Saturday, May 10, 2008

Bri stops by for a visit!

My mom, me, Bri, and Bri's mom Joan




After a wonderfully active night, my parents' house has been a whirlwind of visitors today, the first of which this morning was Bri and her mom Joan. We didn't think Isaac would see Bri again before we left so we were amazingly blessed when Bri called to say she'd like to come by. Bri brought a stuffed giraffe for Isaac and a Mother's Day card for me. She shared in our excitement that Isaac was able to make his debut before Mother's Day. Just in time!

We reflected back on Bri's labor during our visit this morning. She has given me permission to share anything on the blog that we want to. From the first start of discomfort around 11:00 in the morning while she and Joan were at Brookstone in the Galleria mall, until delivery at 8:20pm EST, the entire "ordeal" didn't even break the ten hour mark. I know we had been praying for a fast delivery and fast he was! Unfortunately, there were some issues with her epidural that meant it needed to be redone. However, by the time they tried to redo it, she had advanced too far and Isaac was determined it was time to show up! Due to the absence of much medication, Bri said that the labor was "traumatic but fast" -- so fast that his head was not even cone-shaped at all when he finally emerged into the world -- and so fast that we weren't even in Orlando yet! When we saw her a few hours after delivery, she looked great, had gotten some McDonalds, and was greatly relieved it was all behind her.

The thing I remember most about the visit this morning was Bri saying, "I am just so filled with happiness." Many of you have asked me how Bri is doing, and I think I can summarize appropriately when I say she is doing great. She feels at total peace with her decision and knows that Isaac will always know how much he is loved by her choice to let him grow up with us. She is also comforted with the knowledge that she can watch Isaac grow up with so many people who love us and him. She said she truly does not feel any sadness. I think the blog will be a great tool that she can use to follow his life. She can check in as often or little as she wants and catch up on a week, a month, or a year. She's also very glad Isaac will have a dog. She had one growing up and thinks its quite important! We agree.

Some people may wonder how I feel about Bri holding and being with Isaac. I feel great! We feel great! We know that Bri being involved in his life and these early pictures will be an amazing blessing to Isaac when he is older -- that he can see the love that surrounded his birth and understand that Bri's decision was based solely on love for this little boy. We continue to look at this with the perspective that this is not our child or Bri's or Chris' child. This is God's child. We get to help him grow up but when you keep the outlook that no one "owns" this child, it really changes everything. He is God's son.

We are planning to leave on Sunday morning -- tomorrow -- bright and early. JB has been working on all the things we have to pack into the van for our departure. Jodi has informed us that Scrubs is doing well, successfully retrieving dirty clothes from the laundry basket with the hopes that Jodi will give chase! We have started calling Isaac's socks "Srubby snacks" knowing they will be a huge delight to our little puppy who waits anxiously for us to return with his girlfriend Jodi by his side! (He LOVES her!) We are so blessed to have him so well taken care of while we are gone.

And we are so blessed by everyone who is loving and praying for all of us. Honestly, this is one of the first times in my life that I feel prayed for. I am so relaxed and at total peace. I am not anxious or nervous or worried at all. I feel so calm. I know this is prayers from everyone following our story.

More to come . . .

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

So how was your first night at home with Isaac. Did he let you sleep at all? -Jaime

PS- All the pictures are great.

Wendi Kitsteiner said...

He did sleep! He ate every 3-4 hours and slept inbetween except for 2 changes ... overall, a good first night (not that we have anything to compare it to)...

How does it compare to Jenna?

Wendi

Tara said...

"I'm just so filled with happiness." Oh wow...there couldn't be a more blessed statement by Bri, I don't think and I am so happy for her that she, hopefully, is feeling all the prayers for her too. Thanks for letting all of us share in this miraculous event.

Isaac truly is a gorgeous boy!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day, Wendi!
The first one is always the most special!
You all look so happy, and it's so nice that Bri was able to stop by and see Isaac before you left. What a wonderful person she is!!
Isaac looks so peaceful, which just justifies the fact that it was all meant to be.
Safe journey home tomorrow.
Cheryl

Anonymous said...

A very warm welcome into this crazy beautiful world little man Isaac.
What a truly blessed experience. It leaves one speechless - from Bri's happiness/peace and naming him, well, him...yours.
oh phwow!
Happy mother's day Wendella and happy fathers day john - it's now too huh? warm regards & rejoicing w/you...great auntie Connie

Anonymous said...

Every so often throughout the past couple of days, the thought has occurred to me, "Wow, John and Wendi are parents!" It makes me smile and has brought a couple of tears of joy for you guys (seriously...but only a couple.) It also dawned on me that this is one of those occasions that if we had an open window to the heavens, we would see God smiling with pleasure and the angels rejoicing/cheering (as at a sporting event)over this occasion. I am so happy for you guys and I know that you will make great parents. I can hardly wait to see you in June in Rochester. Until then, happy Mother's Day Wendi.

Katie Capps said...

A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?' God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'

The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'

Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.'

'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.'

'Who will protect me?' God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.'

'But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.'

God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'

Enjoy your first Mother's Day, Wendi!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day Wendi!
What a day -getting to go "home" with Isaac, and your own mom right there with you to help take care of Him! What a Mother's Day gift to you from God! He is so doggone CUTE!!!!!!!! :) I know your mom will love him up and pass on some of her humor, and wont' neglect Scrubs on top of it. The pic of your dad with Isaac was absolutely priceless!
love and hello to Joan and Roy and Bri.
okay Happy Mother's day -once more! It is sooo fun to say!
I wonder how many of us really grasp how much joy our heavenly Father has in calling us and having us for His children! Thank God for the gift of HIS Son who has made it possible for us to be adopted into God's family -so that we can truly say we are His children! Just taking in the joy of you guys makes me think, this is just a glimpse, a wonderful glimpse of God's heart for us, and I'd love to be at some of those parties in heaven-angels and all!! xo Tante Jan

AW said...

Bri, you and Chris have made a beautiful work of art! Isaac is really a gorgeous newborn and I just don't say that, because most are not. LOL!

We continue to look at this with the perspective that this is not our child or Bri's or Chris' child. This is God's child. We get to help him grow up but when you keep the outlook that no one "owns" this child, it really changes everything. He is God's son.

I LOVE THIS. JUST.LOVE.IT!!! Having this perspective will make you appreciate every single second with your son that much more. Neil and I have looked at Jon Kai similarly and it makes us focus on being parents harder and makes us enjoy it more than the average parent we think. (Not that we really have anything to compare it to, but that's what we think.)

Happy Mother's Day Wendi. You ARE prayed over and for and you are loved so very much!!!

Andi and Neil

Anonymous said...

Wendi, I am a friend of Kelly S's from Michigan and was directed to your blog from hers. I am so excited for you and your husband! What a blessing little Isaac is and what an incredible story you all have! I'm looking forward to getting caught up on your blog, but wanted to stop by and say hi and congratulations!!!! Enjoy mommyhood!!!!