When Elaine was first admitted into the hospital on January 4th, we were quite worried about what was to come. We didn't know if something eminent was about to happen with our son about to be delivered or not. So many things were flying at us so, so quickly.
Actually, we had just found out a little more than a week prior to expect a boy as Elaine's 20-week ultrasound had errantly led us to expect a little girl, which, of course, would have been a great delight just the same.
(Note to prospective parents: before you run out and buy pink everything when you are told that you are expecting a little girl, please realize that the 20-week ultrasound is correct only 80% of the time. We didn't run out to purchase pink thingies, but with the timing of life, Christmas happened to be the Tuesday before the follow-up 24-week ultrasound. Surprise, surprise, surprise! Oh, and if you happen to be wishing and hoping for a little boy, you should visit this doctor as he has a knack for bringing 'em home as he has three sons himself!)
So lots and lots of things running around our little brains as we are trying to balance elation, anticipation, fear, anxiety, hope, and, aw shucks, just slip your own favorite five adjectives here.
Since we were told not to pass go and not to collect $200, we went to the triage station on the 5th floor at Memorial Hermann where we happened to meet a wonderful soul in Nurse Melissa. As with many things in life, we can look back and see where the Holy Spirit intervenes and provides answers to questions yet asked. Nurse Melissa was the perfect medicine of comfort, patience and understanding. Even when she stabbed (just kidding, Nurse Melissa!!!), er, gave Elaine a 2 1/2 inch-long needle of steriods to the bum, she was soothing and helpful. (FYI - the steriods shot was to help Jack Henry's lungs to mature earlier than normal, not for him to hit 72 homeruns in a season - but it couldn't hurt!)
On Elaine's second night in the hospital, a very frightening scream was let out by a woman in the next room to ours. We knew right away what had happened as this triggered a flood of memories from the premature loss of our daughter four years prior.
With her mind focused on the desire to bring a child home, never once did Elaine complain during her modified bed rest prior to admission to the hospital, much less during her hospital stay. Through the many, many drugs that lead to tiredness, inability to focus her eyes, acid reflux, muscle soreness, etc, Elaine did whatever was necessary for Jack Henry to proceed along in utero. Odd as the doctors may have felt it to be, Elaine plugged ahead with working after I set up a wireless network in her hotel, um, hospital room. ;) One wonderful nurse after another (Stephanie, Nancy, Christina, Lara, Liz, to name a few) took wonderful care of us by helping us get a mini-fridge in the room, a TV-DVD combo, extra pillows and eggcrate for her mattress.
The days and weeks ahead moved slowly, but steadily. (The wine and beer in the room helped - a lot! Seriously.) Soon enough a month passed and Jack Henry chose to show up on the scene.
While this seems to be a retrospective of the month of January, during Elaine's time in the hospital sitting on the egg, we prayed and hoped that Jack Henry would wait for his debut closer to his original due date of mid-April.
When it became apparent that the time horizon was shrinking for the big day, I spoke with Dr. Cook about how great it would be for Jack Henry to be born on February 29th. Elaine didn't seem to agree with Dr. Cook and myself about the merits. To think, no one would ever forget his birthday, he would always have a built in ice breaker - loads of fun!
Obviously, it wasn't to be - no matter how much I tried to bribe the birth certificate people to make a slight change. Ha! Dr. Cook said that many parents prefer not to be born on a leap day.
This is my question to all of you - would you prefer to be born on a leap day or would you allow your child to be born February 29th? And if so, would you go the route of celebrating the birthday quadrennially or shift the date plus or minus one day?
Actually, we had just found out a little more than a week prior to expect a boy as Elaine's 20-week ultrasound had errantly led us to expect a little girl, which, of course, would have been a great delight just the same.
(Note to prospective parents: before you run out and buy pink everything when you are told that you are expecting a little girl, please realize that the 20-week ultrasound is correct only 80% of the time. We didn't run out to purchase pink thingies, but with the timing of life, Christmas happened to be the Tuesday before the follow-up 24-week ultrasound. Surprise, surprise, surprise! Oh, and if you happen to be wishing and hoping for a little boy, you should visit this doctor as he has a knack for bringing 'em home as he has three sons himself!)
So lots and lots of things running around our little brains as we are trying to balance elation, anticipation, fear, anxiety, hope, and, aw shucks, just slip your own favorite five adjectives here.
Since we were told not to pass go and not to collect $200, we went to the triage station on the 5th floor at Memorial Hermann where we happened to meet a wonderful soul in Nurse Melissa. As with many things in life, we can look back and see where the Holy Spirit intervenes and provides answers to questions yet asked. Nurse Melissa was the perfect medicine of comfort, patience and understanding. Even when she stabbed (just kidding, Nurse Melissa!!!), er, gave Elaine a 2 1/2 inch-long needle of steriods to the bum, she was soothing and helpful. (FYI - the steriods shot was to help Jack Henry's lungs to mature earlier than normal, not for him to hit 72 homeruns in a season - but it couldn't hurt!)
On Elaine's second night in the hospital, a very frightening scream was let out by a woman in the next room to ours. We knew right away what had happened as this triggered a flood of memories from the premature loss of our daughter four years prior.
With her mind focused on the desire to bring a child home, never once did Elaine complain during her modified bed rest prior to admission to the hospital, much less during her hospital stay. Through the many, many drugs that lead to tiredness, inability to focus her eyes, acid reflux, muscle soreness, etc, Elaine did whatever was necessary for Jack Henry to proceed along in utero. Odd as the doctors may have felt it to be, Elaine plugged ahead with working after I set up a wireless network in her hotel, um, hospital room. ;) One wonderful nurse after another (Stephanie, Nancy, Christina, Lara, Liz, to name a few) took wonderful care of us by helping us get a mini-fridge in the room, a TV-DVD combo, extra pillows and eggcrate for her mattress.
The days and weeks ahead moved slowly, but steadily. (The wine and beer in the room helped - a lot! Seriously.) Soon enough a month passed and Jack Henry chose to show up on the scene.
While this seems to be a retrospective of the month of January, during Elaine's time in the hospital sitting on the egg, we prayed and hoped that Jack Henry would wait for his debut closer to his original due date of mid-April.
When it became apparent that the time horizon was shrinking for the big day, I spoke with Dr. Cook about how great it would be for Jack Henry to be born on February 29th. Elaine didn't seem to agree with Dr. Cook and myself about the merits. To think, no one would ever forget his birthday, he would always have a built in ice breaker - loads of fun!
Obviously, it wasn't to be - no matter how much I tried to bribe the birth certificate people to make a slight change. Ha! Dr. Cook said that many parents prefer not to be born on a leap day.
This is my question to all of you - would you prefer to be born on a leap day or would you allow your child to be born February 29th? And if so, would you go the route of celebrating the birthday quadrennially or shift the date plus or minus one day?
![My name is [Jack Henry]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1dstu1VXTqBdlR_UWGcLtUZHnh7crZPd8H1IoQb58HYBgW52UhSR-HkfYwDnf3W-fhg4ejqFj9RlgUzpq2lc2BejQ4qoER8Apgvy3AYmkX0MXnCFxg-hsPvo57MSVP7IbogqboVZ8QU/s240/IMG_5568.JPG)
1 comment:
I enjoy reading the blog and getting the updates. I share them with my 6th & 7th graders in youth group and they are praying for Jack Henry.
On your ques of being born on the 29th - I think it would be a fun bday. Celebrate the day before or after for 3 years and then have a reason for a bigger bday party every 4th year. You don't ever get "old" this way - at 40 you are only 10 years old!
Tina
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