I can't believe that Luke is almost 3 weeks old and I'm only just now getting around to blogging about his birthday. These last 2+ weeks have been filled with lots of adjustments (for all of us), lots of feedings, and sleeping when we can. The week he was born totally wiped me and Charles out and we feel like we're just now recovered from the emotional stress and the physical exhaustion of it all. This is going to be a long post... sorry about that! :)
Anyways... starting from the morning he was born. We didn't have to be at the hospital until 11 that morning so it was nice to get up, take our time getting ready and packing the last minute things, feeding the boys breakfast, and spending some time just loving on them since it would be the last time for a little while (for Mommy at least!). We spent some time praying together as a family (and with Nana) for the day, for the doctors and nurses involved and that it would go as smooth as possible.
We took a few pictures before saying goodbye and leaving for the hospital. This was our last picture as a family of four but we were so excited about adding another little man to our crew. I think the boys were so excited that Luke's birthday was finally here that they didn't know what to do with themselves! We said very quick goodbyes (due to how emotional I was) and I didn't want the boys to see me cry. Surprisingly I didn't even cry but only because I hugged & kissed them so quickly and got in the car.
Once we got to the hospital we found where we needed to go and they got us right in and got started on all the things they need to do before the surgery. The nurse was amazing and got my I.V. started on the first attempt... normally it takes 2 or 3 times. Once all the questions were asked and I was poked more than I cared for it was time to just sit and wait. Charles provided some much needed entertainment to keep my nerves down and it really did help to pass the time. 1:00 came and we waited for Dr. Holladay to call and a few minutes later he called to say he was on his way. It was finally time to go and meet our newest little gift. I couldn't have been more ready but as we entered the O.R. and my spinal was being put in I got more and more nervous. I laid on the table singing hymns to myself and praying to keep from crying and to keep my nerves down as much as possible. Once they called Charles in I was a lot more calm with him holding my hand and talking to me.
Dr. Holladay showed up wearing his Gamecocks ... some would think how we could even let him near me with a knife wearing that kind of nonsense but we're reasonable people and were able to overlook it (BTW, Charles did wear an orange shirt that day just for Dr. Holladay so it all evened out). :) The c-section was started and it seemed to take a really long time for him to get to Luke. Later we found out that everything was such a mess inside of me (more than likely due to how my last O.B. closed me up after Jacob's c-section) that at one point Dr. Holladay didn't even think he could get to the baby. How scary!!! The Lord was amazingly good that afternoon and guided Dr. Holladay's hands as he got down to the baby and delivered him without any complications. He was born at 1:40 pm, weighing 6 pounds 6 ounces and was 19.5 inches long.... 10 fingers and 10 toes and so perfect!
The neonatologist allowed me to see my boy for a minute before taking him to the nursery. The sound of his cry brought me to tears and then to see his face was so amazing. I could tell from that first time I saw him that he looked just like his big brother Chase. At that time I hadn't seen how dark his hair was but looking at Luke's face was like looking at Chase the day he was born (they both even had a stork bite above the same eye). Charles went with Luke to the nursery while they finished closing me up. That also took forever... I kept asking the anaesthetist what was taking so long and how much longer they had because my spinal was wearing off rather quickly. A normal repeat c-section takes normally 45 minutes to an hour and my c-section that day took 2 hours! Again, the Lord really protected me and I am so thankful that Dr. Holladay took as much time as he needed to do it the right way. The surgery was finally over and I was taken to the recovery room.
In Greenville, babies were not allowed in the recovery room and I had to wait until I was moved into a room before I could hold the other boys so I was super excited that they allowed babies in the recovery room at Baptist. Charles brought Luke to me pretty quickly after getting into the recovery room and I could not have been happier. I had just been through major surgery and somehow, holding my precious boy, made all the pain and discomfort go away! They even allowed me to attempt to nurse and then do kangaroo care (skin to skin) with him, one of the best things ever! Just before I was ready to be moved into a room they had to take Luke back to the nursery for one more thing but said they would meet us at our room as soon as we were in and settled.
While I was in recovery the big boys absolutely loved looking through the window and seeing their baby brother. For months, Chase would put his hand on my tummy and love on Luke and to actually see him outside of my tummy and in person was so amazing to him. My mom and those that were with him during this time said that all he did was talk to Luke through the window and tell him how much he loved him. What a great big brother!!
Jacob also was super excited to see his little brother and to finally be a big brother himself. He didn't take his eyes off of Luke and really studied him while Luke was in the nursery.
Charles couldn't wait to see the big boys and tell them all about Luke. It's amazing how quickly you can love someone, even at just the sound of their cry. Chase really took it all in and couldn't wait to get his hands on his little brother!
Chase & Jacob waited so patiently to see us but at the hospital there are only so many things that will keep a 3 year old and a 2 year old occupied. They waited with Charles outside my room as the nurses got me in and settled and couldn't wait to see their baby brother in person!
Finally we were ready to bring Luke in. What we didn't know at that moment was that the nurses had noticed Luke's lips turning blue while he was in the nursery the second time and had him hooked up to a machine that was monitoring his blood oxygen saturation levels. They fortunately brought Luke to me for a few minutes for everyone to see him but I was the only one who could hold him in order to keep his stress level down.
The boys loved being able to touch him for a minute and see him face to face. Chase couldn't stop smiling and was so proud of his baby brother. Jacob was a lot more gentle than I thought he would be and loved touching his tiny little hands.
They were both such proud big brothers. Jacob looks very serious in this picture but looking at his baby brother he was all smiles. Chase's smile never left his face he was so happy that "his baby" was finally here! The last thing we did before everyone had to head home and Luke had to go back to the nursery for more monitoring was something that Charles' dad has done with all of his grandchildren the day they were born. He presented Luke with the Bible, challenging him from the beginning to read the word and walk with the Lord. What a special moment and I was so thankful that our good friend, Rachel, was there to take pictures and document those specials moments. (Thanks again, Rachel! You were amazing and we are so grateful for the pictures you got!!!)
What a great day that was, regardless of the fact that it didn't go "as planned" or that Luke had a rough time with fluid in his lungs. He stayed in the nursery the rest of the day, coming to me very briefly to attempt nursing and then returning to the nursery for more monitoring. The middle of the night, though, he turned it around and was able to come for his 4:00 am feeding and stay with me. Looking back at that day, the Lord definitely had His hand in every single detail, from the doctor who did my surgery and took such good care of me and Luke to the nurses who were so attentive and noticed his issues as soon as they started! We are so thankful for this tiny 3rd miracle He has blessed us with and entrusted to us! Our prayer is the same as it is for the other two boys... that we would take this responsibility very serious and that by our example, what we say and how we act on a daily basis that the boys would all learn to love the Lord with all their heart at an early age, that they would walk with Him daily and that the Lord would use each of them in a mighty way that will impact the Kingdom for all eternity!
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