we were so worried and clinging to one another for reassurance. We had to head back to the hospital before 2:00 PM because the c-section was scheduled for 5:00 PM.

The nurses immediately prepared Mommy for the surgery and it was a little after 5:00 PM when they wheeled Mommy into the surgery room. That room felt so cold and sterile it makes me even nervous and they won’t let your Daddy came inside with Mommy so I had to face the epidural procedure alone. Not long after that I couldn’t feel my feet. Soon after that your Daddy showed up but since he wanted to video taped your birth, he didn’t stay next to Mommy.

When Dr. Richards said “Okay, ready?” Mommy’s heart felt so nervous and excited at the same time waiting to hear that first cry of yours but then after a few minutes I started to get worried because I heard nothing and there were so many pushing and pressure going on after he said something about the vacuum, turned out you were a little bigger than they expected you to be and your position was slightly made it hard for them to take you out. Then exactly at 5:51 PM, your first cried filled that cold room and tears just gushing down Mommy’s face, in my heart I prayed to God to let you be okay.

After they cleaned you up, the nurse showed you to me and all that Mommy could think of was “Is he okay?” Unfortunately, because I was strapped on the operating table I couldn’t even touched or kissed you but your cries were music on my ears. They took you straight to the Intensive Care Unit and Daddy went there with you as they stitch Mommy. God, it felt like it took them forever to finish that because Mommy just wants to go and see you again.

I didn’t even remember what time they wheeled Mommy back to the room because Mommy felt so tired, nauseated and so thirsty. Your Daddy came to the room not long after and said you weigh 6 pounds 5 ounces and 20 inches long. He said you’re doing okay but they just have to put you under observation for the next couple of hours. The nurse that stayed with Mommy in the room kept asking me to move my legs or wiggle my toes but Mommy couldn’t feel a thing from the waist down. It took so long for Mommy to be able to do that and by the time I could fold my legs they wheeled Mommy’s bed to the ICU to see you.

What Mommy saw in there was truly heartbreaking because there you lay with all kinds of wires sticking to your little body and your eyes were wide open. As if you know Mommy’s there you locked your gazed to mine, your tiny hands hold my finger. They let Mommy stayed there for over an hour before I had to go back to the room.

The next morning a pediatrician came in to talk to your Daddy and me about your condition. He said because you’re considered a preterm baby you need a little help to breathe on your own and that is why they put that oxygen hood around your head, he also said you had some fluids inside your little tummy. Things were just so blurry for Mommy and so confusing when all I want is to hold you.

Thankfully they let Mommy finally hold you in my arms 3 days after you were born. You’re so tiny I’m afraid I’m going to hurt you but just to hold you close makes me the proudest mother in the whole world. You’ve gone thru a pretty rough first few days in your life but you pull in thru and for us, you really are a little big fighter. We couldn’t ask for more than such a beautiful boy that stole our hearts. After what seems to be the longest one week in our whole life, on Thursday, December 14, 2006 they let you come home with Mommy and Daddy and that was just a precious moment.

Now, watching you peacefully sleeping brought tears in my eyes for you are such a special boy and Mommy just never felt so much love overflowing like this before. Good night my baby, Mommy and Daddy loves you!