Baby Boy Jenkins
It's 8am and Dawn's in the hospital. Actually, Dawn, Annabella and I are in the hospital. We're here as a family; one of us writing this blog, one watching Little Einsteins, and the other lying in a hospital bed, grimacing in pain.
Dawn didn't sleep well. It seems as if her steroids wore off in the middle of the night and she spent much of her time tossing and turning on the couch. I heard the phone ring around 6am, first in my dreams, then from the living room. It was Dawn's doctor on the phone; her instructions, "head to the hospital, I'll meet you there."
Fast forward to 11am. Dawn's nurse, Jane, just informed us that we're slated for a c-section at 1pm. Holy shit, that's in two hours. It's time for me to get on the phone and start securing some help. It's time to start telling people what's happening. Damned if it ain't the day for the boy to be born.
Send a quick instant message to as many people as I have on my phone. Check. Call Dennis, bribe him to watch Bella while I'm in surgery with Dawn. Check. I may have told him I'd name the boy after him. I'm not sure, I'm very tired.
Tammie, my hero, stops by, grabs Bella, and runs her home for Dennis. I, in the meantime, grab a quick bite to eat in the cafeteria - on the advice of my drugged-up wife and her ever-mindful nurse - and sprint back to try on my new outfit - blue paper scrubs.
Surgery time.
I stood outside the operating room for thirty minutes while they got Dawn prepped. When I finally came in they had started their procedures. My job was simple, sit with Dawn, hold her hand, say encouraging things, and try not to lose it.
Of course I walk in and the first thing that happens is my glasses fog up. It seems I have no idea how to wear the mask they've given me. I'm basically BLIND. John, the anesthesiologist, shows me how to fix my mask. My glasses unfog and I can now sit comfortably watching my wife, her vitals, the doctors, the nurses, and absolutely every second of Dawn's c-section. WHAT! WHAT! WHAT!?
At one point Dawn says, "something smells funny." My response was something like, "it's OK, it's just your burning flesh." Hi, my name's Andrew, I cope with stress via humor.
This is where things start to go sideways for me. You see, up until this point everything could be considered "familiar". Up until this point everything is going as I'd imagined it would. My only frame of reference, mind you, is Annabella's birth at twenty-six weeks. Bare with me while I try to figure this out.
The boy was born breach and was handed immediately to the waiting neonatal team. There really was no noise from the boy when he was passed to the team. I was a bit worried.
I remember talking with Dawn a bit, all the while looking over my shoulder at the neonatal team in the corner. At some point he started to cry, and cry, and cry, and cry, and cry. I looked at Dawn and she was sobbing. I listened to my boy and watched my wife. A wave of emotion hit me and I just hung my head and weeped. With every cry from my son I felt weakened. I felt as if I'd given him everything I could. I felt as if he was crying for all of us.
I feel humbled by him and his cry. He's my son and I love him dearly.
A nurse looked at me, held up a scissors, and waved me over to his bed. "Do you want to cut the umbilical cord?" I didn't even hesitate. (I wouldn't miss it for the world.) I got to see him for the first time, so pink and red, so alive. He was still crying. You go son! I remember his beautiful face. After I'd cut the cord I just stared at him.
It occurred to me while I stood there that the doctor's and nurses weren't really doing anything. They weren't scrambling to get a pic line [sic] in him. The weren't racing through the halls to get him into the NICU. They were chatting with me, telling me how good he looked, how he was "doing great".
And then, something happened that I'll never forget.
They swaddled him up in a couple blankets and handed him to me. They just handed me my son.
Dawn was still on the operating table. She was completely awake and coherent when I walked over to her with her son. I asked, "Would you like to meet your son?", and she started to cry again. I placed him on her chest, six inches from her face and watched the two of them.
I will never forget that moment.
Comments (21)
I saw him. He's cute. I can't wait to be a bad influence on him. And don't worry, you didn't promise to name him after me...yet.
Posted by Dennis | April 17, 2007 9:18 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 21:18
Normal, it was normal, and that was what was so weird to all of us. That baby is perfect, beautiful, and healthy--even if he is little! I loved your story Andrew, thank you for writing it. *kiss*
Posted by tam | April 17, 2007 10:34 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 22:34
OH YEAH!!!! LIFE IN TRUTH...joy to your whole family!! touching words drew;hope all is well.life is a complete circle...umm- how u gonna go golfin now? i luv u all congrats to u two n miss Bela(big sister)!gotta go---tears of joy--- can't see----love from all of us(clan drago)
Posted by lee n steve | April 17, 2007 11:03 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 23:03
What a proud grandma I am and what a wonderful job Dawn and Andrew did.
I can't wait to hold him!
The PA grandma
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Posted by Anonymous | April 18, 2007 3:57 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 03:57
It all sounds like some wicked baby magic to me! Nice work. I can't wait to meet the 'lil bugger.
Posted by randy | April 18, 2007 5:08 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 05:08
Congratulations, Dawn and Drew. He's beautiful and I am thrilled for you that things went as smoothly as they did. Love you! I can't wait to meet him!
Posted by Lannia | April 18, 2007 5:41 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 05:41
Well he is pretty darn cute. I am so happy it all went well. Can't wait to hold him and hug you all. Love you Mom
Posted by GraGra | April 18, 2007 6:48 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 06:48
Thanks for the review of this great event. It is another proud and humbling moment when good genes are passed on and another example of kind souls lands on this earth. Pop is smiling down on you all, and we are so happy for you and Dawn. Annabelle has a new toy rival, and the whole world just got a whole lot better. Love, Dave
Posted by DAVID CROOKS | April 18, 2007 6:52 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 06:52
Hi! Congratulations!!I am Tammie's cousin Kerry from PA and I am sobbing right now. I was reading, laughing and crying all at once. Such a beautiful story! Best of luck to you all! Enjoy those beautiful children!! God Bless....
Posted by Kerry | April 18, 2007 7:23 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 07:23
Congratulations! Good thing the shower is not this weekend! Thanks so much for bringing us to your very special moments. Your willingness to let us all share in this is heartwarming. Thank you for touching my life. This life is an amazing thing! Welcome Jenkins boy! Love to all of you!
Posted by Jackie | April 18, 2007 7:29 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 07:29
Congratulations, Dawn, Drew and Bella! I was just preparing to write a very belated email thanking Drew for introducing us to Bella when you were in The Cities recently. Alexander was very smitten by Bella and wonders when he will see her again. John and I were thrilled to meet her and to see you after so many years when you were still known as Andrew to our family. Now, your family has increased by 25%! That boy looks so beautiful! I hope nearly four years don't pass by before we get to meet him in the flesh. Your writing about this event brought tears of happiness to this old friend of yours. I am eager to hear his name! Again, congratulations to all of you. Hugs and more hugs, Penne
Posted by Penne Simon | April 18, 2007 8:17 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 08:17
Okay, how about Lemmy?
[ed. Sir, if you can't control yourself you'll be asked to leave. Lemmy?! Are you high?]
Posted by Poppa | April 18, 2007 8:54 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 08:54
Woohoo! Congratulations!! We are thrilled that you were able to hold him right after he was born. It's really an amazing and unforgettable feeling. Kurt and Christian told me that they have a few "boy" things to show Bella's brother. We can't wait to meet our new friend.
Posted by Kurt, Christian, Tom & Erika | April 18, 2007 9:09 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 09:09
Ok. Which one of you was responsible for giving him the first name "Baby". Haven't you ever seen Dirty Dancing? Congratulations to you and Dawn and Bella. (She has a widdle brudda). I'm so happy for you guys and I can't wait to meet the new Jenkins.
[ed. Nobody puts Baby in the hospital!]
Posted by Matt Furlong | April 18, 2007 9:12 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 09:12
Dawn, Andrew, and Anabella,
CONGRATULATIONS on Baby Boy Jenkins! He is beautiful and Andrew I love reading your blogs.
You both are very lcuky and blessed.
xoxo,
Kimberley
Posted by Kimberley Haggard | April 18, 2007 9:22 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 09:22
YAY FOR THE LITTLE ONE!! time for yet another chair at the monsterous table. thank you uncle drew for the beautiful details! what a joy! can't wait for him to terrorize the dog with Bella. :) muchco love to all! we can't wait!
cat, mick and sparrow.
Posted by Catrice and Mickey | April 18, 2007 10:04 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 10:04
What wonderful pictures. What wonderful words. As David said, Pop IS smiling down, the world feels brighter, and don't forget to buck up! Love from the north... Cris and Dean
Posted by Cristine Crooks | April 18, 2007 10:13 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 10:13
Dawn, Andrew, and Bella,
CONGRATULATIONS from Pennsylvania!!(Beanie and Marc, Tammy's sister and brother in law....) We are very happy for you guys... way to go.... he is awesome!!
Posted by Jeanmarie and Marc Wililams | April 18, 2007 10:27 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 10:27
congratulations! he looks great.
it was very nice to see you again, and to meet bella. alexander had a wonderful time playing with her, also.
Posted by jessie | April 18, 2007 11:45 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 11:45
Oops, I meant to say, "remember to buckle up" but be sure to buck up too!
cris
Posted by Cristine Crooks | April 19, 2007 5:32 PM
Posted on April 19, 2007 17:32
Hi all....great things come in small packages has been the crooks motto for many years and we have a new package to add to the family. You all take care and see you soon at the next big event! much love and sunshine always
deb
Posted by Deb Young | April 23, 2007 3:43 PM
Posted on April 23, 2007 15:43