Carter Atkin
May 2, 2010
5lbs. 4oz. 19 1/4 inches
As most of you know this pregnancy was not very easy and the delivery was the icing on the cake. While I had all the best intentions of staying on bed-rest all weekend, by Sunday May 2nd Carter Atkin was born at our new hospital in Merced 7 hours after it opened. At around noon Sunday, Spencer rushed me to the Emergency room because I was having trouble breathing. From there I was sent straight to the OR for delivery. It was such an emergency that poor Spencer had to wait in the waiting room. While on the table I experienced heart failure and nearly coded. Baby Carter was born blue with a score of 3. Luckily he progressed soon thereafter to a score of 8. I didn't do so well and was placed on a ventilator. Carter went to the NICU and I was shipped off to the ICU. I was on the ventilator for two days and in the ICU for four days. Carter did great in the NICU. He only needed oxygen for a small amount of time. While he didn't gain much weight he worked hard and got his sucking and swallowing down pretty fast. I was finally transferred to the L&D Floor on the 4th day. I was so happy to be near Carter. I was able to come home on day six (Friday). Spencer, Aubrey and Deuce were so excited. Spencer and I went back and forth to the NICU every three hours all weekend. On Monday we brought our bundle of joy home and have just been so happy to have our whole family together. This last week has been very hard but we made it through and are so grateful for all the thoughts and prayers that have been coming our way. I have a bit of a long road ahead of me. All the swelling that I had during the pregnancy was from the pre-elampsia and they think I may have even had pneumonia. With all the water that I was retaining (I have already lost 44lbs.) my heart could not pump properly and so my heart has enlarged and I was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy. With cardio rehab and a diet change I hope to be back to normal in a year or so. For now, I'm feeling great and enjoying my two little children.
Daddy and Carter in the NICU
Me in the ICU
The first time I met Carter.
They brought him up to the ICU to meet me-it was very special.
When I was transferred to the L&D floor I was able to see Aubrey.
1st Family Picture
Aubrey loves her little brother.
1st Bath
We can't wait for all the fun times we have ahead of us. I have been given a second chance at life and I'm so grateful. I'm so thankful for all the wonderful doctors and nurses. I'm also so thankful for all my family and friends. They have just been so wonderful and we could never have done it without our wonderful support team. All our prayers and thoughts have been answered and for that I'm grateful.
