Welcome, Noah Reagan McCleskey

It is understood that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of any storm. When a rainbow appears, it does not mean that the storm never happened or that we are not still dealing with its aftermath. It means that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds. Storm clouds may still hover, but the rainbow provides a counter balance of color, energy, and HOPE. (unknown)

Welcome to our little rainbow, Noah Reagan McCleskey.


On Monday, July 18th we went for our weekly OB appointment.  Noah wasn't moving much on the ultrasound, and hadn't been very active all weekend.  Because he was breech the doctors were concerned that he may have been squishing his cord between his booty & the birth canal.  He was cramped and so we were sent to the hospital to be monitored and she told us that we would either have the baby that evening, or this upcoming Friday.  Either would have been a little earlier than we were expecting.  We were resigned to wait until July 29th (39 weeks) for a c-section.  But our God had another plan.


We arrived at the hospital at 4 p.m. on the 18th.  I was hooked to the monitor, and Noah was moving but nothing like his norm.  I was put on an IV to receive some fluids because they weren't sure how long they would be monitoring.  Well, at 5 p.m. two nurses came into our little room in triage and announced that within the next 2 hours we were going to have a baby.  I was so overwhelmed, but all I could say was, "but we don't even have our toothbrushes!"  So, Matt rushed home to get our bags and I started calling some out of town family....still in a state of total disbelief that this was happening! 

Then, at 8:27 p.m. on July 18, 2011, I heard my son scream and wail.  It was and still is the most beautiful, amazing, miraculous sound I have ever heard.  The c-section was quick, and totally intense...but also quite a beautiful experience.  A holy experience.  I just cried and cried as I listened to my boy belt out cries of life....  Matt rushed off to see him, make some videos and cut the cord.  I just cried.  It was, and still is, quite surreal. 

I was kept in the hospital until earlier today.  It was stressful, loud and tiring.  I am so glad to be home.  It's intense...us being here with Noah...alone...  I'm half staring at him, half typing this out...still in awe that this is my life.  I just told someone yesterday that having him is incredible and makes me feel so close to Rowan & Levi as well.  It's such a sweet love that I have for this boy.  We have so many pictures that I want to share...but my pain meds are starting to kick in and I'm having to re-type more than I am typing...  But, here is something to hold you over!

 

our first kiss...i am forever ruined for this little one

 Yes, he is this adorable all the time...except when he's getting even more adorable!

 

1st car ride - NAILED it!!  Winning!