Baby Apple

It’s been a couple of days since we’ve been home. Sara is a week old now. So far it’s been amazing. I want to write about her birth day for anyone interested but mostly for Sara to read when she grows up.

Apple was born through C-section. She was breached which means her head was not facing the right way. The night before, Jenn and I were nervous and excited. We couldn’t wait to see what our little Apple looked like. We were still talking about names that night. We had decided on Sara Joy for about a week or two before but we just wanted to make sure that it was the right name. One name we liked early on was Elle but it wouldn’t work with our last name. We didn’t want kids to call her Elle Phan (elephant) when she grows up. Some of the other names we had in mind were Emily and Gwen. That evening I spent packing the car. I was running up and down and up and down 3 flights of stairs. We had to pack clothes for a couple of days, pillows, phone chargers, toiletry, snacks and a bunch of other stuff because I wanted to be prepared. We went to bed early because we had to be at the hospital early in the morning. However, I couldn’t sleep. I’m not sure if it was nerves but I couldn’t fall asleep. I felt wide awake and rested. I think it was all those people who told me to get my sleep because I won’t be able to after Apple was born. The night before I had gotten 12 hours of sleep so I wasn’t sleepy at all.

That morning we woke up at 4:45 am to go to the hospital. We had to be there at 6 am. It was still dark outside. Driving to the hospital was calm. We just talk about how our lives was going to change and how excited we were. We got to Hoag Hospital about 5:45 am and parked. We checked in and for the next hour they monitor Apple to make sure she was doing okay and was ready for her grand appearance. Around 7:15 am, they told us we were ready to go down to the OR. They wheeled Jenn down to the recovery room where we got ready. I had to put on coveralls over my clothes. Now I was getting nervous. At 7:50, they took Jenn to the operating room to prep her and put her under anesthesia. I had to wait in the recovery room. It was the longest wait ever. I was in the room by myself. A nurse walked by and tried to talk to me. She asked if this was our first child. I said yes but that was about all I said. I was too nervous to talk. I was just thinking about Jenn and hoping she was okay. At 8:10 am, I got to go into the OR. I sat next to Jenn’s head and held her hand. I told her how much I loved her. In the room, there was our OB doctor, Jennifer Lee and her sister was assisting her. There was the anesthesia person, 2 nurses and another doctor. The operation was quick. The operating actually started around 8:20 am and at 8:24 am, Sara Joy came. They gave Jenn a mirror to let her see as Sara was coming out. I also tried looking into the mirror but I could see anything. So I peaked over the curtain and saw as they pulled Sara out. Dr. Lee handed Sara over to the other doctor so he could check everything. I was looking at Jenn now. She was so happy and very emotional. I gave her a big hug.

The doctor check Sara over and said she was doing great. I came over and got to cut the umbilical cord. I wasn’t planning to but in the moment I didn’t mind. I felt so proud looking at her for the first time. I couldn’t believe there was life that we created in front of me. They cleaned her up and weighed and measured her. She weighed 7 lbs and 15 ounces and measured 19 inches. After she was cleaned up, I carried Sara over to Jenn. Jenn was so happy and crying. She saw Sara and said she was beautiful.

I carried Sara back to the recovery room. We had to wait for the doctors to finished with Jenn. I put Sara down in the crib so the nurse could do some more tests on her. I got a chance to call our families. I called Kay first then I called Jenn’s parents. I called my mom next but Co Binh picked up and said my mom was at the hospital and she didn’t take her phone. Then I called Cynthia, Perry and Andre. Then I called my dad. Next on the list was Tita Beth and Ate Jing. Then Jenn’s work. Then I updated my Facebook status and let the whole world know.

Sara Joy is amazing and beautiful. Every time I look at her I feel so proud. I just want to protect her, comfort her and make sure everything is alright for her. I love you my little Apple.