Thunder Over Louisville and Preston's Early Arrival

We were very excited to be able to go to Thunder Over Louisville this year. (We were unable to go last year because Evan was very sick.) Evan loves the planes and fireworks and I was excited to spend some quality family time together. We headed downtown early in the afternoon. We parked on River Road and then took a leisurely walk downtown while watching the air show. We arrived at Waterfront Park, where there were LOTS of rides, so we let Evan ride for awhile and then headed over to get a snack at The Chow Wagon. We purchased our Derby pins and were thrilled to find that they were both GOLD! Unfortunately, we couldn't enter The Chow Wagon because we had food and drinks in our bag, but that was o.k because we were really happy about our pins! We then walked over to Carl's building where we watched more of the air show and relaxed. At dinner time we went over to Impellizeri's for pizza, which was really good. After dinner we headed back to Carl's building to watch more of the air show.


Evan was really happy to see all of the cool planes during the air show! (Carl and I were pretty impressed too. Those planes are pretty cool and the pilots are very talented!)

The rides were super fun for Evan this year. He had a blast!

The service at dinner was slow, so Evan got to play some video games while we waited for our food. He was REALLY happy when he won the mini games!

Watching the air show after dinner and waiting for the fireworks turned out to be VERY exciting. My water broke! After gathering our belongings and making a few phone calls, we headed downstairs to try to get to our car. Unfortunately, no one was able to help us. They just wanted to call an ambulance, which was not necessary. Luckily, I saw a taxi and it was available. We hopped in and the driver tried to get us to our car. By this time lots of the roads were closing and it seemed like we were not going to be able to get to the car. I was starting to be pain, so we just asked the driver to take us to the hospital.

When we arrived at the hospital, Evan was still pretty bummed at not being able to see the fireworks. Heather comforted him and then Grandpa arrived and took Evan up to the hospital roof to see the fireworks. (Grandpa really saved the day!) I got registered and then settled in the triage area. Dr. Bilotta explained that they wanted to try to let me digest my recently eaten dinner before the c-section. That meant we were going to try to wait until about 4:00 in the morning for Preston's birth. We were taken to a nice labor and delivery room where I was given an epidural to help with the pain. It was then time to sleep, so we said goodnight to everyone and tried to rest. (It was REALLY hard for me to say goodnight to Evan. I knew he was in great hands with Grammy and Granddaddy, but he was so sad to leave. I felt better when Grammy and Granddaddy called to say Evan fell asleep before they left the hospital.) Carl was able to sleep a bit, but I was just too excited to sleep! I was REALLY excited when the clock in the room said 4:00 and the nurse came in to start getting me ready!

During the next hour and a half, Carl and I got ready for Preston's arrival. Carl didn't have too much to do, other than get on his fancy operating room outfit. (The zipper broke, so he was able to wear scrubs instead of the Elvis jumpsuit!) I got lots more medications, including more medication from the epidural. Dr. Evans arrived and I was super excited to see her. (She came in on a day off to deliver Preston!) I was soon wheeled into the operating room and before long Preston was delivered! He was born at 5:31 a.m. He weighed 7 pounds and 11 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. I was SO happy that he was healthy! (Evan was quickly whisked off to the N.I.C.U after his birth.) The rest of the surgery went well and we were soon take to the recovery room.

I enjoyed getting to hold Preston in the recovery room for the first time. Both Carl and I said he looked a lot like Evan, just with dark hair. We also enjoyed seeing Barbara Shallcross, who was a bit disappointed that she wasn't at work when Preston was born. (She was my nurse with Evan's birth and was going to be my nurse for Preston's birth when he was scheduled to arrive on May 1st.)

Once I was in my regular hospital room, everyone came to visit. Carl and I were especially excited to see Evan! He was REALLY excited to see Preston. He held him for awhile and happily posed for pictures. (He was a VERY proud big brother!) Of course, we were happy to see the rest of our family too, who all came that day to see Preston.

I was SO excited to FINALLY be at the hospital! I was also REALLY excited that Preston would be arriving soon!

Evan was excited to meet Preston. (He did not want to leave my side!)

This was the sign outside of our operating room. It was so cute!

Carl and I were so happy to meet Preston!

Daddy and Preston

Mommy and Preston

Preston

Evan was excited to meet Preston on Sunday morning. Here is our first photo as a family of four.

We should note that Carl's dad said we should not go to Thunder Over Louisville in case I went into labor. Dr. Evans said it wouldn't be a problem for us to go and since I was still about 3 weeks away from my due date, we decided it would be safe to go. We were all shocked that I actually did go into labor that night! It does make for a very interesting birth story for Preston and we will never again go to Thunder over Louisville without remembering this very special night!

Here is a copy of what Carl sent to his co-workers. I think it is pretty funny and sums up the night.

Preston arrived yesterday morning at 5:31! Though he came a little early, both he and Rachael are doing great! He weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

His early arrival made for an interesting weekend. As such, I wanted to thank a few folks that helped us get through the night:

Thanks to the girl that sold us two Pegasus pins (both gold!) who was evidently trying to tip us off that it was our lucky day.

Thanks to Alan for letting us use his office to watch Thunder, but apologies for the state of the chair that Rachael was sitting in when this whole process started.

Thanks to Erminia for cleaning up after us while we rushed out of the building.

No thanks to the police who would not help us get to our car and said the only option was to get an ambulance.

Thanks to the cab driver that took us to the hospital.

Thanks to Evan, who had to settle for watching the fireworks from the roof of the hospital but didn’t hold it against Preston too much.

And most of all, thanks to Rachael, who didn’t kill me despite that fact that I wasn’t exactly sober during much of this.

In the above e-mail I would have expected Carl to thank me for having Preston too. =)

Here is a copy of what I sent to my co-workers.

Preston Matthew Koontz is here! We were a bit shocked that he came early, but we are so grateful! He weighs 7 pounds and 11 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long. I think he looks like his brother Evan. =)