~ His Story ~
The pregnancy was a normal one. Morning sickness, craving strange foods, and getting big. The only time I enjoyed being pregnant was when I could feel the baby move. And this was for all the children, not just Noah. Thankfully, I didn't have to endure more stretch marks, just reused the ones I had before.
Stephen was working on our new house when I felt funny. Knowing this funny feeling, I phoned my doctor and he said to go to the hospital and get checked out. When I felt funny with Brody, I ended up giving birth 2 hours later. So, I went to the hospital by myself. I really didn't think that I would end up delivering that day. Afterall, I was two weeks early. The doctor checked me and I was dilated so she ended up breaking my water to start the labor. I panicked......Stephen isn't here, he is at the other house - with no phone!! So, I phoned my brother in law and asked him to go and tell Stephen to get to the hospital ASAP. It is an hour drive from where he is. Back at the hospital, the nurse was trying to tell me to walk around as that will help bring labor on. I told her that I am not moving from the bed until Stephen got here as I wasn't doing this alone. She laughed and left me alone, completely understanding. When Stephen got there (without the camera) I started walking around and wanting to get the birth over with and hold my baby. Finally, the pain started and it was time to deliver. All went well and out came our 8 lb 4 oz, 21 inch baby boy! The nurse asked, "Do you have a name?" Stephen and I looked at each other and said, "yes, Noah." Noah got all cleaned up and was given to me to hold when he started coughing. It wasn't a normal cough, it was a wet cough. I was scared and worried, so I gave Noah to Stephen and then the nurse took Noah and whisked him away. It wasn't for another hour or so that we heard from the nurse. "Noah has some fluid in his lungs because he took a gulp of fluid on his way out. The doctors are giving him a seven day dose of antibiotics to prevent pnemonia. He is on the third floor in intermediate care, in an incubator with extra oxygen. When you are ready to go see him, one of the nurses will bring you to him." All I thought was, "Is he going to be okay. I want to go see him." In a couple of hours, I went to see my baby boy. Noah looked so fragile in the incubator with the heart monitors and tubes hooked up to him. I was scared to touch him. But with the nurses help, she showed me how I can caress him without disturbing any of the equipment. And then it hit me. I can touch him, but I can't hold him. THAT SUCKED!! All I wanted to do was hold my son, and I couldn't.
Just wanted to add that all our children's middle names are after someone important in our lives. Joseph was picked after my uncle Joe. He would come to our house every Sunday morning to have breakfast with us, when I was a child. He would carefully open walnuts and put money or toys inside for us. We would always have a surprise each time we opened up a walnut. Uncle Joe meant so much to me and that is why Noah's middle name is Joseph. Named after a special, kind hearted man.
