Monday morning I got the call that I had been anxiously awaiting for four weeks, however, I was not ready. Things started flying, and forty minutes later I was dressed, car was packed, and Diana and I were on a road trip to get to Houston before Fitz was born. About an hour into the trip, Chad let us know that it would be an all day event, so the stress level went down a little. We got there and the waiting game began. Mark, Penny, Russ, Blake, and Diana made the waiting room our home away from home for the next four days. Fitz was born about 5:40 PM. We got to see him about 8 PM for a few moments. He was much larger than guessed - 8 pounds 4 ounces. Diana and I went to Chad and Tara's to stay the night. Blake and Mark went to Dallas. Niki came in during the night. Then we got the early morning text, everyone dreads. Fitz has some issues and had to go to the NICU. He would be facing surgery. Again we dressed and fought the Houston traffic to get back to hospital. We found out that the things that develop the 7th - 9th week after conception can be affected. So the many tests began. What we know for sure is that there is a cyst on his ears, they fold over, and his anus is not developed nor can he be circumcised at this time. Over the next several days he was tested for hearing, eyes, spinal column, bones in his arms and legs, and his heart. We knew on Wednesday that we were not going to get to see him anytime soon, so we drove home Wednesday night. Fitz finally passed all his tests, the parents passed the dilation test, and so he got released on Saturday night. He will be facing several surgeries in the coming months. Even though Fitz had an emotional start, God blessed us and prayers were being answered daily/hourly. He is a beautiful little boy that has many of his father's characteristics - his looks, he likes his buppy, and he already moves a lot. Maybe Chad will see why we called him "the worm" by the time he was two weeks old.
Pictures to follow!
