on april 30th, 2008 our lives changed forever. we welcomed our son, jackson everett, into the world. this is the story of his remarkable entrance…

at 5am on wednesday, april 30th justin and i awakened to a dark, still room. it was the last time in our lives that our house would be this way – just the two of us. the energy was so thick with anticipation, excitement and angst that it was almost hard to breath. we packed the car with our hospital bags, ran through the check list one last time. kissed bayla goodbye and were off meet our son. driving away from the house and feeling the oh so familiar wave of baby rippling through my abdomen it was so hard to believe that after 9 months of waiting today was the day…

we arrived at 6am to check in to the hospital. walking hand in hand to the labor and delivery floor, bags slung over our shoulders, belly protruding and  smiles plastered across our faces the woman at the information booth smiled and said, “today’s the day, huh?!”, “congratulations!”.

we arrived in our room, the first of three for that day. i changed into the hospital gown and was given my IV. my belly was hooked up to sensors monitoring the baby’s heart rate and contractions. we wondered if he had any sense that in a matter of hours he would be here in our arms.

at 8am the anesthesiologist met with justin and i in our room and discussed the anesthesia i would be getting. the spinal would be administered in the O.R. right before surgery. my dr. breezed in shortly after with her animal print purse and 80’s big hair (for the first time she reminded me of mrs. frizzle from the magic school bus books – should i be concerned?) she was cool and calm as a cucumber, ready for the delivery of our son, no doubt just in time to make it to jazzercise at noon.

at 8:15am we were all systems go. justin and i kissed goodbye in our room and i walked with the nurse to the O.R. justin was to change into his outfit (scrubs a hat, mask and slippers) and meet me in the O.R.

my mind was peaceful. i wore my birthing necklace with pride and comfort knowing so many people were thinking of us in this hour and sending blessings, prayers and peaceful thoughts. to those of you who did, thank you. i truly felt it.  

the O.R. was bright and cold. for a brief moment i panicked and thought, this is not a place fit to welcome a baby. our anesthesiologist took my hand, somehow reading my mind. he didn’t say anything but his warm touch and soothing eyes relaxed me – i could do this. justin arrived several minutes later taking a seat next to me and holding my outstretched hand. surgery was already underway. justin talked to me…i was doing great, jackson was almost there, hang on. i remember nodding my head, tears rolling down my cheeks. my whole body moved and wriggled as our son was pulled from his warm, cozy home. he shrieked and cried as he took his first breath – it was a wonderful sound. i couldn’t see jackson, but justin could. i watched justin’s face and his eyes and tried to interpret what he was seeing. he said he was perfect, beautiful and believe it or not, not as chubby as we thought he would be!

then, from around the curtain a tiny body appeared. with arms flailing and eyes wide open i looked at our son. i reached out and touched his warm skin. justin was right, he was perfect. 

within the hour the surgery was complete. jackson lay snug in the O.R waiting for me. i was moved from the table to a bed with wheels and my baby was placed in my arms. together we wheeled to the recovery room where daddy was waiting. those two hours post-op are somewhat of a blur. i was able to feed jackson and snuggle with him. i remember watching justin rocking him as my heavy eyes fell in and out of slumber. then as a new family we walked (and strolled) to our final room where we would stay for the next few days.

grammie tina, nana and auntie melissa met us there shortly thereafter. we all looked at this tiny miracle in disbelief. we had been told jackson would be alert for a short period and then fall into a deep sleep. not our little guy. he was so alert and awake; taking it all in.

by 2pm justin, jackson and i were alone in our room reveling in awe at this precious gift. welcome jackson to earth. thank you so much for choosing us to be your parents. we are honored and humbled and so very excited.