The Powells: 05/01/2009

Typical Powell style, we were running late on the day of delivery, surprisingly there was no traffic on 285...so we were only about 30 minutes late. Tom drove me to the hospital while my sweet Aunt Virginia came in town and stayed at the house watching Elizabeth and Tom; my parents and VJ arrived shortly after I checked-in.

Everything was running smoothly and I had several moments of dejavu; was it really just 20 months ago I was in this same room waiting for surgery? I would be lying if I said I was not scared, actually, I was a bit shy of terrified, but Tom stayed with me and kept me thinking positive. After the first delivery, being a aware of worse case scenario would be an understatement. In August of 2007, I never thought I would delivery a baby and there would be silence, so let's just say this time I tailored my prayers to include a loud screaming baby. As the feel good drugs started to take effect, I said see-ya to my family and Tom and I went off to the delivery room.

After a great conversation with the anesthesia and my OBGYN (we talked about how Tom and I met), I heard Dr. Marshall say, Tom you call it. Next thing I remember Tom said, "It's a boy!" followed by very loud shrieks from a 6.15 pound handsome baby. I said, I am so excited and I get to be mother of the groom, again!! I guess with multiple weddings within a couple of weeks, nuptials were on my mind. Tom took some great photos in the delivery room and I swear I was the happiest person in the world! I let out a huge sigh of relief and just listened to John William scream while I cried tears of joy - we did it, this was really one of the best days of my life.

For those of you with children you know it's not over when the baby starts crying; we were all headed to the recovery room and I really wanted to hold my baby again. Once in the recovery room, I felt like a million bucks and all of the nurses thought I had been overdosed with drugs because I was chatting up a storm and moving all of the place (over course from the waist up, my lower have was still as numb).

The nurse cleaning JW was not very nice, but I really did not care, I just sat in my bed watching and anxiously awaiting for his bath to be complete so I could cradle him in my arms. Yet, just when you think everything is perfect, God throws you a curve ball to stay on your toes. The nurse carried JW over to me and said he is having trouble breathing, keep suctioning his mouth and we will monitor it. I thought, "What do you mean trouble breathing?" No way, I heard him scream, he is just fine. However, my worry started to creep up on me, but I continued to think positive. After about 15 minutes his breathing had not improved and the nurse informed me he was going to the 'transition nursery' where he would stay a minimum of two hours and no more than six; if he needed more attention he would go to NICU.

So here we go on another roller coaster. Tom went with JW and told our family about the update while I stayed behind and was then transferred to my hospital room. When the nurses rolled me in my room, it was cold and dark and there was no healthy baby with me, I was not happy. I could not leave my room for 24 hours, so I sat, watched the clock and anxiously awaited pictures and updates from my family. They could see JW through the nursery window but could not hold him or talk to the nurses. After about one hour, the Powells and Graffeos were with me when we received news that JW needed more attention and he was going downstairs to NICU.

I knew what this meant, I would not be able to see my baby for another day. This is exactly what I was hoping I would avoid this delivery. I was emotional, but still remained positive; I kept thinking I heard his scream, I saw his pink color, I felt his breath on my face - he is going to be fine. That evening I received two little unplanned visitors in their pjs to cheer me up....and of course, they needed to hop in bed with me:

The following day I was able to visit JW in NICU and he looked like a healthy baby. Tom and I were very pleased to see several familiar faces in NICU and the nurses were taking excellent care of our newest addition. NICU did not seem as dramatic and overwhelming as it did in 2007 - Tom and I were familiar with the NICU policies (scrubbing in, visiting, etc.) and remember the sounds of the bells, dings and whistles that are forever constant in this part of the hospital. We spent most of our time in NICU, since we only had one baby to care for and we prayed for a speedy recovery.

The first time I held JW, post delivery:

Over the next three days JW improved, the fluid in his lungs decreased and there was no infection. On Saturday night JW was delivered to me in my room and I was thrilled. We continued bonding and together we stayed in the hospital for a couple more days. It was weird missing Easter mass and celebrating with the family, but JW and I hung out together in the hospital catching up on the Masters. To sum it up, the journey was memorable and I cannot take my eyes of my sweet baby boy...well, yes I can, just for minutes at a time to ensure Elizabeth and Tom are safe.

So many people have asked me who JW looks like and I think he has Elizabeth's lips and Tom's ears - I will try and post some close-up of these features soon. Thanks for all the well wishes and support - we really appreciate all of the meals, emails, cards, calls, visits, etc.!