Submitted Entry: Grandma O.

Early morning May 1, 2008

Finally have a moment to put down my thoughts and experience (from my perspective) on the birth of my dear sweet grandchild (first one I might add),ELIAS. I got to Kat & Michael’s early afternoon on Wednesday April 30 in anticipation of the “planned” C-Section birth of the baby. It was a good, calm afternoon and a pleasant evening and we all went to bed fairly early to get a good nights rest. Michael said he would wake me around 5:00 AM. I had fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Next thing I knew Michael was shaking me awake telling me it was time to go to the hospital. My first thought was “man, 5:00 got here fast”. Then I glanced at the clock and saw it was only 12:45 AM. Needless to say we all went into quick step to get Kat to the hospital as soon as possible. There is a lighter side to this story, but I’ll touch on that later.

Love at first Sight (Around 5:00 AM Thursday May 1)

Little Elias Allen, the most beautiful and precious gift. In my eyes there was this tiny perfect little boy showing his mommy and daddy and all the world his strength and will to “fight the good fight” and survive all that’s ahead. Every little movement was that assurance to me. I cannot describe the feeling and overwhelming love that filled my heart the first time I laid eyes on Elias. My strong faith and beliefs told me that he was surrounded by Angels from above and would be well looked after. His name, I found later to mean “the Lord is my God”. How can he not be cared for and protected with such a spiritual name such as this.

The “Kodak” Moment – May 2, 2008

Mommy Kat was dealing with her own struggle to recuperate after the emergency C-Section. She had lost a lot of blood so her strength was not as it usually is. Her only thoughts were to be ok enough to see her newborn son before his surgeries to connect the esophagus and colonastaphy. It was around 10:30 in the morning, only his second day of life in this world. Elias was so serene having already been prepped for surgery. Daddy was at the end of his crib in the NICU, mommy off to the side. I was standing back to give them both that precious time. Kat was concentrating on the numbers, all his vital signs – heart rate, blood pressure. Elias started getting twitchy like he might be in some discomfort and let out this tiniest of cries (like a newborn kitten). Mommy reacted with calm but care and got Nurse Cindy to check on him. Turns out he needed suction for saliva that had built up. So much so he was blowing bubbles, which was kind of cute. Daddy was talking to Elias in a soothing tone to let him know everything was going to be ok and that Mommy and Daddy loved him so very much. Nurse Cindy also gave him a burst of oxygen and his coloring improved. At that point Michael moved Kat’s wheelchair as close to the crib as possible and that was when it happened……….. Mommy reached out to her son Elias and stroked every inch that she could reach. I was so moved tears came quick, running down my cheeks because this was the most “magical” bonding moment between mother and child I think I’ve ever seen. I caught a glimpse of Michael out of the corner of my eye and tears of love and joy were welling in his eyes as well. I don’t think I will ever ever forget that moment. I love you Michael and Katharine and baby Elias. Thank you for allowing me to share all of this with you. You are always in my heart, my thoughts and prayers. I believe in the power of our Lord Savior and he has and will continue to bless this entire extended family now and always. God Bless,

GRANDMA O.

The Lighter Side

I promised in the beginning I would elaborate on the “lighter side” the morning we took Katharine to the hospital. With Kat’s water breaking so unexpectedly, needless to say all prepared plans were off. It was a very frustrating, fearful and panicky time for Michael and Kat but ultimately Katharine got to the Delivery, literally in the nick of time.
Now, anyone who knows Michael also knows he is a planner and checklist type of person including contingency options for anything that could go awry. Well, apparently the GOOD LORD and ELIAS had other ideas. In retrospect and definitely after the fact, I relayed my later thoughts about the situation. Michael, in spite of his organizational skills, became that morning the typical “TV/Movie” Dad. Everything he had prepared the night before may as well have been a million miles away. Doctors number, hospital number, Kat’s packed bag and camera by the door. Everything totally wiped from his memory. Relaying this later, brought a lot of much needed laughter from the three of us and it is a story that can be relayed to Elias and others through the years, again as the “funny, light side” of the wonderful life God has given us!!!!