I thought I would share Noah's story from the day he decided to come. It started Sunday morning May 10th, 2009. Celia woke me up around 3:30 am and said she thought her water had broke. I said are you sure, since the bed was not soaked like it was when William was born. She said she thought so but was not sure. My heart was racing, but I did not panic. Celia laid back down and said she would wait a few minutes and see if any more water came out. I have to say I was scared. I was not ready for him to come. We had a c-section scheduled for Wednesday and we had everything planned out for that. This may seem crazy but I was thinking about several projects I needed to finish by Tuesday. I kept hoping she was wrong. It made no sense. Noah was due today, based on what the doctor had said. It was Mother's day. We were going to my parents to celebrate mother's day.
I laid in bed trying to fall back asleep and praying she was wrong. My heart was pounding. I was not ready for this. I was not ready for Noah to be here. I WAS SCARED!!!. I should have been excited! I should have been ready for my little Boy Noah to come into the world, but I was not. I was not ready for what was to come. I had prayed over and over for Noah to be healed, that the doctor's were wrong and Noah would be a normal little boy and we would all be happy. It wasn't fair or right to be think this way. I had to be strong for my wife.
Finally around 3:50 am she said, I just felt more leaking. I got up. Started gathering everything we needed to take to the hospital. I already had started a bag a few days ago so it did not take me long to finish packing. I got our cameras, the video camera and our tape recorder. I packed Noah's cloths, my cloths, Celia's stuff and the stuffed animals we made at build a bear. I kept walking around the house making sure we had everything. I was still in panic mode but I did not show it to Celia.
The one great thing that was going for us that morning is that Celia's mom had the kids. She has watched them for us so we could go to a few movies on Saturday. We had seen Wolverine and Star Trek. Celia was gracious enough to let me see both before Noah came. I felt bad about it because, I felt like I had made her water break by taking her to two movies and then walking around the mall before we went home. I was mad at myself for being so selfish about wanting to see both movies. She wanted us to see them, but I think we over did it by seeing two movies and all the walking. I know it does not make sense but I was still mad at myself for doing it anyway.
We finally got the car loaded and left the dog and cat at home. Sorry to say I was not even think about them much when we left for the hospital. It was a quiet drive to the hospital. Nether of us was saying much. We should have been excited, but we were both very scared. I know I was. I kept holding and rubbing her arm and telling her it would be OK. We pulled up to the Family center and I let Celia out. I then went and parked the car. They checked her in and took us back to the triage area. The nurses were very nice. The one I remember the most was Astrid. She was so nice and was already aware of our situation. She checked Celia and confirmed that her water had broke. I was hoping she was wrong and this was just a false alarm. But it was not and Noah would be here soon. I had not called anyone until now. I wanted to make sure she was in labor and her water had broke. I called my mom and told her we were at the hospital. She said she would be there soon. I then called Pop Pop, Celia's step dad and let him know where we were. I told him not to rush since Celia was still going to have a c-section. She would not have it until 8:00 am. It was only 4:30 am.
The nurses helped us back to a bigger room where they hooked Celia up to all kinds of devices to monitor Noah's heartbeat and to monitor Celia's vitals as well. Noah had a very strong heart beat and was kicking Celia's tummy a lot. Noah did not like all those devices stuck to Celia's belly. I sat next to Celia placed my hand on her belly waiting for each little kick Noah made. I even put my mouth on her tummy a few times and called out to Noah and blew kisses telling him I was waiting for him and could not wait to see him. Even in the back of my mind I was still scared and not ready for him to be here. While he was in Celia's tummy, he was OK, he was kicking and sticking his little tush up on her belly.
It seemed like hours had passed as the nurses came and went. Checking in Celia and Noah's vitals. No one had come yet and I was starting to worry even though I should not have. I knew everyone would be there soon. The nurses hooked up Celia's IV. She almost broke my hand while they were sticking her.
I called my mom to see where she was and she said they were just leaving, this was around 6:30 am. I called Steve (Pop Pop) to see where they were and he said they were on their way and were stopping to get some food for the kids and they would be there shortly.
I was really needing my mom or someone at this point. I was in a panic, but at the same time almost numb. Celia seemed out of it almost in a fog. She had a headache but they could not give her anything until after Noah was born. She was hungry as well but could not have anything to eat until after the surgery. Between eating very little and the stress of everything there was no wonder she had a migraine. I had not eating since last night and may have only gotten one or two hours of sleep. At this point, I did not feel hungry and was not even feeling tired. I was pumped full of adrenaline and had to keep it together for Celia and the Kids when they showed up.
Celia's mom and dad finally showed up with the kids. They all looked very tired. They all ran up and hugged me and then their mom. William seem to be a little hesitant to walk up to Celia. She was hooked up to alot of devices and I know it was scaring him. He climbed up on the bed and laid next to Celia for a few minutes. Our pastor Joe Essick had also shown up and was offering any comfort he could at this point. No one said anything, but you could tell that they were concerned and scared.
My Mom and dad finally showed up and I felt a little relief to have them there. My dad took William and went out to the waiting area to keep him entertained.
A friend of our church and a member of Charlotte's (Celia's Mom)small group was one of the nurses that would be helping with the c-section. Here name was Brenda and it made Celia feel a little better that someone she knew would be taking care of her and making sure she was OK through this. Her husband Bill was there as well and gave me a big hug and said everything would be OK. I thanked him for letting his wife take care of Celia. (Like he had a choice, but I still wanted to thank him). It was nice having so many people there. I did not feel so left alone any more, I still was scared, but glad I had others to help me and comfort Celia and I.
Brenda our Nurse told Celia they would be taking her back as soon as Dr Panner got there. Dr Panner has been Celia's OB doctor for sometime and is a great Doctor. He finally arrived and said we would be starting soon. I called all the family and friends back into the room and asked Joe to say a Prayer for us.
During all this, Kelly Parker, our photographer from "Now I lay me down to Sleep" had come and was taking pictures. She was going to be there as long as we needed her. I had felt bad because I had called her around 4:30 am to let her know we were at the hospital. I know she had not gotten much sleep since she had done a wedding that evening. We were so blessed to have her come and willing to take pictures of all this for us so I would not have to worry about it and could be in pictures as well.
Brenda finally came in with another nurse Joy around 7:50 am to take her to the OR and get her ready for her c-section. They told me they would come and get me when she was ready. They had to numb her lower body and I could not be there for that. I know she wanted me there because they were going to stick a needle in her back. She had no hand to hold. I was very worried and scared. They brought me an outfit for me to wear in the OR. I had to put this gown over my cloths, a hat and a face mask.
It seemed like they took forever to get her ready. I was so nervous I was shaking. Everyone kept telling me it would be OK. I have to say it did not feel that way. I was very worried. Noah would soon be here...
