5 weeks early, just in time for her brother's birthday and Christmas, our precious little gift Arden Wren arrived.
My first preemie.
My first non-Texan.
My first c-section.
My last baby.
I'm not going into great detail here because there are so many parts I don't care to focus on like the fact that it was so high risk in the OR that Barker wasn't allowed in like most dads during c-sections and was instead placed in a private waiting room to worry about all the things that could be going wrong. When she was born our hearts were bursting with pride while also breaking. So I'm going to share some of the highs here.
My body has always, even with my first child, started getting ready for labor very early. And this time was no different, except that due to my condition with Hudson, it made my current army of doctors quite nervous when I was checked at week 34. And they were right to be nervous because on Friday morning, December 20th, 5 weeks ahead of schedule, I was having contractions. An hour later I was having a baby. Unfortunately my OB hacked into me and Arden was screaming before she was completely out. I am, and always will be, angry that I had to have a c-section but I had no choice this time. They quickly let me see her, then they took her out for Barker to also catch a glimpse of her.
His friend Adam had gotten up before the sun to drink coffee and pray with Barker so he didn't lock himself in a bathroom to panic like he did after Hudson was born. Adam said "She's really pretty. Our babies didn't look that good when they were born." ha! Then they quickly took the baby to the nursery to check her out and my oncologist and her crew got to work on me. When I was in recovery they couldn't tell me any stats but did say Arden was in the nursery, not the NICU. But by the time they finally put me in a postpartum room I was notified that she was in fact in the NICU because her oxygen was just a little low so they wanted to observe her to be safe.
her suite
our early bird
Arden Wren
But I did finally hear that she was 5 pounds 14 ounces and change and 17 inches long. Whew! I thought just shy of 6 pounds was pretty good for a baby that wasn't full term.
A little while later Barker was able to wheel me upstairs to see her. She was off the oxygen by then and looked perfect. Like a doll. Like a smaller version of Audrey and Barker.
My first time to hold my youngest daughter
All 3 of my kids have my fingers, lips, ears and birthmark on the back of the head.
And they all have Barker's feet, toes, and the shape of his legs.
I think Barker was able to take Audrey in to meet her before I was able to.
She was not a fan of the name. She said we needed to change it to Elle. But she was going to call her Crystal for a nick name. Eeeek! Luckily she forgot about that day one. Whew!
But Hudson wasn't allowed in the NICU. My pediatrician had to fax Audrey's shot records to the NICU so she would be let in. Audrey fed her a bit of a bottle on Sunday or Monday I think.
And both big kids lived with me at the hospital for 4 days. We had Hudson's birthday party there, watched Christmas movies, played with toys, did crafts, had family dinners and really enjoyed some quality family time.
Play-Doh cookie decorating
Not sure why my teeth look green?! Yikes! But yes I really did look that bad. It's sadly not just a bad picture. I always look like I've been hit by a truck when I lose any amount of blood. Even when I donate blood the staff will freak out and ask me if I'm sure I'm not about to pass out and make me eat and drink a ton before I leave. I just need all of my blood to look human. (embarrassing) And yes Hudson is laying on my lap even though I had just had major surgery. I can't help it. My son wanted on my bed badly and I nearly always cave to him. He's my joy.
I was worried she wouldn't latch, or that she'd have jaundice, and the typical things they watch preemies for. Audrey was never treated for jaundice but they did watch her closely and she was full term. Daily foot pricks, poor Audrey. So they watched Arden too but like her brother and sister she remained in a safe range and never needed to be put under the sun bed lights. She wasn't so great at latching onto a bottle in the NICU but had no problem nursing. Again she was acting as if she was a cool 41 weeks old. Barker and I would very slowly and painfully walk down the hall to the elevator and go up to the NICU every 2 and a half hours day and night to nurse her. She nursed like a champ. I was so proud! And now she can take a bottle well, too. But we vary rarely give her one. I hate pumping.
So we were all in the hospital for 4 days and were released on Christmas Eve. With Hudson we came home Christmas morning. My babies seem to love arriving early for Christmas. Who doesn't? So on Christmas Eve Barker and I brought our last baby home from the hospital to a tiny little hundred year old house in Louisiana to meet her siblings.
Hudson hadn't met her yet. When we showed her to him he said "Whoa! Baby!"
We thought that pretty much summed it up.
We're thrilled to have this little miracle with us and be a family of five. We didn't know if it would be possible and she was worth every hurdle we had to make to get her here. Barker is so in love with her and looks at her like he's never seen a baby before. Audrey couldn't be prouder of her sister, something I had always wanted to give her. Hudson is so very attentive and will get onto you if he thinks you're taking your time getting to her when she makes the slightest noise. And me, oh I'm just smitten. She's so tiny she seems like a doll, a doll I can't seem to put down. She will be held way more than I thought I should hold the first two but I just can't help myself. We are blessed beyond belief.
