Berrick Dakota Brown

On October 28, 2008 our little gift from God was born. Berrick Dakota Brown blessed his family at 12:21 pm, weighing 6 lbs. 9 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long.

THE HOSPITAL

In the final weeks leading up to his arrival, we had confirmation from our Doctor that Behr was positioned head down, so we assumed he would arrive the traditional way. Little did we know that Berrick had other plans. Literally between week 40 and 41 he completely flipped and on Monday, October 27 (5 days past due date) it was confirmed that he was breech (head up) and Darbie would have a C-section to deliver the little man. We had already prayed about the situation, so we were completely comfortable with the news, that it was completely in God’s hands and this was how he was to arrive. They scheduled his arrival for the next day at 8:30 am. I hardly slept that night in anticipation of him finally arriving. Berrick was finally going to see the light of day and we would finally get to hold him. Darbie slept great and woke up bright-eyed and bushy tailed. We arrived at the hospital at 6:30 am as instructed and they took us to our room within 10 minutes. The next hour or so went by really slow and at about 7:45 am we found out that an emergency C-section had occurred that morning and it would delay Berrick’s arrival until 12:30 pm!!! It was brutal knowing we had to wait another 4 hours for him to arrive but we had waited over 40 weeks, so what was another 4 hours. We just hung out with family in the room and laughed a lot so it worked out great.

BEHR’S ARRIVAL

They informed us that we would leave our room and head to an OR for the C-section. Noon passed and after a visit from the anesthesiologist, reality set in for both of us. Darbie had never been under the knife for anything before so she got emotional and a little scared. I tried to be strong for her but I was scared too. We said a prayer as a family over Darbie and Behr and the next thing I knew at about 12:05 pm, they wheeled her out of the room. I had to wait at the end of the hall, as they had to take her back to prep. her for surgery. It felt like an hour but finally at about 12:15 pm the doors opened and they told me to follow them back to watch our baby enter the world. I walked in and four people were standing over Darbie and they told me to come around to the back where they had her head and shoulders behind a blue curtain. We were able to talk and within a few minutes, they asked me if I wanted to see, and I said absolutely. I stood up and watched them reach into Darbie and begin to pull him out. He was folded up like a lawn chair! I was overwhelmed as I watched our son take his first breath, cry his first cry and see his first light of day! I could look down at Darbie the whole time and she was crying with joy and happiness. Once Behr took his first big breath and let out his first cry, they took him to an adjacent table to begin cleaning him. The hardest part was leaving Darbie at that time but I knew I had to be there and help them clean Behr and bond with him. I can’t explain how it felt for him to grab my finger right away, while they were cleaning him off. He looked so long and lean which was surprising to me. He opened his eyes several times at this point and you could tell the light was really bright for him. They handed him to me a few minutes later and I took him over to Darbie. I leaned down with him to let her see her baby boy. At this moment, the most precious thing happened. He was crying and opened his eyes and looked at me, then he cut his eyes over directly at Darbie and stared at her. I watched Darbie looking at him and him looking at her and that will forever be etched in my memory. It was amazing to witness and a true gift from God. He knew it was his mom. A few minutes later, they finished up with Darbie and she was able to hold Berrick. They wheeled them to our room and on the way all the family saw him for the first time. It was amazing and I don’t have enough keys on this keyboard to tell you just how special it felt to be a father and to watch Darbie with him. God is so good!

The Doctor told us that normally C-sections stay in the hospital for at least three days but occasionally, they get to go home a little early. As she did with the entire pregnancy, Darbie handled it all like a veteran and we were able to go home on Thursday. She was a trooper and a lot tougher than me. I’d still be on an IV after all that I saw! I could go on and on about so many things in the hospital (i.e. diaper changing adventures, sleeping on the hardest pullout known to man and Darbie being loopy for the first 8 hours or so). Bottom line is they were both healthy, happy, Behr looks like his momma and things could not have gone smoother!

Going Home

Thursday afternoon, we packed up and left for home. We arrived just before 3:00 pm. Bonnie and Tom had decorated the front yard and the front of the house so it was awesome arriving home to signs in the yard and a banner up on the house declaring “It’s A Boy!!”. We spent about two hours at home, just the three of us and then Bonnie and Tom came back to celebrate.

The past two and a half weeks have been a joy and he’s growing so much every day. I must admit, he is one good-looking boy if I say myself. I’m a proud papa! We had so many people come to see us at the hospital and offer to help. Bonnie and Tom were such a huge help and we can’t thank them enough for all that they have done. The same goes for all of our family and friends. Thanks so much for your love, support and all the gifts! We are truly blessed to have such a loving family and such amazing friends. We can’t wait for you all to share in Behr’s life and watch with us as he grows up with you and your families.

Also, thanks to Bonnie & Tom Geyman, Jeff & Jeri Brooks, Wayne & Dorothy Cloutet, Jay & Elizabeth McCormick and Jake & Brooke Burks for all the food you’ve provided us in the past two weeks. It is much appreciated!