Happy birthday, Samuel!

I can't believe he's here!  Samuel Stephen Bryan was born yesterday, September 22 at 11:10 A.M., weighing 8lb7oz and is 21 inches of handsome, studly perfection.  My c-section was scheduled for 10:30, and when we arrived, the nurses said they were having a busy morning, so I prayed and prayed our delivery wouldn't be delayed.  I got prepped by a few amazing nurses and an anesthesiologist, and they took me back to the O.R. around 10:30.  I felt pretty miserable until right before the rest of the delivery team (my OB and her assisting OB, nurses, anesthesiologist and his assistant, respiratory specialist, NICU neonatologist, and NICU nurses), Stephen, and my mom came into the O.R.  I was numb from the chest down, but I could feel my toes enough to wiggle them a little, which made me feel really claustrophobic because my legs wouldn't move.  The anesthesia made my heart race, and once the anesthesia hit my chest, I felt like I couldn't get a good breath, which made me feel really nauseated.  The anesthesiologist was so incredibly nice and did everything he could to make me feel better.  It didn't take long once the doctors got started on the procedure before a nurse said, "I see a head full of dark hair!" and Sam was crying.  CRYING!  I really expected him to struggle breathing on his own at first, and the sound of his sweet cries was so comforting.  The team checked him out pretty quickly, wrapped him up, and the neonatologist PALMED MY CHILD LIKE HE WAS A BASKETBALL to hand him to Stephen.  He got to hold Sam for several minutes and I could reach over to touch him.  

Stephen left with the NICU team and Sam, and my mom stayed with me.  It felt like it took a long time for them to finish up the procedure and get me to the recovery room.  I stayed in recovery for two hours, and then they wheeled me down to the NICU to see Sam.

Stephen stayed in the NICU with Sam and texted me updates as he got them from the doctors.  

Sam had a series of admission tests and exams that are typical for NICU babies plus an echocardiogram.  The doctors wanted to check and make sure there wasn't anything about Sam's development that was different from what they found in utero, and there wasn't!  Dr. Kao, the cardiologist, has been happy with his oxygen saturation.  Sam is breathing great on his own, has several monitors on him to check heart rate, respiration, and oxygen saturation, and is receiving IV fluids.  As of his noon feeding today, they are weaning him off his IV fluids as long as his blood sugars are good before each feeding.  I started pumping yesterday, and he received what I was able to produce plus additional formula, and I got to start nursing him around midnight last night.  

He was very sleepy in the middle of the night last night, but he still ate well.  Stephen's mom and my parents were able to visit today, too.

This baby is HAIRY!  I love his furry little back.

Sam and I FaceTimed with the girls this afternoon!  Oh my!  They squealed, asked to see his eyes (since he was sleeping), started kissing his face on the phone, and sang, "Sammy, Sammy, Sammy!"  Emory said, "Sam loves me."  I can't wait for them to see him in person.

We have had a great first couple days.  They will do a repeat echocardiogram tomorrow.  Dr. Kao said the VSD and pulmonary valve are of adequate size to not need the PDA to remain open, so it should be closing on its own like a typical newborn.  Pray with us that Sam is able to continue good oxygen saturation once the PDA is closed.  I'll continue updating as I can!