A FATHER'S IMPRESSION OF ISAAC'S BIRTH

                Our last little baby has joined our family. We welcomed Isaac Kellen Wilson on March 2, 2016 via cesarean section (Kathy’s 4^th), with a tubal ligation.
                I had wanted to schedule the surgery for February 29^th (leap year), but March 2^nd was the earliest the doctors were willing to do it, for safety reasons.
                The name was a little bit harder to agree on this time. We have had a girl’s name (Nora Mae) in our back pocket since before Eli was born, but two boys and no girls later, that name has gone unused.
                The most difficult decision we had to make was whether or not to have a tubal ligation. Due to the many, many complications through which Kathy has suffered in order to bring our four beautiful children to our family, there was very little doubt that this had to be her last pregnancy. Still, getting her tubes tied seemed too final, and made it all so real. After much deep thought, prayer, and a few tears, we decided to have the procedure done at the same time as the C-section. At least by combining the surgeries, we could save Kathy from having to get cut open yet again.
                Isaac was our first child born outside of Michigan. We had the procedure done at Piedmont Hospital in Fayetteville, GA. Since we scheduled the procedure in advance, and had it done as early as the doctors would allow in order to limit the size of the baby (Kathy makes big babies), Kathy once again avoided going into labor. We induced labor with Shade, but ended up doing a C-section. The three births since were scheduled C-sections, and they were much easier on Kathy than her first birth.
                Even after scheduling the birth well before the due date, Isaac was born 9 lbs, 3 oz., which is huge compared to most babies, but was by far our smallest child.
                There were no serious complications during the birth. Both Mom and baby were healthy and happy. Kathy suffered through the regular set of pregnancy related complication to which she has become accustomed: severe morning sickness, anemia, and gestational diabetes. Unfortunately, the diabetes did not go away after the birth this time, so she now has diabetes for life. She has been taking insulin daily, and we expect that that will continue.
                I was able to take eight business days off work in order to attend to Kathy and bond with Isaac. My mother also flew out to help, and we have had visits from Gen & Rich, and of course Colby and her family have come often.               
               The older kids love their little baby brother dearly. Olive and Eli will smother him with hugs and kisses until it becomes overwhelming for him, and he starts to cry. Shade is protective over his baby brother, just like he is for his other two siblings. They all love each other and get along well, which brings a tremendous amount of joy to their parents.
                We are all very happy to have Isaac in our family, and we love him tremendously.