Empty Nesting: Baby time!

I wrote this post over the course of the last several days.

Sunday, August 23, 8 pm

Waiting.

Waiting for our first grandchild to be born.

Jack and I woke up in Florida this morning. We were there to visit with Jack's dad and brother and had planned to stay four nights, arriving Friday and returning home on Tuesday.

Then this morning I woke up to Jack's voice saying, "Your water broke?! Wow!" I bolted out of bed. Oh my gosh! He was talking to Sally! My baby's water broke a month early! And I was a thousand miles away. And Matt was out of town, but only about 2 hours away. Sally had already called her doctor who said to come in to the hospital. She wondered if she should drive herself. No!! She called Beth and I called Jenny. Beth lives 5 minutes from Sally, so she picked her up and Jenny met them at the hospital. Jenny stayed until Matt got to the hospital around noon.

Next mission? Get me home to my girl!! I told Jack we had to get on the next plane He said it was not quite that simple, but he sure got the job done with his travel expertise and problem solving skills. Within minutes we were booked on a 1:30 flight AND upgraded to first class!

We showered and checked out of the hotel by 9:15 and headed over to Bucky's to see him again. We felt so bad leaving early, but he understood.

We had an awesome flight home. We were surrounded by little kids and Jack did his thing and entertained them. So sweet. Our flight arrived a few minutes early. And God bless Jenny, she picked us up from the airport. She was working overtime for us today.

I can count on my sister for anything!!!!!

Jack and I went to the hospital around 5 and met Matt's mom and dad in the parking lot. Perfect timing. We stayed about an hour and left to let Matt and Sally have some privacy.

We have been getting text updates and it sounds like labor is progressing. Matt's going to let us know when she gets ready to push and we will head over there. Who knows what time that'll be? Doesn't matter!!! We just want a healthy baby! Because the baby is a month early, he/she will go to the NICU no matter what.

5:30 am Monday August 24

The last update from Matt was at 12:24 am. They were cutting down on the pitocin and were getting ready for the epidural. Matt said the baby's arrival wasn't expected anytime soon. I woke up at 4:30am and showered and I am just about ready to head over to the hospital and hold a vigil for this baby!!! Praying hard.

6:45am

We got a text from Sally about 1/2 hour ago. There hasn't been much progress with the labor, but the baby is good and Sally is comfortable. She got an epidural around 1am. Jack and I are heading over to the hospital to get the lay of the land.

It's a beautiful morning! 60 degrees and sunny so far.

10:30am

Jack and I went to the hospital and got to see Sally and Matt. The doctor who is delivering babies today has a hands off approach and wants to see how labor progresses without going right to a c-section. He is trying some other medication to get the labor moving along.

Sally is getting a bit antsy but is calm and cool. They just want a healthy baby.

I am thankful that I am not scheduled to work today or tomorrow because we were supposed to be in Florida. I am not sure how I could concentrate on anything!!!

9:05 pm

It's 36 hours after Sally's water broke and the baby still hasn't arrived yet. Sally and Matt are being remarkably patient. It appears there has been some progress in dilation even though she's been without pitocin for about 12 hours. The doc doing deliveries has had her on cervadil and maybe it's working!? Next check by the doctor will be at 10:30

Tuesday, August 25th 3am

Sally texted at 10:45 pm last night and said she was at 4cm and 100% effaced. Matt texted at 12:47am that things were moving quickly and it looked like maybe it would be in the wee hours of the morning. An hour later, 1:47am Matt texted "pushing". Jack and I are sitting in the waiting area, praying for a safe delivery and healthy baby.

Jack and I entering the hospital at 2:45am

Praying hard. It's a very profound time. Our grandchild is about to enter this world.
Thursday, August 27th 8pm
Elizabeth Alice arrived at 2:55am on 8/25, pretty much as I was writing the last post, weighing in at 6 lbs 11 oz, 20 inches long. Matt and Sally are going to call her Ellie...I love this name as I do her full name. Love love love.
Ellie was taken right to the NICU because of being preterm. She was given an IV, a feeding tube and was attached to all sorts of monitors. We got to meet her about an hour after she was born. Pure joy!! What a miracle! I was able to hold Ellie that evening. That is heaven right here on earth, a dream come true.
Sally was discharged from the hospital today, but Ellie stayed so she can get to be a better eater. This has not been easy. I have often heard women say how hard it is to leave the hospital without your baby, but Sally has the right perspective and it is sad but knows how blessed she is to have a baby that just needs to want to eat as much as she wants to sleep!
God is so good!