Copper Week 1: June 3-9

Here is week #1 of Mr. Copper's life. We were ecstatic to bring him into this world, and little did we know of the adventure we would have the next few days. Here are a few pictures to illustrate that journey...

Minutes old...

Weighing in at 8 pounds 8 ounces and 21 inches long :)

Quiet time with my boy :)

After spending some time in the nursery getting weighed and measured, the doctors found a severe heart murmur that needed extra attention. We found out that Copper had a valve in his heart that restricted the flow of blood to his lungs to bring oxygen to his body. Around 8 hours later, he was taken to the NICU to be treated.

Copper was hooked up to several IV lines. One in his belly button, one in his hand and several monitors to check his blood pressure, oxygen, and respiratory rate. We were so shocked to see him like this, our little angel... he was only hours old and now we couldn't even be with him. I don't know what parent can be prepared for this.

Copper was kept under a warmer so he didn't have to have blankets or clothes to keep his temperature up. We were able to give him LOTS of kisses but I was not allowed to breast feed him for fear of infection because his stomach might not be able to process the nutrition :(
Our first family photo in the Cottage NICU.

Copper later had to be flown in a helicopter down to UCLA NICU to be treated for his pulmonary stenosis in his heart. I can't wait to tell him that at 24 hours old, he got to have his first helicopter ride :)

When we arrived at UCLA, we were greeted by many doctors who clearly knew what they were doing. They reassured us that they had a plan and that Copper would be just fine. Ty's mom and dad were with us for most of the entire time we were at UCLA, don't know what we would have done without that support. We also had a few visits from friends and family. We were sooo grateful for the support.

Auntie had to visit her nephew!

We were then faced with the unfortunate decision that Copper needed to have a catheter placed into his femoral artery all the way up into his heart to open the hardened valve. There were many risks to this procedure and the docs all let us know these in advance... exactly what you dont want to hear :(
It was absolute torture to see him wheeled away... I can't explain in words the pain that we felt. As we waited to hear an update, the doctor called us back about an hour too early. Ty and I were expecting the worst case scenario. The doctor informed us that the procedure went better than they expected and that Copper would be just fine. I have never experienced such extreme highs and lows in one day. We had just about the whole world praying for this little guy and we are convinced that it was a miracle.

Back in the NICU to recover. Unfortunately he was given morphine and other sedatives to keep him comfortable... but all he needed was his momma and papa!

Then he was locked in his incubator so that he could "heal"

Because of the pain medication he was given, along with the anesthesia, he slept from 8am-midnight. I was told that when he woke up, I could breast feed him... the only food he would have from the last day and a half.

And after he recovered, and because he is a champion... we were able to go home the next day! We put an adorable outfit on and cozied him up in his car seat and off we went!

We arrived home and literally sat in quiet for a good 20 minutes. No buzzers or alarms going off, no crying babies or nurses around... just peace at home as a family! So we had to celebrate with a beer...

Morning rest time together :)

Copper's first bath... he loved it!

Week #2 coming shortly!