June 18, 2010 From Nashville to London - Baby Drew is Born!

Friday, June 18 2010

We arrived at the Nashville Airport at 10:30am, checked in and headed to American Airlines, gate C12. While waiting to board we had our lunch at Tootsies. It was enjoyable sitting and talking with our fellow travelers, Adam and Norma, Jenelle's parents.

Finally we boarded AA flight 4594 to Boston. This airplane was an American Eagle ER3. It had a row of single seats on one side, and a row of sets of 2 on the other. It was very small inside and difficult to maneuver through quickly without hitting your head on something, like the ceiling.



Mike and I had seats 10A and 10 B. Norma and Adam were 13B & 13C. Seat A was on the single seat side of the aisle, with B & C together opposite. So I was on the single side, and had a good view out the window. However, the man assigned to 10C felt uncomfortable in such close quarters with Mike, so we swapped seats, allowing me and Mike to ride side by side. I still had a good window view, so I was happy.

Flight 4594 had a quick unscheduled stop in Washington DC. While there, we had to exit one ER3 and reboard another - same flight number, but different plane. We kept the same seat assignments, and because the gentlemen who swapped seats was on this flight as well, again I sat with Mike in 10B & 10C. Knowing the likelihood of my return to DC was slim, I seized the opportunity and took pics of the Washington Monument as we slowly taxied out to the runway.



The flight to Boston arrived a little past 5pm. We would not board our next flight until 10pm. This gave us a good amount of time to visit, eat supper and shop! Norma and I both purchased bowls of chicken dinner from the UFoods Restaurant. After a few bites, swapping meals, then giving them to the men, we headed to  the McDonalds counter for Filet of Fish sandwiches. We enjoyed these far better than our previous purchases.


We shopped at Hudson News - a small news and gift shop. After getting small trinkets and postcards we decided to walk to the far side of the terminal (Terminal B) for the comfort of some rocking chairs we had previously seen when exiting our plane. We had no more than found the chairs, about 8pm, when Norma received a call from Jenelle stating she was in bad pain, and had seen a tinge of blood when going to the bathroom. Norma assured Nelle it was the start of labor and to call her doctor. After a short 10 minutes we called back to find out they were on their way tot he hospital. Baby Drew was on the way! He would probably beat us there, as we wouldn't arrive in London til 10am on Saturday, then there was customs and the long taxi drive.


We called back and forth with Derek to find out Nelle was dilated to 6, 100% effaced, and was in great pain. (I think her water broke when she was at home, but this was not confirmed as we never asked about it.) Another call from Derek reflected a little concern. Nelle was in bad pain, she wanted an epidural, but they had found she was diagnosed positive for being a carrier of mono, and would have to get an IV of penicillin. Derek wasn't even sure she could get the epidural at this stage of the labor. Norma talked to Nelle encouraging her to be calm and endure the pain as long as possible, but to get the epidural if she needed to, and if it was available. It was almost time to board the plane. Derek said she was getting her IV and epidural, and he sounded totally nervous beyond words. I encouraged him to hang in there, comfort her, and do the best he could.


When we boarded the plane, the last call we made, Nelle was sleeping. Derek was so tired, and very hungry. Now it was wait time - and a 6 1/2 hour flight through the night.



 
At the hospital the kids waited on Drew to arrive.  













(Pictures - Nelle looked beautiful even in labor & Derek was so happy, but sleepy during this wait.)





   
Saturday, June 19, 2010

It was so bright out, and the ground was easily seen from the air while we flew over Ireland. I again took the opportunity to take a few pics out the window. I would like to visit Ireland sometime. I believe with the red hair and fair skin of my sister Linda, and the red hair and fair skin of my Grandmother Eula, as well as the hot tempers that could accompany both, there may be some Irish blood in there somewhere.














We arrived at London Heathrow Airport at 9:40am. The first goal of both grandmas was to find out about Jenelle and how things were going. But first we had to go thru customs/immigration.
The gentleman who checked my passport was truly a jolly old chap. When he found out we were here for a grandbaby, he had to show pics of his 10 month old granddaughter - his pride and joy. Passports stamped, we headed to "reclaim baggage" and to find a phone.

Phone found! When Derek answered the phone, he was a doting father. He proudly told of Baby Drew born at 8:30am, 6.1 pounds, 19: long. He said he had the shape of his nose, but his mom's nostrils, big beautiful brown eyes, like mommy's, with a deep teal blue outer ring. The eye shape was Nelle's, but he had his father's bags under the eyes. Derek described Drew's mouth as having the "tanner cursed" no upper lip, and he had - to all's surprise - dark, almost black hair all over his head, pretty thick. Also there was light brown hair on his back - not hairy, just fuzzy.
 

Nelle had slept quite awhile after getting the epidural, and had woke to push. Drew had come quickly with a very few pushes (12) after a relatively short 8 hours labor. He came out screaming, but quickly calmed as Derek talked to him. After Derek cut the umbilical cord, they laid Drew on his Mommy. Derek and Nelle could not have been happier.

With news reported to Mike and Adam, we gathered luggage and headed off to find our taxi. The taxi driver was a wonderful gentleman with grayish hair the texture of Mike's. He and Adam talked of England and America's history and current events as we traveled for 2 1/2 hours to RAF Lakenheath.