Kellie had Shea last night at 9:40. She is 3lbs 9oz and 17 1/4 inches long. She was born about six weeks early and Kellie had preeclampsia, so she is very small even for being 6 weeks premature. Kellie has been so sick during the past week and has spent way more time than she would like in the hospital. Some women would have given up and had a c-section days ago, but not Kellie. By the time she was ready for delivery, Kellie could barely lift her head off the pillow, but carried on and delivered her beautiful baby girl. Ryan was fantastic through the whole thing. He stayed by her side, offering blessings and words of comfort when needed and is the proudest papa I've ever seen.
This is Kellie's swollen hand. Her whole body is this swollen - head to toe. Being a mother is an interesting phenomena. It roots take hold of a woman as soon as she knows she is nurturing and growing a child. For most women, this pregnancy phase entirely takes over all of their being. They no longer live for themselves, but for their baby. I believe this feeling continues for eternity. Almost two years ago I saw first-hand what sickness does to a pregnant woman during Kami's pregnancy with Elizabeth. Kami was so sick, I mean life-threateningly sick. Here's the thing that was unbelievable - Kami didn't care about herself or her needs. Only the needs of Elizabeth. Even after she was told that Elizabeth would not survive and that her own health was in grave danger, she still could not think of herself. Her thoughts and worries for Elizabeth were all consuming. After Kami had done everything, I mean EVERYTHING she possibly could have done for Elizabeth, she still wept and apologized to her baby's tiny little body after birth. She would have given all of herself to ensure the health of her daughter. I saw this again over this past week with Kellie. As she became increasingly more sick and uncomfortable, after warnings of stroke, seizure and abruption, she only worried about Shea. She was so sick, but could think only of her daughter's welfare. As soon as they got her stable in the hospital, she wanted to leave, carry on her pregnancy and wait to have the baby when the baby would be better prepared for life. She asked the nurses over and over to let her go home and stay pregnant. She was reminded over and over that she was incredibly sick and continuing on in this pregnancy would have nothing but bad results for herself. The baby was so strong and stable and she just wanted her to have the opportunity to continue on in that way rather than having her born only to struggle for the next several weeks. She wanted her daughter to begin life big and strong and healthy. Even before birth, Shea's mom was willing to sacrifice all of herself. After Shea was born, I once again saw the heartbreak that only a mother can feel when looking at her tiny infant. They placed Shea on Kellie's chest and she too apologized to her daughter. How is it possible that these two women felt that need to apologize after giving all they could for their child? I guess that is something only a mother can truly understand. We would all lay down our lives for our children, but most are not asked to. This is a good thing since if all mothers were asked to give their lives for that of their child, we would have a whole lot of motherless children! I am grateful that the outcome of Kellie's sacrifice is her darling daughter and pray for her success in life. I am equally grateful for Kami's example and for Elizabeth's short life that taught us all so much!
This is Kellie's swollen hand. Her whole body is this swollen - head to toe. Being a mother is an interesting phenomena. It roots take hold of a woman as soon as she knows she is nurturing and growing a child. For most women, this pregnancy phase entirely takes over all of their being. They no longer live for themselves, but for their baby. I believe this feeling continues for eternity. Almost two years ago I saw first-hand what sickness does to a pregnant woman during Kami's pregnancy with Elizabeth. Kami was so sick, I mean life-threateningly sick. Here's the thing that was unbelievable - Kami didn't care about herself or her needs. Only the needs of Elizabeth. Even after she was told that Elizabeth would not survive and that her own health was in grave danger, she still could not think of herself. Her thoughts and worries for Elizabeth were all consuming. After Kami had done everything, I mean EVERYTHING she possibly could have done for Elizabeth, she still wept and apologized to her baby's tiny little body after birth. She would have given all of herself to ensure the health of her daughter. I saw this again over this past week with Kellie. As she became increasingly more sick and uncomfortable, after warnings of stroke, seizure and abruption, she only worried about Shea. She was so sick, but could think only of her daughter's welfare. As soon as they got her stable in the hospital, she wanted to leave, carry on her pregnancy and wait to have the baby when the baby would be better prepared for life. She asked the nurses over and over to let her go home and stay pregnant. She was reminded over and over that she was incredibly sick and continuing on in this pregnancy would have nothing but bad results for herself. The baby was so strong and stable and she just wanted her to have the opportunity to continue on in that way rather than having her born only to struggle for the next several weeks. She wanted her daughter to begin life big and strong and healthy. Even before birth, Shea's mom was willing to sacrifice all of herself. After Shea was born, I once again saw the heartbreak that only a mother can feel when looking at her tiny infant. They placed Shea on Kellie's chest and she too apologized to her daughter. How is it possible that these two women felt that need to apologize after giving all they could for their child? I guess that is something only a mother can truly understand. We would all lay down our lives for our children, but most are not asked to. This is a good thing since if all mothers were asked to give their lives for that of their child, we would have a whole lot of motherless children! I am grateful that the outcome of Kellie's sacrifice is her darling daughter and pray for her success in life. I am equally grateful for Kami's example and for Elizabeth's short life that taught us all so much!
Meet Shea. She is tiny, but has the determination of her mother! Her daddy gave her a wonderful blessing of health and strength and we know she will defy expectations and do wonderfully well. We are aware of the long several weeks she has in front of her, but know she couldn't have been born to a better mother or father. Welcome to the world baby girl!
3 comments:
That was a beautiful post Kristina. Brought years to my eyes. There really is nothing like the love of a mother. Glad she's here and doing well so far. We'll continue to send prayers your way.
That was a very sweet post and I second everything you wrote. I am so thankful for my children, in law children and grandchildren!
Thank you Kristina. You made me BAWL once again : ) I appreciate your kid words and for keeping Elizabeth in your heart. I am sad that Shea had to come early but I am happy she is a fighter and that Kellie can start feeling better. What an AMAZING woman Kellie is.
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