A little story about the day you were born....
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| Camil and Us |
I spent many weeks in a hospital bed eagerly anticipating your arrival. Daddy would work all day, go home and take care of your brother's and sister, take care of the house, and then come to the hospital to snuggle us as we lay in bed. He'd put his arms around my tummy and feel you move around. We'd talk to you, and talk to God, and pray that you would be safe inside me as long as possible. Friends and family would do their best to come and visit during those long weeks. Every day felt longer...and longer....and longer.....that is, until the day that I was told you weren't thriving inside my womb anymore. When those words escaped the doctors mouths I felt overwhelming emotions that no words can describe accurately. I was told to make phone calls and inform those we loved to come quickly....it was time.
The phone felt very heavy in my hand and my fingers felt stiff as I dialed each phone number. My voice caught in my throat as I told Daddy to come quickly. We didn't have very much time to prepare. Daddy made his own phone calls and shared the mix of emotions with me. Soon after phone calls were made, Daddy, Camil, Gran, Popo, and Grandma and Gran-Dad Fisher arrived to meet you.
Daddy laid in my bed with us and we felt so scared. I know we all did. We all prayed silently I'm sure. Camil braided my hair, told jokes and did her best to keep the mood light. Gran and Popo playfully bantered back and forth about how much you would weigh. We quickly realized nobody had batteries to take pictures or video record your birth, so Daddy literally ran to a store near by to purchase batteries.
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| After running to Walgreens |
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| Waiting for you to come into this world |
When he got back, the medical staff came in to put Daddy in scrubs so he would be clean in the operating room. They brought in the wheelchair to escort me and put a net over my hair. As we strolled down the hallway, I did everything I could to keep my composure. I needed to be strong for everyone. Things went as well as they could in the O.R. The doctors moved so swiftly with great skill to carefully bring you into this world. Daddy stroked my face and whispered that he loved me and everything would be ok. Everybody else waited outside to meet you. We waited for what felt like and eternity to hear you cry. Time slowed down...and then we heard a teeny tiny little cry. The NICU team was already prepared to help you breath...and they did just that. I saw you for a brief moment and then they whisked you away with Daddy at your side. Off to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit you went.
I laid there on that O.R. table crying and praying you would make it. Finally, I was taken to recovery. After I stabilized, they let Daddy, Camil, and Gran and Popo in to see me. Everyone comforted me and told me how beautiful you were. I was informed that you weighed 920 grams and measured 14 inches long. Daddy and Camil recorded you in the NICU so I could at least see what you looked like.
The rest of the afternoon the NICU team worked on keeping you stable and alive. I was told to rest and wait to go see you, but that wasn't going to happen. The staff wheeled my entire bed into the NICU so I could meet you, and touch you. Boy Kaden, I will never forget what that felt like.
That night, after resting a bit....I laid there quietly. I made phone calls to our dear friend Shannon, and other family and friends. I was so conflicted, empty womb, no baby to hold, while the woman next to me nursed her newborn. I decided to get out of bed and head for the NICU. I wasn't going to let anyone hold me back and Daddy agreed. He helped me downstairs in a wheelchair to see you. You were so tiny Kaden. but there was something about you that screamed "I am strong Mommy and Daddy! My spirit is large and in charge! I will make it!".
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| My first time holding you- 7 days old |
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| Daddy's first time holding you- 8 days old |
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| You graduated to the downstairs NICU. This is taken the day before you got to come home. |
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| Gran holding you in the NICU |
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| Evan, Kylee, and Brandon adoring you. |
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| 5 months old and still trucking. |
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| Before you got so sick |
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| Gran-Dad and Grandma Fisher |
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| Your first birthday |
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| Your second birthday |
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| Special Rebecca |
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| Special Shannon |
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| Special Chris |
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| Your 3rd birthday-Popo and Mommy |
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| Your 4th birthday |
And you were right. With the protection of God, the salvation of Jesus Christ, the love of your family, special friends, the love of your siblings, Kylee, Evan, and Brandon, and your own abundance of will power, you've made it through everything. Your entire journey has been beyond hard. There have been so many surgeries, challenges, hospice, and hope, but you keep chugging along. Never give up son. We sure won't.
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| Today-Your 5th birthday! |
Happy Birthday big boy! We love you so much and cherish every moment we have with you.
"Where it was dark now there's light. Where there was pain now there's joy. Where there was weakness, I found my strength all in the eyes of a boy. Let the rain come down and wash away my tears, let it fill my soul and drown my fears, let it shatter the walls for a new son... a new day has come. "
