To My Precious William

William, I want you to always know how loved and wanted, wished and prayed for you were. You were an answer to so many prayers and a treasure I carried under my heart for almost 9 months. I loved you and talked to you and savored every movement and kick. I loved being pregnant with you and looking pregnant and I even had a cute baby bump.

On Friday, the day before you were born I was kind of irritable. You brothers were home from school for summer vacation and they were so loud. Mommy just wanted to relax. Daddy came home from work and I was pretty irritable with him too. You felt so low and heavy in my belly. I went to bed early Friday night and laid in bed watching TV. All night I continued to feel pressure but that wasn't unusual because I carried you so low. About 3am I got up and had to go to the bathroom. I thought it was something I ate. At 4am I was still up and had to use the bathroom again but this time when I stood up much to my surprise my water broke. I was stunned! It was now Saturday, July 17th and your due date wasn't until August 10th and your c-section was scheduled for August 3rd. I called your dad's name to wake him up and he flew out of bed - he was a little scared! I called the Dr and he confirmed it was my water that broke and to go to the hospital. Daddy woke up Nic to go sleep in Justin's room in case he woke up and found us gone. Nic was so excited he woke up Justin to tell him you were going to be born! Mommy got in the shower - and daddy yelled that I didn't need to shower that we needed to leave :). Daddy called Grandma Geri to tell her and Mommy called Grandma Linda to tell her we were headed to the hospital. She couldn't believe that mommy had showered either since we live about an hour from the hospital and your brother Nic was born a little less than 2 hours after my water was broken - but mommy hadn't felt any contractions yet so I knew I had time. Daddy had gotten mommy's bag and I went to your room and put some clothes in my bag for you. Mommy and Daddy still hadn't bought you a going home outfit - we thought we had time still...

We got in the car and left for the hospital. Mommy texted a few people in the car to tell them we were headed in to have you. Daddy and I were so excited but also scared as you were a few weeks early.

Daddy dropped me off at the entrance to Maternity and I walked into the desk. They kind of laughed when I told them I thought my water had broken but it was too early and I hadn't planned this. They took me into a room and sure enough my water had broken so I was admitted. I hadn't dialated at all so they got me ready for a c-section. They had someone scheduled for 8:15 so they said my Dr was coming in and I would go in at 7am. I was a little nervous but so excited because in just a little bit I would be holding you in my arms!

They gave daddy surgical scrubs - he looked so funny - I wish I had taken a picture and then they wheeled me down to the OR. Daddy was able to stay with me the whole time they prepped me and held my hand and calmed my nerves. Then it was time to get you out!

When the Dr. lifted you out he said, "Wow, look at all the red hair!" William you had so much hair! Enough to spike on the top and make a little pony tail at your neck! Daddy thought to himself, "Wow he looks huge!" Daddy thought you looked about 10 lbs! Funny Daddy!


Daddy got to go over with you and take some pictures of handsome you and trim your umbilical cord. I got to see you for a minute and then daddy and you went to recovery to wait for mommy. I got to recovery and I finally had the moment I had been dreaming of for so long ... I got to hold you William! It was wonderful to be able to stare into your eyes and look at your little perfect features. My heart was so full of love!

I got to hold you for just a little bit when they said your sugars were not stabalizing and were going to take you to the NICU. Daddy went with you so you would not be alone and you and he went to a triage area where they further assessed you, put in an IV and then transferred you up to the NICU. Mommy was a little nervous but I had chosen the hospital for it's NICU, just in case we needed it, so I knew you would be in good hands! While mommy waited to leave recovery I made a few calls and texted people to say you had arrived!

As I was being transferred to my room we made a stop in the NICU so I could check on you. They wheeled me, bed and all right into your room so I could see you in your little bassinet. My poor little boy hooked up to IV's and machines...

Grandma and Grandpa Fisher brought Nic and Justin up to the hospital to see you. They were so excited to see their new brother! Daddy brought your brothers and grandparents up to the NICU to see you as I wasn't up to getting out of bed yet. While they were up there daddy got to hold you again and feed you at your 3:00 feeding.

Mommy went up to feed you at your 6pm feeding. Deanna came up for a few minutes to see you and then she left and daddy and I had some alone time with you. The NICU nurse got a little miffed with mommy because I unwrapped you to look at your cute little toes and feet and didn't snuggle you back up tight enough. I guess it burns blood sugar to heat up your little body. After a while daddy brought mommy back to her room and then had to go home to spend the night with your brothers.



The next day the NICU said your sugar levels were getting better and that if you ate 1 oz at your 9am and noon feeding AND maintained levels at 50 or over they would let you leave the NICU and stay with mommy. Oh we prayed so hard! Daddy and I were up in the NICU waiting, the nurse wouldn't let us hold you, she said you needed to sleep so you would eat so we just sat and stared at you. Then she checked your levels and we fed you and... YOU DID IT! She pulled your IV, made a report, called the nurses downstairs, got us a transport AND... they wheeled me back to my room with ... YOU IN MY ARMS!! It was wonderful! You were finally with me - right where you belonged, in my arms!

They did continue to monitor you and monitor your jaundice as your bloodwork came back positive for jaundice. They had me pumping breast milk and then giving you a bottle to make sure you were getting 1 oz every 3 hours. I was so afraid you wouldn't breast feed after taking bottles. But you are so wonderful, you will take either one.

We spent 4 days and 3 nights in the hospital. We went home on Tuesday, July 20th. We could of spent one more night but it was your brother Nic's birthday and I wanted us to be home for him.

You are technically considered a preemie as you were born at 36 weeks. But you are so perfect! We just need to take a few precautions with germs - we can't go into public places with you until you get your 2 month vaccinations.

William, you are so loved. Daddy and I loved you the minute you were conceived. We fell in love with you the minute we saw you. You are are precious baby boy, our 3rd son and we will love you for all eternity!


PS: William, you were named for your grandfather, great-grandfather and uncles. But you were also named for your Uncle Doug,(Douglas William Fisher). When you were born daddy and I are sure that Uncle Doug was standing watch while you were placed into your daddy's waiting arms. And we are sure we heard him chuckling as daddy looked at mommy and with realization in his eyes said, "we should of known he would be born today" and as mommy looked at him in confusion, daddy's eyes filled with tears and he said, "it's the 17th, Doug's bday was the 17th too."
You see William it is sort of a tradition in our family to have bdays on the same days.
Daddy's is Dec 10th and Justin's is June 10th.
Mommy's is April 20th and Nic's is July 20th.
Now your's is July 17th and Uncle Doug's is Dec 17th.