Dear All,
As you can see by the title of this new post - we are very proud grandparents! Kelly gave birth to a beautiful baby boy - Kyler Nathaniel on 1st October at 4.30 pm.
Kyler Nathaniel - 7lb 14 1/2ozs - 19 1/2 inches long - born Oct. 1st at 4.30pm
As is usual in our household - it was not without drama! She was due to deliver on 23rd September but on the 20Th, after an examination by her doctor, she was told that she had begun to dilate (2cm) and that her membranes were thinning. She had also begun to have contractions. She had been having contractions on and off for over a week, but they always stopped, however, on this day, they continued and got stronger.
Busting with excitement and anticipation, Paul and I packed up the car and headed off around 10pm that night. However, at around 2am the contractions stopped! Of course we continued on our journey, hopeful that they would start again. Kelly's in-laws, Doug and Cherie who live in Ohio, had also packed the car and were on their way. They had a little more sense than us, and they stopped on the way at a motel for the night. We pressed on and arrived in Atlanta early afternoon. Cherie and Doug arrived about a half hour later.
Well we spent the afternoon/evening together and Paul and I headed off for a motel. We stay at a motel, because Kelly's house is two storeys and it is easier for Paul at a motel. Kelly's contractions continued on and off over the weekend. We were all disappointed when they eased and we cheered when we saw her wince with pain! Looking back, I guess we are nothing but a bunch of sickos!
The next night the pains strengthened and became regular, so they headed to the hospital. At that time, we were back at the motel getting ready for a much anticipated sleep after our drive thru the night. We quickly dressed and headed for the hospital on foot, only to discover that the battery in Paul's wheelchair had gone flat. No-way, were we not going, so pumped with adrenalin - I pushed Paul and eased off when he was able to roll down a hill! I am sure we made an hilarious sight to passers-by, but I was oblivious to the world around me. As Paul later said - he felt sure I could have pushed the Excursion to the hospital, if I had had too!
Doug and Cherie headed back to Ohio on Sunday with full battery charge still on their cameras!! We decided to stay and wait it out as our drive is at least 14 hours and theirs is 7. Plus of course, we don't have to work. Kelly continued to work, whilst we hung out and Paul was redoing a dining table and chairs we had bought with us. Kelly in fact, worked most of the week, winding up on the Thursday as she wanted to have the Friday off before the baby came - my how she spoils herself!!!
Doug and Cherie returned to Atlanta the following Friday, as Kelly had been told, if she had not delivered by the following Monday, she would be induced. At least this time, they knew they would not be going home without a million pictures of their new grandson!
All hands on deck. Cherie, Doug & Nate (pictured), along with Paul, Kelly and myself (Yes Kelly too), painted the table and chairs on Sunday before they went to hospital.
Kelly's contractions continued over the weekend and she was also feeling quite ill and shaky, and with a great deal of persuasion she went to the hospital on Sunday evening. They decided to keep her in as she was in labor, but decided to help her along with drugs as well. Although she was contracting strongly, for some reason, she was not dilating and at 3am they gave her an epidural. Unfortunately, the doctor who gave the epidural, was obviously incompetent and it had no effect on the pain, other than to numb her in places, she didn't need or want to be numbed. The staff finally caught on hours later and called for another doctor to check it out. This doctor, fortunately knew what he was doing and after having endured labor for some 12 hours, his epidural finally had some effect.
Some 3 hours later her water had broken and she was fully dilated. We were told she would deliver within the hour!!!! I phoned Paul at the motel and told him to get his butt to the hospital (it was only around 1 mile away). Unfortunately, once again, things didn't go as expected.
They said she would have to sit for awhile as the baby wasn't down far enough, also, there were no doctors available to deliver as they were busy with other patients! Some 2 hours later, we were told the baby was face up which made it much more difficult to push out!!!!! Then we were told, Kelly was too exhausted to push and not to expect anything for another 1 to 3 hours!!! They were also talking about an emergency C-section!!!
You can imagine how the four of us were feeling by now. Anyway, sometime later, Cherie's phone rang - it was Nate and we heard a baby crying!!!! He had arrived! Doug and Paul got to hear Nate saying"Oh My God" - they heard the wonder, awe and excitement as Kyler emerged - Cherie and I heard the baby crying, but little else, as we too, were crying. It was the most joyous noise ever!!!
Evidently Kyler's heart rate dropped suddenly, and he had to be suctioned out immediately. He gave doctor's a few worrying minutes and then came good.
Kelly unfortunately has had a very difficult time with long labor (24 hours plus), extensive tearing and they have discovered that she is severely anemic. They wanted to give her a blood transfusion, but due to the risks involved, she refused and opted for iron pills instead. She is banned from driving for a minimum of 2 weeks and has to be cleared by a doctor before she can resume driving again. Her blood pressure was 85/44 on discharge from hospital and her body temp. is also a bit low due to the anemia. Both Cherie and I were alarmed during her labor at her low blood pressure (75/39), but it seemed hospital staff were not.
Thankfully Nate has this week off. He slept at the hospital with her each night and is very hands on and supportive. Erin and Chris will be there, Sat. Sun. and Monday and I am flying in on Monday evening for 10 days to help her when Nate is back at work.
I can't wait to get back and help out and to get my hands on that adorable bundle again. I have to say, that at this point, I cannot see Kelly in him at all - he is the image of his father.
It was our intention to book into a motel on the way home and rest overnight. Having visited Kelly at the hospital in the morning we set out for home at 10 am. Around 6pm, we considered stopping, but decided we felt fine and we drove on through. Paul lets me take the wheel now so that he can rest, and although he does most of the driving, the Diesel Duchess (me), has now put a few miles on as well.
We did enjoy our time in Atlanta - our hotel was right in the city, so we managed to dine at a few nice restaurants whilst there. I found a short cut back from the hospital and led the charge, however, Paul refused to follow me on future trips, as our sojourn through back alleys and car parks unnerved him somewhat! He says I am too trusting and I say he is too suspicious. Hey, he won and we took the long road home after that.
We were there for an annual parade in honor of 100 Black Men. I am not too sure what it was all about, but think that some enterprising, good bla
ck men set up a sort of mentoring program to help young black people get a good education and start in life. The parade was wonderful, marching bands from many colleges, along with their cheer squads. I have to say, black people, sure know how to move! The dancers were fantastic, the musicians were brilliant and we met some lovely people.Well folks, I know it is all baby news, but I can't help it. It could have been worse - I do have a million photos! You can only pray that I get better and find something else to talk about in the future!!!! As for all of you who are calling Kelly and getting no response, please be aware that she is tired, sick and sore and focused only on getting well, getting some sleep and taking care of the baby. Nate too is sorely sleep deprived - although the prize was worth it - they have both been through an ordeal and when normalacy returns (possibly in 20 years if ever), they will respond to all calls. For those of you who asked their address is Mr. & Mrs. N. Lee, 1510 Boulder Walk Drive, Atlanta, Ga 30016
Love to all,
Paul and Kathy (aka Nana and Gramps)
We enjoyed some great food whilst there and some that wasn't worth writing home about (so I won't). We are lucky that we walked to the hospital and around the streets, otherwise I doubt we would be able to walk now based on the food we consumed.
No matter how much fun one has when away, it is always great to get home and sleep in your own bed.
John and Alex dropped Mack back to us the day after we arrived home and it was great to be so warmly greeted. We were afraid that he was having too much fun at their house, and that he wouldn't want to be home - but he still loves us. Continuing on our eating binge, we went out with John and Alex last night and had a nice Chinese meal.
Ed and Geri collected our mail as we left in such a hurry we couldnt have it held for us until we got home. Paul copped mail duty and spent most of this morning wading his way through it and now we are just about organised.
