Born in MIDDLETOWN on May 14, 2007.
I woke up at 5:45 in the morning on Monday, two days before Louie's due date, and realized my water had broke. I didn't feel any contractions, so Robbie went to work. He planned on working for a little bit and coming to the hospital. Everything was going fine, still no contractions. My Mom was nervous and sent my step-dad to get me. He got there and I'm rushing around, getting the bags together and getting more excited every minute. I still didn't feel ready yet, but knew I needed to go. So, on to the hospital!!!
When I got to the hospital, they checked me in and got me in a room. About this time, people started showing up. My mom was there, and my Dad and step-mom. They hooked up the external monitor and TA DA, Louie's beautiful heartbeat. Still, I felt no contractions even though the monitor showed I was having pretty strong ones. I thought, huh, this is going to be a breeze...
Everything changed when they tried to attach the internal monitors. The nurse tried once with no success and gave me a break before trying again. ( I had to potty) When she tried to put them in the second time, the pain it cuased was almost unbearable. The monitor started the alarm and I had just enough time before the room flooded with nurses to see that Louie's heartbeat had dropped to 40 beats per minute. I knew something was terribly wrong. They started rushing me to the C-Section room. As I got into the hall, I asked for my husband. He came around the corner, he had gotten there just in time, and I only had enough time to kiss him and tell him I loved him before going into surgery. He was trying to be strong, but I know him too well.
The next thing I remember was waking up in recovery and asking for my baby and my husband. Robbie was there and he looked drained. I was still kind of groggy but I was ready to see my son. My family all came in and then finally, they roll in one of those little incubators and sit me up. And there right beside me is this perfect little guy. I stroked his hand and he opened his eyes and looked up at me. I will never forget the emotion and the love in that one small look. I could tell things weren't good, he was with the transport team, and it was time to go to Childrens Medical Center. All they could say was he will get worse before he gets better. I really thought so, too. He will get better. People get a happy ending.