Dear sweet Tavish,
As the weeks go by, it gets easier. Not easier to know you are gone-I still wish with all my heart that you were here with me, in my arms-but easier to bear the weight that comes with that knowledge. People ask me how I am. I still respond with "ok." i can't say good, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to respond honestly that I am "good." How can a mother that has lost her child be more than ok? Life goes on, and some days are better than others. There are bright spots, however; times when the weight of your loss doesn't leave me feeling like Atlas-carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. Today was one of those bright moments.
The sun shown outside today, and for once, it didn't seem too bright to me. I was happy to let the sunlight filter through the gloom in the house. I went to the chiropractor, and didn't have to remind myself that if I didn't, I would regret it tomorrow. I did basic stuff, but it wasn't exhausting to do so. Someone mentioned their baby in class, and it didn't make me cringe inside.
I write this to you, and I think "these don't sound like huge accomplishments. This is basic life." But then I look back on the last several weeks, and even several months, and I can see the change. Life has not been kind, and it has been a struggle to go through it. Days like today remind me that it was not always so, nor will it always be so. This burden will become easier to bear.
I laughed for the first time in a long time last night. Your dad hit me with a pillow, and I laughed and hit him back. We were playing. I can't remember the last time he and I played. It felt good, with no guilt attached to it. It was a bright spot, in an otherwise difficult time.
I miss you more than I can say. Loving you is one of the hardest things I have ever been given, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I can't tell you how much joy I have in the midst of this; knowing that you are in heaven. Through my tears, I can thank God that you are perfect, and that your body is whole now. A friend of mine shared with me a vision she had had of her daughter being able to introduce her to all of the other Trisomy children that had passed away. I know you will do the same with me one day.
I miss you now, but I know that when we meet again, it will be so much better. I can't tell you how much I long to hold you again, but I know you're having the time of your life. When you were inside of me, I told you about your Grandpa, and how I wished you had had a chance to meet him. Now you have. You get to see him every day, and know the love he has for his grandkids. You get to hear all the stories he has about me when I was growing up. I am not happy to not have you with me, but I can say that I have joy, knowing you are in a much better place.
The more often I can look at the situation with joy, rather than the deep pain I feel over losing you, the easier it is to see the sun behind the clouds. It helps to make the bright spots a little more frequent, the dark a little more manageable.
Run and play little boy, with a brain, lungs, and a heart that will never fail you.
Love,
Mom
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Friday, January 13, 2017
It's always darkest before the dawn
My darling Tavish,
It has now been a month since we said goodbye; a month since I last held you in my arms, and kissed your soft fuzzy head. The last couple of days have been hard for mommy. I don't know how to express to you what I have been feeling-I'm not sure there's really a name for it. I do know that for past three days, my anxiety has been harder to manage, and my desire to get out of bed gets less and less. I'm not sure that I would have gotten out of bed at all yesterday if it weren't for the dogs. Right now, I can't really say that I care about much of anything. This past month has gone by in a blur-at once feeling like eternity, and the blink of an eye.
People have asked me if this feels the same as when your grandpa passed away. I had to think about that one for a minute. I'm not really sure how to answer. In some ways it's the same-the grief comes and goes, I have good days, and I have bad days. Sometimes the bad days stretch in to a few bad days. Thankfully, they don't last long before a good day comes around again. Sometimes a single day can feel like a rollercoaster; the highs and lows blurring together at the edges. We never got to bring you home, so life here feels much like it always has. But that's where the difference comes in. When your grandpa died, being at home away from the constant reminders made it easier for it all to feel like a bad dream. It made it easier to not think about. But with you, I have so few memories, I don't want to not think about it. I want to cherish the memories, and the time we had together. I don't have the luxury of forgetting the bad and only thinking of the good. For me, to let go of one memory is to shorten what I had with you. I could never do that. I love you too much to separate out the good from the bad. With you, my sweet little boy, they are forever linked.
Dear Tavish, as the days go by, my grief does not really get any easier to bear. It takes different shapes, and sometimes I feel like I'm not really grieving at all. I hang out with my friends, and we talk and laugh, and act as though everything is the same as its always been, because it is. Nothing has changed. That, my sweet boy, is the hardest part of all.We were supposed to bring you home, to hold you, and sleep next to you. The fact that I know it should have happened and didn't makes it all the more difficult. I have the memories of what might have been.
As I continue to move forward, father away from you, and closer to what life brings next, each step like I am saying goodbye all over again. I don't want to ever move so far forward that I have forgotten what it was like to have you with me. That is my greatest fear, and what makes it hardest to continue on in this journey of grief. I have lost those close to me before-my aunt, my dog, my dad, and now you. For each of them, the further I leave them behind, the harder it is to hold on to them. I remember events, like snapshots in a photo album, but I start to forget their faces, their voices, what it was like to hug them, or hear them laugh. With all of them I had a lifetime. With you, I had but moments. I don't know what this journey will look like at the end, but I do know that I don't ever want to lose you, the way I have lost my connection with others that have gone on before. It's easier to forget, to refuse to look back, but doing so jeopardizes what I had, and removes the blessing that you are.
My sweet little one, I promise you that as much as it hurts, I won't ever stop thinking about you, and telling your story. I want others to feel like they knew you. I want everyone to recognize just how special you are, most of all me. Say hi to your grandpa for me.
Love,
Mom
It has now been a month since we said goodbye; a month since I last held you in my arms, and kissed your soft fuzzy head. The last couple of days have been hard for mommy. I don't know how to express to you what I have been feeling-I'm not sure there's really a name for it. I do know that for past three days, my anxiety has been harder to manage, and my desire to get out of bed gets less and less. I'm not sure that I would have gotten out of bed at all yesterday if it weren't for the dogs. Right now, I can't really say that I care about much of anything. This past month has gone by in a blur-at once feeling like eternity, and the blink of an eye.
People have asked me if this feels the same as when your grandpa passed away. I had to think about that one for a minute. I'm not really sure how to answer. In some ways it's the same-the grief comes and goes, I have good days, and I have bad days. Sometimes the bad days stretch in to a few bad days. Thankfully, they don't last long before a good day comes around again. Sometimes a single day can feel like a rollercoaster; the highs and lows blurring together at the edges. We never got to bring you home, so life here feels much like it always has. But that's where the difference comes in. When your grandpa died, being at home away from the constant reminders made it easier for it all to feel like a bad dream. It made it easier to not think about. But with you, I have so few memories, I don't want to not think about it. I want to cherish the memories, and the time we had together. I don't have the luxury of forgetting the bad and only thinking of the good. For me, to let go of one memory is to shorten what I had with you. I could never do that. I love you too much to separate out the good from the bad. With you, my sweet little boy, they are forever linked.
Dear Tavish, as the days go by, my grief does not really get any easier to bear. It takes different shapes, and sometimes I feel like I'm not really grieving at all. I hang out with my friends, and we talk and laugh, and act as though everything is the same as its always been, because it is. Nothing has changed. That, my sweet boy, is the hardest part of all.We were supposed to bring you home, to hold you, and sleep next to you. The fact that I know it should have happened and didn't makes it all the more difficult. I have the memories of what might have been.
As I continue to move forward, father away from you, and closer to what life brings next, each step like I am saying goodbye all over again. I don't want to ever move so far forward that I have forgotten what it was like to have you with me. That is my greatest fear, and what makes it hardest to continue on in this journey of grief. I have lost those close to me before-my aunt, my dog, my dad, and now you. For each of them, the further I leave them behind, the harder it is to hold on to them. I remember events, like snapshots in a photo album, but I start to forget their faces, their voices, what it was like to hug them, or hear them laugh. With all of them I had a lifetime. With you, I had but moments. I don't know what this journey will look like at the end, but I do know that I don't ever want to lose you, the way I have lost my connection with others that have gone on before. It's easier to forget, to refuse to look back, but doing so jeopardizes what I had, and removes the blessing that you are.
My sweet little one, I promise you that as much as it hurts, I won't ever stop thinking about you, and telling your story. I want others to feel like they knew you. I want everyone to recognize just how special you are, most of all me. Say hi to your grandpa for me.
Love,
Mom
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Fleeting glimpses
Darling Tavish,
It has now been a month since you were born. In a few days, it will have been a month since we said goodbye. In the past month, I have been blessed more than I can express. The friends your dad and I have, have been amazing. It has been a rough month, but with God's help, and the support of the people around us, we have survived.
We had your celebration of life service a little over a week after you passed away. It was beautiful. We sang Christmas songs, and told people al about you; how brave and strong you were, and how thankful we are that we got to spend the time with you that we had. It was good to be able to share you with everyone. There's no better way I can think of to celebrate who you are, and I feel very certain that it was exactly what you would have wanted.
A few days after Christmas, your dad and I went on a short trip. We went to Fredericksburg and walked around all the cute little shops there. We also went wine tasting at a cute little winery not far from our hotel, read books, and went to a ranch. There were so many animals, and we got a lot of good pictures of them! You would have loved seeing all the animals. There were normal safari animals like giraffes, and zebras, and wildebeests, but there were also several I had never heard of before (and sadly can't remember the names of 😞). I do wish I could have shared that with you.
Today, I finally felt like i could handle watching a show called "Call the Midwife." I'm taking a break from work for a few weeks, so I have a lot of free time right now. That show is one I had avoided until now because I didn't want the depiction of lots of pregnant women with healthy, happy babies to make me sad. It was a little hard, but God also used part of the story to make me feel a little bit better.
When your grandpa Tom passed away last summer, it was really hard for me. I loved my dad, and losing him made me really sad. I was really angry at God. Then, we found out you had Trisomy 13, and that anger got worse. I couldn't understand how a loving God could let so much bad stuff happen to me so close together. No one really has an answer for that kind of question, so I figured I would just have to get over it eventually. The best way it was described to me was that my walk with God was like a cloudy day. I still believed in him, but I couldn't see, or feel his presence in the situations that had occurred, and that was really hard for me. I wanted to, but didn't know how. That brings us to today.
In part of the story, one of the characters loses someone very close to her. She is hurting, and even says "I can't see God in this, how could I possibly?" Then one of the nuns responds "God is not in the event, but in the response to the event. He is in the people that surround you and support you through the event."
That was the most comforting response I have ever heard. When people try to tell me to look for the good in your passing, I can't. How could I? It's not a good thing that I lost you, and I don't much care about the good my response to it has done for other people. I want you back, and its not fair that I can't have you. But. I can see the good in how people have supported us, helped us to make it this far after your death. And I can definitely see God in their responses to us. It's not easy, but it does give me a slight ray of hope that things will get better. One of the other lines in the show said "You will not always hurt as you do now. You must simply keep on living until you feel alive again."
I miss you, my darling boy, and I will never stop loving you, but I also know the pain of your loss will lessen over time. As it does, the sun will begin to shine again. Until that happens, I must simply keep on living. It will get better, and today has given me a fleeting glimpse of that possibility.
Love,
Mom.
It has now been a month since you were born. In a few days, it will have been a month since we said goodbye. In the past month, I have been blessed more than I can express. The friends your dad and I have, have been amazing. It has been a rough month, but with God's help, and the support of the people around us, we have survived.
We had your celebration of life service a little over a week after you passed away. It was beautiful. We sang Christmas songs, and told people al about you; how brave and strong you were, and how thankful we are that we got to spend the time with you that we had. It was good to be able to share you with everyone. There's no better way I can think of to celebrate who you are, and I feel very certain that it was exactly what you would have wanted.
A few days after Christmas, your dad and I went on a short trip. We went to Fredericksburg and walked around all the cute little shops there. We also went wine tasting at a cute little winery not far from our hotel, read books, and went to a ranch. There were so many animals, and we got a lot of good pictures of them! You would have loved seeing all the animals. There were normal safari animals like giraffes, and zebras, and wildebeests, but there were also several I had never heard of before (and sadly can't remember the names of 😞). I do wish I could have shared that with you.
Today, I finally felt like i could handle watching a show called "Call the Midwife." I'm taking a break from work for a few weeks, so I have a lot of free time right now. That show is one I had avoided until now because I didn't want the depiction of lots of pregnant women with healthy, happy babies to make me sad. It was a little hard, but God also used part of the story to make me feel a little bit better.
When your grandpa Tom passed away last summer, it was really hard for me. I loved my dad, and losing him made me really sad. I was really angry at God. Then, we found out you had Trisomy 13, and that anger got worse. I couldn't understand how a loving God could let so much bad stuff happen to me so close together. No one really has an answer for that kind of question, so I figured I would just have to get over it eventually. The best way it was described to me was that my walk with God was like a cloudy day. I still believed in him, but I couldn't see, or feel his presence in the situations that had occurred, and that was really hard for me. I wanted to, but didn't know how. That brings us to today.
In part of the story, one of the characters loses someone very close to her. She is hurting, and even says "I can't see God in this, how could I possibly?" Then one of the nuns responds "God is not in the event, but in the response to the event. He is in the people that surround you and support you through the event."
That was the most comforting response I have ever heard. When people try to tell me to look for the good in your passing, I can't. How could I? It's not a good thing that I lost you, and I don't much care about the good my response to it has done for other people. I want you back, and its not fair that I can't have you. But. I can see the good in how people have supported us, helped us to make it this far after your death. And I can definitely see God in their responses to us. It's not easy, but it does give me a slight ray of hope that things will get better. One of the other lines in the show said "You will not always hurt as you do now. You must simply keep on living until you feel alive again."
I miss you, my darling boy, and I will never stop loving you, but I also know the pain of your loss will lessen over time. As it does, the sun will begin to shine again. Until that happens, I must simply keep on living. It will get better, and today has given me a fleeting glimpse of that possibility.
Love,
Mom.
As long as you're mine
Wonderful Tavish,
It's December 12. You have been with us for 3 wonderful days. I have held you closer than I ever thought I would be able to. The first two days gave us more hope than we could have ever imagined, but now you're having trouble and I fear we may have to say goodbye to you soon. You started having apnea episodes, and there's not a lot the doctors can do about it. We're trying caffeine therapy, but they aren't too hopeful it will help. Some times it does, sometimes it does't. We'll know soon. But as long as you're here with me, I will hold you close, rock you, and sing to you.
I have you on my chest, skin to skin, because I know that's your favorite place to be. You lay your head on my shoulder, and place your hand next to it. You're so strong, little man; and stubborn too. Once you're in your place, you don't like to move. And that's ok. as long as you're mine, I'll hold you, rock you, and tell you of my love for you.
The nurses asked me what kind of music I wanted. I told them Christmas music, because its my favorite. I so desperately want to share the most wonderful time of the year with you. My favorite song is "Sleigh Ride," and now its played twice. I sing it you as you sleep, lying on my chest, breathing with me. Wanna know why it's my favorite? It reminds me of when life was simpler. The time when family got together on cold snowy evenings and gathered around a warm cozy fire. It reminds me of home, and safety. And I want to share this with you because I don't want you to ever feel like you're not safe and warm, and loved more than I can explain.
Its now December 13th. You've had several apnea episodes right in a row. The doctors are asking us what we want to do. Your dad and I don't want to keep you here if you are ready to go. But we don't want to give up if you still want to fight. It's hard, but we don't want to be selfish either. We talk, and we cry, and then we decide to take you off the monitors, and just hold you. We don't want to lose you while a stranger is trying to bring you back. As long as you're mine, I'll hold you, and love you. I'll rock you, and sing to you, and Tavish, believe me when I tell you, that as long as you're mine I'll continue to fight for you.
As long as your spirit fights to live, I will fight to make that happen,but when you tell me it's time to let go, I promise to fight for you then too. And that, my dear little boy, will be the hardest fight of all. More than fighting against the doctors, to prove that you are strong, I will need to fight against myself in order to let you go.
Now you are gone, my brave little explorer. It was easy to fight for your survival. How could I not? I wanted nothing more than to keep you with me. But your body, and your spirit, said it was time to go. You told me that my fight for your survival was over, and I listened. It wasn't easy, but I made the choice you wanted me to make. You told me that your body was no longer mine to hold on to. Now, however, is the hardest fight of all. Fighting myself, and how very much I wish I could have held on to you forever. I promise, though, that is also a fight I will win, because you are mine, and knowing you has given me the strength to do so. You are brave, little warrior, and now its time for mommy to be brave too. I love you, my darling little rockstar, and I can't wait until we meet again.
Love,
Mom
It's December 12. You have been with us for 3 wonderful days. I have held you closer than I ever thought I would be able to. The first two days gave us more hope than we could have ever imagined, but now you're having trouble and I fear we may have to say goodbye to you soon. You started having apnea episodes, and there's not a lot the doctors can do about it. We're trying caffeine therapy, but they aren't too hopeful it will help. Some times it does, sometimes it does't. We'll know soon. But as long as you're here with me, I will hold you close, rock you, and sing to you.
I have you on my chest, skin to skin, because I know that's your favorite place to be. You lay your head on my shoulder, and place your hand next to it. You're so strong, little man; and stubborn too. Once you're in your place, you don't like to move. And that's ok. as long as you're mine, I'll hold you, rock you, and tell you of my love for you.
The nurses asked me what kind of music I wanted. I told them Christmas music, because its my favorite. I so desperately want to share the most wonderful time of the year with you. My favorite song is "Sleigh Ride," and now its played twice. I sing it you as you sleep, lying on my chest, breathing with me. Wanna know why it's my favorite? It reminds me of when life was simpler. The time when family got together on cold snowy evenings and gathered around a warm cozy fire. It reminds me of home, and safety. And I want to share this with you because I don't want you to ever feel like you're not safe and warm, and loved more than I can explain.
Its now December 13th. You've had several apnea episodes right in a row. The doctors are asking us what we want to do. Your dad and I don't want to keep you here if you are ready to go. But we don't want to give up if you still want to fight. It's hard, but we don't want to be selfish either. We talk, and we cry, and then we decide to take you off the monitors, and just hold you. We don't want to lose you while a stranger is trying to bring you back. As long as you're mine, I'll hold you, and love you. I'll rock you, and sing to you, and Tavish, believe me when I tell you, that as long as you're mine I'll continue to fight for you.
As long as your spirit fights to live, I will fight to make that happen,but when you tell me it's time to let go, I promise to fight for you then too. And that, my dear little boy, will be the hardest fight of all. More than fighting against the doctors, to prove that you are strong, I will need to fight against myself in order to let you go.
Now you are gone, my brave little explorer. It was easy to fight for your survival. How could I not? I wanted nothing more than to keep you with me. But your body, and your spirit, said it was time to go. You told me that my fight for your survival was over, and I listened. It wasn't easy, but I made the choice you wanted me to make. You told me that your body was no longer mine to hold on to. Now, however, is the hardest fight of all. Fighting myself, and how very much I wish I could have held on to you forever. I promise, though, that is also a fight I will win, because you are mine, and knowing you has given me the strength to do so. You are brave, little warrior, and now its time for mommy to be brave too. I love you, my darling little rockstar, and I can't wait until we meet again.
Love,
Mom
The most wonderful day of the year
Dear Tavish,
today is December 10th. It's the day you were born. You didn't make it easy on me, that's for sure. You waited just long enough for me to get over a cold I got right after Thanksgiving, then you decided to make your appearance. Early in the morning of the December 9th, I felt my water break, but it wasn't the huge gush you always see on movies. I wasn't sure, so we went in to the hospital, and sure enough, you had decided it was time to meet the world. Labor was very slow for me at first. I was able to easily sleep through contractions, so I did, for about an hour or so. Then the doctor came in to see me. She was very straightforward, with an attitude of "this is what will happen." I was kind of intimidated at first, and just nodded my head and said ok.
After she left, however, I had a chance to talk with my doula, Sarah, and my photographer, Megan (who is also a doula). Both of them told me what they knew, and that I didn't have to go along with everything the doctor said if I didn't want to. We decided to take a walk in order to encourage you to come out a little faster. You certainly were taking your time though. We also tried a bunch of other things, like different positions, and even dancing (let me tell you, mom was't too comfortable with that one. I don't dance in front of other people!).
When the doctor returned a few hours later, I expressed my hesitation with her decision to check how far along I was, and told her I wanted to avoid pitocin if at all possible. She got really defensive at this point and started telling me about how infection was more dangerous for you than pitocin, and if I wanted what was best for you, I needed to go along with what she was telling me. I don't like pushy people, they scare me, and when its a doctor, that's even worse. She made me feel very intimidated, but I was proud of myself, I managed to stand up for you, and got her to agree to three more hours before she checked me.
We continued to try to get you to come out, but boy were you being stubborn. By 4 pm, things hadn't changed much at all. The doctor came back and checked me this time. When she saw how little things were progressing, she started to push pitocin again. This time, you dad and I had talked, along with Sarah and Megan, and felt like we had a timeline we were comfortable with. I reminded the doctor that what she had told us was that infection doesn't start becoming an issue until at least 24 hours. So we suggested a timeline that would likely have you born by then. She agreed to wait to break the rest of my water until until 3 hours, and to let me be adjusted by a chiropractor, and use a breast pump to stimulate things and see if that worked. She told me "don't let your desire to have this experience mean that your baby gets sick. She had no idea! Tavish, I made the decisions that I made the entire time with you in mind. I know she will never understand that, but trust me when I tell you my sweet boy, I only ever wanted what was best for you.
By 8 pm, I was pretty uncomfortable, but she still needed to break my water. I let her do it, and thankfully that was enough to get you moving. At this point, she made a snarky comment about adding pain medicine to my chart so we wouldn't have to go and find her when I decided I needed it. (I told her I didn't want an epidural because of the side effects to you, which she of course completely blew off. I guess I am glad that she added that in there because I did end up needing the nitrous, but I don't think that was what she had in mind when she said it.)
Shortly thereafter, I was in active labor, and close to transition. It took another 4 hours, and me having access to nitrous for pain, but we did it. You made your way in to the world. It wasn't easy, but I was so happy so see you, and hold you.
We thought we were going to lose you at first. The doctors couldn't get your heart rate to hold steady. But my sweet angel, when they handed you to me, you showed all of them just show strong you were. You matched your breathing with mine, and your heart rate came back up. I got to hold you, and kiss your beautiful face. Your dad and I snuggled with you, and then we decided to have you go to the NICU so they could take care of you. I kissed you one more time, and gave you to the doctors. You were a rockstar that day Tavish. You showed everyone, and I couldn't be more proud of you.
Love,
Mom
today is December 10th. It's the day you were born. You didn't make it easy on me, that's for sure. You waited just long enough for me to get over a cold I got right after Thanksgiving, then you decided to make your appearance. Early in the morning of the December 9th, I felt my water break, but it wasn't the huge gush you always see on movies. I wasn't sure, so we went in to the hospital, and sure enough, you had decided it was time to meet the world. Labor was very slow for me at first. I was able to easily sleep through contractions, so I did, for about an hour or so. Then the doctor came in to see me. She was very straightforward, with an attitude of "this is what will happen." I was kind of intimidated at first, and just nodded my head and said ok.
After she left, however, I had a chance to talk with my doula, Sarah, and my photographer, Megan (who is also a doula). Both of them told me what they knew, and that I didn't have to go along with everything the doctor said if I didn't want to. We decided to take a walk in order to encourage you to come out a little faster. You certainly were taking your time though. We also tried a bunch of other things, like different positions, and even dancing (let me tell you, mom was't too comfortable with that one. I don't dance in front of other people!).
When the doctor returned a few hours later, I expressed my hesitation with her decision to check how far along I was, and told her I wanted to avoid pitocin if at all possible. She got really defensive at this point and started telling me about how infection was more dangerous for you than pitocin, and if I wanted what was best for you, I needed to go along with what she was telling me. I don't like pushy people, they scare me, and when its a doctor, that's even worse. She made me feel very intimidated, but I was proud of myself, I managed to stand up for you, and got her to agree to three more hours before she checked me.
We continued to try to get you to come out, but boy were you being stubborn. By 4 pm, things hadn't changed much at all. The doctor came back and checked me this time. When she saw how little things were progressing, she started to push pitocin again. This time, you dad and I had talked, along with Sarah and Megan, and felt like we had a timeline we were comfortable with. I reminded the doctor that what she had told us was that infection doesn't start becoming an issue until at least 24 hours. So we suggested a timeline that would likely have you born by then. She agreed to wait to break the rest of my water until until 3 hours, and to let me be adjusted by a chiropractor, and use a breast pump to stimulate things and see if that worked. She told me "don't let your desire to have this experience mean that your baby gets sick. She had no idea! Tavish, I made the decisions that I made the entire time with you in mind. I know she will never understand that, but trust me when I tell you my sweet boy, I only ever wanted what was best for you.
By 8 pm, I was pretty uncomfortable, but she still needed to break my water. I let her do it, and thankfully that was enough to get you moving. At this point, she made a snarky comment about adding pain medicine to my chart so we wouldn't have to go and find her when I decided I needed it. (I told her I didn't want an epidural because of the side effects to you, which she of course completely blew off. I guess I am glad that she added that in there because I did end up needing the nitrous, but I don't think that was what she had in mind when she said it.)
Shortly thereafter, I was in active labor, and close to transition. It took another 4 hours, and me having access to nitrous for pain, but we did it. You made your way in to the world. It wasn't easy, but I was so happy so see you, and hold you.
We thought we were going to lose you at first. The doctors couldn't get your heart rate to hold steady. But my sweet angel, when they handed you to me, you showed all of them just show strong you were. You matched your breathing with mine, and your heart rate came back up. I got to hold you, and kiss your beautiful face. Your dad and I snuggled with you, and then we decided to have you go to the NICU so they could take care of you. I kissed you one more time, and gave you to the doctors. You were a rockstar that day Tavish. You showed everyone, and I couldn't be more proud of you.
Love,
Mom
November
Beautiful Tavish,
Your dad and I have seen lots of pictures of you now, so I can say without a doubt you are the most beautiful baby that ever was. (I promised I'm not biased at all 😏) We had a heart echo done on you, and once again, you were so squirmy they had a hard time getting a good look at you. Silly boy. However, the information was hopeful. Your heart is in great condition; it's beating strong, and as all the parts it needs. They did tell us that you might have a hole in the top of it, but that's not something the doctors are worried about at all right now. You could go months or years before that causes any problems. Your daddy and I took that as an answer to prayer. I've also had two rounds of steroid shots now to make sure that your lungs are fully developed. We don't want anything to be more difficult for you than it needs to be.
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving break. We have plans with friends to have a low key Thanksgiving, just the 7 of us (your dad and me, you, our friends, their son, and the baby our friend is pregnant with). It should be a wonderful time :). I hope you get to be with us next year if we do it again. I love the holidays so much. I'm glad you're going to be a Christmas baby. I can't imagine sharing a more wonderful time of year with you.
Love,
Mom
Your dad and I have seen lots of pictures of you now, so I can say without a doubt you are the most beautiful baby that ever was. (I promised I'm not biased at all 😏) We had a heart echo done on you, and once again, you were so squirmy they had a hard time getting a good look at you. Silly boy. However, the information was hopeful. Your heart is in great condition; it's beating strong, and as all the parts it needs. They did tell us that you might have a hole in the top of it, but that's not something the doctors are worried about at all right now. You could go months or years before that causes any problems. Your daddy and I took that as an answer to prayer. I've also had two rounds of steroid shots now to make sure that your lungs are fully developed. We don't want anything to be more difficult for you than it needs to be.
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving break. We have plans with friends to have a low key Thanksgiving, just the 7 of us (your dad and me, you, our friends, their son, and the baby our friend is pregnant with). It should be a wonderful time :). I hope you get to be with us next year if we do it again. I love the holidays so much. I'm glad you're going to be a Christmas baby. I can't imagine sharing a more wonderful time of year with you.
Love,
Mom
October
Sweet little Tavish,
Your dad and I have had a scare this month. We thought you might be coming early. Thankfully it was a false alarm. We also had a meeting with the doctor that runs the NICU team. She told us some upsetting information about our doctor. Apparently he thought we weren't going to fight for you. We set them straight pretty quick on that. How could we not fight for you my darling little boy? You have already made it farther than anyone expected you to. As long as you keep fighting, we will keep fighting.
After such month, we felt like we needed to go away for a little bit. Neither one of us has been to San Antonio before, and now you'll get to go too. We have a hotel not far from the River Walk, and we're going to see the Alamo. The best part? I get a whole day off of work! I am definitely looking forward to what should be a lovely, long weekend. I don't know everything we will do while we're there, but that's the whole point. To relax, and not do very much at all. I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as you dad and I will. Just keep growing stronger baby boy. I look forward to your birthday, and seeing your sweet face.
Love,
Mom
Your dad and I have had a scare this month. We thought you might be coming early. Thankfully it was a false alarm. We also had a meeting with the doctor that runs the NICU team. She told us some upsetting information about our doctor. Apparently he thought we weren't going to fight for you. We set them straight pretty quick on that. How could we not fight for you my darling little boy? You have already made it farther than anyone expected you to. As long as you keep fighting, we will keep fighting.
After such month, we felt like we needed to go away for a little bit. Neither one of us has been to San Antonio before, and now you'll get to go too. We have a hotel not far from the River Walk, and we're going to see the Alamo. The best part? I get a whole day off of work! I am definitely looking forward to what should be a lovely, long weekend. I don't know everything we will do while we're there, but that's the whole point. To relax, and not do very much at all. I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as you dad and I will. Just keep growing stronger baby boy. I look forward to your birthday, and seeing your sweet face.
Love,
Mom
September
My dear Tavish,
it's September, and we've had a few visits with the doctors and the midwives. The midwives said we need to transfer our care to the specialist. That makes mommy a little sad, because she was really hoping that she would have birth at the birth center. But you know what? All that matters is that you are taken care of. I want the absolute best for you, and the best possible chance for you to make it into this world not just alive, but strong. If that means that I see you for the first time in a hospital, then I'm happy to do it :).
The doctor we've been seeing was recommended to us by friends. He has a good reputation for knowing how to make the best of a "high risk" pregnancy. His way of talking to us isn't the nicest, but he's supposed to be the best. We love you so much Tavish. We want to give you the best possible chance.
I don't know what else to tell you right now, so I'm just going to remind you again how much I love you sweet baby boy, and how I look forward to holding you in my arms. You are a miracle, little one, and I know you're going to show everyone just how special you are.
Love,
Mom
it's September, and we've had a few visits with the doctors and the midwives. The midwives said we need to transfer our care to the specialist. That makes mommy a little sad, because she was really hoping that she would have birth at the birth center. But you know what? All that matters is that you are taken care of. I want the absolute best for you, and the best possible chance for you to make it into this world not just alive, but strong. If that means that I see you for the first time in a hospital, then I'm happy to do it :).
The doctor we've been seeing was recommended to us by friends. He has a good reputation for knowing how to make the best of a "high risk" pregnancy. His way of talking to us isn't the nicest, but he's supposed to be the best. We love you so much Tavish. We want to give you the best possible chance.
I don't know what else to tell you right now, so I'm just going to remind you again how much I love you sweet baby boy, and how I look forward to holding you in my arms. You are a miracle, little one, and I know you're going to show everyone just how special you are.
Love,
Mom
What a grand evening
My Dear, sweet Tavish,
It is August, and school has just started back for me. I don't know what to expect yet, because all we're doing right now is teacher training, but I'll find out in a few weeks when the kids return. Of this I am certain, it will be interesting.
We have just had your gender reveal party. Mommy and Daddy invited all their friends to share this great surprise with. A few of them knew already, because your Daddy was so excited he could hardly keep it to himself. I am quite pleased that it was a complete surprise for the rest of our friends though :). We had cupcakes with blue ASL "ILY"'s in them, and made hamburgers for dinner. Our friends brought the rest of the food. We had them guess which they thought you were. It was a lot of fun :D. At the end of the night, they all gathered around us and prayed for you. Dear Tavish, your mom and dad aren't the only ones who love you. They are all praying so hard for you baby boy. No one loves you more than us, but they come a close second.
We know what the doctors have said so far is scary, sweet boy, and I'm so glad you don't have to know what that's like; you're just happy as a clam inside of me, all safe and warm. I wish I could keep you safe and warm forever. Only time will tell how this plays out, but I'm so glad you're mine.
Love,
Mom
It is August, and school has just started back for me. I don't know what to expect yet, because all we're doing right now is teacher training, but I'll find out in a few weeks when the kids return. Of this I am certain, it will be interesting.
We have just had your gender reveal party. Mommy and Daddy invited all their friends to share this great surprise with. A few of them knew already, because your Daddy was so excited he could hardly keep it to himself. I am quite pleased that it was a complete surprise for the rest of our friends though :). We had cupcakes with blue ASL "ILY"'s in them, and made hamburgers for dinner. Our friends brought the rest of the food. We had them guess which they thought you were. It was a lot of fun :D. At the end of the night, they all gathered around us and prayed for you. Dear Tavish, your mom and dad aren't the only ones who love you. They are all praying so hard for you baby boy. No one loves you more than us, but they come a close second.
We know what the doctors have said so far is scary, sweet boy, and I'm so glad you don't have to know what that's like; you're just happy as a clam inside of me, all safe and warm. I wish I could keep you safe and warm forever. Only time will tell how this plays out, but I'm so glad you're mine.
Love,
Mom
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