The eve of your birth...

Brendan.

You came in like a whirlwind 7 years ago. I was just 30 weeks pregnant and began having crampy pain. My doctor assured me all was fine and to drink lots of water and rest.

Come to the hospital if it doesn't stop he told me...

Well indeed it did not stop and to the hospital we rushed. I do not remember much of the drive but I do remember standing in the E.R. behind a woman who was obviously drunk and had no clue where she was. I just stood in pain waiting for them to notice me. I was scared and concerned. They saw me and got us to the triage room.

Here they assured me I was just dehydrated and in need of some fluid because I was contracting every five minutes. Let's get you rehydrated she said and check you to make sure.

You'll be home before you know it the nurse told me...

Well that check shocked everyone because I was 6 cm dilated. A quick ultrasound showed you were head down and ready to come out! We indeed were not going home. They moved us to room and I was told I would be in until you were born and they moved quickly to try and stop my labor. I was given a steroid shot for your lungs and magnesium sulfate to stop the contractions. Daddy was so helpful to hold my throw up bowl (m.s. makes you hot and nauseous) and my bed pan because I was not allowed out of bed. Now that is love:). Once it all calmed down, I was told to get some rest

Call us if you feel dripping or a gush of fluid...

Well I guess you can figure out what happened a few hours later. I woke up and felt a trickle. I ignored it. Then I felt another trickle so I called the nurse. She came in to check if it was amniotic fluid with some cotton swab looking thing and said if it turned black it was indeed amniotic fluid. It turned black quickly and my doctor was notified and we were told that we were having this baby. They checked again and I was 8 cm and my water was broken. I started contracting again and was given an epidural.m the room quickly filled with my doctor, a resident doctor, my nurse, NICU staff, etc... There were a lot of people. My nurse asked if we had any birthing classes and I told her no. She told Jason to count and me to push as he counts. 5 second lesson:)

The baby will be very small and will probably come right out. Be prepared for a baby not breathing and not being able to see him before he goes to the NICU...is what they told us....

Again we were surprised when it took 90 minutes for your skinny little body to come out. You were sunny side up as they called you and since you were so tiny they would not use anything to help guide you out. Once you emerged you were pink and crying. A wonderful surprise for all of us. They quickly moved into action and we were allowed to kiss you and name you, Brendan Paul, before they rushed you out of the room.

You came into this world like a whirlwind, yes, and we are blessed that we have gotten these extra weeks with you. You are still a whirlwind and often tell me you came earlier because it was boring in me, it was dark, and there was nothing to do.

You are busy, active, and loud. You run when anyone else would walk. You are smart. You still love to cuddle. Sports are by far your favorite activity. You love birds and birding. I often joke that you are like an 80 year old man because you like to play Bingo and look for birds. You wake up in the morning and ask to watch ESPN to check out the scores and you will watch any sporting event on television.

Happy 7th Birthday Brendan...We love you so much!!!