Jackson James Schneider had different plans...

....and, so, I yield to him now.  Wait.  Who am I?

A new mom....that's who.

From the last post, we were hanging onto the verdict of the next appointment to see if my fluid was low again...and if they'd "just deliver him that day" as the doctor would say.

Turns out?  It was (low)....and they did (deliver him)...on 12/23/2011 at 9:29pm.  He was our little breech baby boy, so we went the c-section route (and there is MUCH to discuss on this topic), but first - here's how 12/23 looked in my rear view mirror.

We had a dr. appt at 2:00 pm to recheck my fluid and to do a non-stress test.  Jack looked really good on the monitor, responding well to contractions, movement, etc.  The fluid, however, was still super low.  This concerned the doctors just because it seemed silly to let me leave with a healthy baby that could go into distress at any moment due to low fluid.  Why risk that?  

So, as we are waiting on the dr. to come in and talk to us, I'm busy on my phone working on my next meeting back at the office....and trying to get a few things wrapped up before the team departed for the Christmas holiday.  I thought..."even if they want to deliver him this weekend or next week, I'll have time to go back to work, go home, finalize a few last details....yeah, this will be totally fine and uneventful"

Enter dr...."We're going to go ahead and deliver him today, so make a few phone calls and then let's get you admitted into labor and delivery"

Me:  "I'm sorry.  Today as in TODAY?  I need to go back to work.  I'm hosting a meeting in an hour...and we really need to have this meeting before the team leaves for the holiday."

Dr.:  <smile>  "You're having a baby today....it would have been right now, but you just ate a yogurt, so we'll need 6 hours for that to digest before we give you the spinal tap for the c-section."

Awwwwww Hell.  My first thought is that I need to make a list! 

Cancel meeting. 

Send lots of mass emails detailing what's happening.

Try not to freak out. 

Call my mother.

Call EVERYONE.

Think of all the stuff I need for a 4 day stay at the hospital....and try to help Matt figure out where all of that stuff is. (Did I mention that Matt handled this all VERY well.)

About 6 hours later....

I walk my happy self into the OR where there's a full team of people standing there all in blue scrubs and all I can think of is Grey's Anatomy....and wondering if Meredith Grey is going to get involved (she's not that great of a surgeon).  And, I start to get reeeeaaaallly nervous.  The anesthesiologist comes in with her assistant and pretty much proceeds to put me in the worst possible pain I've ever known....a spinal.

After that, I feel nothing from my stomach down.  

Jackson James Schneider was born in true dramatic fashion complete with some questionable breathing (WHAT?!).  There was a lot of pressure, but no pain....and I hear the doctor say "here he iiiiissssss!"  Matt, because he's really just not into blood (and who is?)...baaaarely peeks over the curtain.  All I can see is Matt's smile from ear to ear at sight of his son.  It was honestly the most excited I've ever seen Matt....and what a sweet moment.

As I'm laying on the operating table unable to move my lower half (have we reviewed my anxiety/claustrophobia issues?), I see the NICU team and the incubator roll in.  Of course, I FREAK OUT (because that's what I do).....and continue to freak out throughout recovery as the doctors keep coming in to tell me that he's having trouble breathing and that we probably won't take him home with us when we go home in 4 days.

Oh, you wanna make a bet?  I'm not leaving that kid here.  We made him.  We are taking him.  Now, give him some oxygen and let's get on with it so that I can actually hold him!

A Very Proud Dad
(Jack in the NICU)

A Very Worried Momma

Grandma Schneider made it to the delivery!

After all of that excitement, I can tell you this - by the time 4:30 pm rolled around the next day (less than 24 hours!)....Jack was out of the NICU and in our room.  He stayed there with us for the next 3 days and then went home with us on December 27.  

We learned SO MUCH in 4 short days at the hospital that I really wanted to take the nurses home with me.  Although, the way they throw newborns around in the hospital made me super nervous, but a bit relieved as I learned that newborns are tougher than they look!

Thank God for that.

More sweet moments from the hospital:

The Little Monster is Going Home!

Holding on to Daddy's finger in the NICU

Merry Christmas from Virtua Voorhees Hospital!

Morning Time with Momma

From there....well, it's been like a comedic sitcom complete with bad jokes and all the things that you would expect to happen.

(So, what you're saying is that if you wipe the warm baby boy with a cold baby wipe - he will pee all over you?  Check!)

(Also?  He will actually poop on the changing table WHILE you are changing his current poop filled diaper?  Check!)

(And, while he's getting his newborn photos taken...he will actually poop and pee in your bare hands when you are holding him?  Check!)

It's been an amazingly funny adventure in only 9 short days....and there's SO much more to tell you about. 

For now?  I have a baby to feed, change, snuggle and stare at!

More soon.

Love.

Best. Christmas. Present. Ever.