I'm an AUNT!!!

Unless you've been living under a rock (or you're not on Facebook) then you probably know that I am finally and officially AUNT SISSY!  My sweet, adorable, teeny tiny nephew Wyatt was born just over a week ago and I could not be any more proud of my little peanut!

Wyatt made his grand entrance into this world on July 19th at 12:15 a.m.  Apparently he was so excited to meet his Aunt Sissy that he couldn't wait any longer and decided to come a whole six weeks early!  He was (and still is) very tiny, weighing just 5 pounds 2 ounces and was 18.5 inches long.  Despite being over a month early he was very healthy and only spent 9 days in the NICU before going home!  More on that later.

My poor sister has had quite the roller coaster ride with her first pregnancy and even jokes that it will be her first and ONLY.  I keep telling her she'll change her mind soon enough and that she'll forget all the struggles leading up to his birth.  She was sick as a dog from day one and continued to be sick all the way up until he was born.  On top of that, she also was diagnosed with pre eclampsia and struggled with extremely high blood pressure all the way up until Wyatt was taken by c-section.  She continues to have issues with it even now, almost two weeks post delivery.  Poor Mama!  Kelly's high BP is ultimately what lead the doctors to take Wyatt early, for fear that it could lead to a stroke, seizures and all kinds of other horrible things.  Kelly had been in and out of the hospital several times due to her BP spiking dangerously high and it just didn't seem to be getting any better. 

On Friday 7/18 the decision was made to take Wyatt and I also made a big decision.  After much prayer and an e-mail consult with my liver team, I made a bold but confident decision to "break my leash" and travel home for Wyatt's birth.  Though many advised against it and I had very few "supporters" of my decision, I knew it was the right thing to do.  My decision was confirmed when my doctors gave me their blessings, saying that I was number 13 on the list and that I should be "safe" to leave the state of Tennessee for a few days.  They told me that if by random chance an offer for a liver should come up during my absence, I would just be skipped and I would never even receive a call.  Even though my mind had been made up for months prior to this, getting that affirmation and support from my doctors gave me the extra boost of confidence I needed to take off to Florida and never look back.  For nearly six months my life has been nothing but a waiting game.  I've essentially wasted half a year just sitting around WAITING.  Life is just too short and the future too uncertain to live like that forever.  My emotional state had become very fragile as I felt life moving on without me and although many didn't understand, I knew that I NEEDED to get out of Tennessee and do this for myself.  Besides, I will only be a first time Aunt once and I would never let myself live it down if I missed out on this monumental occasion only to still be left WAITING.  So, I broke the leash....flew the coop....took off and never looked back!!

Because of the very last minute decision to take Wyatt on Friday night, I wasn't actually there for his arrival but of course I stayed up, anxiously awaiting news of his birth.  I could hardly contain myself as I bounced back and forth between my phone and Facebook, waiting on pins and needles for the first glimpse of my brand new little nephew.  Shortly after midnight I received a text telling me he was here and that he was healthy!  Not long after that I was sent this sweet picture which brought tears of joy to my eyes......

By this time I was completely wound up and knew there was no way I could sleep!  I contemplated leaving right then and driving through the night but the rain and bad weather quickly changed my mind.  I tried sleeping but like a kid on Christmas Eve, I was unable to stop thinking about the prize that awaited me the next morning.  After tossing and turning for a while I decided to get up and paint my nails blue---something I had never done before.  It seemed to pass the time and eventually I was tired enough to fall asleep.  I think I slept a total of 4 hours before my alarm went off bright and early Saturday morning.  I jumped up, got myself ready, kissed Matthew goodbye and set off on my first trip home in SEVEN MONTHS!  I was freeeeee!!  =)

Blue fingers and toes just for baby Wyatt

I drove as fast as I (safely) could but hit some pretty awful traffic around Birmingham and Dothan so it was almost dinner time when I finally arrived.  I went up to Kelly's room to say hello and see how she was doing.  She was still feeling awful and her BP continued to be so high that she was doped up on a ton of medication that basically made her just sleep all the time.  I'm not even sure if she remembers me being there that night.

I knew before I ever made the trip that there was a good chance I wouldn't even get to see Wyatt at all.  The NICU rules are very strict and rightfully so.  They only allow four people to be on the list other than the baby's parents and those four people cannot be changed or rotated out.  Of course, those four spots belonged to my parents and Michael's parents and I was 100% ok with that.  I was coming for my sister and just to be a part of the whole experience.  Seeing Wyatt would just be icing on the cake but even if I never got to lay eyes on him it would still be worth it to me just to BE THERE.

Somehow, someway and by the sheer grace of the Lord an exception was made by the nurses in the NICU and I was added to the list.  Actually, as it turns out one of the nurses reads my blog regularly and already knew of my "story" when Michael began pleading my case to her prior to my arrival.  Considering the circumstances surrounding my trip and the fact that she knew my situation, she allowed me to be added to the list.  I don't know her and I never got the chance to meet her, but it reminded me of how grateful I am for the fact that there are perfect strangers out there reading about my life.  I cannot sing the praises of those NICU nurses enough for giving me such a special gift.  I never expected to be able to see my nephew, much less hold him.  But as you will see, I did all of this and more and I am forever grateful for their generosity.

As soon as I got the official all clear, I dashed up to the NICU to meet baby Wyatt and found him enjoying his dinner!

Full belly = sweet sleepy baby boy

Soooo tiny!

Those same sweet nurses who let me into the NICU also made this for Wyatt

Proud Daddy!!

He loves holding his Daddy's finger

"Oh hey there, Aunt Sissy!"

Michael is SUCH a good Daddy!!!  

First (of many!) pictures of Aunt Sissy and Wyatt!
(It was laaaaate by this time and I had been awake and driving for way too long and it shows!)

Grammy and Wyatt

The next morning before heading back up to the hospital I swung by the craft store to pick up something to adorn Kelly's door

Even by Sunday Kelly wasn't feeling much better but she definitely looked better!!

Michael shares my love for photography and decided to venture out on Sunday afternoon on a mission to buy a DSLR.  I was a proud sis-in-law!! =)

On Monday I was finally reunited with my girl after two long weeks of her being away.  I met Kyndall and my mother-in-law for lunch in Tallahassee and as soon as she saw me she came running towards my car shouting "Mommyyyyyy!!!"  I missed her sooo much!

 While we ate she kept saying over and over again "Mommy.....I just love you".  I think it's safe to say she missed me too!

After lunch we headed up to the hospital so that Kyndall could see Aunt Kelly.  Kyndall and Nonie brought this beautiful fruit basket to Kelly and Michael.

Wyatt faces some pretty tough competition from Kyndall when it comes to Michael!  She's crazy over her "Ankle Michael"

I had prepared Kyndall for the fact that she wouldn't be able to actually see baby Wyatt and to my surprise she took the news pretty well and there were no meltdowns or tantrums.  I knew it would be hard for her to understand, especially considering how much we've been talking up his arrival over the past few months.  Sometimes she amazes me with her maturity in situations like these.

Hospital delirium caused Uncle Michael to do this

We hung out at the hospital until late Monday afternoon and then I jetted over to Dr. Leadbeater's office for a quick visit with my former co-workers.  I miss them all so much and couldn't stand being that close without saying hello!

While we were there Kyndall became very intrigued by the panoramic x-ray machine.  Dr. Leadbeater said we could try it out on her but I figured she would be way too wiggly and squirmy and we would end up with a blurry panorex at best.  Shockingly, she stood perfectly still and we were able to get a pretty good picture!  

The dental nerd in me loves looking at all of the details of this pan!  It's amazing to see her little tooth buds already forming underneath her baby teeth.  To most it probably looks like a jumbled up mess but to me it's fascinating to see all that is going on in that little mouth.  She has no idea what any of this means but just finds it funny that you can see her flower shaped earrings on each side  =)  We've proudly hung the printed copy on our fridge.  

Tuesday Kyndall and I loaded up and drove west to the big cities of Marianna and Two Egg to visit both of my Grandmothers.  We stopped by the nursing home in Marianna first and visited with MeMe for a while and then made our way to Two Egg to spend the afternoon with Grandma.  Kyndall had a great time showing me her new found swimming skills that she had learned during her two weeks with Grammy and I was quite impressed to say the least!!  She's definitely swimming and has NO FEAR at all of the water.  I was shocked at how much progress she made thanks to the lessons my Mom put her in!  She is able to swim completely on her own, even down under the water to retrieve diving rings from the bottom of the pool.  Not bad for a 3 year old!  I was so busy enjoying our time that I didn't take any pictures until we got ready to leave that night.  Here's a quick one that I snapped on my phone of Grandma with her Great Grands---just missing Wyatt!

We didn't leave Two Egg until 9:30 Tallahassee time, which meant that this little fish was asleep before we even made it to I-10!

The next day was spent visiting at the hospital with Kelly and stealing sweet baby cuddles with little Wyatt

On this day I finally got to hold him for the very first time!!!

He likes to be swaddled, just like his cousin Kyndall did

Favorite picture from the whole week!  Can you tell I'm in love with my nephew??

Cousin Kyndall was such a trooper all week long.  She spent countless hours sitting quietly in Kelly's hospital room, perfectly content to play on her ipad, color in her coloring books and play with her ponies.  So proud of her!

She even brought Aunt Kelly a pick-me-up.....Frozen themed, of course!

Our last day in Tallahassee was spent tidying up Kelly and Michael's house, running some important errands for Kelly and of course spending as much time as possible with this little guy.....

This was the last time I held him and I won't get to do it again until the end of September when they come up for Kyndall's birthday.  He'll be two months old by then!!  Waaaahhh!!  =(

Friday morning Kyndall and I had breakfast at the Waffle House with my parents and then made the long trek home, just the two of us.  It's always hard leaving, but this time was especially difficult since I likely will not be back until after my transplant.  Even though the week went by way too quickly and there were so many people I waned to see but couldn't, I'm still thankful for the time I was given and I really have no room to complain.  I know that I will never in a million years regret my decision to be there, whether it meant passing up an offer for an organ or not.  

One of the things I loved most about my week in Tallahassee was eating at all of my favorite places that I miss so much!  I was able to squeeze in Barnaby's (twice!), Sonny's Whataburger, Chicken Salad Chick and Firehouse (two times!!)  Yes, we ate out a LOT that week as we practically lived at the hospital.  I definitely ate my way through Tallahassee and it was wonderful!  =)  On the way home Friday afternoon somewhere around Birmingham I spotted a Firehouse from the interstate and knew I had to have it just one more time.  I had already missed the exit by the time I saw it so I drove allllll the way to the next exit, turned around and went back!  Yes, I love it that much!  We are so deprived here in Jackson.

Three times in one week!

We made it home around 8:00 and Kyndall was very happy to see her Daddy after being away from him for three weeks

Of course, she had prizes awaiting her that I had collected throughout the two weeks that she was away

After such a busy week in Tallahassee, we spent the first several days back home doing nothing but this.....

Although I felt good at the time, I'm realizing I probably over-did it a little and my body is now in a state of shock!  I get tired so easily but I somehow managed to push past it last week for the sake of soaking up every minute possible.  This week, however, I am definitely paying for it.  I didn't even leave the house for about four days after we returned and I did a lot of napping while Kyndall vegged in front of the TV.  No regrets or complaints, though and I would do it all over again in the blink of an eye.

I am so so sooo thankful for the time I was given to not only bond with my nephew and visit with my family, but also to recharge my spirits.  My emotions have really been getting the best of me lately and these feelings of being trapped and stuck have been weighing heavily on me the past few weeks.  Even though it was only seven short days, it was enough of a break from my everyday reality to lift my spirits and brighten my mood.
Now, let the countdown to September begin!  Can't wait to get my hands on that sweet baby again!  I just wish I didn't have to wait until he was two months old!

By the way---Both Wyatt and Kelly were discharged from the hospital this past Monday and they are both doing very well!  Kelly is still having some BP issues and isn't quite feeling 100% but I'm confident she'll get there.  Wyatt, though born six weeks early, only spent nine days in the NICU before being sent home!  That's a miracle in my opinion!  I'm so thankful that things turned out the way they did and that Mama and baby are both happy and healthy.  Thank you, Lord for your provision!