Meet Luke Michael Rucker!!

Sweet Luke Michael Rucker came into the world 6 weeks early on March 1st, 2013 at 1:49 am.  He weighed 5 pounds, 13.5 ounces and was 18 3/4 inches long. He is just the sweetest thing and we are in love already!

For you to get the full idea of his birth story, I will back up to Monday, February 25th. That morning, Justin had his second neck fusion surgery--something we just found out that he needed to have done about a week prior.   He had this same surgery about a year an a half ago when Charlie was about 6 months old.  You can read about that here.  That time was to fuse the 4-5 vertebrae and this time was the 6-7. Thank goodness surgery went wonderfully, and he was home beginning his recovery.  The day of surgery, I was having some minor contractions on and off that day- but not anything I hadn't already had in the weeks prior. I went home that night and had a good night's sleep.  Headed back to the hospital on Tuesday, February 26th to bring Justin home.  He was doing well--thankfully much better than he did with his first surgery.  I was still having small contractions, but I really thought I was fine.

Move on to Wednesday, I went back to school and taught that day.  Something didn't feel right though--I was exhausted and it felt like little Luke had dropped--even my teammates and my students' parents commented on it.  Again, I was having contractions on and off all day--but nothing in a labor pattern.  Went to pick up Charlie from school, and that is when I found out something was wrong--I was spotting! Oh my goodness--I started freaking out! Deep breaths... Concentrate! I remember this happening right before I went into labor with Charlie.  I called my OB, and he said you need to get to L&D as soon as possible.  This is about 5:00pm. How could this be happening?!  I'm only 34 weeks, 4 days- but I reminded myself that Charlie came into the world at 34 weeks, 6 days! I called all of our family on the way home and had them lined up to come over and watch Charlie, and my Dad was going to take me to the hospital--Justin can't drive for at least 3-4 weeks because of surgery, and shouldn't be riding either. He should be in bed!!  I somehow made it to the house- dropped Charlie off with Justin's Mom and Justin, my Dad, and I headed to the hospital. This can't be happening, I kept telling myself!!

Thank goodness we live about 5 minutes from the hospital.  Made it there at about 5:30ish; they checked me in and hooked me up to the monitor.  At this point, they found I was having contractions every 5 minutes.  They gave me the terbutaline shot (which makes you crazy--great!) and the contractions stopped. When they checked, I wasn't dilated--cervix was good.  They did say I probably wouldn't make it to 40 weeks, and that Luke would probably be here in about 2 weeks.  Perfect, I thought--during spring break and enough time for Justin to heal, at least some!! We went home around 8:30ish; they told me to rest and follow up with my doctor and the high risk specialist the next morning.

We are now at Thursday, February 28th.  I'm glad I took this picture--this is my last belly shot.  Here I am right before heading to my doctor's appointment.

Had the sonogram with my high risk doctor--all was great! I wasn't dilated; again everything was good.  She said it was probably just caused by the stressful week, and I needed to take the rest of the week off and rest. I could return to school on Monday and until then, needed to take it easy.  Ok, good news!

Went home, rested, had a yummy dinner from MiCo with my parents,  and worked on sub plans.  Then around 8:30ish, I started having the worst back contractions ever.  Oh my goodness--horrible!!! My report was so good that morning from the doctor that I didn't think these could be labor pains.  I went to sleep hoping that I would wake up the next morning and they would be gone.  Wrong! I woke up at 11:00 with the worst back contractions, and they were about 5 minutes apart.  I told Justin we had to get to the hospital now!! Well, of course, he can't drive! We called all of our family and the first one there would take us to the hospital.  Justin's Dad was first. Let's go!! We loaded the car, woke up Charlie, and drove to the hospital.  It had to be stressful for him driving his daughter-in-law who was in labor and his son who just had neck surgery 3 days ago, but he did great! It was now around 11:45ish pm. 

Checked into L&D, and I must have said all the right things because the first thing they did was check to see if I was dilated.  And I was--already a 9!!!!!!! The nurse said you are having this baby tonight and it might be too late for the epidural because things are moving so fast! I broke down--this could not be happening!! What is today? Is this his birthday? How far along am I? Is he going to be ok? Am I ready for this? Ok, it's March 1st now... whoa, I'm 34 weeks and 6 days, same day Charlie came. 

Got into the Labor and Delivery room around 12:30 am and my epidural was in by 1:15 am.  Thank goodness!! They gave me a dose level comparable to a C-section since things were moving so quickly, which made me feel better, but out of control of my body.  I had no feeling from the legs down. But, I wasn't in pain and that was great!!  

My water still hadn't broke and the doctor came into the room and said she needs to break it because Luke's heart rate was dropping. It was time to get moving. I wasn't ready for this--it all happened so fast.  I asked if we could have a few minutes to ourselves before we started.  She said she would be back in 10 minutes.  During that time we prayed hard and asked God to look after us, calm our fears, guide our medical staff and for our sweet boy to arrive healthy and safe.  After that 10 minutes, we were at peace and ready to welcome Luke into the world.  

She broke my water, and I immediately started pushing at 1:40 am.  His heart rate was quickly dropping and they needed to get him out.  Afterward, they found out my placenta was in early stages of abruption, which was what probably caused labor to start. Three pushes and nine minutes in, Luke Michael Rucker was born at 1:49am. Took him only a second to cry and in that instant we all sighed a massive breath of relief.  All of the doctors and nurses called him Lucky Luke--we were all just thrilled he made it here safely! 

He was then moved to the NICU...

His welcome sign in his room in the NICU....

Justin came out to share the news with our family, telling Charlie that he is now a big brother- yes, Charlie was there at 2am in the morning! The plan was to take him back home, but with everything moving so fast he hung out till birth time! He was a champ!

The family meeting Lucky Luke in the NICU after his birth...

We are so blessed sweet Luke made it into this world safe and healthy.  We thank God every night for our sweet little angel, and we are so thankful for everyone's love and support during this journey. All of our family and friends have been amazing during this challenging time, providing meals, rides, Charlie care, and most importantly, love and support! We could not feel more fortunate and are looking forward to the day we get to take Luke home and start our life together as a family of 4!

"And the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him."

Luke 2:40