And Now For The Details

What a whirlwind day! It started with us planning to meet the social worker in the lobby of the hospital so we could go up and see Lauren. The social worker was coming from another hospital and asked us to wait in the south lobby until she arrived . We waited and waited but she didn't come. At the same moment Todd was texting her to see if we were in the wrong place, he got a call from her saying that we needed to get to Lauren's room as quickly as possible and gave us the room number. We had no idea what was going on but we went flying through the halls of a hospital not knowing how to get to where we needed to go. We finally found the right elevators but they weren't coming down fast enough. We started asking people for directions to the stairs but about that time the elevator arrived. While getting on the elevator someone from the adoption agency called my phone and said they needed us in Lauren's room asap because they were getting ready to break her water and wanted us there. Phew, we thought something was wrong! We told her we were already on our way. We found the floor and were asking more people how to get to the unit and room we needed. Breathless we arrived at Lauren's room. They asked Todd to stay out in the hall and I went in. Her dad, sister, and grandma were there. There was someone standing next to Lauren giving her the risks of a c-section. What is going on?! About that time another medical person came and handed me a jumpsuit, booties, and mask and asked me to get them on as quickly as possible. Lauren looked over at me and said, "are you ready?" Yes! It was great seeing Lauren again but we barely had time to say hello. Apparently Lauren had an epidural and the baby's heart rate was dropping and it was a certain deceleration that warranted a c-section. It was all happening so fast! They rushed us down the hall to the OR and asked if I had my camera. I had given it to Todd and they told me to hurry and get it. There I go again, running through the hospital halls having no idea where I was going. I couldn't find the waiting room and didn't want to risk missing the c-section for the sake of looking for my camera. However, I saw Lauren's sister in the hall and she found Todd and brought me the camera as I was waiting outside the OR to go in. They got Lauren situated and then let me come in. I sat right near her head and we finally had a chance to say hello. It felt like we picked up right where we left off in September. She thanked me for being there with her and I thanked her for letting me :) She started to get very anxious as they started the c-section and I was able to pray with her...such an amazing moment. Lauren asked his name. She loved Camden James and said that James is a family name for both sides of her family and also her favorite book of the bible. The name's even more special to us now :)

The c-section went well. Lauren and I couldn't see anything over the blue curtain but both cried tears of joy when we heard his first little cry. Camden got a little laceration on his temple during the c-section but it was superficial and is already scabbing over. We did have a little scare with him after the c-section. He cried that one time but then wasn't crying, wasn't moving, and was pale. They were giving him oxygen and we were both watching and holding our breath too, I think. He finally let out some fighting mad cries. We both relaxed a little at that point. After that, he did great. I got to hold him for the first time in the OR. He felt amazing in my arms :) That moment was so surreal. I couldn't believe he was finally here! We were transferred back to the recovery room and Lauren's family came in to see him before heading home. Todd finally got to come to the door and meet Camden but didn't stay long because Lauren was not comfortable with having him in the room yet. Lauren wanted to nap and there wasn't a room available for us yet so I sat and just rocked Camden while she slept. It was dark and quiet and I just sat, holding our new son, and reflected on just how much God has blessed us through this process.

Once Lauren was more awake and feeling better, Todd and I spent the rest of the day in her room with her family. Her mom came for a visit and we had a nice time getting to know her a bit. Camden was circumcised this afternoon and spent the rest of the day sleeping, only letting us see his eyes a few times. Lauren held Camden for the first time this evening. It was emotional but she seems very peaceful about her decision. She's been amazing through it all. The hardest part of the day was not having Hayden at the hospital with us. We knew he was in good hands with my parents but were excited to introduce him (and them too!) to his baby brother. Because we didn't have our own room at that point, weren't allowed to take the baby to any other areas, and Lauren wasn't up for visitors she didn't know, they didn't come up. We finally got our own room about 9pm. Lauren held Camden to say goodnight and then the three of us finally got to spend some time alone together. Camden is beautiful, content, has lots of hair, and loves sucking on his hands.

I know this post has been all over the place...I'm trying to get it all down but am tired and not really focused on my typing. I'm focused on the cuddly, 7 pound 12 oz, 20 inch, swaddled bundle of joy sleeping so peacefully right next to me :)

Happy Birthday, Camden!

Gotta be quick here, waiting outside the room while they take care of Lauren. I'll send more details later when we get into our own room. For now, just enjoy the cuteness of Camden! We are overwhelmed with blessings...

Is Today The Day?

Will today be Camden's birthday? We'll see! Lauren is only dilated to 1 cm! At this point, they plan to break her water and start Pitocin sometime this morning. Todd and I are meeting the social worker at he hospital at 10:15 (we're an hour behind CT here) to go up and see Lauren and her family. Then we'll be camping out in the hospital waiting room while labor progresses. Lauren says she still wants me in the delivery room so we're staying close by rather than waiting at our hotel or somewhere else. There were some fluctuations with the baby's heart rate over night so they are keeping a close eye on that and will do a C-section if he's not tolerating the induction. Please pray that he's safe and healthy. Not sure if I'll be able to post from the hospital, but we'll do our best to keep updating. Keep those prayers comin'! Thanks!

In Kansas!

We're in Kansas! And, the hospital is right across the street. We're getting closer! After 2 flights and a 2 hour drive, we arrived last night and were exhausted. We pretty much dropped our suitcases on the floor of our room and went to bed. We're going to head out and see a bit of Wichita today and maybe take Hayden to a park. It's supposed to be in the 60's here. My parents are on their way and will be here tonight. Lauren is to check in to the hospital today but most likely won't need us up there until tomorrow. We're keeping our phones close in case she goes into full labor today, but we're being told that it will most likely be tomorrow, not today. Thanks for all the prayers and support. I might not be able to respond to everyone individually while we're here, but just know that we are so blessed by all the love :)

We Have A Name!

First, I have to give my husband major props here. He's the best! I was very passionate about a certain name but he wasn't on board (or he acted like he wasn't!). The other night we were watching a UL basketball game and I slipped the name into the conversation and he didn't even notice, just acted as if that was the name of our new little one. Once I pointed out that he hadn't noticed that I just used the name, he laughed and said it was because he was paying attention to the game. He still said "no" to my name. Well, this morning I walked upstairs and the nursery door was shut. I opened the door and this is what I saw...


















Off to hang some letters....

One additional little update - The agency called today and said that Lauren wanted us to know her plan for the day of delivery. She would like to see the baby when she has him but wants me to be the first to hold him. They said she's nervous about it being uncomfortable at the time of birth and wanted to make sure everyone is aware of her plan so that it's not so uncomfortable in the delivery room. She plans to hold the baby at some point but wants us to have all the "firsts". She is just so thoughtful and strong.

Getting Closer

10 more days, but who's counting :) Lauren had her 40 week visit today (tomorrow's her due date!)...still not dilated. The plan remains for her to check into the hospital next Thursday and be induced on Friday unless she goes into labor on her own before then. So, we'll be in Kansas no later than next Wednesday, a week from tomorrow! We're still living life as usual around here as we wait. Well, other than the fact that we have piles of "stuff for Kansas" laying around, an empty refrigerator, and are trying to get by with the clothes we didn't pack. I think all of our bags are getting dusty they've been sitting packed for so long. We're excited as each day brings us a day closer to meeting baby boy. Even typing this makes my heart beat a little faster :)

Oh, and baby boy still remains nameless for now. That's a whole other story....I'm set on his name. Todd, not so much. Time will tell.

17 Days

We should have a baby in our arms in 17 days or less! Lauren had an appointment today. No progress yet. She is set to check in at the hopspital on February 2nd for an induction on February 3rd unless she goes into labor on her own before then. So, we're still hanging tight here in Connecticut for now for more waiting :)