Aspen Christopher Hawkins - 6 pounds, 10 ounces and 20 inches. He was born at 12:21 AM
Aspen came home from the hospital the day before Easter. We were so grateful to have him home to celebrate his first Easter. All of the doctors were amazed that he was sent home and that his intestinal atresia wasn't caught at Gwinnett Medical. I'm choosing to believe that it was a God thing because HE knew what the next 40 days would hold! It was awesome for Lindsey and Chris to be able to spend time at home with their sweet baby boy.
April 1, 2013... Another day we will never forget. Aspen had been spitting up a little that morning but nothing we were overly concerned about. He had his first pediatrician appointment on this Monday at 1pm. Lindsey, Chris and I were getting Aspen ready when we started to see how much his abdomen was beginning to protrude. His stomach seemed to be growing with each minute that passed. I was concerned but I didn't say much because we were already getting ready for his doctor appointment. Never in anyone's imagination would we have believed that we would leave the house on Monday, April 1st and that Aspen would be having emergency surgery that night around 9pm. It all seemed like a bad dream. In the few days since Aspen was born, he had already lost from 6 pounds, 10 ounces down to 5 pounds, 13 ounces.
We arrived at the emergency room of Egleston Hospital in Atlanta around 4pm. It was determined that his intestines had not fully developed and that he would need emergency surgery to repair. The rest is somewhat of a blur. Praise the Lord he came through the surgery without any problems. The intestine was able to be reconnected vs having to have a "bag"...a much longer recovery and surgery. Dr. Parker performed the surgery and what a blessing he was. He was so knowledgeable and so kind. He explained how the procedure went in such detail.
The moment when Lindsey and Chris first got to hold Aspen after his surgery was amazing. His coloring looked better but seeing that tube down his throat was hard to see. He seemed peaceful, however, and we were all grateful for that. Lindsey was still in school and had finals coming up. Chris had to go back to work on April 8th. It was such a stressful time but they spent EVERY night at the hospital with their sweet baby except for one...Lindsey's birthday. What love and dedication they showed to their new baby boy. I was so proud of their love and their strength.
Next came the time that Danny (aka POPS) and I got to hold Aspen after surgery. I'll never forget his sweet little eyes locking in with mine. He would look at me like...."I'm so glad that you are here with me", or at least that is what this Dee Dee thought! :)
The tube is his mouth came out 5 days after his surgery. We were all so excited. Aspen was healing well and we praised the Lord for all that He had done!
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