Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Welcome to the world Dalton Craig

Wow wow wow! I cannot believe I finally got to title a post that. I was going to have someone else post after his birth but I figured since I am wide awake I would give it a shot to reach out to everyone who has been so amazingly supportive over our journey.
We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 on Sunday evening. The reality began to sink in when Jonathan looked at me and said "We get to meet our son tomorrow". We could not have been more anxious or excited. Everyone at the hospital was so amazing from the moment we arrived. We did start off on a great note with a giant gift bag of goodies from the Green family to help us enjoy our stay more. It was such a thoughtful gesture on their behalf and they still never cease to amaze me. Sunday was a pretty uneventful evening, minus the few "medical procedures" I had done, which at that point let me know that modesty is in NO way possible when giving birth. My nurses were all amazing and never once asked questions, everyone was on the same page! I was ecstatic!
Monday morning came quickly to those who did not sleep Sunday night (cough, cough, me). But it started on a lovely note with the question any woman wants to hear "Would you like your epidural now?". Ahhh! Music to my contracting uterus! I was shocked they gave it to me so early, but I was definitely feeling the pain and dilating quickly so it seemed like the logical thing to do. At about 2:00 we were told that because I had dilated so rapidly that it looked like he would be out around 3:30. HA! Little did everyone know that I held in the back of my mind that nothing about this pregnancy had been planned and I doubted that Dalton was going to let us start now. But I was hopeful.
We spent the afternoon just the two of us reflecting back on what we had learned and the good that had come out of our journey.It was a special time for us to pray and just be us, coming to God to ask for the strength for when our unknowns became known.
Turned out our little man was sunny side up and on a diagonal angle. Stinker. They told me that this was the most difficult way to deliver a baby the natural way. They could have been lying to get me to keep going but I assure you, they weren't. I started pushing around 5:00 pm. Slowly coming to the realization that this was not going to be as fun as it looked in the movies. I need two more bouts of epidural medicine because the pressure was so bad. They let me take a break and rest and we tried on and off until 8:00 while the Doctors decided what was the safest way to get him out. They did not want to use tools to pull him out because of the ventricles in his brain, but they told me if I was able to handle it we could attempt the natural route because Dalton really was tolerating labor well and the tools could be used as a guide. I was determined! I knew that having a C-Section meant not seeing Dalton for 12 hours and having to be in recovery with certain restrictions (on a side note the entire time I was pushing my focal point was an ice cold Diet Coke, no one told me they try and torture you by not letting you drink anything! I felt like I was in a dry mouth prison. If I ever see another ice chip... It's not the same people!).
So I pushed, and pushed, and pushed some more for 2 hours straight. I was making progress and they were willing to let me continue, as long as I wasn't exhausted or going to curse them for not giving me anything to drink. Sparing the gory details, and yes there are plenty. We tried 2 times with forceps to no avail and three times with the vacuum. At that point I said in the kindest tone possible, "Let me get the C-Section, I'm too exhausted to keep going".**Warning words appear nicer than they were in reality**. My Doctor begged me, and told me if I could do 3 more pushes it was going to either happen or not and if it didn't C-Section it was. I do not usually consider myself a strong person by any stretch of the imagination. But at that moment I prayed for the strength and somehow, someway by God's grace Dalton came out!
 I started at him with wide eyes and smooched my sweet hubby. I was so proud of Jonathan, he was an amazing coach never once making me want to punch him or say anything mean directed at him. Jonathan cut the cord and they took him to the table for evaluation from the NICU team. By the way there were about 14 people in here, I apologized to each of them for screaming bloody murder and explained to them that I was usually such a calm person-don't know if they bought it or not.  That first whimper of a cry about a minute later was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. That was when we lost it. First unknown- known, he was breathing! One of the girls from the team came to me and said if we get him stable you can hold him for a minute. I was so excited! They placed him in my arms and to be honest I was in a daze. This precious little angel now sat in my arms for me to care for with God's guidance. It was a moment I will never forget. I got to hold him for a minute and then he went with his Daddy up to the NICU to start his testing.
I got all "gussied up" as the Doctor fixed my war wounds, during which the whole time I kept saying "I am a rock star!"I have to gloat a second, I was just so beyond proud of myself and I am just so thankful that God gave me all the strength I needed to have him naturally.
Jonathan came back about 30 minutes later with the news that he was 8lb on the nose and that the testing was going to be about another hour. By this time it was midnight and I could physically feel my body breaking down. But I was going to see my baby boy before I went to bed! The pediatric cardiologist came and spent time with us after he assessed Dalton. There are 3 concerns with his heart and 1 major one that will have to be figured out before he actually gets to leave.
I want this to be a happy post to remember the positives so I will post more on the actual diagnosis a bit later and after we know more.
Jonathan and I wheeled up to the NICU around 12:30. Going in to see your brand new baby covered in wires and tubes was not easy. But I was prepared for that. I know that what they are doing is helping him, so I was strangely okay. The biggest disappointment was them telling us we could not hold him for a at least a few days, again, I was prepared but hearing it really kind of stunk. I did get to get up next to him and hold his little hand. He is so beautiful. Lots of hair and I even heard a rumor there were some dimples on our boy! I could tell how much everyone up there already loved him by the sweet names they were calling him and how gentle they were when they handled him. That gave me a lot of comfort. The neonatologist explained everything they saw and what the steps were for the next day (today). Like I said, I will do a health update later. Leaving him up there was not the easiest thing especially when we wheeled out and I heard him let out a giant cry. He didn't want us to leave either. The strangest part was, I knew it was him crying. I had a feeling and the nurse came out and said "Did you hear those lungs?". We came back to the room and promptly crashed. Sleep isn't really an option because I am still in a lot of pain. Just counting down the minutes to when I can go back and see our little man.
Thank you all for your texts, phone calls, emails, Facebook messages, and more. The support has been amazing and knowing how prayed for Dalton is only continues to give us hope. We love you all so much and can't wait for the world to meet him!

Last night before the hospital. 

Night on the town.

Keeping everyone up to date while waiting to check in.

This was before the drama!

It was like she was there with us!

I got made fun of for this...don't know why!

Daddy and Kyle probably learning WAY more than they wanted to.

Honey, Daddy, and PawPaw awaiting his arrival.

Mommy and Brie 

This may be my all time favorite birthing picture.

Told ya we smooched<3

8 lbs 21 inches

Lots of loving hands working to make him strong.

Amazed.




Daddy and his boy

He wasn't too happy about leaving us.

Daddy will make it all better.

These pictures are never glamorous but I had to do it.

Our family.



My favorite picture.

Us and the amazing team who forced me to do what I knew I could! 

He couldn't escape if he tried.

So hard not to pick him up.

He was sleeping when we arrived.

Quite the grip on my hand.

6! Count 'em 6!

52 comments:

  1. I have tears of joy for you guys!love, Becky Smith

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  2. so amazing kara!! we're praying for you and your family :)
    -Anna & Patrick

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  3. Kara,
    Somehow, this is the first that I am hearing of your truly incredible story. I am so inspired by your strength and courage during your pregnancy. However, I'd be lying if I said I didn't understand it... you're a mother... and that's what mothers do! I am so excited to continue to follow the story of Dalton's beautiful life. Best wishes to you and your incredible family!
    xoxo
    Chelsea Rager (Mead)

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  4. Praise the LORD. You and Jonathan are FULL OF JOY! Love, love, love, love, love, love, love you guys...the pictures tell 1000 words of happiness, faith, hope, and love. M

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  5. Congratulations! I'm so thankful you got to hold him after he was born. Take lots and lots of pictures!

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  6. Welcome Dalton! You have the greatest parents and you are a blessing to them, everyone who has been praying for this day and everyone who will hear about your story.

    Kara, my daughter (Kalee) has told me so much about you and your husband, I admire your strength, willingness to share and encourage others and your incredible, unstoppable hope.

    Wendee Goodman

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  7. My dear friend, he is BEAUTIFUL!! I'm sitting here at my desk WEEPING tears of joy!! I am so amazed by your strength as a mother, wife, and Christian. I am thinking of you constantly and sending positive prayers and thoughts your way. We miss you dearly at work and are praying for you all!

    Brandi H.

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  8. Y'all are amazing and he's beautiful!!!!! Congratulations!

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  9. What a beautiful family. Congratulations on your baby boy!

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  10. I'm in between classes...reading your blog, crying, and missing you. But SO glad Dalton is here and looking so well. I love each one of his 6 fingers and toes! What a cutie! SO SO SO happy for you and Jonathan. I can't wait to meet him and bring you a big, icy Diet Coke from Chick-fil-a with their awesome ice :)

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  11. You both are amazing. He is a handsome lad!! Congrats and praying for the best. B. Koetter

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  12. Kara - I loved this post! Welcome to the world Baby Dalton!! He is such a strong baby already, I can tell he will be a fighter :) God bless your family and baby Dalton, prayers are continuing to pour in :)

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  13. You are an incredible and strong person Kara! Welcome Dalton!!! Your family is lovely and glowing- all very special snowflakes! Alicia

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  14. wow he is beautiful! will be praying for you to hold him as soon as possible. so happy for you that he is here. (i know you from the greens)

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  15. Awww Kara! I could not be happier for you and your beautiful family. Dalton is a precious little angel, and thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. Our prayers have been lifted up to you all along the way. You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

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  16. Congratulations! I'll be praying for your family - our son was born with heart defects 6 months ago, so I feel a little bit of your pain not being able to hold him etc . . . praying!!

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  17. Kara and Jonathan....Congratulations!!! He is so precious, I love his fingers the MOST!!! Praying for Dalton and the Doctors and Nurses that surround him. May he feel all the love from his mama and daddy and everyone else there that loves him so much!!! Way to go on the birth girl....you are one strong lady!

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  18. Prayers for your precious family! Dalton is beautiful and a true blessing from the heavens above.

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  19. Kara and Jonathan, you don't know me but I know Katherine from working with her in the NICU. I found your blog through her blog. I just want to say how precious your Dalton is and no matter what happens in the future, you are already wonderful parents. My prayers are with you in the days ahead as you heal physically and get to know your new baby boy. While my heart aches for you and the decisions you have already had to make, I am also filled with joy that you were able to have the experience of pregnancy, and childbirth! Many blessings.

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  20. Kara and Jonathan, we are complete stangers but I have been checking your blog every hr to see an update on dalton. I have tears of joy just reading this. He is beautiful and you two are amazing parents. Sending you all the prayers and positive thoughts I can find.
    take care
    Geena

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  21. Dalton is beautiful...so perfect. God bless you!! Prayers for great news today.

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  22. What a blessing!! I started crying last night when we got the text from Adam - they were tears of joy. We will continue to pray for healing and strength.

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  23. We don't know each other but I am praying for your sweet boy. He is beautiful! May god give you grace and strength for the coming days.

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  24. Congratulations! Your family is absolutely beautiful. This is the most beautiful post of all. Continued prayers. Dalton is a very blessed little boy to have you guys as parents. :)

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  25. Brought me to tears. I am more than proud of you and you created such a beautiful baby. I can't wait to meet him! Love you all! -Amanda

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  26. Congratulations, Kara!! What a beautiful child! The joy on your faces says it all, and it looks like you've already had some incredibly sweet moments together as a family. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers!

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  27. Amazing family embraced in a circle of prayers from known friends and unknown friends. Our prayers will continue. Congratulations on your little "finger gripper"... I counted as well - it sure was 61! He has stolen the hearts of all who have met him. Dalton is a loved little gift from God.

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  28. Oh my goodness. Sitting at my desk with tears of joy spilling over. Kara and Jonathon , Dalton is absolutely precious! The pictures share such a beautiful story as do your words. Love, faith, family and a strenght that goes beyond words. Continued prayers for you and your family sent with much love from Cleveland! ♥♥♥
    ~ Aunt Laurie ,Melissa, Annie and Lauren

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  29. I found your blog through another, and I rarely comment on any blog, however, I have to tell you, you have one of the most beautiful newborns I have ever seen in my life! You guys are amazing, Dalton is amazing, and all the Drs and nurses that are working to help him are amazing! Congratulations! He is such a blessing!
    Nicole

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  30. I am a friend of Tara and Trista's and have and will continue to be praying for you and your family. Thank you for this post and I look forward to keeping up with your family and praying specifically based on your posts and what Dalton needs. Much love.

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  31. Hi! I am one of Kalee's aunts. Wanted to let you guys know I am praying for you guys and sweet baby Dalton. Congratulations! He is so handsome! Beautiful pics. "Dalton is fearfully and wonderfully made!" (Psalm 139:14).

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  32. Kara and Jonathan, he is beautiful and amazing! We are so thrilled for your new family, and can't wait to meet him!!! THank you so much for taking the time to update us all...we are in awe of all three of y'all, and have loved reading everything. Congratulations, and welcome to the world, Dalton!

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  33. Kara, you're such an amazing person, I'm so happy for you and your precious family!

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  34. Hey! I'm so happy to see your pictures. You look beautiful. You are such an amazing mom already.

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  35. Thank you for sharing this wondrous time for your family. Seeing the beautiful pictures of Dalton and reading your comments have brought tears and laughter. We love you all very much and hope for the very, very best. Tyleaigh

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  36. Congratulations!! Dalton is beautiful! I have been there too with seeing your baby with all the wires and cords! It is hard to leave them in the NICU but he is in the best hands. You guys have an amazing story. What a testimony this is?! Continued prayers for Dalton and your family.

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  37. What a beautiful story...So glad the delivery is over

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  38. LOVE you Dalton!!!! Your mom is a Rock star! I am amazed. XOXOXO Caroline

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  39. You are indeed a rock star! Congratulations and love to you all. Still praying for miracles, healing, strength, understanding, and rest.

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  40. He is perfect! Praying for your sweet family!
    Casi

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  41. You did it mama! Way to go. You are a rockstar. Congratulations on your gift from God! Enjoy getting to know him. I will continue to pray for you and your family of three. :)
    -Katie (from Grand Rapids, MI)

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  42. girl!!! i thought i commented first this morning ... but i don't see it up there! i have no idea what i said bc i probably said it thru tears! but i am so happy for you guys... and know so many of the feelings you are having... even seeing some of the same backgrounds in your pictures brings me back to 6 weeks ago...
    praying for you as Dalton heads to another hospital. praying, praying. and i'll be up there in a heartbeat if i can do anything for you!!!!!!! love you girl!!! you are a Rockstar!!!!!

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  43. Wow! Such a rockstar! Sounds like the labor went as well as it could (minus the pain Momma went through) and we're so happy about that! Will keep sending good thoughts your way! Your family is BEAUTIFUL!

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  44. Oh my gosh Kara! What an amazing story! In have been keeping up through Marsha but have now read all of your entries! You are a rock and Dalton is a beauty! I will continue to pray for you all!
    Crissy

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  45. Congratulations! I stumbled upon your blog this afternoon and have been reading all your posts since. What an amazing journey and I'm so happy Dalton is finally here. I pray that he will continue to grow into a strong a healthy baby. He is beautiful!

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  46. Congratulations! I hope you know that all of your mom's students at Jupiter High have been running through the halls sharing these beautiful pictures with one another. We love you guys so much and are truly inspired by your family's strength. May God continue to bless you.

    - Much love from JHS

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  47. Thank you for allowing God's plan to become manifested through your son Dalton. Congrats new mom and dad.

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  48. Just beautiful. I love those little fingers!

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  49. He`s Beautiful, my thoughts and prays are with you and your family!

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  50. I have re-read and looked at your blog and these beautiful pictures several times, Kara and Jonathan, and you radiate such joy. Dalton is absolutely gorgeous and look at all that hair, too. You are so deeply in my prayers and tomorrow is, I know, a day when so many will be surrounding you once again in special ways. What a precious, precious bundle you have been given; strength is going to also be given to you all the way through this journey. Your lives, your love, and your faith are reaching out into the world in ways you cannot even know.
    With love,
    Dawn

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  51. He is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations on such a wonderful bundle of joy :)

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