Happy Birthday + 1 day
So once we heard that the delivery was going to take place at 1pm, things happened pretty quickly. I had just enough time to call immediate family, run to work and tell the people I was working with that I wouldn't be available for a while, run home to get a few things, and get back to the hospital in time for the anesthetist to come in and talk about the spinal she'd be getting (no, not Spinal Tap, but a spinal local anaesthesia).
After that, I got into my bunny suit and we made our way to the OR. (My folks were happy to hear that I got into the OR scrubs without a fuss... apparently when I was about 4, and my brother was born, I was very fussy about putting on an apron before going into the hospital room. Apparently they had to bribe me with a dumptruck full of candy before I'd go in there. I guess I should have held out for candy yesterday...)
Now, the first part of the procedure is very boring if you're a dad. You're not allowed in until the spinal has taken effect (in case it doesn't, and they have to put the mom under, dads aren't allowed). The doctor told me that he would come get me when they were ready, and that he'd tell bad jokes in my absence. So I sat outside and pondered:
Are my jokes really that bad?
Well, anyway, they came and got me, I sat at Robyn's head and they got underway. It couldn't have been more than 10 or 15 minutes before we heard crying. But we heard it! Those boys have their mommy's lungs. Probably one of the most beautiful sounds I've heard in my life.
So the doctors spend about 10-15 minutes taking the boys out, and then about half an hour putting Robyn back together. I stayed with her for some of it, and then went back to where they had cleaned off the boys in the NICU. The boys were enjoying their time under a warm lamp and the ability to finally stretch out (as much as any newborn can). After spending the last couple of months in their cramped little room, I can't blame 'em.
After spending time with the boys, I met up with Robyn in the recovery room. She was kinda loopy from all the meds she was on, but was alert enough to see the pictures I had taken. I spent time between her and the boys and calling immediate family until about 4:30, when we we able to take Robyn into the NICU briefly before we took her to her hospital room.
Robyn will spend the next few days in the hospital recovering. The boys will probably spend a week or so. They're doing well in the ICU and shouldn't need a lot of time in there. To be honest, I feel kinda bad going in there... our boys look like linebackers compared to a lot of the premies in there. We're very lucky.
This afternoon, now that Robyn is getting off her strong meds, will spend some time with the boys. Robyn's mom came up from California last night, and her dad came up this morning. My folks and my brother came by and visited last night as well.
We look forward to having visitors, but please do us the favor of calling in advance. We have our cell phones in the room with us. We're limited to the number of people we can take into the ICU with us, and our room isn't very big.
The boys haven't been too fussy in the ICU. The pictures below make them appear worse off than they are. The tubes in their noses supply only a little more oxygen than is in normal air. They don't have tubes in them to help them breathe or feed. They seem pretty comfortable, and will grab a finger placed in their palm. They're even a little ticklish!
Well, enough of my blabbing, let's get to the good stuff (move your mouse over each image for a description):
Comments
Congratulations!!
from tabitha on 2006-10-18 23:48:17
from Natalie Figge, November iVillage board on 2006-10-18 22:28:54
from Andrea and Nick on 2006-10-18 20:25:37
from Shannon Johnson (Robyn's cousin) on 2006-10-18 18:58:14
from Cousin Jennie on 2006-10-18 13:44:54
from Kathy Bocek on 2006-10-18 12:02:30
from xoxoxo's Gayle on 2006-10-18 11:41:38
from Michele Benfanti/Miraleste on 2006-10-18 09:42:48
from Leo & Denise on 2006-10-17 21:56:32
from Mindie on 2006-10-17 21:42:23
from Marc Mosiman on 2006-10-17 20:39:46
from Jodi Garvison on 2006-10-17 18:11:41
from Susan Blair on 2006-10-17 15:45:02
from Bev Whiting, RPHS Library on 2006-10-17 15:13:53
Congratulations Robyn and Aaron on God's beautiful gift.
from Barry Blair on 2006-10-19 08:37:54