Today I got to pick up Marlin from the hospital and take Marlin and her new baby home. I couldn't believe how awesome Marlin looked. She just had the baby on Friday and her whole belly was gone! She said that they gave her the Pitocin at 10 a.m. Friday. She could feel soft cramping at noon. At 1:30 she started having labor pains, but they weren't bad. The nurses said she would have the baby at 7 p.m. But her beautiful baby girl arrived at 2 p.m. on Friday.
They told Marlin that the baby was fine, but took the baby to a special unit where she could be constantly monitored. They say they had to do that because Marlin has Lupus. Doctors don't do rounds over the weekend. So the baby was not assessed until today. Marlin was not allowed to see her baby until we went to pick her up and take her home this afternoon. Marlin spent the first 3 days without seeing her baby. But she was very calm and matter-of-fact about it.
We paid the $7 bill. We picked up Marlin in a room of eight pregnant ladies. We went to get the baby. Marlin was allowed down a hall and into a room where she had to wear a gown to enter. Her husband. our friend Ana, and I had to wait outside. Marlin went in and saw her baby for the first time since it was born. We waited fairly patiently. But a little impatiently. I couldn't imagine how Marlin was feeling or what she was doing. I wanted to watch as she picked up her new baby.
She finally came out with the baby dressed in an outfit that Marlin and I picked out together and wrapped in 2 blankets. We bum rushed her. Then I realized her husband had not even seen his baby yet and I was standing in front of him, so I quickly backed out of the way.
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| Marlin and her baby |
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| Daddy, Mommy, and baby girl |
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| Happy Mommy |
On the way out we had to stop for Marlin to rest. She had tubal ligation four hours before. The anesthesia was still making her nauseous and light headed. Her husband finished the paperwork for the baby and got Marlin's prescriptions while we rested. Then we headed out the door.
Marlin wasn't feeling well. The baby could only leave through the front gate because they had to sign the baby out of the hospital there, at the gate, so I ran to get the car and pull it around.
Ana was really funny. She was being very protective of me and kept telling me to be careful - as I drove, as I walked across the street, as I stood on the sidewalk. She kept saying it is very dangerous there. I don't think she realizes I have been at that hospital a lot of times to visit Clara and Marlin. So as I left to walk to my car she said, "Be careful. It is dangerous!" I walked as quickly as I could and I prayed really hard the whole way. Right as I got to my car I heard someone trying to talk to me. I figured it was someone trying to sell me something. I knew he was talking to me, but I thought it best not to look at him or talk to him. I kept walking. As approached the car I realized I shouldn't walk between the cars with the man following me. I stopped in the middle of the driveway where I was in sight of everyone, and looked to see if someone was behind me. It was Marlin's husband! He said he had been trying to catch up with me the whole time, but I walked so fast and ignored him. I laughed and explained that I was purposely ignoring him because I assumed he was a stranger! He said the Marlin and Ana didn't want me to walk alone, so they sent him to walk with me. Haha!
We pulled around and picked them up where I told them I would be. Ana was waving her hands like crazy, showing me where to make a U-Turn at the same place I have made a U-Turn ten times before. I told Marlin's husband that Ana has no confidence in me. He laughed and said I was right.
On the way home Ana said we should stop at my mechanic. We had planned to stop there on the way to the hospital, but we didn't have time. I said no, we can't stop at the mechanic with a new baby in the car. Everyone said of course we can. So we did. He was only 2 blocks out of the way. Then we joked that the baby was learning all about the city - she already had her own mechanic.
Marlin wanted to stop and see her sister. Since we were passing the house I pulled over and we yelled up to the people who were outside. Marlin's Mom and sister came down and met the baby. Marlin's Mom was very happy and kept saying what an amazing blessing this is, to have both Marlin and the baby healthy and strong. Marlin always describes her mother as distant, but she did not seem distant today!
When we made it to Marlin's house I asked if I could come in. I still hadn't gotten to hold the baby yet. Ana's kids and Marlin's kids all surrounded the car. Misael and Meylin were more excited to see their Mommy than to meet their new baby sister. We walked up the hill to Marlin's house. Everyone else walked ahead but I stuck with Marlin. She was really struggling. I couldn't imagine climbing that goat path after giving birth and having surgery. So many things that I can't imagine are just a normal part of life here.
Marlin made it to her sister-in-law's house where her nieces were already holding the baby. She plopped down and rested. I told the kids it was my turn to hold the baby. It felt so good! She is tiny but not too delicate, just small. She was sleeping so I didn't get to look into her eyes, like at the hospital. Then I gave her back to her Mommy, thinking that Marlin still had not enjoyed much time holding the baby. Ana held her the whole time we were in the hospital and the car, so Marlin only had her a few minutes.
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| Misael and his new baby sister |
I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay and hang out all night, basking in the joy of the new baby. Everyone was so happy and grateful to God. But it was dusk and I was in Los Pinos, so I had to leave. Marlin's husband and Ana's kids walked me to the car. They made sure I headed out safely. I left with the most peaceful, content feeling. It was great. I knew God has been looking over Marlin and her baby.
I remember the day Marlin learned she was pregnant. The doctor told her she and the baby could both die. People with Lupus are not supposed to have babies. Marlin was scared and embarrassed because she thought people would criticize her for the pregnancy.
When she left the appointment she walked to the church. I was the first one she told. She cried. She didn't want to be pregnant. She said she considered going straight home after the appointment and never coming back to the church. I told her she couldn't get rid of me that easily. I would have come searching for her.
We told her that the baby is a blessing. She was taking appropriate precautions. She was not being irresponsible. God chose to give her this baby. We had faith that Marlin and her baby would be healthy. We maintained faith. Soon Marlin was able to be happy about her pregnancy.
Now the day we prayed for all of those months is finally here. Marlin and her beautiful baby are strong and well. They are at home, safe. God blessed Marlin and her husband with a perfect and beautiful baby girl. It is a day full of joy and gratitude.
