We knew Kevin was a big baby; I was thinking he would weigh in at about 9 pounds but my denial mechanism would have me thinking he would only be, ohhh maybe 8 plus pounds - so much for denial.

You would think that a baby that large would be born robust and healthy.  Well, he is healthy and robust but his entry into this world was not without complications.  Kevin was taken by emergency C-section when his heart rate skyrocketed and his mother's temperature spiked - all in the blink of an eye.

Jason had called me at 7:40 AM to let me know they were at the hospital and that things were progressing very well.  Based on what he was saying, I felt I didn't need to transform myself into a speed demon because it sounded like it would be a few hours yet, so I calmly finished getting ready and started out on the 50 mile drive to the hospital in San Francisco.  Naturally, I got stuck in very heavy traffic and as I approached the Golden Gate Bridge, my anxiety level began to climb.  It took me 2 hours to reach the hospital and then I had to find my way through a maze of corridors to Christine's room, only to find it empty.

I'm not sure I can describe the fear that took hold of my heart.  My body went cold, my pulse began racing and I started running around looking for a nurse.  I happened onto Christine's labor nurse and she could see right away that I was terrified.  She very calmly told me that my grandson had just been born and that he was in the ICU nursery and was being "worked on" by a team of doctor's and nurses and that Jason was with him.

She began to talk about what was going on with Kevin but I only wanted to hear about my daughter.  I looked her in the eye and said that I just could not listen about the baby until she could tell me, truthfully, that my daughter was okay.  She told me that Christine was doing well and was being monitored very closely.  My panic level rose and all kinds of horrible thoughts went through my head.  Monitored closely?  For what?  What could have gone wrong in the space of 2 hours?  I needed to see my daughter; I needed to look at her and touch her and hold her.  I couldn't trust the nurse's words.  I needed to get a sense for myself that Christine was all right.

The nurse said that it would be about an hour before Christine came out of surgery and that I could see her then, but in the meantime, I could go to see the baby if I wanted to.  I was convinced that the nurse was keeping something from me, but I went with her to the nursery.  It wasn't that I didn't want to see my grandson; I was just not able to focus my brain anywhere but on my daughter.  I was also very concerned about how this turn of events was affecting Jason.

Being able to see and hug Jason really helped.  He was confident that Christine was going to be okay.  I could see the concern in his eyes, but I could also see his joy.  Holding onto each other we went in to see my grandson.

The sight of all those people surrounding that baby was something out of a bad dream for me, as I'm sure it was for Jason.  All those wires and monitors and tubes; Kevin wasn't crying and most of him was blue. When I remarked on that, Jason told me that Kevin was actually looking better.  My first thought was, better? relative to what?

I was invited to get up close to Kevin and to touch his head and even take a photo if I wanted.  Touching my little grandbaby brought me a warm calmness and the coldness left me; as I bent over the warming table to tell Kevin how much I loved him, I knew in my heart that he was going to be okay.

Shortly afterwards, we were taken to see Christine.  She was smiling soooo big.  When I looked in her face, when I touched her....then I knew that she would be okay, too.

I write this on February 4.  Christine learned today that the problems were caused by an undetected pre-eclampsia (commonly referred to as toxemia).  She had also contracted a Group B Strep infection pursuant to the breaking of her water.  She's being treated for the infection and is doing very well.  She'll most likely be discharged in 2 more days. 

This morning, Christine and Jason were finally able to hold their son.

I have a feeling that Jason and Christine can't believe she had been carrying a child that could definitely qualify to play with the San Francisco 49ers.

Kevin was taken off oxygen this afternoon and he is doing very well, although he will remain in ICU until his course of anti-biotics is completed, which means he may not be going home with his parents right away.  We are still waiting to hear when he'll be released.

Would you like to meet this miracle baby?  Just follow Pooh.