He's HERE!!!!!!

Charles Thomas Gipson

Born March 27, 2013

at

5:15 a.m.

7 lbs    20 inches long

The name:  Charles is Andrew's dad's name. Charles means "manly/strong". Thomas is my dad's middle name. Thomas means "twin". Charlie was originally a twin.

Our little miracle entered the world at 5:15 a.m. via c-section on Wednesday, March 27. He was 7 lbs and 20 inches long. He is such a blessing.

Here's the story before he arrived:

I went in for a routine check-up on Tuesday, March 26th.  I was still dilated at a 2 and the doctor said he needed to check something on the ultrasound machine. He thought he might have turned.

Well, sure enough, he was breech...although I think he had been that way for quite sometime. Doctor scheduled a c-section for April 2nd.

I went home in tears. I really wanted to experience child birth. I felt prepared from the classes, etc... and was terrified of being cut open.

Well, little man had other plans. My water started to break around 1:00 Wednesday morning. I went to the bathroom and realized it felt like I kept peeing after I had finished.  I calmly got dressed and put the last minute items in my hospital bag. I then woke Andrew up. He was half out of it and it took him a second to realize we needed to get to the hospital. (I had been telling Andrew I thought he was going to be born on this date...crazy!)

Just waiting to get my spinal. 

When we got there my water fully broke (weirdest sensation I think I've ever felt). The nurse said I would go in for my spinal at 4:30 and they would start the c-section at 5:00.  Ready or not...he was going to arrive! All my sadness/nervousness from having to have a c-section disappeared and I had this deep sense of peace that this was the right thing to do.

Once I got the spinal everything happened so fast. My legs went completely numb. It was truly strange feeling. They put this blue sheet up so I couldn't see anything. (Thank goodness).  I didn't care much for the sheet because it was so close to my face. Once they started cutting, Andrew got to come in the room. He was so calm and really helped me. The nurse anesthetist was awesome and very comforting too. Before I knew it, they were pulling him out. It wasn't painful but there was a ton of pressure and it almost felt like I was being lifted off the table, even though I know I wasn't. He was really stuck in there.  Andrew got to watch him being pulled out. Andrew could see what was happening the entire time because he could see a reflection off a piece of glass. I couldn't see what was going on, but heard this awesome cry! Wow, he just took his first breath! What an awesome sound and a relief. Andrew's first words were, "He looks just like you and he has your hair". They got Charlie cleaned off and wrapped up and Andrew got to bring him to me. Oh my was he beautiful. I started crying immediately. Although I didn't get to hold him, I got to kiss him on the cheek. He was beyond perfect.
My hormones kicked in and I started shaking uncontrollably and threw up a little bit. The nurse assured me this was normal. Once they finished stitching me up, I went to the recovery room. Daddy got to go go the nursery and watch him get his first bath, etc... Luckily he took video of it so I could watch later.

My two handsome guys!

Overwhelmed with JOY!

Kisses from Mommy!

About an hour later, they brought Charlie to me because he had low blood sugar. (I wasn't supposed to see him for another hour.) I nursed him and it happened so naturally which I was thrilled about.  Then they took him away again.

My mom and dad and Andrew's parents had just arrived and got to see him through the nursery while they did more testing on him.

My legs did not return back to normal for quite some time.  I couldn't move my legs until 6:00 p.m. It was really starting to freak me out. The nurse said it was probably because I was so tiny that it was taking a while for the medicine to wear off.

We stayed in the hospital until Friday. Normally c-section patients stay 3 full days or more but Andrew and I were both ready to get out of there. We had lots of awesome visitors.

I cried the entire way home with him. I just kept looking at this beautiful miracle God had blessed us with.

The first night at home was a bit scary. I hardly slept because I kept checking to make sure he was breathing, etc...

Sleep has been interesting. He's still not quite on a routine yet, but I think we figured out how feedings work best, etc...

I can't even begin to describe the joy that I am feeling. Almost 4 years of heartache, tears, procedures, etc... and our miracle is finally here. He was so worth the wait and I now know to trust God more. He definitely knows what he is doing and HIS plan is way better than my plan.

Charlie before his 1 week Doctor's check-up

Those of you waiting for your miracle:  Miracles do happen. Don't ever give up. Keep fighting for your miracle but trust in God too. He knows our story and how things are supposed to work. I hope my story can be used as a way to give you hope and trust. Charlie was definitely worth the wait!