Macy Sharon Ehlert
She was born at 9:19 Am on Fri, Jan 29th.
6 lbs 13 oz and about 19 inches
I always knew I was a "mother of angels!"
I arrived at the hospital around 11 Pm on the 28th. They admitted me to a room at about 3. Broke my water at 5. At 7 I was dilated to a 4. By 9 I was a 10 and by 9:10 I started pushing. She didn't make me work too hard... only ten minutes. My epidural was great, I could feel a lot with very little pain. She actually came out on her own at the end. They told me to stop pushing so the doctor could get some gloves on. I said, "well, the baby is coming out on it's own so you better hurry!"
I arrived at the hospital around 11 Pm on the 28th. They admitted me to a room at about 3. Broke my water at 5. At 7 I was dilated to a 4. By 9 I was a 10 and by 9:10 I started pushing. She didn't make me work too hard... only ten minutes. My epidural was great, I could feel a lot with very little pain. She actually came out on her own at the end. They told me to stop pushing so the doctor could get some gloves on. I said, "well, the baby is coming out on it's own so you better hurry!"
I was so sure it was going to be a boy, so I bent forward to see. To my utter surprise... She's a girl! I looked right at Barry and said, "Holy Cow, you were right all along!"
They proceeded to place her on my chest. Immediately I knew she had Down Syndrome. I will not lie... in that moment, I was filled with a sense of doom. Just a week before I had been talking to my friend who had a Down Syndrome son about how special I think he is and that I think I could handle having a child like that. I was being sincere! But, you can imagine that in that first moment, I was wondering
First, if I was seeing something that wasn't there.
Second, that our Heavenly Father sure has a way of doing things...
None of the staff said anything to us and after they left the room, I told Barry that I was 90% sure our daughter had Down Syndrome. We proceeded to start telling the staff and they called in a Pediatrician and the Genetics Doctors from Childrens to come and see her. After seeing her, before any blood tests, they said they were fairly sure she had it. I proceeded to cry. It is one thing to THINK something, but a whole different one to be told... YEP, YOU ARE RIGHT! But, I only needed about 5 minute to let it out, then I proceeded to ask the Genetic Doctor a million questions about what to expect, what medical problems to look for, life expectancy, and more!
Once they left, I started to deal with this like I did any other child. She needed her momma!! Cuddling, loving, feeding etc. I quickly fell madly in love with her and saw this as a very positive thing in my life! She is truly a GIFT sent from Heavenly Father to bless our family!
Well it didn't take long before they started taking her away from me for blood tests, Echo's on her heart and more. Put it this way, by about 5 PM, I was feeling a little "Down" myself! I needed my girl! I missed her, I wanted to put her on my chest and feel her soft warm skin!
Well it didn't take long before they started taking her away from me for blood tests, Echo's on her heart and more. Put it this way, by about 5 PM, I was feeling a little "Down" myself! I needed my girl! I missed her, I wanted to put her on my chest and feel her soft warm skin!
Day two started bright and early with the NICU staff coming to take her and admit her there. 
So... here we go again! She was having problems with elimination, and still wasn't nursing. I was feeding her through a syringe! Well, by the next day they decided to send her to the Childrens hospital because her tummy X-ray was not promising.
So... here we go again! She was having problems with elimination, and still wasn't nursing. I was feeding her through a syringe! Well, by the next day they decided to send her to the Childrens hospital because her tummy X-ray was not promising. 
That red spot on her head was where they attempted an IV (after a few of these and two IV's going bad and causing her limbs to swell... I said "NO MORE! Please put in a PICC (a more permanent line that is stable long term!)" They did!!! HALLELUJAH!So now, she is at Childrens, she is doing great... considering! They have her on TPN (Nutrition) through her PICC, antibiotics, and are doing lots of poking and prodding! We are waiting for word on what comes next and look forward to the day when I can stop pumping and start nursing! But, I will pump as long as I have to! I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON HER :)
We are so crazy in love with her! I have never been so greedy with my babies before. But I feel like I haven't had enough time with her. My heart strings are pulled in many directions. I need to be by her side, but my other kids need me too! We just need her well so she can come home! We want to show her off!!!
She is allowed visitors and we would love you to come. But, check with us first because we want you to be able to hold her and enjoy her when you go. If there are too many people, you will feel rushed :) She needs all the LOVE she can get!
33 comments:
She is BEAUTIFUL Kathy. Your strength and honesty are beautiful too.
I can only imagine what my first thoughts would have been finding out what I thought was actually now a reality. It's hard to know until you are in that moment. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. Your thoughts, your feelings and most especially the love you have for your sweet, sweet, beautiful daughter. She really is beautiful!!
I admire your strength. She'll be home soon enough :)
interestingly enough, I too felt like I could have handled a down's child. And, if I had more children, I wouldn't have been surprised if I actually HAD. Reading it from someone else's perspective who was once where I am is humbling.
You are so strong to have just dealt so well with this. A child in NICU is tough, and wanting to spend all your time with her without ignoring your other kids is 100% understandable to me-- I had two kids in NICU and get that completely!
She's a doll, and I know she will bless your family something wonderfully!
Kathy
although we don't know eachother super well, I feel a close bond to you right now. As soon as I heard about your perfect little Macy, it brough back a flood of feelings I remember feeling and still feel with respect to being chosen to raise a child with "special needs". I know that range of emotions is huge. I remember feelings very low lows and then at other times have felt such a strength and a feeling of privledge that Heavenly Father would trust us to raise one of his strongest spirits.I find your positive outlook so refreshing and inspiring. Thankyou for sharing your story.
Meghann Clements
What a beautiful baby, Kathy! Congratulations, I know you were meant to be her mother. Your strength and faith are amazing, I truly admire you.
I LOVE the picture of you cuddling her, and her hat is adorable!
I hope she has a good day today (you too)!
What an adorable little angle you have. You are all in our prayers. We hope for a fast recovery. Thanks for sharing your amazing testimony. Love ya
I found your blog and was very touched by your story. Congratulations on your beautiful daughter, and beautiful attitude towards parenting.
I hope the TPN is a temporary thing for you, BUT if it becomes part of your daily reality, know that there is information and peer support available from the Oley Foundation. Everything is free of charge. Check it out at www.oley.org or call (800) 776-OLEY.
Best wishes,
Roslyn Dahl
The Oley Foundation
dahlr@mail.amc.edu
Beautiful Story. Beautiful Family. A true inspiration. My heart hurts for you feeling pulled in two directions, not having enough time with Macy and for watching her be poked an proded. Stay strong. Remember, you know what's best for her and it's a blessing that you have your nursing background to assist with that. You are in our prayers.
teary eyes, thats what i have, but because of the spirit i felt reading your post. You are truly amazing. I would love to come visit her and you sometime. I love her hat and have a pink one with a creme flower that never fit Isabella that i would like to pass on to her. Here for you whenever you need.
Love yah
She is ADORABLE!!! You are amazing! Good Luck with everything! I hope she gets to come home soon!
She is gorgeous Kathy! You are such a strong person. God knew exactly what he was doing giving you Macy. She is lucky to have you and Barry.
I pray she comes home soon. I can't imagine how hard it is to split your time. Hang in there and know that God always has hand on you. He will get you through.
Oh Kathy, she is so darling. I know you are going to be a wonderful mother to her. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences and know that your little family is in my prayers.
What a beautiful special little gift you have!! It was truly great to read your post and how positive you are.
I worked with down syndrome adults for 5 years in Utah and they are truly special people...the unconditional love they give and the joy they brought to me while working with them was inspiring!!
Your family and Macy are in my prayers and I hope she gets to come home soon!!
Wow you are one strong momma kathy. Macy is so lucky to be in your family. She is beautiful. I can't wait to meet her.
I hope you don't mind me looking at your blog...She is so beautiful! You are so strong and inspiring, I hope that if I am ever faced with something like this I can handle it the way you do. She is a angel!
You are such an inspiring person! I love reading your blog. Heavenly Father knew that you were the right person to send Macy too. I admire you greatly.
I really feel that God never gives you anything that you can't handle. Macy is so very lucky to have you as her Mom (along with your other 2)! You are such a great mom and heavenly father knows she is in the best of hand's!!! She is PRECIOUS! I wish I could come and see you! Your story is beautiful and I admire your strength!
I hope you all get home soon! So you can LOVE her all to yourself!
Macy is a beautiful girl and so lucky to come into such a wonderful family. Macy will be a blessing not only to your family but to many others.
My church calling right now is working with a child who is Austic. She speaks only a few words, but the love she shares with me is incredible. I look forward to Sunday every week so that I can be Lexie's friend. Macy will bring that same joy to others each and every day.
I can't wait for her first visit to Utah.
Love, Holly
Kathy, thanks for sharing your news. I am so impressed with your positive attitude through all of this. Macy is blessed to have a great mom like you. Stay strong and remember to take care of yourself too!
Kathy, She is so beautiful. She is truly blessed to have you as a mother. God sure knew what he was doing by giving her to you.
She IS beautiful, Kathy! What a sweet baby doll :) Glad to hear things are progressing, just hope they continue on that path. It's amazing what Heavenly Father knows about us to entrust such a sweet child in your care. She is perfect!
I just cried my way through this post. Your love for all three of your Angels is so tender, my heart too feels so full it might burst. She's so beautiful, I'm so happy to hear she pooed, I know that feeling of joy when a sick baby finally poo's! :) I just love who you are Kathy! Your heart is so tender, it just draws people to you. Little Macy is sure lucky to have you for her Mama. Thanks for all the updates, your in my prayers. Love you. -steph
You and Barry must have done something right for Heavenly Father to send such a sweet spirit into your home! She is absolutely adorable. Hope all goes well and she gets to come home soon!
I am so glad you stopped by my blog and took the time to leave a comment. Macy is soooooo beautiful!!! Morgan spent the first 5 days in the NICU and it was so hard to have share my time between the kids at home and her in the ICU. It gets so much better once you are all together again. It is so different when it happens to you. I was giving my sis-in-law all of this great advice when she had soft indicators for Ds in her pregnancy--how it wouldn't matter, how she'd love any child, how great a mom she'd be to a child with special needs. All the while I was pregnant with my own sweet Morgan and had no idea what was in front of me with my own journey. It is very different when it happens to you. It took me about 24 hours to realize I was the luckiest mom to have her. She gives me challenges but I am such a better person and mom because of having her in my life. I wouldn't change having a child with special needs for anything. She is the greatest gift to our family! I look forward to following your journey and will keep sweet Macy in my prayers that she can come home soon! I am guessing by the Moroni scripture at the top of your blog (what a great scripture btw--never read it with that perspective) that you are LDS. So am I! :) So we have more than just one thing in common. Congratulations! You have a beautiful family!
She is absolutely beautiful. An angel sent from heaven indeed. God has given you the best gift He ever could ... we just don't always realize it when we are handed the diagnosis.
Dealing with this doesn't make you strong, it makes you a momma. If I had a quarter for every time someone told me "you are so strong!", I'd be a millionaire. People think they would never be able to deal with such an event, until it happens and you are forced to pull up your big girl panties and love that baby. Love that beautiful baby!
You sound like you are doing well, although it is so normal and healthy to just let yourself experience the emotion and digest the information.
Thanks for sharing your angel with the world ... she will change more lives than the rest of us together!
I hope you don't mind that I came and peeked at your blog. I haven't blogged in a long time. I threw one up Saturday, but that was it.
My heart goes out to you and your family. I agree with all the posts that have been posted. You are truly a "mother of angels". Heavenly Father has trusted you with one of his choice children. You are a strong woman and I know Macy will be an inspiration to you and your whole family.
I took a look at the blog that you named in your post named "WOW". I couldn't help but get lost in her blog.
Your daughter is beautiful. We will continue to pray for you and your family.
Welcome to the world Sweet Macy Sharon ~ you truly are a gift and a blessing!
Sorry for the stalker status, but I am Kira's little sister and I heard about you daughter. I read this and just wanted to let you know how beautiful I think she is, and even though I don't know you and your family just through reading this I can tell you guys are amazing, and will be the perfect parents for her, and her for you :)
thanks for giving me the warm fuzzies while reading this.
Congratulations on your new baby. Macy is beautiful. I hope she is home with you all soon. It is so difficult to have your family split like that, knowing your kids at home need you but your baby needs you at the hospital too. After that, 3 kids at home is a breeze.
I love Macy's hat. Much better than the hospital ones.
P.S. Welcome to the club. You are in for wonders and joys you could never imagine. I guess you have a little idea of that since your friend has a child with Down syndrome, but having them in your life day in and day out is a whole different ball game.
That was beautifuly written and I loved the pictures!I know the hardest thing for me to deal with when Russell was born was not the Down syndrome, it was the fact that he was in the NICU for three weeks and it killed me to be seperated from him.
Macy is adorable and I love your blog :)
She is truly beautiful! I am so glad that our paths have crossed.
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