The Best Day

We are extremely honored and blessed to present:

Dylan Jacob Provence

7lbs. 1 oz and 20 1/2" Tall

July 9th, 2010 4:03 pm

Here was the plan: We had a dr. appointment with Owens on the 8th that took all of 5 minutes. Last instructions were to call in to L&D at 6:00 pm to see when we should show up. It kinda sounded like we were checking in to some type of resort and Owens was the travel agent. She kept talking about how good it was going to be and the name of the "resort" included "Lakeside" so what the heck, let's do it.

We had to burn a little time so we went and saw a movie, the 2nd one of the week, another first in our marriage. Lisa called in promptly at 5:58 pm and was instructed to show up around 7. A few stops later there we were, walking into Covenant looking forward to meeting the little man.

Walked into L&D to be directed to the waiting room because they were busy. Turns out there were many couples that had already checked into the resort. I couldn't believe it, the bellhop service was horrible. The waiting room was full of happy families waiting on the lullaby to be played and then us, first time registrants probably looking a little nervous. We were however joined by two other couples who were kicked to the waiting room. We were called back about an hour later and escorted to our suite. After all the paper work, the staff hooked everything up and the waiting started.

It was a pretty long night with not so much sleep. Lisa said the bed was not made for sleeping and that glorified workbench with padding found in the corner didn't have the Serta brand for a reason. Everything was going great with the excitement building by the hour. We had many visitors throughout the day that stuck with us all day up to that afternoon.

Lisa was absolutely amazing through the whole thing. She was progressing at a very good rate and everything was going "according to plan". I was even offered to opportunity to deliver the little guy. The nurse mentioned to Lisa how I watched the epidural and IV stuff without getting woozy and Lisa told her that I am an EMT and while I don't get to mess with any of the needles I get to watch plenty of cool people use them. So after Lisa tells me of this opportunity my first response is yes. I have seen it done, I have the training, I bet I can do it. If I "caught" the little guy, I would get to sign to most important line on the birth certificate, not many people get this chance. Then the reality of the situation sets in and my response quickly changed to "how bout we let the pros that do this everyday handle the first one." Lisa quickly agreed.

Either way it wouldn't have mattered, Dylan had other plans that had a completely different layout from our "according to plan":

At about 3:50ish, something happened. After a steady heart rate throughout the whole labor with increases upon movement and decreases upon contractions (in the latter part of the labor), there was nothing. The constant beat that we had listened to all day and Dustin air-drummed with was gone. Side note: Dustin rocked the air-drum solo. Gary was in the room at the time and quickly noticed that the pulse average had changed and current pulse didn't have a reading. He tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the screen and it was clear that the "plan" had changed. This was the most definite "Oh crap" moment of our lives.

Lisa was in a position where she couldn't see the monitor but she knew something was going on when every nurse on the floor came into our room. Now it might have not been all of them but there were a lot of scrubs. Our Nurse, also named Lisa, was the first one through the door followed by the rest of them. They quickly turned Lisa over on her back and then side and then back and then other side with momentary pauses to see if the monitor would pick up the beat again. After all this, nothing. No beat and no reason for it to quit. The staff acted quickly and our dr. was called as was the anesthesiologist.

New Plan: C-section. They started explaining the situation to Lisa and I was asked what size scrubs I wore. Immediate response "no clue".   No less than a minute later we all heard the beat. As quick as it went it was back and normal. The monitor started showing exactly what it was a few minutes prior but the new plan was already in full swing. I was glad they offered the scrubs because a change in pants was needed.

Out the door of the suite and through the double doors Lisa went with most of the staff and Dr. Owens. I was told to wait while they got Lisa ready. It probably only took 3 minutes for them to come get me but it felt like a few hours. The nurses passing back and forth kept apologizing and saying "not yet." Finally I got the wave from the door and back to Lisa who was already prepped. We barely had time to talk before I heard Dr. Owens say "I think I can get him." There was a muffled crying sound so I decided to have a look over the nice blue curtain. And what a show it was...

I looked back down at Lisa and she quickly told me to not describe anything. Message received. Looked back over and heard "here he comes." They were right. They quickly placed Dylan on Lisa's legs and then moved him over to the warmer. I wish I could remember exactly what I was thinking but the shock was still there so I guess you would describe it as speechless.

Lisa was amazing. She wasn't able to see him much but I got him over there as soon as I could. I would probably select this moment as the most emotional. My nerves were already shot with worry and anticipation and Lisa after hours of labor "according to plan" rushed down the hall for a major operation. All the events coming to this one moment when I had the privilege of placing this perfect healthy baby with Lisa. This is our family:

I was told to place Dylan in the cart so we could head down the hall to the nursery. It was very hard to leave Lisa but I had to go show off the little man. We were traveling down the first hall and the nurse asked me how many family members had cameras. I told her that I didn't have a head count but the person to camera ratio was probably 1:1. They played the lullaby and opened the doors and Dylan got to meet all of his family. It was great to have all of them there including Robert and Joyce Roecker. 1.7 million pictures later I left him with the nursery staff for a bath and checkup.

Lisa had to stay in recovery for 45 minutes but it was great when she got released and was able to hold Dylan. He was very calm but alert and posed for a few more pictures

The best day ever. Even with all the worry and changing of plans he has made it. He is perfect and doing great. His mommy is amazing and it is impossible to describe how much she means to me.

We would like to thank everyone for coming by to visit our new little family. We are truly blessed to have loving and supportive families and friends. We look forward to going home and seeing what other little surprises Dylan has in store for us.

This surprise was not fun.

but worth it.

We love you all, and there's nothing you can do about it.

DJ, Lisa and Dylan