The First Week

Owen came into the world via c section and the amount of time it took them to hold him over the curtain felt like an eternity. I couldn't see what they were doing, I couldn't hear any baby cries and at some point my mind took over and began to panic. When my doctor finally showed him to me he was very blue and purple. I knew that all babies are a little blue so I tried to remain calm. I made it this far, no need to raise my blood pressure now. Colin went over and cut the umbilical cord and a few minutes later, the neonatologist was over telling me that he was being intubated due to them not getting him to breathe. The hope though, was that it would only be for a few hours. Little did we know, Owen's lungs weren't inflating and there was fluid. He was sent straight to the NICU.

June 2nd- Happy Birthday, Owen! You were born at 7:49AM, were 21.5" long and weighed 8lbs 10oz. You had some trouble breathing so you were sent to the NICU with fluid in your lungs, a breathing tube in place so a machine could breath for you and had a central line put in your belly button. Your central line was so that they could draw blood as frequently as needed without hurting you as much each time. Mom finally got to really see you after she got out of recovery. They wheeled her whole bed in the NICU to your bed. Love at first sight! This whole time after being poked, prodded, intubated, you never needed to be sedated. You stayed as cool as a cucumber. You are your daddy's boy. Your doctor was really worried about the fluid on your lungs and said it might be better for you to be in St. Louis or Kansas City where there were specialists to help you breathe. At one last attempt to get you to breather, over night they tried a new ventilator that shook your whole body and it worked! Your lungs began to open and the fluid began to disappear!

June 3rd- This was a BIG day! Mom & Dad finally got to hold you for the first time! Your breathing tube came out, mom got to feed you for the very first time and daddy got to change your diaper & take your temperature for the first time. Good job, daddy!

June 4th- Nurse Lisa helped us to give you your first bath, your central line in your belly button was taken out, and you nursed for 30 minutes! Downside of the day, we had to move your IV to your head. Sad moment for your momma. You were weighed again this day and went down to 8lbs 1 oz.

June 5th- We got to feed your for the first time overnight this night. Your nurses would call mom and dads room to come to you. At one point during this night, you woke up earlier than usual and pretty upset. Even though it wasn't time to eat, your nurses ended up calling us to come to see if we could help. Mom and dad got there and you immediately calmed down. In that moment, it finally felt like everything was going to be OK!

June 6th- Going home day. You had to sit in your car seat hooked up to all of your monitors for 90 minutes to make sure your breathing or heart rate wouldn't drop. You also had to have your hearing test which you failed on the right side but don't worry everything is good now :) You were eventually unhooked from all of your monitors and your lines came out. We said our goodbyes to your nurses- Lisa & Jamie, to your doctors- Dr. Merrihew & Dr. OConnor, and to mom's nurse- Lisa. We were all sad to leave them but excited for our journey as a family of 3 to begin!