Our Exhaustingly Perfect Miracle

I should have known from past experiences that no matter how well you think you have things planned, they never seem to go as you think they will.  But Heavenly Father's plan is much better than my own.  Looking back in hindsight it is always easier to see His hand in your life, than while you are going through certain challenges.  It is through reflection that I find myself in constant gratitude for the continual blessings in my life.

On March 24th I went into labor; 6.5 weeks before our due date.  I had spent the morning at my baby shower, taken a nice afternoon nap, and then Dallas and I had gone out to dinner with some of our good neighbor friends.  On the way home from dinner we were laughing and telling stories when my water broke.  The prepared parents that we are, had no clue what was going on.  In fact at one point I remember Dallas sitting at the computer looking up "water breaking" in the google search mode.  We hadn't taken any birthing classes, hadn't taken a tour of the labor and delivery, hadn't even packed a bag for the hospital.  We still thought we had another couple months to finish everything on our to-do list.

 We checked into labor and delivery around 9:30pm, looking like deers in headlights.  Over the next couple hours we were seen by several different nurses and the on call doctor.   Their main goal was to do everything in their power to postpone labor.  They pumped me with steroids to help with Daxton's lung development and gave me medicine to stop the contractions.

The next few days we waited; waited for the steroids to fully reach our little guy, waited for news from the doctors, and spent hours praying that everything would go ok and that Daxton would have time to develop. 

Since my water had broken, I was not allowed to leave the hospital until I delivered.  My job was amazingly understanding.  My principal helped find a sub for the rest of the school year, coworkers stepped up to help with organizing sub plans and keeping the program running, and the district office was great with allowing Dallas to finish up the paper work.  Dallas' job was also incredibly supportive, especially since it fell right in the middle of a VERY busy busy season with Dallas being an accountant.  We can't say enough good things about PWC and his coworkers there.  Dallas was able to be at the hospital with me every step of the way.

 After a few days in the hospital, our doctor decided that the risk of infection was greater if we postponed labor any longer.  On March 27th they induced labor and little Daxton was born 13 hours later.  To be honest I didn't feel much until AFTER the epidural wore off.  Our little man came rushing into this world after 4 hard pushes.  His lungs were definitely fine, since his screams were the first thing I heard; best sound ever.  Since he was so early, there were about 8 different nurses, the neonatal doctor, and my OBGYN in the room with us (modesty went out the window the minute I checked into the hospital!)  Everyone was so amazing, though, and took such great care of our perfect little boy.  He weighed in at 6 lbs 15 oz, which is pretty amazing considering he was 6 weeks early!

 We were so impressed with the John Muir Hospital, especially the NICU staff.  Little Daxton had his own room and personal nurse, complete with tons of monitors and wires hooked up to his little body (enough to drive his mommy crazy on numerous occasions!)

 We'd like to believe that little Daxton had a couple angels escorting him into our arms.  Dallas's mom passed away 6 years ago on March 27th and my sweet little niece who passed away 4 years ago had her birthday on March 26th.  I think they were both there, helping our little one.

 Daxton had to spend a few days under the lights to help with his jaundice.  We thought it was super cute how he would untuck his little legs and arms.  He looked like quite the lounger with his shades.  I'm thinking he takes after his mommy and her love of laying out at the beach!

 I was discharged from the hospital March 31 and walking out that door was the hardest thing I've ever done.  Not just because I was in SERIOUS pain due to third degree tearing, but having to leave Daxton in the NICU...not being able to bring him home with us.  I'm sure security thought they were going to have to step in and help the poor guy dragging his sobbing wife out of the hospital doors.

We spent the next couple weeks traveling back and forth from home and hospital.  I would spend all day with little Daxton, snuggling and working with the nurses to teach him how to breast feed.  Dallas and my mom would take turns bringing me meals and getting their snuggle time in as well.

 Our little guy was quite the overachiever in the NICU.  Once he got the hang of feedings, he was able to regain a lot of the weight he had lost after birth.  The second week in the NICU he was transferred to another room with a less invasive feel.  He was still hooked up to all of the monitors, but he no longer needed an IV which was so relieving.  His facial expressions have been pretty priceless and we have done our best to try and capture as many as possible!

 My mom was a saint and drove all the way from Washington to help us out for the first three weeks.  She was our chauffeur, personal chef, and emotional stability through it all.  I'm sure she loved all the cuddles she got out of the deal!

 I am so madly in love with my men.

Dallas has already shown what an amazing husband he can be.  Now I get the privilege of watching him be one of the most amazing fathers as well.  He is so loving, gentle, kind.  Daxton adores his father!

 It's amazing to me, how much love you can feel for someone you have only just met.  I could spend all day, and have, simply cuddling with my little boy; watching his little lips, eyebrows, and nose react to my kisses; listening for his breathing and little grunts and growls. I feel so unbelievably blessed.

 On Easter Sunday Daxton was discharged from the NICU.

I don't know of any greater way to remember our Savior's love and sacrifice for us, than to have our little boy join us at home.  We are so very grateful for all of the prayers, love, and support we have felt from so many friends and family.

Now onto the task of trying to figure out how in the world to raise this perfect little man...