Here Comes Caeli Elise!

Two years ago, a trip to the bathroom changed three lives forever.

My wife’s water broke at twenty-three weeks – and we all know what happened ten days later at 4:18 am inside of the delivery room at UAMS.

During those ten days of serious bed rest, Chastity was only allowed to walk to the bathroom and back to her bed with occasional exercise being wheeled up and down the hallways in antepartum. Apparently it is also the place where high-risk pregnancies end up becoming premature births; of the women who went to the arts and crafts class, four gave birth within a matter of hours. I kind of expected to camp out until the doctors’ estimated delivery date of April 2, but of course, Caeli Elise had her own plans of getting out and seeing things a little early. To know our daughter is to understand that she is going to get into everything, especially the things we think she would not be able to reach. So far, Little Miss Sunshine hasn’t climbed on the countertops to reach the box of Cheerios on the refrigerator, but we know that won’t take terribly long.

The nice folks at the Burger King on the corner of Markham and Cedar also got to know me on a personal basis once the UAMS cafeteria started getting expensive. There is nothing like getting a Whopper at 10 pm and trying to navigate the twists and turns of the old hospital and parking deck; fortunately, I was driving a midsize car that fit in almost every parking space imaginable. Sorry, the motorcycle and microcar spaces weren’t happening despite someone cramming a Challenger into one.

For nine days, I split my time between the hospital during the day and the job at night with the occasional run to Target for foot cream or Red Lobster for crab legs.

We did crossword puzzles, conquered Sudoku books, watched a lot of TV, filled out tons of paperwork, entertained a seemingly infinite line of visitors, crammed in labor (and for me, diaper changing lessons) classes, and most importantly, named the baby girl who was knocking around in her mommy’s tummy after spending hours studying baby books and apps.  We thought the next ten weeks were going to be a breeze, particularly after the attending doctor closed her cervix to keep the baby inside for as long as possible and she was making enough water that the bumping around effectively gave away to swimming in the womb like a normal pregnancy.

That changed a few hours after I met up with my best friend for a couple of birthday beers and pub food.

When I tell you labor is hands-down the hardest thing a person can go through, I mean every word of it. Chastity tossed and turned, the anesthesia no longer was doing its job effectively, and she even bit my stomach twice! I was reduced to being a helpless bystander in the room and within an hour, locked out and worried about the two of them. To understand the extent of it all, feel free to reread The Moment Dude Became Dad at your convenience as that really began our 146 day journey in the NICU and series of developmental, physical, occupational, and speech therapies to get to where we are today.

Two years later, we have an amazing big girl who has only lights up every single space she enters but also serves as a living testimony of the power of God. Chastity and I are both witnesses to those who do not believe in our almighty Father to take a close look at this two-year-old angel we are blessed to parent. Yeah, she’s spoiled – but after the two near-death calls from UAMS, why would I limit her opportunities, dreams, wishes, desires, and so forth?

Her journey is why we throw birthday parties and stuff the Christmas tree with presents.

Her days and nights at UAMS and Children’s have enhanced our time together at home.

Her resolve is why daddy and mommy are always #CAELISTRONG – and advocates for preemie babies.

Her innate ability to learn is second to none:  Have you seen our future engineer at work or how she loves being read to? Now if we can get that potty down pat…

As we celebrate our only child’s second birthday, we want to thank all of you for your prayers, support, attentive ears, gift cards, camaraderie, friendships, brotherhood/sisterhoods, and a host of things and feelings I cannot spell out in words at this time. 

Here comes Caeli Elise!