The Million Dollar Birth

Okay, so million dollar may be exaggerating it a bit, but...

So most of this may be boring to you but I had to document it somewhere before I forget all the details. Feel free to just look at the adorable pictures!

It all started at my 32 week appointment. I had started feeling really tired and weak the week before. I thought I was just turning into a lazy person and was so nervous. But I could not get out of bed for anything. If I did do something I ended up needing a nap. My chest hurt, I couldn't breath and I started getting headaches. Well, sure enough, I wasn't going crazy (or lazy). At my doctor's appointment, which I thought would be same old same old, my blood pressure was sky high and I had 4+ protein. I was immediately sent down to labor and delivery where I thought for sure I'd go home that night. No such luck. I was admitted and sent to maternity to wait it out until the baby came. As my blood pressure was on the rise, my protein was at 8 (5 is high) the decision was made to take Charlotte. All the doctors and the non-stress tests assured us that she was and would be fine. On August 10th I was taken to the OR where there are windows that open up to NICU. I was warned she may not cry and I would not get to see her at all. Greg had about 1 second to take a picture. At 1:34 she was born. I could not believe it when they said here she comes and I heard a cry. That was music to my ears. I knew she was breathing at least. She weighed in at 4lbs 9oz and 17 3/4 inches long. Just a tiny thing but much bigger than we thought and had prepared for. Surgery went great and I was back in labor and delivery before I knew it.This is how I first saw her. It was the most scared I have ever been. To see her confined, covered in tubes and wires and there was nothing I could do while laying in my hospital bed and looking at her from afar. Thankfully the nurses were so great and put us right at ease, assuring us that she was fine just having a little trouble opening her lungs completely and this just helped that. Thankfully, the tubes were removed within a day.

This was her first visit from her big sister. That is Tea's hand. It just shows you how small Charlotte was. Just a tiny thing and a four year old hand covered her back. She was born with a ton of blond/brown hair...not red. Crazy!

We had to document every new development. She had to be under lights for a while, which we hated so much because we were limited in how often we could hold her. She was not a fan either. The nurses in the NICU are great. They do scrapbook pages for your baby, weekly feet and hand prints and all sorts of cute things. One of them drew little eyelids and eyelashes on her fashionable protective wear.
My gorgeous sister, Amanda, drove from California to come visit us. It was beyond sweet of her to take the time and drive by herself. We were so lucky and thankful to her for doing it. We loved seeing her and it killed us to have her leave. We miss you so much Amanda and loved having you here.

Finally on Monday we were told that she could be coming home on Tuesday. We were shocked. We didn't expect it to be so quick. The NICU has a service for parents who are about to take their babies home where you can stay in a hotel-like room right next to the NICU so you can get used to a night with your baby in the safety of the hospital. It was wonderful. On Tuesday we were given the go-ahead. We were thrilled. Our little girl came home!!! She is now 5lbs 5.5 oz and doing great. Preemies don't cry often if at all so she is very quiet and sweet. Once she hits term she will begin acting like a full term baby. This to me just means that I get an extra two months to love and cuddle my newborn.

Now all we're working on is getting her big sister to give her some space. She loves Charlotte so much but it's to the point of smothering. I hope the loves continues throughout their lives though Charlotte may not appreciate her sister kissing her so much when she's fourteen!