Kayleigh found 2 names from her recent history lessons that relate to our boys' names. Thomas Jefferson (Thomas and Jeffrey) and Jefferson Davis. And Jeffrey entered this world with a bang, finishing our family with an exclamation mark! He arrived 2 glorious weeks early.
Saturday, May 17, Chad and I celebrated our 11th anniversary by going out to dinner. Chad was over-tired as he had gone on the Father-Son ward campout. One of Thomas' friends joined them in their tent. Therefore Chad had no rest that night. Then our regular Saturday schedule of soccer games and yardwork, etc. Then out to dinner with me. I think he laid down about 11:00 and fell into a deep sleep by about 11:01.
By around 11:15 or so, I finished my singing stuff for the next day's Primary. It was simple and cute. I loved it and the kids were going to have a blast. I got up from the chair, then turned around in dismay. I had wet my pants. But soon in the bathroom, as more and more water continued to come, I realized I hadn't wet my pants and I needed some assistance. But my assistance was sound asleep. My calls didn't wake him easily and he was too groggy to figure out how to call the doctor's office. I couldn't figure out how to explain where the phone number was. We were off to a great start.
But very soon, our wonderful neighbor Wendy was awakened and over to our house to sit with the kids till Chad's cousin Kristin could make the drive over from her house in Arlington. (And on her birthday no less. Even her "Lordy, Lordy, look who's Forty" birthday.) And we were in the car on our way to the hospital. It wouldn't be right if we didn't get stopped for a train on the way. And I didn't slosh my way out of the car and into the wheelchair Chad found. I said something intelligent like "I can't sit in that. I'll get it all wet." Chad - "Just get in the chair!"
My nurse, Tracy, though nice enough, said very little the whole night. There was also the anesthesiologist - very quiet man. And the doctor on call continued in the less-is-more fashion. So it was a quiet night. But painful. The IV was extremely painful. More so than any other. The epidural was also very painful. And it didn't take on my left hip. So I felt contractions there all night. I had checked in the hospital about midnight. The baby was born by C-section at 6:32 a.m. I had stopped progressing and the quiet doctor became anxious for the baby. He didn't exactly ask my opinion. He was in quite a hurry. So for whatever reasons, Jeffrey came into this world and my world in a new (new to me) fashion. The doctor held him around the blue sheet for me to see him, just as the screaming baby proceeded to pee on everyone. I saw pee flying around and thought "That's my boy! Get 'em!"
This is a thumbnail picture. That means click on it and it will get bigger.
I've had time to think about that day. God was watching over me. And doctors are entitled to inspiration. It could very well have been the best possible outcome, having that delivery. Most important is the beautiful baby I have to look at each day and love more and more.
After a nice anxiety attack, I awoke in the surgery recovery room. Chad, in his scrubs, had the baby and he (not named for a few more days) was ready to try some eating. They had called Chad over as they weighed and washed up the baby a bit. So he left while I was being stitched closed. And also while I flipped.
From there on, it was like magical munchkins in The Wizard of Oz. They just started appearing everywhere with smiles and personalities and so full of delight at a new baby. And here, let me help you in every way feel comfortable and ready to start recovering. And don't worry about a thing, we'll do it all. The nurse in the surgery recovery room was simply delightful. As was the next nurse and the baby's nurse. And it continued for 3 more days till we discharged on Wednesday.
If I could choose another college major, it would now be nursing. What an amazing way to help people. It must be difficult to always treat patients with their best efforts. It must be tiring. Especially working at night.
Visitors in the hospital were:
Kristin and Laura, Aunt Lynne, Kayleigh, Thomas, EV, Mel, Kelly Schetselaar, and Rita
Pemberton. Everyone was wonderful. Rita made a visit each day, bringing various items I
needed. From these angelic visitors, there were cute baby outfits and great snacks from the
outside world. And chocolate, of course.
We even had Family Home Evening Monday evening, watching the piano recital of my piano students on the TV. The recital had been the previous day, the day Jeffrey was born. Chad video- taped it and I watched my students play their pieces. And even ate some left-over cake from the recital for FHE treats. I remember we had time for family scripture reading and it felt so wonderful to have the whole family there with our newest member. We stole popsicles from the patient-drink room for all the kids. We were noisy and got a lot of attention in those quiet hospital halls. Very nice!
It's been a week now since Jeffrey's Birth-DAY (I started writing this on Sunday the 25th). We chose his name the evening before leaving the hospital. Jeffrey David. My Dad's name is David (David Paul - he goes by Paul). His Dad's name was also David.
And before coming home, I was drilled over and over on how I was to take it easy. VERY easy. So I've been doing that. Fairly successfully. Chad and the kids have been working very hard. Also Kristin. She's been a mother hen, making sure I'm behaving and have plans for the kids. She's come to help, not only the night he was born, and the whole next day, but a couple times while in the hospital and yesterday, she and Laura spent most of the day with the kids. Which is exhausting. We really should send the 2 of them on a cruise. If only, if only...
The list is getting very long of angels being good to us. Aunt Lynne's brought lunch today and dinner last Sunday, the day he was born. I have fabulous neighbors, Wendy, Lisa and Sara. Wendy (who came over at midnight when my water broke) brought dinner one night, and Lisa another. Sara calls and takes the younger girls for a while to play with her children. I'm surrounded by very amazing, thoughtful ladies.
Today, also, we had a visit from Mark. AKA, Uncle Marky-Poo. I'm not sure why he dares visit us. The kids go absolutely Coo-Coo with him. They yell and climb all over him. For a young, college student, this noise and chaos must be ridiculous. But he came. He may never return. We'll cherish the memory.
Props and thanks go to my 2 older sisters who sweetly sent a bouquet of baby-boy-blue flowers to me. My kids wanted to know how they got here all the way from Utah. Hmmm...
... and the thoughtful, diligent home teacher who brought a box of ice cream. He knows us well, it seems. Thanks Brother Ricks.
... and Visiting Teacher. But also just a thoughtful friend. Thanks, Becky for the stool and expert advice.
Jeffrey is sleeping better and better. The day after coming home, we went back out to a ENT doctor to get his tongue clipped. Thomas had also been born with a short phrenulum (no idea how to spell that, but it means tongue-tied). Very easy procedure that had made it easier for him to nurse and easier on me. The lactation specialist at the hospital (Sharon) discovered it. My baby doctor didn't recommend getting it clipped, but since I knew it was actually a very good idea from Thomas' experience, she recommended the ENT.
My drugs put me to sleep. And at first I slept a ton. But each day I sleep less, and Jeffrey sleeps more. His first night was quite noisy. But better each night. The kids love to hold him - EV asks the most. He has slept on her shoulder a couple of times and she loves it. He's very cuddly. Dark hair, dark-ish skin. Dark blue eyes.
