May 25, 2018-The Day of the Dance

Since it was so close to a holiday weekend, we had to leave our condo at the beach and move to an Airbnb in Beaufort. It worked out perfectly though because the house was bigger and by this time Brad's mom and sister joined us. They were super glad Graham decided to stay put until they arrived.

It was now Friday morning, Graham's induction day! The day we have waited over 10 years was finally here! Katie had an appointment at the doctor's office for one last checkup and then we were sent over to the hospital. They started Pitocin (poor thing!) and before too long they were able to stop it because she was producing her own contractions. The doctor broke her water and we were on our way to meeting our son!

Leaving for the doctor's appointment and hospital

I ended up with a TON of tally marks. I'm so excited to meet my baby boy!

We were in the delivery room mostly but came out to wait a bit with family

Katie was now dilated to 9.5 centimeters. We knew it wouldn't be long. Brad and I were behind a curtain at this point because they were flipping Katie around so much due to the contractions causing decelerations in Graham's heart rate. I knew it wasn't good but didn't realize the actual severity of the situation because I couldn't see the monitor. Finally the doctor came behind the curtain to tell us she would have to go to the operating room for a c-section because Graham's head was too large (in hindsight this wasn't the case but a way to keep us calm). We were upset for her but understood. I went over to talk to Brian, Katie's husband, and told him he could go in the operating room rather than me like we had talked about but he insisted I go.

But when it was time to suit up the doctor said no one was coming in. Talk about panic time.

Graham's heart rate decelerated into the teens. I'm so thankful I didn't know this at the time because I probably would have fainted. Because it was so low, the doctor put Katie under general anesthesia which is why no one was allowed to go back to see the birth. Katie said it was one of the scariest moments of her life when they were no longer able to monitor him until he was out. Brian, Brad and I were waiting outside in the hall but Brad and I didn't know how bad things really were. I see this as a blessing.

They took her back at 7:05 and Graham was born at 7:28, a perfectly healthy baby boy weighing       8 lbs 6oz and 21 inches long. The umbilical cord was causing all the trouble. It was wrapped around his neck but the real reason for the decelerations was because he had it piled on top of his chest. So with every contraction the cord was causing all that pressure. Katie's doctor said as soon as she made the incision the cord popped right out first.

We had the absolute best nurse ever who when she found out I couldn't go back asked for my phone and took it into the operating room so that I wouldn't miss his first moments of life. Not only did she capture his first moments but also our reactions to seeing him for the first time!

We never dreamed he would come by an emergency c-section but we are so thankful that the Lord protected both of them and wouldn't let Satan turn this dancing back into mourning. We realize this could have gone a very different way and we are so thankful that Katie's doctor saved him just in time. We understand the sacrifice Katie made and now it is an even bigger one.

After we knew everyone was safe and sound, it was time to enjoy this most precious gift! I'll let the pictures tell the story of the joy brought about by this long-awaited baby boy. Thank You Lord for this dance and for sending all the people in our lives that made this possible. You are greatly praised today and forever.

Not the ending we predicted but a perfect ending all the same. 

Grahamticipation 2018

Today is actually Graham's one month birthday! Life with him has been better than we ever dreamed but before I can explain what that's like, I have to go back to what got him here. I'm going to begin with what one of our friends called grahamticipation! The long-awaited appearance of Graham Davis.

Brad, my mom and I flew out of Knoxville to Jacksonville, NC on Friday, May 18, 2018. We brought almost everything Graham owns and it was surreal checking a car seat. Could we really be bringing our baby home finally?

We spent the night in Jacksonville and headed to Atlantic Beach the next morning. We met Katie and her kids at a cupcake place and then went to eat with Katie and her husband the next night. We knew that Graham could make his appearance at any time but decided to enjoy our stay while waiting. It's not everyday a Tennessee boy is born at the beach! So we spent our days and nights at the beach, playing putt putt and corn hole, throwing the football and playing cards. The most fun was had at the condo's water slide!

We had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday to check any progression and for a membrane sweep to hopefully get things going. We also spent a lot of our time eating good seafood so that's exactly what we did after the appointment that morning. Still no baby but should be any time now! I wanted to go by the hospital to get some pics to document where our sweet boy will enter the world.

It's crazy but even though Katie is due to give birth in less than a week, she still felt like getting out and meeting us for lunch and outings. We went to the aquarium one day and she walked around that entire place like a champ! She went into labor at the aquarium with her second child so we were hoping it might work for Graham too but nope! Since IVF pregnancies are notorious for the placenta breaking down at the end, her doctor decided an induction would be best on Friday so that is the plan if he doesn't come before.

He didn't come yet! ;)

Graham Bradley Davis is here!

Our sweet baby boy made his appearance into this world at 7:28pm on May 25, 2018. Graham Bradley Davis was 8 pounds 6 ounces and 21 inches long. There is so much to say but will take a while to get it done with a newborn in the home but just let me say we have never been happier in our entire lives. We are so grateful to the Lord and the many people who sacrificed to make sure this little boy was born happy and healthy.