Flashbacks

As you can see from my first post, our "little baby" has actually grown quite a bit since he was born. Yes, sadly, I allowed four months to pass before I got this blog started. So, that means I'm going to have to start posting some "flashbacks" to catch up on all of the things he has been up to since he was born. And speaking of birth, let's start there. This photo was taken by Matt just minutes after Luke was born at 7:25 p.m. on June 21. Although he turned out to be perfectly healthy (8 lbs. 1.6 oz., 21-1/4 inches long), there were some concerns about his condition at birth and he was immediately whisked to a table in the L&D room for suctioning and other care. His mommy didn't get a chance to hold him for another 45 minutes. When mommy finally did get to hold her boy, daddy was out in the lobby sharing digital photos of his pride and joy. Unfortunately, our dear little guy had to be taken to the progressive care nursery because, due to a fever, he needed to be put on a course of antibiotics. Family who had waited all day for the arrival slowly began to head home as it became apparent that it might be quite late before this new little Sutherland was available to meet his fan club. Eventually, only my parents and two of my brothers remained. Sadly, they headed home at 1:00 a.m. when a nurse came to tell us that Luke would have to be kept in the progressive care unit over night and would not be coming to see his visitors that day. Finally at 3:00 a.m. June 22, Matt and I went to the progressive care nursery so that I could nurse Luke. It was there that his daddy got to hold him for the first time. He had monitors taped to his chest. He had a splint on his right arm to hold his wrist steady so that the little tube inserted for administration of antibiotics would not come loose. But he was still our little boy. In that tiny (literally, closet-sized) room, we were alone as a family for the first time. Just the three of us!

(See more photos of Labor, Birth and the Progressive Care Nursery.)