Introducing...

Hunter Edward Ford

5 lbs 12oz. 18 inches long.

Born June 22nd, 2012 at 1:33am

My heart is overflowing with emotion right now as I write my first post about our little boy who has made it this earth. 

Little Hunter was born yesterday morning and it has been an incredible/scary/emotional/(insert any other feeling you want)

 24 hours since his arrival.

I would love to blog about the whole birth story, however my heart is taking me down a completely different writing path. 

First, an update.

Little Hunter was born at 36 weeks and 6 days and doctors consider this a Late PreTerm baby. 

Because of his 1 day prior to full term arrival, two NICU nurses were in the room to clean him off and check his vitals. His initial APGAR score was an 8/9. Awesome! But after a few minutes of monitoring, little Hunter started to show signs of some breathing issues (we were told he was having to breath quicker than normal). The nurses and doctor explained this was a common thing in premature babies, especially little boys. He was taken right away (well, after I got to hold him for maybe 12 seconds) down to the NICU for some closer observations. At about 7 am he was brought back to my room where I was able to hold him for a few minutes until the nurses wanted to try and see if he would eat. After several minutes of trying to stimulate the baby's mouth it was clear he had no desire to eat. 

After Hunter was taken back to the nursery (he wasn't actually admitted to NICU right after he was born) his blood sugar levels became dangerously low. At noon yesterday Hunter was officially admitted into the NICU. It was HOURS before we heard anything and when one issue would go away, it seemed another would appear. First it was his breathing, then it was his low blood sugar, then they heard a small heart murmur, then there was a hole in his lung lining and some spitting up.

I can tell you as a first time mom it is the MOST overwhelming feeling to not know what is going on with your little baby. Its incredible to me how just 27 short hours ago I gave birth to this tiny little thing and how I have only been able to see/hold him for maybe 3 hours total. 

The nurses at this hospital have been AMAZING and that has really put to ease a lot of my worries. When I say "not knowing whats going on" it is mostly in reference to which issue is the worst at the moment. 

Hunter stayed in the NICU and will remain there for at least a few days. His breathing is being monitored and he is connected to an IV that is keeping his blood sugars normal. The blood sugar medication IV is in his head and it is just the most awful thing to look at. Apparently he was moving his arms too much and blocking the flow of the medication so they had to move the IV to his head. He still hasn't shown a strong enough desire to eat yet so the IV is the only thing getting the little guy what he needs. 

The heart is still being monitored as well because of the irregular heart beat. An EKG was done on him last night and a cardiologist should be in sometime today to check that over. 

The lung lining is also being watched and doctors say that can go away on it's own, however they may need to poke a hole in his side and drain out the air if it doesn't. HOW AWFUL right? 

I finally braved up and went on my own to have some mommy and me time as dad is passed out on his little bed in our post partum room. I am so in love with my little baby. I can hardly believe that it has been just one day (probably feels like so long because he has been in the NICU) since I brought this amazing, strong little spirit to earth. 

I always knew he was gonna come on his own time and my heart is so full today (even more mommy tears) as I ponder the tender mercies of the Lord and little Hunter's incredible arrival THIS weekend. 

For anyone who doesn't know, today, June 23rd, marks the second anniversary of my brother's death. I can still hardly believe that for two years my little brother has been on the other side watching down on us. Our family has been so blessed over the last two years as we have faced this world without our brother and son by our side. 

For anyone else who doesn't know either, my sweet brothers name was Hunter.

When Kevin and I met, just 3 short months after my brother had passed, he had no idea that one the names he wanted to name a son (someday) was a name that I held very dear to my heart. 

When Kevin and I found out we were expecting our first child we both immediately felt if it was a boy his name should be Hunter. I struggled with this a bit at first, wondering how it would make others feel (especially my parents and my sisters), but continued to feel inspiration and reassurance that this new little baby was going and needed to be a Hunter. 

When we discovered our baby was indeed going to be a boy, I was instantly overcome with a new emotion and love for this little person who was coming to earth. I imagined my brother up in heaven teaching little Hunter all sorts of shenanigans and all the tricks to really getting under my skin. I imagined him also teaching him and reminding him how to love everyone despite their differences or medical conditions. I imagined him teaching him how to be a true gentleman and how to be that guy who could make ANYONE laugh. 

Over these last few days, in preparing for today, the anniversary of his death and thinking baby Hunter could come any day, I have really been touched to know that big Hunter and little Hunter were saying their temporary goodbye's as little Hunter made his way to earth. 

A small part of me always felt that baby Hunter would arrive close to this anniversary day and now that he is here and how his first 24 hours have just been such a struggle, I start to wonder what he and Uncle Hunter were up to.

I am so blessed to have a son. I HAVE A SON. Still such an incredible thing to say and I am still getting used to it. I am so blessed that my son has been given a name, a strong and powerful name to honor.

I am so grateful that the timing of little Hunter has really put a smile on all of our faces, especially as we pass another year since our brother has been gone. 

I am hopeful that everything will be OK with little Hunter. I hope that he can continue to get his strength and when he is ready, we can take him home. 

I am so grateful for my incredible mom who jumped on a plane within an hour of me calling her to be here for me. She missed the labor (a bitter subject, don't mention the name SOUTHWEST around her anytime soon)  but she is here and I am defiantly going to need her (probably more than before) because of little Hunter's problems. 

I am grateful for all of our friends and family and all of your kind words and thoughts through text, calls and Facebook regarding our babies arrival. Thank you. 

AND of course. 

I am so INCREDIBLY thankful for my sweet husband. For the father of little Hunter. For his incredible love for me and our son. For his strength and calmness and ability to wrap me in his arms as I cry or worry about our little baby. For his worthiness to be a priesthood holder and to give our son a blessing to help him along through these first days of life. 

Thank you again everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Keep the prayers coming and we will try to keep everyone updated as soon as we know something new. (It's a lot of waiting though we have discovered)

Welcome to the World Baby Hunter.

We miss you Hunter Blackstone. Everyday we think of you and cannot wait until we are all together again.