Please, please keep us in your thoughts.

[GEM]

Some of you know that my husband and I were expecting our first baby this summer. Our baby, Paul, has arrived 10 weeks early. He was delivered by emergency c-section on Friday evening because I had developed severe pre-eclampsia and his heart rate was dropping. He is smaller than expected - 1 pound and seven ounces and 12 inches long. The good news is that he is doing extremely well! His lungs and heart are strong and they have already turned his ventilator down several times. He is absolutely beautiful and perfect - just so very tiny. We are still completely overwhelmed right now since this was so sudden and unexpected. On Wednesday everything seemed fine, and by Friday night he was here. It still doesn't seem real. I was too sick to be able to see him for the first 24 hours, which was really hard. I couldn't even focus my eyes or hold my head up. I'm doing really well now, though, and I was discharged from the hospital this morning. We are lucky in that the hospital has a guest house just for parents with babies in the intensive care nursery. It's just across from the hospital and we can stay there for only $6 a night. We have the room reserved for the next month so that we can stay with him as much as possible. They have a kitchen, a library with internet access, and lots more. It will really be a big help to us since the hospital is almost 2 hours from our home! They also set me up with an electric breast pump and I have been pumping for him so that he will have milk when they are able to give it to him. So far that is going reallly well and it makes me feel so good to know that I am able to do something for him. I know that we have a long road ahead of us and there are still lots of chances for set backs and complications to arrise, but for now we feel so blessed that he is doing as well as he is. I guess that's all for now. I just wanted to let everyone know that we would really appreciate any good thoughts, pixie dust, and prayers you could send our way.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says...................................I hope things go well, I think they will. You must really care about us disers, to take the time to give us the details so quickly.

Now it is up to us to return the love.

My company is in chapter 11, and I could lose my job any day. Now it seems very insignificant, a minor problem compared to yours.

You have all my PD that I have saved up, and our prayers as well.
And if the little guy can use an Uncle Ed, I would like to volunteer for the position.

 

[off2disney]

GEM, God bless you and your family and especially your little Paul.
I hope and pray everything goes well. It's wonderful that you have a place to stay that is so close and reasonable--that's the last thing you need to be worrying about righ now. My boy- friend's granddaughter was born a premmie and he said she was so tiny he was afraid to touch her. But she did great. Keep us posted and let us know how he's doing.

....sprinkle...sprinkle..sprinkle...pixie dust coming Paul's way!

 

[mamajoan]

Gem.. lots of prayers for this much loved baby and his new family.

Keep the faith,Gem! Keep the faith!

God Bless,
Joan

 

[Pebblszzz]

My, what a SURPRISE!!! Congratulations to you!

It sounds like little Paul is doing very well, and is in really good hands.

How incredible to know that such a tiny little boy (12 inches!) came into this world so young - but STRONG. Just picturing him gives me a serious case of the warm fuzzies. And what an awesome hospital to have a place for you guys to stay for only $6 a night. What a blessing.

GEM, my prayers are certainly with you and your husband as you go through the coming days.

My husband arrived over 2 months early, and I gotta tell you - he sure is a special guy. Something about those preemies!!!

May you continue to cherish this blessing, and may God continue to bless you and your DH with love, support, and a very healthy and strong baby boy.

Just think: by the time he comes home, you'll be all healed up from your C-Section!!! Not many mommies can say that! Now you rest up and take care of YOURSELF, too - Paul needs a strong and healthy mommy to take care of him when he comes home. Daddy, too, of course - don't let him worry too much!

God bless.

 

[KimRaye]

Oh GEM!!! {{HUGS}} and PRAYERS and *pixie dust*, WHATEVER you want!!! Your sweet baby and, all of you, are in my heart! God Bless You and, keep Paul safe and, growing and, improving each day!

More {{HUGS}} Mommy!! CONGRATULATIONS on your new baby boy! Keep your strength, get your rest and, keep us informed, when you can! MANY HERE will do the praying and good thoughts!

Kim

 

[CourtasanSatine]

PD on the way

 

[tiggerlover]

Prayers for baby Paul, you and your husband. He sounds like a fighter and with the expert care he seems to be getting you will be bringing your little one home in no time at all.

Congratulations on your new baby boy!

 

[kazzie]

Gem,

Congratulations to yourself and Hubbie on the birth of Paul.My middle child DD was born only 4 weeks early so I can only imagine how unprepared you were for the birth 10 weeks early.

Paul sounds as if he is very strong and healthy.Pebblszzz made a great point,you will be healed up from your C-section by the time you all get to go home as a family

 

[wdwnutze]

Congratulations on your little boy! My thoughts and prayers will be with your family and your son. He sounds like a little fighter that has a lot of love in his corner. Take the time to take care of yourself also. Your baby needs 2 healthy parents to help him with his fight.
Lots of PD and {{hugs}} coming your way. Please keep us updated when you can.

 

[holycow]

Gem ((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))) to you and your DFamily!
Congratulations on the arrival of your dear little one...prayers and good thoughts headed your way!

What a wonderful facility the hospital has! that is so great you can stay there and be close to him!

Holycow
lisa

 

[Lars624]

GEM-Congratulations on your new baby boy!! I have already said a prayer for Baby Paul & I will continue to do so. I'm sending {{{hugs}}} for you.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Keeping good thoughts here

 

[JohnTBap]

Mr Baby was a preemie and now he's Hell on wheels!

They are tough little suckers.

I know you feel so helpless - I did as well. Try to radiate positive energy when you visit - he needs it.

God bless you.

 

[Mermaid02]

I'll be praying that Baby Paul continues to thrive! Keep us updated whenever you can!

 

[dianeschlicht]

(HUGS) prayers and congratulations to you! It sound like he is very strong for a premie! Hope everything goes well for all of you. Keep us posted on his progress.

 

[cgcw]

Prayers being sent for all of you, especially baby Paul.

Be careful yourself with the pre-eclampsia. I went through this with my oldest and it took a while for me to work through it even after he was born. I still had problems with my blood not clotting and major swelling. Make sure you get enough rest. As sick as I was, I knew it was best that DS was still in the hospital when I came home because I couldn't have taken care of him -- I could barely take care of myself.

I also couldn't see my DS until he was about 30 hours old. I know, it's tough. DH had to be my eyes and ears which was hard for both of us. But DH & DS have a bond which is very strong. When DH would go to the PICU and talk to DS, he would turn his head towards DH every single time. It was very special.

I wish you all the best.

 

[Serena]

Congratulations on baby Paul. Sending thoughts and prayers for you all. It sounds like he was in a hurry to conquor this world.

 

[JasonLyons]

just prayed for him and you, its all going to be good

 

[becka]

Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful special little boy.

I am sending prayers that Paul continues to get stronger and that you and DH keep strong for him.

BTW are you at Arkansas Children's Hospital? My aunt is a nurse there and I can promise you that you are in the best place. They will take great care of little Paul.