It's Been A Year

It's been a year since we learned I was pregnant with Portlin. I can't even believe that I have him now. Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I look at him. He is just so perfect! While I was getting ready this morning, I reflected on the last year. I almost forgot some of the things I've been through. October 24, 2011 I was admitted to the hospital at almost 8 weeks of pregnancy because Dr. Sheth thought I could be having a stroke. The left side of my face went numb during the middle of the night. It was scary to say the least. Benjie was working and unable to meet me at the hospital right away, so my second mom, Patti, came to be with me. I remember calling Dr. Stice in a panic because they were going to do an MRI and CT Scan. You don't do those things when you're pregnant right? He assured me that everything was going to be ok! I found out it wasn't a stroke and I was released the next day. Dr. Stice thought it was an atypical migraine.

Several weeks later during a doctors appointment we were given information about doing some genetic testing to see if the baby could have a chance for Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18 & 13. Here's where I would encourage people to do the research about what the test is really telling you. We were under the assumption we would get either a positive or negative result. Not exactly the case. The nurse called to tell me that my tests came back positive. I didn't know it but, a positive result doesn't mean you are having a downs baby. It only means that based on your blood evaluation, your age, and several other factors, I was at a higher risk for having a downs baby. A 1 in 170 chance to be exact. After many tears and an explanation from Dr. Stice we started meeting with a high risk OBGYN, Dr. Robinson. She explained our options as far as further testing but we already knew we weren't going to risk the life of our child no matter what! Somewhere around the 15-20 week mark they do an ultrasound to measure different things on the baby which gives you a better idea if your child could have downs. Portlin measured perfect in all areas. I must admit, a weight was lifted from my shoulders. I always kept the thought in the back of my mind but I just knew God hadn't chosen us for a special needs child. We were cleared from seeing the high risk doctor. Hallelujah! 

On a regular visit we got a surprise from nurse Lindsey! She got us in for an ultrasound to see what we were having. We went straight to the bakery to get cakes that said It's A Boy. We had dinner with Aunt Heather and Uncle Adam and revealed to them, the Parker name will go on! We were so excited. My nesting mood kicked in way early and by February Portlin's nursery was complete! Even with all the craziness through my pregnancy I would have to say it was a pretty pleasant experience overall.

I've been meaning to contact nurse Ruth that took care of Portlin while we were in the hospital. That woman was an angel! We asked her for an email address before we left but she said she was leaving the hospital to take a teaching job with the university and didn't have her new address yet. I've learned a thing or two being married to a background investigator. After a quick search through the nursing staff email list I found her! Here's our conversation.

Ruth,

I am so glad I found your email. You took care of my son (Portlin) while we were at The Medical Center. I wanted to send you a few pictures and give you an update on him. Hope all is well with you and the new career.

The first two pictures are newborn pictures we had taken of him. The last one is a recent photo we took this weekend. He weighs 15 pounds 1.5 oz. 25 1/8 inches long. He is so healthy! He talks and giggles so much. He will be 4 months on October 20^th! He is such an awesome gift from God!

We can look back now and laugh but we had a rough first night at home with him. I remember you telling us how good he was, that he never cried! We watched the sun come up that next morning after leaving the hospital. I thought for sure they had sent the wrong child home with me! I guess the new environment just wasn’t as good as having Mrs. Ruth take care of him! It took a few weeks but we have since adjusted very well! He wakes only once at night to eat and is right back to sleep. He goes to bed at 7:30 and wakes for the day at 5:30-6:00. He is so happy and hardly ever cries. He has already gotten an ear infection, but you would never have known it. Thank goodness I was that first time worry wart mother and took him in for a runny nose!

Anyhow, thanks so much for everything you did for us while we were at the Medical Center. I am sure they were sad to see you go! I know I cried when we got in the car. I wanted to bring you home with us!

Thank you for the update and photos! You made my day and week! I can’t believe how Portlin has grown-he looks so amazing. Absolutely adorable! I’m sure the only reason he was up the first night at home was because he had rested well on the way home and didn’t want to miss anything. 

While I am enjoying my new role here (and still get to see babies in the nursery during clinical time with my students) I still very much miss the opportunity to meet fine folks like you and help care for precious little ones like your Portlin. It thrills me to see him so happy and healthy. He is just as cute as I remembered him!

Take care and give him an extra hug and kiss from me. Enjoy these fun years as they fly by so quickly! And take care of yourself too!

So good to hear from you. God bless you and your sweet family!

Ruth

Of course I cried!  Here is one of the pictures I sent her. Such a big boy!