Sweet Levi. He has truly been pure joy and I thank God for him everyday. His 1st Birthday and the weeks leading up are not like the other 2. We did have a scare with Luke when he was 6 days old that left us uneasy for a few months, but we believe that was only preparation for Levi's birth.
This time last year I was
very very very hot. I was huge. I was depressed. I was struggling. I DID NOT WANT to have a c-section. My placenta previa did not resolve itself like the other 95% of placenta previa cases. I was the 5%. Lovely.
I went in for my last ultrasound on Monday, the 16th, knowing in my gut I was not going to hear what I wanted to hear. My mom was here and I know it was hard for her seeing me so not myself.
Did I mention I was hot? We bought a new house, with no air conditioning, in the hottest summer in B-burg in who knows when. Wasn't the smartest decision David and I have ever made. Hindsight is always 20/20. Now we feel blessed. Thankful. Pruning perhaps? Def.
My due date was September 5th. I was confident in our conception date, therefore I was confident in our due date.
At my ultrasound, Monday, it was confirmed my placenta had not moved, and it was now complete placenta previa. Meaning my placenta was completely covering my cervix, meaning when I went into labor and my cervix began to dilate my placenta would begin to separate from my uterine wall and I could bleed to death and/or the baby can die due to lack of oxygen. I was extremely thankful I made it full term without bleeding or having to be put on bed rest.
On Monday my doctor talked about scheduling my c-section for the following Monday but then called me back to say with complete previa they do not recommend going past 38 weeks. So, Friday it was!
The thought of being on a surgical table, being cut open, recovering, etc. made me want to puke or pass out or both. God and I spent some serious time together, preparing my heart that week. I was at peace. I accepted it. But that didn't mean I had to be happy about it, just content, seeing his glory. I wanted my way. My natural child birth. Didn't get my way.
I knew I could and would do anything for one of my children. That got me to the table, without falling apart. I have a weak stomach so I knew I might get a little queasy once they put me on my back. Yep, I was right. Instantly felt like I was going to pass out. I made it through surgery. I made it to recovery. I was so excited to get my hands on Levi and to see how big he was, how long he was, and kiss his chubby cheeks. You only get a little sneak peak while in in the OR.
I
finally got back to my room and immediately starting texting and calling saying I made it! They were continuing to work with Levi and soon mentioned some of his stats were low/off. They quickly informed us they were taking him back to the nursery to monitor his O2 and his respirations.
I got to hold him for literally 30 seconds before they took him.
The hours then began to drag. I soon realized he wasn't coming back to our room that 1st night, or the 2nd. Since Levi was our 3rd, we anticipated the long, sleepless first night. It was sleepless, but not because we had a hungry, crying newborn. His first nights were spent with hourly trips to the nursery checking on his stats.
The 2 days in Radford are a big blur. I barely remember when they said what. I do remember learning he had a
pneumothorax. Premature babies are sometimes born with a pneumothorax, but they often resolve themselves, and most of them they never even know about. Levi was 8 lbs 3 oz.....not so much a premie.....you'd think! The lungs develop between 32-38 weeks. Levi was 2 weeks and 3 days early.
They aspirated one of the air pockets. They tried the oxygen hood. One resolved itself. But, they kept coming back and getting worse. They sent his x-rays to Roanoke and decided he needed to be cared for in a NICU.
So, Sunday morning the amazing transport team came to take my sweet baby away. My two day old baby that I hadn't held or fed. I didn't experience him in his little rolling bed beside me, all swaddled up, crying to be fed. He spent his 1st 48 hours laying in the nursery with only a diaper on, not wanting to even be touched.
He thankfully made it to the NICU. Waiting to hear he made it safe and sound was probably the most agonizing time. We were terrified knowing he was driving so far without us. The Lord's comfort and grace is amazing. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in time of trouble. Ps 9:9
I was released from the hospital a day early. David went on to Roanoke to try and make it there when Levi did. I came home to see the kids before they left for TN for the week. We have amazing friends who took care of them while we were still in Radford. David's aunt Kat drove up to get them and take them to TN to stay with my father-in-law. David's mom is a RN so she stayed with us. David made arrangements for us to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. I went straight there from Blacksburg. I wasn't ready to take on the NICU journey quiet yet.
When David arrived at the NICU Levi's left lung had collapsed, he had stopped breathing for 60 seconds and they had already inserted his chest tube and the ventilator. We were told those were things they may have to do in the next 24 hours, not upon arrival. Our little fighter was exhausted and made it there just in the nick of time.
Here's what our sweet sugar looked like his 1st 2 days in the NICU.
We were so blessed by the Ronald McDonald House and by the amazing staff in the NICU. We will NEVER forget many of the nurses that cared for us. We will never forget the dings, and ringings of all the monitors. The required 2 minute scrub down before you enter....where I would stand every morning and ball my eyes out. Pod C. 6th bed from the left. It was such a short period of time but so impressionable.
On Monday I woke up wondering how in the world I was going to do this for 7 days. I quickly reminded myself the Lord only provides me my manna for that day. Tuesday's manna would have to take care of Tuesday.
He was taken off the vent once on Tuesday, but was put back on it. I think he finally came off of it for good Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. His chest tube came out on Wednesday afternoon.
The feeding was a slow process. I finally was able to nurse him on Saturday. He was given bottles of milk I had pumped for all of his feedings. He didn't latch on right away. By the time we got home on Sunday he was only nursing (no bottles:).
He finally graduated from the warming bed to his own bassinet. So precious.
Luke meets Levi. Or should I say Spiderman?
Halle meets Levi.
We are so blessed and we are so thankful for the gift of children. Levi's first year has brought me so much joy. He truly fills our house with love. I can't wait to see what God has in store for out little miracle.
