Our dear baby boy, Jude, came into this world in a way that can be only described as a miracle!! He has had a rough start but is fighting for his next day. February 16, 2008 the day the Lord had chosen especially for our little boy. The day started with contractions 4 minutes apart from about 6:30 am. Chad and I started to the hospital around 1pm. Taking our time not knowing if this was the real deal or not. We walked into the hospital and they got us in an observation room. Hooked up to monitors they decided to an exam. What did they find? I was dilated to about a 4 and something that felt like a hand or a foot slipping through. They wanted to make sure so they did an ultrasound and there it was on the screen one lonely foot! So, the obvious decision came......a cesarean section. Chad was kind of sad. He wanted to see his third born son come into this world like our other two beautiful boys. I was hopeful and felt at peace. The nurse left to go call our Doctor and to schedule the c-section. She came back in shortly after and noticed the monitoring screen was flashing but no alarms were sounding. Something was happening. I started to feel a weird feeling and she ran out and called for the Doctor. Chad and I still not knowing what was happening. The Doctor came in and said the baby was coming fast and we needed to do an emergency c-section. Chad following behind with our stuff.......the last time we saw each other until after our baby was born. I was suddenly in an operation room praying out loud, knowing that no one could even hear me as everyone was yelling and there was so much confusion. Big lights on the ceiling like the ones in movies is all I could see. Next thing I know the people aren't yelling at each other they were now yelling at me. "Push, Push......come on"! A different person holding on to every part of my body while I lay half way on the operating table. Still.........no Chad. My earthly rock, my best friend, my husband standing alone in a hallway with Doctors and Nurses passing him in flocks. Patting him on his shoulder giving him no hope, no news.....nothing except from the screaming from the room is all he heard. He finally told one nurse who passed him "If you go in there and don't come out in less than 5 minutes to tell me what is going on, I am busting through those doors." She came back a few minutes later and told him that baby Jude was delivered feet first. He couldn't understand.......I was just going in for a c-section. She told him that the baby didn't have a heartbeat and wasn't breathing on his own. And now Chad was no longer breathing! Confused and alone he wanted to make sure I was ok. I was fine besides the fact the my baby boy had been stuck and I couldn't muster up enough energy to get him out. Still praying out loud the Lord gave me the strength and peace! Chad was finally able to come in and see us. He kissed baby Jude and came over to check on me. They held baby up so I could see him for a few seconds and for a moment it seemed like the 16 or 17 doctors and nurses were no longer in the room. Just Chad, me and our beautiful baby boy just starting the fight of his life. They swept our precious baby away and took him the RNICU. They were able to resuscitate Jude and his heartbeat picked up on his own. He was on a ventilator for about 5 hours and then started bucking the vent (breathing above it). They were able to take him off and were able to run more tests on him. Chad was able to go see him and stood in awe of our little fighter! They still wouldn't let me come see him because he had so many wires and so many things attached to him. They noticed that he looked a little different and had discussed with Chad the fact that Jude may have some sort of syndrome (like downs). They are running tests on him now but he is doing so awesome. Every day he gets stronger and is doing better. There are so many things that are affected by his very rocky start, too many to list but our miracle baby is alive and is as handsome as ever. That is all that matters! He nothing but a little angel struggling to make it every day! It is so hard to leave your baby at a hospital, even when you know he is getting the best care. And at the same time coming home to see my other two little guys is the greatest feeling. However, Noah is a little confused why his little brother isn't at home and why he can't see him at the hospital. He wants to hold him so bad and he saves the best of everything (even lifesavers) for baby Jude. He kisses and hugs the camera of pictures of baby Jude. He is a sweety!! Levi of course has no idea what is going on and just keeps thinking of when his next meal is (If you know Levi you understand what I am saying). Chad and I both are happy to be home but feel as if a piece of our family is missing. Our home will not feel like home and our family will not feel complete until the day we get to bring our third son home. If I can just say one more thing..............My husband is the greatest, strongest, most loving man in this world. He has completely taken over. Asking the doctors every question he can think of and explaining everything to me. He is helping me in every way to understand and to be encouraging to me. Holding me up when I feel as if I am falling apart, all the while feeling the some of the same things I am.
We know that God has perfect timing in everything and has a perfect plan for Jude and for our family, no matter what the outcome, He has graced us with his love and mercy and He is sufficient in all ways according to His purpose and His will. Let us remember that always!!
