He's here!! Cooper William DeArmond was born at 1:18PM on Monday October 17th. You guys Cooper's birth story is a testament to the power of prayer! Little brother arrived at 35 weeks and 2 days yet he weighed 8lbs 9oz and was 21 3/4 in long. I was talking with the neonatologist a few days after his birth and she was telling me that he was just meant to be big (I did not have any gestational diabetes so he is literally just our big preemie!) How incredible is that?! Thanks to some crazy genetics and Such an answer to prayer!
On the morning of Cooper's birth, Blake arrived early to the hospital to be with me as I prepared and awaited our surgery time. I had a cesarean with Beau so Cooper would be delivered via cesarean as well. The surgery time was a bit up in the air as we awaited news of any other cancellations that morning, however we knew we would meet our little guy by lunch time. My mother in law drove over to our house early that morning to be with Beau so a Blake could be with me. We kept everyone posted as we waited to go down to pre op. I had already been in the hospital for over 4 weeks so I was anxious to get the party started. My mom arrived at the hospital mid morning and around 11AM they wheeled me down to pre op. We sent out messages letting everyone know it was almost go time so that they could head over to the hospital and around 12:15 Blake and I sent final messages that I was about to walk in to surgery. Since this was not my first cesarean I mostly knew what to expect and with that came the memories of the extreme nausea I had during and after Beau's delivery. So I begged this anesthesiologist to give me ALL the anti nausea meds. I walked in and climbed up onto the cold steel table ready for my spinal and SO excited to meet the little man that had been keeping me company for all those months and long days in the hospital. He was my little buddy and I just couldn't wait to officially meet him. I prayed as I layed down and continued to pray as Blake walked in and we were on our way!
The surgery was long as I ended up with severe scar tissue from my first cesarean. An unknown until we were there in surgery. But Cooper came out doing well!! It was an incredibly emotional experience and I was so overjoyed to find out that I would be able to have some time with him before he would have to go to NICU. So while the doctors worked on closing me up etc, Blake went with Cooper to our room to wait on me to be wheeled back to them. These minutes were SO long. All the anti nausea meds did not do their job and I was sick. All the scar tissue meant longer than typical close out and I was very ready to be with my baby. But the time came and at last I got to have some skin to skin time with Cooper and we got to practice nursing. Such an answer to prayer. I had told all doctors and nurses how I truly desired to have this time with our baby before surgery and glory be to God that Cooper came out stable and able to have this time with me.
After our skin to skin time Cooper left to be monitored at NICU. They needed to keep an eye on his blood sugars. His lungs were functioning perfectly and due to his size he was regulating his body temp well! Yay! His first blood sugar reported borderline so he was hooked up to a nasal feeding tube. This meant he would get formula through a tube that went straight to his tummy. Blake stayed with Cooper at the NICU all afternoon while I continued to recover. Unfortunately those first hours after surgery were rough. I was throwing up and my blood pressure had spiked after surgery which meant the nurses would not allow visitors to see me.
The good news is, we overcame those rough recovery hours! We allowed the NICU to give Cooper a bottle which meant his feeding tube came out. And since my milk wasn't in yet, he was still on formula but grew stronger by the day. On Wednesday, 2 days after delivery, Cooper was released to my hospital room for in room care! It was the best day!! No more hobbling over to the NICU for feedings and having to leave him. And goodness my heart goes out to all NICU mommies and daddies. Blake and I both met some of the strongest parents, some who had very sick, very small babies who had spent endless months separated from their babies. What strength it takes to walk that long road and I'm so humbled by each and every individual story.
Thursday afternoon, we were officially released from the hospital!! JOY! It was a sun filled afternoon and we were home bound. There truly is no place like home.
It's been a week and a day since Cooper joined our family and we are so thankful to be recovering at home. What I know after this entire experience is that it truly does take a village. Our family has so much gratitude for all those who have prayed, made meals, helped with Beau, sent cards and other sweet gifts, called, sent messages etc! You all are the best and mean so much to us.
Oh and that village, you continue to support and amaze us! I have been recovering, and Beau came down with a fever before we were even 1 week in to our new normal. But you know what, we got this! Because of that village and because my husband might just be super man 😁 I love him so very much and it's in these mundane, fever filled, milky messy poopy days that God works on us and strengthens our marriage. Once again I find myself more in love than ever.
Shout out to Mimi, Nauni and Papi for EVERYTHING!!
Love,
Casey (Blake, Beau and Cooper)
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