For years, I've heard people say there is no deeper or greater love than that which you will experience for your own child. That my friends, it a complete and total understatement! Words can't even begin to express how much love fills my heart and soul today. As I sit here and watch her tiny chest rise and fall with every breath, my love only grows stronger. I can stare at her for hours on end, which often results in tears of joy. I honestly feel like the luckiest man alive and haven't taken a single moment of the last week for granted, nor will I in the future.
Since Blythe's birth, I have literally received hundreds of emails, calls and messages of congratulations. I have saved everyone possible and will cherish them forever; thank you all so very much. At times, the support has been overwhelming and I can assure you that my little girl will always know how many people were behind the scenes rooting for her and supporting her Dad. Seriously, thank you all! Yesterday I received a very special email from an old childhood friend back on Prince Edward Island. It really touched my heart and I would like to share it:
Rob,
Congratulations on the birth of Blythe, she is so precious and is lucky to have a great Dad like you. My husband and I weren't as blessed. I am unable to have any children but it makes my heart fill with joy to see that you have been blessed with a beautiful little girl. I can see it in your eyes that you are truly content and will be an excellent father.
All the best to both you and I would love to meet her when you come home to PEI.
Lots of love
J.
All I can say, is that "J" is right, I am blessed, that I know for certain, and as I said earlier, I will never take a single moment of my life with Blythe for granted. I made both myself and Blythe that promise last Tuesday night at 9:12pm.
For some people, the day their child is born can sometimes be a blurr. While it seems like yesterday and still all somewhat of a dream, I did capture as many images and thoughts as humanly possible...
My day started at 5:30am. Since I arrived in Panama City on March 1st, I had been averaging only 4 hours of sleep per night in anticipation. The night of the 4th was no different. I rose at 5:30am, made coffee and sat on the balcony watching the sun rise over the Bay of Panama and the Pacific Ocean. The sky was the prettiest shade of pink and right then and there I knew this day would be amazing (see image below)!
I spent the day trying to relax. I read, skyped with family, wrote in my journal, cleaned, cleaned, and cleaned, followed by 2 or 3 hot showers. I met my doctor and attorney at 2pm to review and sign some final documents and made a quick trip to the mall for a late lunch/early dinner. By 7:30pm I was ready to go...just one more hot shower and I was all set! I arrived at the hospital around 7:45pm and waited in Dr. Vega's office while he finished with his last patient of the day. Around 8:15pm Dr. Vega, his nurse and I walked to the O/R where we changed and scrubbed in. Once we were ready, Dr. Vega's nurse led me to the pre-op room where Margarita was resting. She looked nervous, which instantly scared me. I said hello, asked her how she was feeling and she told me she was nervous but assured me that she would be okay. She told me the baby was kicking up a storm. She then grabbed my hand, squeezed hard and gave me a reassuring look that everything would be fine. After a quick rub of her belly and a kiss to her forehead, she was wheeled into the O/R.
At 9pm, the O/R nurse escorted me into the O/R. There were 7 people in attendance, plus myself. Dr. Vega performed the surgery. I sat next to Margarita trembling in response to every single beep from the adjacent heart and fetal monitors. The surgery itself was, let's just say, fascinating! Around 9:10pm Dr. Vega asked me if I was ready to meet my baby. He told me that he was close to securing her head and that I should get ready. Armed with my camera and video recorder, I inched myself closer to Margarita's side. At this time, Dr. Vega and the other doctor assisting with the surgery were aggressively working the baby's head out through the incision. I was surprised how aggressive they were and asked them to be careful. And then all of a sudden, out came this tiny head. I froze as Dr. Vega expelled the first bit of fluid from her month. At this time, she still wasn't making a sound so I was nervous, but then literally 15 seconds later out she came and the room erupted in cheers as she screamed with life celebrating her first few breaths. It was without a doubt, the most beautiful moment of my life. I wept with joy.
Immediately following the delivery, Dr. Abbott (our Pediatrician) and her nurse took over, cleaning the baby and performing a series of Apgar tests. Dr. Abbott assured me Blythe was perfect, which was quickly confirmed by her test results...a 9, followed by a perfect 10. Suffice to say, I was thrilled and for the first time in 9 months, I felt the weight of the world lift from my shoulders. After some final cleaning, I cut the umbilical chord and said good-bye to Margarita, who was now resting comfortably. Dr. Abbott, her nurse and I took Blythe to the nursery, where she spent the next hour in an incubator being warmed. This was standard procedure prior to her first round of shots, bath and feeding. I stayed by her side and called my family with the happy news. It was truly an amazing night and one that I will never ever forget!
At 7 days old, Blythe is thriving at home with her Dad and Auntie Michelle. Her stay in the hospital nursery was uneventful thanks to the wonderful care we received, especially from our lead nurse, Kimberley! We met lots of other parents, babies and families, a few whom even share our same story (I will share those experiences later). Now, it's back to regular feedings, diaper changes, cuddles and the administration of a ton of paperwork, processes and red-tape that is critical to our return home to Seattle.
With love from the Simpson family...(I love saying that)
Rob & Blythe
Beautiful pink sun rise on the day my sweet daughter was born.
Blythe Kimberley Simpson
