Saturday, December 13, 2008

Welcome Charlie and Olivia! (aka I love you Dad.)

Wanted to give everyone the update on Olivia and Charlie. They are here! Born on December 12, 2008 at 8:51 and *:52am respectively. At birth, Charlie was 17.25" and weighed in at 4lbs. 9 oz., while Liv was 17" and 4lbs. 4oz. They are in the NICU and doing well. They are off of the oxygen and just working on sucking and keeping the food down. And Charlie just doesn't seem to be into the whole sucking thing, but this is very normla according to the NICU nurses. It looks like they will be home within 2 weeks. Just in time for Christmas.

We have so many to thank for their prayers. They have worked and we
now have two healthy babies! However, we are still in need of some
prayers. I have been on bedrest at Riverside for 8 weeks, but the night before the scheduled c-section I was quickly released and checked in to OSU Hospital. 2 days after finding out that we were pregnant, my Dad announced that he had esophogial cancer of which he was pronounced "cancer free" in September. Unfortunately, he has been in and out of the hospital the last few weeks because of chest pain. On Thursday night we heard the news that he had a week to live at most. But mainly they were trying to help him hang on for 24 hours until he could see the babies. So we ended up delivering here at OSU on Friday morning, thanks to a the wonderful Dr. Jason Melillo who works miracles in his own way.

Neither Dad nor the babies were able to leave their respective rooms until this evening when Dad was taken down to the NICU. The fear that he would not make it was overwhelming, but in the end he was able to hold his grandchildren. And it was the
sweetest experience. There is something so purely profound and moving about viewing those two spirits who just entered this life being held by a most amazing and loving man who is so close to the other side of the veil. For me the only feelings I could possibly feel at that moment were love...and gratitude. And Dad was grateful too, as he tried so hard to speak a simple "thank you." The Lord blessed him at that time to be aware of what he was doing. He knew these were his grandchildren, and that he loved them. Thankfully, there was plenty of time for him to hold each of them twice and hold both of them at the same time once. He kept his hands in the "holding position" the whole time. Obviously not done when the nurse first tried to take Olivia out of his arms. Though the time may be brief, he has already earned the honor of being the Greatest Grandpa Ever. At least in my book. But then I'm biased, because I have the Greatest Daddy Ever. Oh how we have been blessed.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Pain and love often go hand-in-hand. I am sorry so closely for you. Enjoy the closeness and my wishes and prayers to you and your family. You "are" blessed with such a loving family.

Abbey said...

The first to comment! I feel so honored!

First, congrats! Nothing quite compares to being a parent, don't you think? Isn't it weird to look at those little things and realize they are what was inside of you? It's like an abstract thing becoming real, really fast. There just aren't words for it. And it gets better everyday!

Second, just wanted to let you know that we are praying for your dad, and I'm so happy he was able to visit Charlie and Olivia.

Hang in there, and know that we are thinking of you.

Abbey said...

What? I got booted to second!

Kristy said...

Congratulations on the safe birth of Charlie and Olivia. I must admit I was on pins and needles all day Friday and Saturday. I know in the brief moments your father held those babies he passed all the love and wisdom onto them to share with the world. We can't wait to see pictures of the little darlings and we'll pray for their health as well as your dad's.

Hillary said...

Hi Abby,

My name is Hillary and I have been friends with your sister-in-law Emily since the third grade. I have been reading your blog through your stay at Riverside and just read your most recent entry. I am left speechless by your tragic sorrow and intense joy and I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts in the coming months. I am so very sorry for you that you are enduring this time of grief, but so thrilled that your medical team could arrange this moment for your dad. Congratulations on the birth of Charlie and Olivia and many thoughts and prayers in your journey.

Love, Hillary
p.s. Hugs to Eli!

The Momphers said...

Congrats! :)

Beth said...

Congratulations! Continuted peaceful thoughts for your Dad!
Beth

Cassie said...

Congratulations, and also lots of prayers for your Dad. What a blessing that he was able to hold Charlie and Olivia.

Jessica said...

Oh Abby,

I was taking a class on Hospice nursing this past quarter and it really made me look at the end of life in a different way. I really believe that if you are attending a birth or at the bedside of the dying, you are standing on sacred ground. You are at the cross roads of eternity. What a place you are at right now! I can't imagine the profound emotions you are feeling right now, and I'm sure it doesn't help to be swimming in hormones. Know that you are so loved and that you can call on me and many others right now.

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