 |
| Jackson Donald Rinella Born June 26, 2012 7 lbs, 10 oz |
After 2 hospital discharges (one due to baby turning head down and canceling our scheduled c-section, and the other due to a failed induction), we thought for sure that the 3rd time would be the charm. My mom even changed her flight so that she could come out a day earlier. It was a good thing she did...Jackie was hours away from making his grand entrance.
On Monday night, June 25, Phil and I went to pick up my mom from Sky Harbor Airport. As soon as we had Grandma and her luggage in tow, it was time to head to the hospital for our (2nd) scheduled induction. Ha!! I laugh as I write this because it seems so funny looking back on our experience. We got checked in and greeted the nurses who gave us hugs and treated us with celebrity status because by this time we were so well known in the labor and delivery wing.
We got settled in and they started prepping me for all that was to come. I got "gowned up" and figured I had done this before, I knew what was coming. Nope. Not even a little bit. When the ultrasound was done, we had discovered that the little rascal had turned back around and was breech again. Our little "flipper" just confirmed that there would be no labor induction and the nurses decided that it was time to call the doctor. After what seemed like forever--only about a half an hour--we got the word that Dr. Semrad wanted to do a c-section first thing in the morning. Of course, before doing the surgery, they would again check the baby's position and reassess if necessary. But Phil and I made an agreement that at this point, it was best to just have the c-section. We didn't know how much more of this we could take. So, the doctor said to just stay in the hospital and the nurses told me I could eat dinner, but then no more food or water. Phil went to Denny's and got me one of my favorite meal's--breakfast for dinner. 2 eggs, toast with jelly, and hash browns. Looking back, I wish I'd have known that I wouldn't have an appetite for the next 4 weeks, because then I'd have enjoyed it more.
Very early the next morning, the nurses woke me up and started getting me prepped for surgery. I was very nervous but knew that the course was laid out for us and we were getting ready to finally greet our baby boy and welcome him to the world. And it was time to get him OUT. And that is exactly what we did. I think nerves prevented me from actually looking anyone directly in the eye and faces were fuzzy (also I wasn't wearing my glasses). But I do remember a very sweet assistant who bear hugged me while I was in "crouching tiger hidden dragon" pose waiting to get the spinal block. She rubbed my back and let me cry on her shoulder. And the anesthesiologist was AWESOME! He was at my head the whole time making sure I was okay. After we were about 5 minutes or so into surgery, he asked me if it would be okay if the doctor started. I said sure. He said "good because he's almost done." I appreciated the humor and also the fact that it was almost over. Surgery was started shortly after 6:30 and at 6:55 a.m., Jackson Donald was born. He was so cute and I cried immediately upon seeing him and gave him as many kisses as I could before I went to recovery. Phil was making sure that he was our baby because he couldn't believe how much hair our little monkey had. And he sure did! It covered his head, arms, and even his back! Seriously, he could have been a poster child for a Rogaine commercial. But I loved every last hair on this baby because he was ours. And from that day on, I knew our lives would never be the same.
BEHIND THE NAME
JACKSON
Phil and I both really loved the name Jackie for a boy or a girl and it was always a favorite even before we knew we were going to have a baby. Since I can remember, we have shared a love for the show the Honeymooners. It has that lighthearted humor that makes you appreciate a time when life was just really simple. We still watch it before bed almost every night. We quote different characters and one-liners from the show and it's like our own little inside joke. And of course, the great comedic talent of Jackie Gleason is one that we both came to appreciate. We just loved the name and somehow knew that our little baby--boy or girl--would make us laugh just like our favorite show.
DONALD
1. Anyone who knows me knows about my Grandpa Don. He is a fabulous grandpa and a wonderful man whom I admire very much. I wanted to honor everything that he has been to me throughout my life.
2. Philly's favorite baseball player is Don Mattingly. Enough said.
3. When I taught at Notre Dame High School For Boys, our mascot was "The Dons." Don translated means "a gentleman of Mary." I thought it was fitting that a piece of both of us was in the name, and we truly both just loved it and knew that it would be perfect.
Recovering from surgery was not as difficult as I had imagined. Physically I had jumped most of the hurdles, but emotionally, I had sort of "left the building" for a little bit. This was HARD! But with tons of support, lots of prayers, and buckets of tears later, I finally managed to get the hang of things and learn how to adjust to a new "normal." Luckily, I had my mom and sister Christy here with me in addition to Phil to help me manage and muddle through endless hours of new mommy bliss on very little sleep. The pain, the headaches, and sleep sacrifices hardly seemed like a big deal after awhile. They vanished away every time he looked in my eyes or tightly held my finger in his little fist. And the first time he smiled at me...it was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. What an incredible feeling.
My journey to motherhood will now be known as a journey through motherhood. And so far, it is the greatest journey our family has ever embarked on. Phil, Kayleigh and I are just elated to be able to have this wonderful addition as part of our lives. Jackson, you have blessed us and you are the most special gift we could have been given. We love you so much.
What a cutie, Karen! I absolutely love reading the updates. Can't wait to meet your little man.
ReplyDelete