Jonathan Ridley Monk

Jonathan Ridley Monk
Born: Friday, 3/25/11
Time: 4:47pm
19 3/4 inches 6lbs 5oz

A history of our son’s BIRTH-day:
        I went to OB check-up on Friday morning where the doctor told me that I was 6cm dilated. Yep, I was in labor and I didn't have a bag, a camera, or my husband. I quickly called William who thought I was kidding or doing a "Fire Drill" to see how quick he would leave the office. Then, I called my Aunt Lacey because Thompson was at her house. I had his car seat in my car because I was just going for an appointment. William quickly stopped by the house and picked up my bag and our camera. Thankfully, I had listened to my mom and packed a bag that morning “just in case.” However, I didn’t put it in my car. I drove next door to Northside Hospital and checked myself in. I was worried because I was only 36 weeks 5 days and knew Jonathan’s lungs might not be ready.
     William arrived about 40 min later and we realized we needed more memory for our camera so Lacey ran to Wal-Mart got us a card and picked up Thompson a car seat for her house. Yes, we do have the greatest family ever! Lacey arrived and labor was progressing smoothly. I got my epidural….yep…I’m NO- HERO…I like the assistance of meds during labor! This was around 3:00pm. Then by 4:20pm I was ready to push. 3 contractions and pushes later Jonathan arrived into the world. He wasn’t screaming and they put him strait in my arms. William cut the umbilical cord and Jonathan didn’t start crying so they took him over and gave him oxygen. I saw them lift up the “white phone” which is NICU color phone and a team of NICU workers came in. They were checking Jonathan out but still not rushing around. They cleaned him up and said he is “grunting” and would need to go the transition nursery to check him out. I was scared. William left with Jonathan and I asked the nurse to get my Aunt.   My mom couldn’t make it in time since my labor progressed so fast. I was crying but not panicked. William came back and was acting a little off and just said he needed to go back in 30 min. He told me later that the Nurses thought Jonathan might have an infection and was doing worse.
         My mom arrived about that time. Then, I was moved to my room upstairs and Richard, Laura, and Ben arrived with Chick-fil-A. They got to see Jonathan through the window because only the parents were allowed to go into Transition nursery.
      When, I saw him again he was still grunting and I knew he wasn’t doing well. That evening, around 11:30pm they admitted Jonathan to NICU and put him on CPAP and feeding tube. It was very sad to see my baby hooked up to all those tubes but I knew he was in the best hands possible. That is why I delivered at North side because we believe power of Modern Medicine and Jesus. Saturday he was moved to a High Flow Nasal Cannula and then Sunday to a Nasal Cannula. The Doctor determined it was not an infection. It was very difficult to be discharged on Sunday and not bring our little guy home. Tuesday we got great news that as long as he passed some more tests Jonathan would be able to come home on Wednesday. William and I took an Infant CPR class given by Northside. It was a rough week of emotions for me but I felt much better having Jonathan home and healthy. God was so good to us and we are thankful to the entire Northside staff for caring our son. We are so thankful to my mom who watched Thompson and Lacey and Andy who let them stay there so we could sleep in and rest.             
          Wednesday was great to have him home my dad came in for the night so he could meet Jonathan before going out of town again. Thompson was very interested in Jonathan and we told him Jonathan had a present (veggie tales stuff). We asked Thompson what he thought of Jonathan and he said “Jon-a-Han ok.” He likes to see what his little brother is doing but hasn’t gotten being gentle down yet.
     The Monks took Thompson for the weekend so we could adjust to having Jonathan home. Mary Beth was on Spring Break and was able to visit. My mom has Thompson this week. Thank you to our families for helping out in such a big way.
     It took us a few days to name our little guy. We choose the name Jonathan because we liked the spiritual name, its meaning, “Gift of God” and after William’s best friend, Jonathan. Ridley is after William and William’s grandfather.
   We are enjoying bonding with Jonathan and can’t wait to start our new adventure as a family of four!