Keira was born during the year of Covid! The nation was apprised of a new virus in January or February of 2020, and Keira was born in May. By that time, Kate and Will were attending school online, and Ben was working from home a few days a week due to the need for social distancing.
Keira was due at the end of May but throughout the pregnancy I had minor complications due to Placenta Previa. I had an ultrasound scheduled for the morning of my birthday, May 4th. I woke up with some light bleeding but attended the ultrasound anyway, letting the doctor know about the times I had been to the hospital in previous weeks for the same issue. She recommended that I go ahead and have the baby that day. I was 36 weeks pregnant, and Keira seemed healthy. I figured it was better to be safe than sorry, and I thought it would be fun to share a birthday with my youngest!
I finished my appointment and called Ben.
"So...we're going to have a baby today."
"...Ok (laughs)."
"Call your parents and see if they can leave now."
Luckily Grandma and Grandpa Ellis moved to St. George the week prior and were willing to come help with the kids while we were in the hospital. They really saved our bacon! Jody came up to cover us until Rob and Karen could get here.
My c-section was scheduled for 5pm, so I went home, leisurely packed my bag, and headed to the hospital to do some monitoring and waiting.
Since this was my first c-section, I wasn't sure what to expect but it was definitely interesting! When Keira came out Ben held her close to my face for a minute before they whisked her away to make sure she was doing well. She was loud so that seemed like a good sign, but they were worried about how much work she was doing to breath, so they took her to the NICU,where she stayed for a full two weeks.
I sent Ben to Washington so the other kids could get some cousin time while I went back and forth between the hospital and home. It was heart-wrenching not being able to be with her during her first weeks of life, but it was also probably a blessing as I was utterly exhausted, and healing from the most intense surgery I had ever experienced. By the time she came home, I had already been able to sleep through the night for two weeks (besides getting up to pump).
She came home on day 14 with Oxygen. The tech explained how to change the oxygen canisters and monitor her breathing. I was relieved not to have to go to the hospital every day, but that oxygen machine was loud and never stopped beeping! After one night of it waking us up constantly, we decided to just turn off the sound and check it during the night time feedings.
She made mounds of progress once she was home. She seemed to thrive on the snuggles and the freedom of Mom's schedule as opposed to the NICU's. She is the only baby I had to use premature clothing for. She was so tiny! But she grew into her newborn cloths quickly.
Now she is 18 months old and walking and babbling like a pro! She knows how to hold her own when she doesn't like what someone's doing, and she knows how to milk you for attention:) She is spunky, independent, and curious! We love Keira.
