We're at the start of our last day as a family of three plus pug. Of course, we've hypothetically been a family of four for quite a while now, but tomorrow we become the real thing. We've fit a lot of family time into this week, and hopefully today we can fit some more. Mackensie is going to think that having a baby really means getting to go to ChuckE Cheese, get ice cream, and hang out all day with mom and dad.
Tonight she will have a sleepover with grandma and grandpa while Tim and I go down to Philly. We know that we can't make it down there by 7:30 tomorrow morning and actually be on time. That looks so pathetic in print - who can't get up and out on a day like tomorrow? Well, if anyone will oversleep or dawdle around to the last minute it will be us. So we've owned up to our shortcomings and gotten a room near the hospital. We'll get there at 7:30 and get hooked up in the labor room, where they will monitor the baby for a bit and counsel me about my spinal. Yuck -- wish I could do without that. Of course, there's no way I want to be put out during the surgery, so a spinal it will be. I guess the epidural wasn't that bad last time; hopefully this won't be much different.
Then it's off to surgery. Once he is born, I will get to see him briefly, and then the little man gets taken right to the NICU for check-in and evaluation. I can't go see him until I can walk, which seems a little silly considering I can't hold him anyway. What damage could I possibly do? I realize that restriction might be for my benefit, but don't they realize that seeing him would speed my recovery? Anyway, while he is getting checked in, Tim and I get some downtime. Then Tim can go see him and I can join later. Our family is going to be there, too, so there should be no shortage of company for either one of us.
Mac is coming around 2, at which point I will hopefully get to see both of my children. How weird is it to say that? I'm not sure how she will feel about this, but we are fully prepared to buy her approval and affection with a really cool doll and doll accessory set. The accessories are actually the same type and brand that I have purchased for the baby. So she gets to take care of her new baby while I get to take care of mine.
So that should be tomorrow in a nutshell. Based on his evaluation, surgery for Oliver should come sometime on Tuesday. Hopefully by Tuesday night I will be able to hold him. Hopefully, he will not need a shunt right away. Of course, if there is one thing that I have learned over the last few weeks, it's that "Everything can change after his back is closed up and we can't tell you anything until he is born." So at least we should finally get some answers!
Please keep us in your prayers, that we are all strong and healthy, and that the answers we finally get are good ones :)
