Steven and I welcomed our baby boy, Christopher Camille Brooksher on July 1, 2010 at 11:47 AM. Christopher weighed 3 lbs. 5.5 oz. & was 16 in. long. He was born at 33 weeks gestation. The reason I had to deliver early is a rather lengthy story to tell. On June 29th, I had my routine 2 week appointment with my OBGYN. For this appointment, I had to see a different doctor, because my doctor was on maternity leave. Dr. Holden-Parker was the doctor I was to see until Dr. Bourdreaux returned. When Dr. Holden-Parker took my measurments at the routine visit, she discovered I was only measuring 29 weeks. She suggested I have an ultra-sound in 2 weeks to ensure that baby was growing correctly. I was nervous, so she suggested I come to have the ultrasound the next day to relieve my worry. Steven came with me to the ultrasound, thankfully. We were sent to see Dr. Holden-Parker after the ultrasound. She told us that for unknown reasons, the placenta wasn't doing its' job & our sweet angel was measuring in the less than 10th %ile; therefore, I needed to be admitted to the hospital ASAP in order to monitor baby til delivery! Dr. Holden-Parker was anticipating delivery between 2 weeks from that point til due date. Well that evening, Christopher's heart rate decelerated twice; therefore, at 6:30 AM we were told by the doctor on call that we would have to deliver our baby that day, July 1st! Those two days were the beginning of roller coaster ride of emotions that seemed to last forever. However, I had to have a c-section due to my appendicitis in the 4th grade. Steven & my mom came into surgery with me. They were my angels who kept me calm through it all. Steven was the one to tell me if our baby was a boy or a girl! Our Christopher came out screaming at the top of his lungs with a head full of brown hair! He was never placed on oxygen! Which we were ever grateful for! He only spent 4 to 5 hrs in the NICU. Since he was so strong, he was transferred to the Special Care Nursery. The nurses who cared for him for the 16 days he was there were absolutely wonderful! They were also angels who allowed me to sleep at night. It was quite the hurdle to leave our baby each night in the nursery and then to leave our baby at the hospital when I was discharged. However, each day I had to remind myself what a blessing it was that Dr. Holden-Parker caught what was happening to Christopher and the nursery was the best place for him until he was strong enough to be home with us. During the days Christopher spent at the nursery my mom, sister, or Steven would take me to see him twice a day. Once in the morning til lunch & then in the early evening. God answered my prayer to be able to nurse. I've been able to provide Christopher with breast milk and he is sucking a bottle like a champ! As well as nursing and taking a pacifier like one too. At this point I'm allowed to nurse him twice a day. As long as he continues to gain wait I am able to add one feeding to the day a week. We have our first pediatrician appt on Monday. God and our guardian angels were certainly watching over us through this roller coaster. He's taught me a tremendous lesson of trust & how to truly, "Let go & Let God be in control." I've also come to have a greater belief in the guardian angels God places over each of us. I am just so ever grateful that Christopher was delivered safely and is quite a healthy little boy. My mom has been a true angel in helping me balance nursing, pumping, burping, holding, bathing, etc. Christopher and also keeping up our home with cooking, laundry, and running me around town for errands. My sister also has been a huge help in completing the nursery while I was still in the hospital. I will continue to post updates as time permits these busy days! I cannot thank you enough for the dear & supportive words of encouragement and prayer during the past few weeks. Please continue to pray for the progress of Christopher! Much Love & Many Blessings,
Mauree
