Tuesday, February 20, 2007

An Open Letter to My Children

2.20.2007

Doss & Jorja –

Our trip to the hospital this morning was a mixed bag of emotions.

Anytime a loved one has to have major surgery, you worry about the health, welfare, and safety of that person.

And a C-section, while fairly routine, is certainly major surgery.

The opposite side of that coin is the unadulterated excitement we felt at finally getting to meet the both of you face to face.

So it is without exaggeration when I say that your mother and I hardly slept a wink before heading out to the hospital at 5:30 this morning with Cappy Duke & Gramma Pin in tow.

Your other grandmother, The General, arrived at the hospital as your mother was finishing off the paperwork.

After a short stop to prep your mother, we were off to the operating room.

Your mother had a brief panic attack after the epidural was administered, but your maternal grandmother and I, along with help from the anesthesiologist and Doc Tres, got her calmed down and back on track.

Jorja, you were standing straight up in the womb and came out first. And you were BIG. Six pounds nine ounces -- for a twin, that is rockstar size.

You had a shock of jet black hair like your mother, but your mother and grandmother swear you look like me. Small ears, button nose and my chin.

They carted you off to one corner of the room and began cleaning you up as your brother Doss tried to come out butt first, folded in half like a baby taco. Doc Tres had to reach in and straighten you out in order to pull you out.

Oh, Doss. You were so small, only four pounds and your umbilical cord was pencil thin. They took you to the other side of the room and began cleaning you off.

As they wiped you clean, I couldn’t help thinking how much you look like your Aunt TinTin.

You both pinked up quickly, but you, Jorja, were a strong yeller. Doss, you were a fighter. You couldn’t cry, but you tried. Hard.

Boy did you want to yell.

After I cut both of your cords, we whisked you both off to the nursery to get measurements and to draw blood.

Jorja, you were as healthy as a horse and went straight to recovery with mommy.

But you Doss, you scared us. Because of your size, you spent only a few minutes in the nursery and then they carted you off to the NICU.

I spent the first six hours at your side as they poked and prodded you – I held your tiny hand with my finger and place my other hand over your entire torso. Your glucose levels were dangerously low and your blood oxygen level was also precariously low.

They pumped you up with oxygen and glucose water while they drew samples of blood from your hands, arms, legs and feet.

I would love to say that you were out of woods, but I can’t. Right now, you’re still in the NICU and according to one of the Docs, it doesn’t look like you’ll be coming home with us on Friday.

On the bright side, everyone seems to think you’ll pull through just fine.

And your mother and I are hoping so with all of our hearts.

You are both the most precious things that have ever been and we love you both more than words can say.

24 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Dad...and Mom, too.

Just wait until they smile at you in a couple months. That is a very cool milestone.

Enjoy every second because it won't be long before they are tackling each other in a bowling alley.

2/20/2007 9:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

They are both so beautiful. Congratulations! Keep us posted on Doss. I know he'll pull through. He looks like a little fighter. Good luck!

2/20/2007 10:10 PM  
Blogger moe berg said...

i can tell you first hand that the NICU can be a scary place. just hang in there and know that everyone there is working to help get doss up to where he needs to be.

he'll get there soon and you'll forget all about the scariest stuff in no time.

in the meantime, double congrats from a guy who's been there.

2/20/2007 10:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congrats, man! Glad everything went well.

2/21/2007 4:49 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Welocme to the world Jorja and Doss!

2/21/2007 6:09 AM  
Blogger Becky said...

Congratulations! Come on, Doss ... you can do it!

2/21/2007 6:19 AM  
Blogger Radioactive Tori said...

Congratulations!!!! I have chills from reading that. Your babies are beautiful! Three of my four were in the NICU and everything turned out just fine. I will pray for the same for you.

2/21/2007 7:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations Mom and Dad! I'm sure Doss will pull through fine.

2/21/2007 7:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations.....my heart is with you today.

2/21/2007 7:30 AM  
Blogger Jules said...

We had a preemie born at 29.5 wks who was in the NICU for 8.5 weeks...if you EVER need to "chat" or have questions, please don't hesitate to comment at Life with OG at www.ogmommy.blogspot.com and we can touch base.

Congrats! They are both beautiful! You did it!!!!!

2/21/2007 7:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Now the hard part begins. It gets easier after the next 2-3 months.

Mike

2/21/2007 8:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sending you lots of good wishes and congratulations, here's hoping you are all together at home soon.
Linda
x

2/21/2007 10:42 AM  
Blogger Deanna said...

Congratulations! Keep us posted on Doss' improvement!

2/21/2007 11:34 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Rock On Dude!
Congratulations and welcome the fortune and gory status of Dad. Dropped over from Kaz's place to wish you well in your new venture and that I'll be pulling for Doss and the quick recovery.

You might want to blog to yourself about what it was like to have sleep, that way in a couple of weeks, you can remember the good ole days, but it's worth it!

Cheers!
Terry (from Knoxville, TN)

2/21/2007 2:22 PM  
Blogger Steph said...

Congratulations on your beautiful babies!

2/21/2007 2:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous kids -- congratulations! Our thoughts are with you guys and we hope all the best for Doss. And for everyone else.

2/21/2007 2:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I'm here by way of cryitout. Have twins myself, and one stayed in the NICU for four weeks. We had the amazing help of my M-I-L as well and I don't know how we would have survived otherwise.

Doss will be home and doing great in no time. The next few months are crazy -- remember what you can. Congratulations again!

2/21/2007 4:46 PM  
Blogger Stacie said...

Congratulations! Welcome to the world, little guys. Doss - hang in there and get big and strong!

2/21/2007 7:27 PM  
Blogger Chris said...

Congratulations!!! My thoughts are with you guys.

2/21/2007 7:32 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Congratulations! If you never need any advice, let us know! I hope Doss makes a quick transition towards home!

2/21/2007 9:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh Wow! How wonderful that they are finally here! They are perfectly beautiful and Doss will be home soon - he looks like a scrappy little fighter. And Jorja, a beauty already.

2/22/2007 8:20 AM  
Blogger daddy in a strange land said...

Congrats to all of you, and welcome to the world, Jorja and Doss!

2/22/2007 2:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

congratulations!! welcome jorja and doss. and GO DOSS. you can do it!

2/22/2007 7:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yea! Super-yea!

Congrats! Try to get some sleep and our thoughts will be with you and your family!

2/22/2007 11:10 PM  

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