8lbs 4oz
21 inches
Born 9:30am
This time last year changed my life forever. I became a Mommy. Chris became a Daddy. My mom became a Mimsy. Everyone in our family had a new role to fill because of this wonderful little miracal that God blessed us with. I have always wanted to be a mother, as far back as I can remember I have imaginaed my yet to be children and pondered what they would look like, what their little personalities would be like, what they would grow up to be etc. Chris always said if he had a son one day he wanted to name him Kal-el. Kal-el is the real name of Superman. Its also a hebrew name meaning "all that is God". I fell in love with the idea of Supermans name. It sounded so unique and what a strong name for a little boy.
On the eve of Kal-el's birth we had so much anticipation and excitement about finally getting to meet our superhero in person. Chris and I spent our last evening as a family of two watching Lost. I'm a huge, very obxious Lost fan. I knew I probably should have been getting rest for my c section but I was so worried I was going to miss something important that we ended up not going to bed til after midnight. I remember waking up feeling refreshed and just ready for my baby to be here. I wasn't really nervous at this point just extremely excited. Chris helped me get ready. He was nothing less than amazing during the whole experience. We got in the shower to wash my tummy with the antiseptic wash that is required before surgery. It was in a tiny bottle and it was bright red. Still a very vivid memory.This would be the last time I took a bath with Kal-el in my tummy. We gathered the rest of our needed belongings for our hospital stay and headed out the door en route to Hellen Keller Hospital.
When we arrived at our destination we were taken to the labor and delivery floor so I could be prepped for surgery. This process included a heart monitor to check on little Super, blood pressure check for me, and an evil IV. Almost my entire family had arrived by this time along with some of Nannie and Poppa's friends Jack and Shelby. Chris was told he could go ahead and start suiting up in his scrubs since he was going to be joining me while Kal-el was being delivered. That's the exact moment when my nerves kicked in. I'm sure I said a thousand prayers in my head and of course we all prayed as a family. We had a couple of quick laughs about Chris's scrubs being too small and his feet were hanging off the back of his footies. A couple of anestiologists were then sent to see me regarding the spinal block I was about to receive once they had me back in surgery. I'm usually very up to date on most medical knowledge so I just sat there smiled and nodded. I really needed the formalilties to be over with so we could hurry up and get me back to surgery while I was still managing to stay relatively calm. I was asked no less than 10,000 questions about my medical history, medications, the usual, then they asked me at one point if I wanted to have my tubes tied after the procedure as this too is a standard question for c section surgery. Nannie decided at this point that she would jokingly intervene and tell them to tie them. I had to tell them over and over again that there was no way in the world that I wanted my tubes tied. This wasn't funny to me being that I was only 26 and definitely want a brother or sister for Super one day. I think everyone got the point :)
I was then told that I would be taken back to surgery. I thought Chris was going to get to come back with me right away but I was told he would have to wait til I had already received my spinal. Ok just me and God..I can handle this. Deep breath.."Mrs. Borquez would you like to walk down or would you like us to carry you?" Hahaha I think we all know what happend. So after they laid me down on the table I was asked to sit up and lean over so they could administer the spinal. It surprisingly didn't hurt in the slightest. The part that was most scary to me being that I am a bit of a control freak, was the swift loss of feeling in everything from my chest down. I was so glad that Chris and I had watched c section videos together because at least I was aware of what would be happening step by step. I did, however, learn something new. The nerves in your body that control pain are different than the ones that control touch. So I could feel touches but no pain. Nice! I breathed a sign of relief as I saw Dr. Wakefield walk in the room and an even bigger sigh of relief as my husband walked in to be by my side.
The surgery began. I remember Chris kept asking me if I was ok. I responded yes because I was. Nothing hurt and I totally trusted Dr. Wakefield. Chris kept saying "the cut looks real good baby, not alot of blood at all" but his his face contorted a little lol. I jokingly asked if my insides were as hot as my outsides. Leave it to me to say something like that. Dr. Wakefield is a ham also. He told three or four puns during my operation. I got to laugh alot during my surgery. This really helped to ease my anxiety. Then came the moment we had all been waiting for. I remember Dr. Wakefield saying "Ok Lauren, I'm getting your baby now, lots of pulling here" Following his statement was the most odd indescribable feeling. I felt like the breath was literally being taken out of me. A little scary but it was over fast. My next question was the most important of course..."Is he ok?" I didn't hear him cry. There was a room full of medical professionals. I held my breath and heard "yes" in unison by everyone. I wanted to cry. Unbeknownst to me he immediately peed on Dr. Wakefield as he was being pulled out. I told Chris to go over and look at him. My next question .."What does he look like?" Silence for a moment. I could hear Chris's grin when he proudly announced "He looks like me." I heard them announce 8lbs 4oz 21 inches long. Big boy! We of course had some idea of this as this was the very reason I was having a c section in the first place. In the next second the entire earth stood still as my baby was brought over to me and I laid eyes on him for the first time. He was perfect. I felt overwhelming love and joy. We shared our first kiss. That's when I saw that he had my lips. I couldn't stop smiling.
Chris had to leave with him as I was being put back together again. He recorded the nurses giving him his first bath and my family got to see him for the first time through the glass window. When I later watched the video I could hear Chris ask over and over when could he see his wife again. So sweet. The next thing I remember is being wheeled out of recovery and I saw Mom and Aunt Vicki in the hallway and they just kept saying " He is so beautiful Lauren." I couldn't wait to see him again and actually hold him. I was in the hospital for a total of four days. Everyone was really good to me and even though I was in alot of pain I wanted Kal-el in the room with me all the time even in between feedings. Chris spent the entire four days on a tiny sofa with his long legs hanging off and never left my side. We would hold hands while I slept. He took such good care of me. I'm so thankful for him and the rest of my family. On the fourth day I was ready to go home with my boys and get adjusted to my life with a newborn. Poppa was there with us the day we took him home which made it all the more special being that my son is also named after this wonderful man. Kal-el's first name is Thomas. Many sleepless nights followed. Sleepless nights that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. That was one year ago. Today we have a gorgeous vivacious rotten little one year old that makes our lives complete. Everyday with him is an adventure and everyday my heart overflows with all the love and pride I have for him. How appropriate that you were born on the first day of Spring because you are the sunshine in all of our lives. We love you Thomas Kal-el Borquez! Happy First Birthday Super :)
