New Baby Gross News!

Some people may have missed parts, so I'll start with the important stuff:

First, Carrie was pregnant and due on or around 01/06/2011; our baby (her name is Elenor Marie) was delivered 11/09/2010 at 7:39 PM and is doing great. For those who are not mathematically inclined, that makes Elenor about 2 months early.

On to the story:

This past Sunday Carrie was not feeling well, went to visit her mother. Carrie had a headache and her blood pressure was well beyond the threshold for inducing seizures we found out later. This condition is known as pre-eclampsia and as Wikipedia simply states, "Apart from Caesarean section or induction of labor (and therefore delivery of the placenta), there is no known cure."

I was travelling from California most of Sunday so once I arrived at my mother-in-law's I took Carrie to Orem Community Hospital to see how severe her condition was. Once we arrived she was immediately put on Magnesium Sulfate (and others) to prevent seizures and to try and bring her blood pressure under control and preparations were made to transfer her to UVRMC in Provo. Before the transfer, Carrie was given a shot of steroids to help with the development of Elenor's lungs.

Carrie was transported in an ambulance and I followed in my car; admittedly, I got a little lost because I thought Carrie had been admitted through the Emergency Entrance. However, after a minute or two of running around I found the correct room. The hospital staff told us the baby would have to be delivered soon, one way or another. They wanted another day for the steroids to take effect before inducing labor or preparing for a c-section. On the plus side, our room had a nice view of Mount Timpanogos.

On Monday I went to work so I don't know all the details but the nurses/doctors gave Carrie shots, more meds and possible scenarios of delivery - there were also many visitors and encouragement via text message and Facebook... thank you for your support and prayers.

I was in the hospital on Tuesday and I thought it was going to be more of the same: shots, waiting, monitoring etc. However, around noon-ish, they started Carrie on Pitocin to try and induce labor. We had high hopes and after a few hours it looked like avoiding a c-section might happen, but she was not progressing fast enough. Around 7 PM we were told to expect a Cesarean Section delivery within the next half hour. Carrie wanted to go natural but not at the risk of losing the baby and with the combination of medicine Carrie was on and the effect it was having on Elenor, the doctors did not want to risk a longer labor.

Carrie got an epidural and was taken into the operating room. Elenor was delivered in a matter of minutes and started crying immediately.

Carrie only saw her for a moment as Elenor was lifted over the surgical curtain.

I followed Elenor into post-op while Carrie was being stitched back together.

Elenor was as ready as a 2 month preemie could be under the circumstances. Her APGAR scores were 7 and 8 which basically means she was (and still is ) doing awesome! After some initial measurements and tests were completed (2 lbs 2 oz and 15.5 inches), she was taken to the NICU.

The NICU doctor explained some procedures and what to expect in regards to a release date. Basically a preemie is expected to be in the NICU until the initial expected delivery date. I expect/hope Elenor will be coming home well before January 6th. :-)

I was woken up by Carrie's maternal desire/iron will to see her baby at 3AM Wednesday morning. Me and a couple of nurses took Carrie in a wheelchair to the NICU. I barely remember the event but Carrie wanted to see her baby.

Wednesday was thankfully uneventful, Carrie was recovering from surgery and mostly incoherent due to the lingering effects of the medication she had been on. Around 2 PM The NICU doctor called us to give us an update, Elenor was breathing without any assistance! Which is frankly amazing because she had been born only 18 hours earlier and 2 month preemies do not typically have well developed lungs.

In short Carrie and Elenor are doing great.

Thank you for your love, prayers and support,

Nathan and the Gross Girls ;-)

I Have a Great Life!

So I was thinking about the past week or so and I thought, 'Man I sure have it good.' I love Nate so much and he happened to take a trip to Idaho this weekend and I was home 'alone'. I missed him so much and then when he called me to tell me he missed me too, I started to cry. I am so in love with him and can't wait to continue missing him whenever we are apart. I know sappy right? But it's true I slept horrible without him by my side. I thought of him constantly and thought of how truly lucky I am to have such a wonderful man by my side.

Now back to the I was 'alone' for the weekend. I have fabulous friends and family! Seriously... I was never really alone after Thursday night. I came home from work to girlfriends and sisters, it was so much fun. And then Sarah (such a sweetheart) stayed over night and chatted with me all morning. Then Joseph joined in the mix and we went swimming with a few friends. Two hours later (and very sunburned) we retreated inside for pizza and Wii (and a nap for me). Caleb and Shala played Wii with the kids and stayed until around seven or eight, I don't remember. Then my parents came over with Cody the puppy and picked up the kids after staying for about a half hour. While we visited Sarah made me cookies, and then I went to bed.

I woke up the next morning and went to church and had a wonderful time. A few sisters saved me a seat in Sunday School because they knew I was alone this Sunday, how thoughtful, and I truly enjoyed the lessons. One of which was on Provident Living and I was so pleased to get more information and to share the info I have found. Then I came home just in time to tidy up a bit and then watch Nate pull in the garage and run up the stairs to greet me with a huge hug and kiss. It was so nice to have him back! Man I love that guy. Seriously, he is so amazing and sweet, and understanding. So thanks to all of you wonderful people in my life that make it one GREAT life!