Everly May Najarian

 Yesterday was a wild day but I am elated to report that we came home and we came home together as a family! We were nervous that Katrina was going to be discharged from the maternity ward and that our baby would have to be left behind in the NICU. Thankfully the NICU staff was able to accommodate us staying in their one single boarding room which is usually held for mothers who are discharged before their babies are allowed to go home.  Everly was able to start eating more in the NICU (each feeding she was averaging an ounce of formula with whatever amount of breast milk we could mix in the bottle). Also, there had been no more troubles with her breathing. She doesn't cry or make much fuss at all either. We know that the last part may be short lived but we want to believe the theory: chill parents make chill babies.  Katrina has been doing better and better each day with her breast pumping (producing more) and getting Everly to latch on is building strong habits. We are ...

With yesterday’s update done now I realized that I forgot something. It was my Birthday yesterday! I’m 28 years old and I forgot it was my birthday but I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it anyplace else.  Evidently everyone else remembered it was my birthday because my phone has been just absolutely bursting with messages. Both happy birthdays and well wishes for Everly. I hope everyone knows that as busy as I am, I am absolutely thankful for every bit of love that everyone is showing us. I’m trying to get back to people but between answering my phone and my little hospitalized family I’ll choose to focus my attention on them and get back to my phone when there’s time for it. I hope you all know we are doing our best and that we love you and we know we wouldn’t have gotten this far in life without your love and support.  Today is a new day and we are lucky to be living it. Katrina was up early this morning. At 4 AM She was told by staff that Everly was ready to be fed. Katrina a...

I hope you all weren’t holding your breath. I’m sorry that I haven’t been back to you all with updates or really answering many messages. The last 24 hours have been challenging but we are all OK.  Since the birth and the quick update after that, it probably seems like I’ve fallen off the radar and I’m not kidding when I say, I have. We all have.  Baby Everly was taken from the birthing suite to the NICU right after birth for some respiratory distress resulting from fluid in her lungs. When inducing labor, things moved rapidly once they started moving - like a boulder down a hill. Our little girl went from aquatic living to room air so quickly that her lungs didn’t really get rung out while coming out of the womb so away she went to the NICU.  Now let me tell you - before any panic sets in - that this type of thing is fairly common. It is especially common for c-sections but it can happen when induced birthing goes as quickly as ours did.  When the nurses wheeled Eve...

At 6:01 PM weighing in at 7 pounds 14 ounces Everly May Najarian is born into the world! She is doing well and currently off being assessed in another room while Katrina is getting some routine care. Katrina did a wonderful job and our hearts are so entirely full! Pictures will come in time, we are not taking visitors right at the moment but we will be taking immediate family soon. We’ll all catch up over these next several hours and upcoming days. We want to thank every single staff member at Wilson who made this what a wonderful day that it was. There are not enough great things to say about these people.  Thank you everyone tuning into this for all of your love, support, kindness, prayers, and every bit of consideration given to us. You are all family and we love you to no end!

 No baby yet BUT after Katrina’s water broke, there were contractions - a bunch of them consistently. One following the other with a minute or so between them. I’m going to bring you all up to speed as the last few hours have been a blur. 2:15 PM The water has broken (see last post) 2:25 PM The contractions are consistent and the pain level is up. Katrina initially requested IV Tylenol but quickly decided it was time for an epidural. 3:15 PM The contractions were still consistent. There were some delays in getting the epidural because there was also an emergent C-Section going on for another patient. The doctor had stopped in a couple of times, the nurse stayed with us for the most part, and the anesthesiologist came in. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful these people are and come close to the praise they deserve.  3:24 PM The Epidural is done and it’s time to lay down and rest while it kicks in. Katrina was still in a lot of pain at this point.  3:44 PM We were twe...

 The time was 2:15 PM when Katrina asked if I would adjust one of her pillows. As she went to move so I could adjust her pillow she said she felt something pop and that she thought her water broke. She hit the call bell and the nurse and doctor entered the room. After a quick cervical exam by the doctor it’s been confirmed. Katrina’s water has broken! I’ll try and keep you updated but any one of these posts could be the last until Everly is born. This may in fact be the final pre-birth posting. We love you all and we will let you know more as soon as we can.