Baby E. entered this world at 3:24 this morning, and left it not much more than two hours later. We did have the chance to hold her, and feel her breathe, and feel her move, before she quieted down and left us.
I apologize that these aren't the prettiest baby pictures you've ever seen; before you can bathe a baby, the baby's temperature must be above some minimum threshold, and Baby E's temperature never got high enough. But there really wasn't time to worry about making them pretty. At the time, we didn't know how much time we had with her, so we did our best to make every moment count.
Aside from being emotionally drained, Tonya is recovering from the delivery well. This baby came about four weeks early (which caught us by surprise), which meant among other things that Baby E. was much smaller than our other kids were at birth--she was only 5 lbs. 9 oz (and 18.5 inches long), as opposed to the Adrenaline Junkie's 8 lbs, 2 oz--let alone the Happy Boy's 9 lbs 7.5 oz. Under normal circumstances, 5 lbs 9 is not a big baby, but still within the normal, healthy range; but Tonya's body was accustomed to much bigger babies, and when the time came, Baby E. arrived much faster than anyone expected. The doctors had just gotten done saying that they'd be back to check on us in an hour, when Tonya involuntarily gave an almighty push and Baby E was there....So now what?
Well, we're not entirely sure, but the first step is for Tonya to continue recovering. She should be coming home sometime tomorrow, and I'm going to be on Daddy-On-Steroids duty for a while. Thankfully, we have grandparental support to help out. When Tonya is home and has had a chance to catch her breath, then we'll start figuring out what to do. The hospital will keep Baby E. for the next two weeks, so we don't have to make any rushed decisions. That's very nice.
We have a lot of people to thank for the help they've already given. My wonderful brother and sister-in-law, Rick and Wendy, high-tailed it hither at about 9:00 last night to keep an eye on the kids, when we realized that we had to go to the hospital pronto. Then, around 10:30 when the doctors verified that Tonya was in active labor, my Mom and Dad started packing, and hit the road for the two hour drive up here, so they could relieve Rick and Wendy, so they could get some sleep for their workday. Then Tonya's parents came up this morning with the RV so they could stay with us long enough to help us get healthy and back on our feet. And, of course, there are all the people who've been praying for us since we got the Trisomy 13 diagnosis back in December; we owe you all a huge debt of gratitude.
With all the stuff we have to deal with, blogging will be irregular for a while. Not that it was very consistent before....
12 comments:
My prayers are with your family. I just left a note on your wife's blog (I found your blogs when I was searching for homeschooling information). His arms are around your little one now, just like they are around my little girl. May you feel His peace and grace in coming weeks.
In Him,
Beth
Tim- you and Tonya are both amazing people. I know it probably doesn't feel like you did anything special, but when I see people like you two display so much love and faith and courage and care... it's incredible. It's inspirational. It's *guiding*. Baby E had very good parents.
I've been following your blog for about a year and a half. I've never posted before, but I feel like I've been holding my breath with you over the past few months. We have two children, and I can't imagine what this has been like for you. Your decision to carry the child to term leaves me in awe.
My thoughts are with you in this difficult time.
Joel
God be with you all. My prayers and those of my friends and family are with you.
How blessed you were to be able to hold your precious little one...it was no doubt a bittersweet time to see and feel evidence of life's circle for such a short time. I pray that our Lord will bless you and keep you close in this time of sadness and that the Spirit give you peace and comfort.
I've been waiting for this post for a long time, and now that it is here, I have no better words for you and your wife than when you first shared your news...except to say that my prayers are with all of you.
Bless you for giving her life, for honoring her presence, for having faith.
I will be praying for all of you. For Tonya's health and recovery, for your grief as a family, for Baby E.
I will be hugging my kids tighter, and saying an extra prayer of thanks for my own unborn baby.
I'm praying that you guys find peace in knowing that baby E. is safe in the arms of God now, and that God gives you the strength to grieve your loss while each and every day growing a little stronger in your faith. Paise God for the precious baby girl he put on this earth for you two to care for for those few hours. She's beautiful.
My prayers are with you and your wife and family. No words help when you lose a child (I know, I've been there) but prayers are always good! Peace and strength to you.
She is beautiful. we have been and will continue to pray for you both. You guys are amazing.
Sabrina
I'm glad that you and Tonya had a chance to hold your little angel baby before God called her home. Hold fast to the promise in John 16:33 "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Someday you will be reunited with your daughter for eternity in Heaven.
{{{{hugs}}}} and prayers for your family during this difficult time.
Much belated prayers for you and your family.
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