Finally...

Introducing

Nathan Robert Willoughby

March 1, 2011

12:39 pm

8lbs. 2ozs.

21 3/4 inches

We welcomed this little guy into our lives on March 1st. So that makes him 3 weeks old today...sniff, sniff! This sweet boy had a rough start but is doing well. 

Here is a little picture story to share:

We got to the hospital around 9:30 am and started the normal routine of C-sections (observation, consultations, etc.) Here is me before I got dressed down (I was HUGE): 

  

While in the observation room I learned that my cousin Heather, who was due a day later than me, was in dilated to an 8 a couple rooms down from me. I was so excited to have babies on the same day. Heather and I are only 1 month and 2 days apart in age and I thought this was a once in a lifetime experience! Here is Heather and her cute little family. Jane was born at 1:24 pm and she is adorable!!! 

 

So right before Nathan was born I heard the Dr. say "We are ready to go..." and seconds later I heard a screaming baby followed by the Dr. say "This little guy has the shoulders of a linebacker." They struggled to get him out and in the process he inhaled amniotic fluid. As they sent him through a window to the nursery I could hear him screaming and screaming. I was happy he was okay or so I thought....when I finally came out of the recovery room I learned that he was having trouble breathing and I wouldn't be able to hold him or take him back with me. It was really sad and hard. 

We finally got to go back to the NICU later that night and see Nathan. When we got there the were doing an echo cardiogram on his heart to make sure there were no serious problems. I was totally freaked out!! I sat there and cried the entire time, it was horrible! Luckily they ruled out his heart and took some x-rays of his lungs and did some blood cultures and found he had problems in both of those areas. While we were watching him get his ultrasound he was breathing anywhere from 165-180 breaths a minute. It broke my heart to watch him struggle so much! They ended up putting him on antibiotics and oxygen. They kept him sedated most of the time so his lungs could heal. Here is one picture I took:

To make a long story short, they finally let us go home one week later (barely...story for another time, hence the oxygen going home with us). I have to say that I had THE BEST nurses and staff to take care of me and Nathan. I got to stay at the hospital with him and they would call me when he needed fed. They worked so hard to get him better and I can never thank them enough!!

Going Home:

We are so happy to have this little guy in our family! We love him SOOOO much and are so happy he is doing well. Here are some random pictures I wanted to share (it was hard to just choose a few):

Meeting Emily and Caleb:

 It is always a fight over the baby:

Total sweetness!

 LOVE this boy SO much!

So now back to my crazy, beautiful, wonderful life that I absolutely love...most days ;) !!!

P.S.-Thank you, thank you to everyone who helped take care of my family!!! I could NOT have done it emotionally or physically without them. We are so blessed with close family and friends! We are also so blessed to have the gospel in our life to turn to and find strength in.