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Dear Dawson

Dawson,

From the moment I found out I was carrying you, I couldn't have been more excited. Me and your Daddy had decided to try for a second baby, and God saw fit to bless us with you! Right off the bat, your pregnancy was very different from Reagan's, I prayed and prayed and prayed for you daily.... and God told me that you were a special gift specifically for your daddy. At the time I didn't know if that meant you would be a boy, or a girl... if you would look just like your daddy, or act just like him... but I knew you were specially made to fill a need of his I couldn't.

Those first days were rough, I was incredibly nauseous until week 20 and lost weight way before I started to gain it. About the time my nausea went away, Dr. Brandl informed us that we would be welcoming a baby BOY into our arms soon! You were already snuggled deep into my heart, but I dreamed of the day I would hold you in my arms and feel your soft skin against mine. I imagined what you would look like, I dreamed about it... I even made playful bets with family about what color your hair & eyes would be. Around week 24, the Doctors began to notice that you were growing much faster than other babies your age. I like to think that you were just in a race to meet me too! They monitored this closely and by week 34 you were measuring 40 weeks in length and 6.5 lbs! This is when things got tricky... my body was really tired from carrying your full size self around and chasing after your sister Reagan. I began to have contractions - lots of them but without any real pattern. After a trip to Labor & Delivery, they diagnosed me with an "irritable uterus". I was told to try and take it easy so we could keep you in the oven past Christmas. I ended up in L&D again a few days before Christmas because the contractions were so painful that I couldn't do much of anything and they seemed to be consistent. My OB was out of town and the Dr. on call didn't feel comfortable bringing you into the world yet, so I was instructed to go home and velcro my bottom to the couch till my next appointment. I sat very anxiously on the couch all of Christmas.At this point I had lots of people praying you would come, because I was nervous there was more going on that what the Dr's knew. I was nervous and frustrated but I fully believed that God was in control and that He had a very special birth date picked out for you before you were ever conceived.  A huge part of me wanted you to be there for Christmas, to share that special celebration with you! But, the other part of me saw it as a gift that Reagan got one last Christmas as a "single child" with just us before you came and stole all the attention.

December 28th I went in for my check up, and my blood pressure was remarkably elevated. Dr. Brandl walked into the room and said "So, how soon are you ready to have this baby? It is time!". With your sister I had a very rare condition called Pre-Eclampsia, in the olden days this was very serious; now it is just something that needs to be closely monitored and usually brings babies into the old a wee bit early. The first sign of Pre-E is a high blood pressure, so to avoid any further complications Dr. Brandl decided we needed to deliver you right away. I told her I was ready as soon as she needed me to be, she requested that we arrive back at the hospital that night at 10pm for an augmentation. I left the appointment around 3 in the afternoon, drove home to meet your Dad and Reagan, packed up our bags and headed over to Lala and Grandee's house for dinner. Lala & Grandee helped us put Reagan to bed and get the car loaded. Your Dad and I left Lala and Grandee's and got to the hospital around 9:45 just in time to bow our heads and pray together before this next chapter began.

Las Palmas hospital was fabulous, they had a nice little room arranged for us and all the appropriate labels were set out for Mommys allergies & Pre-E warning. Our room was spacious and cozy, there was a TV and a lounger chair for Daddy and a cozy baby bed for you set up in the corner. I was so excited I couldn't wait for labor to begin! I was 3cm dilated at my appointment earlier that day so they considered this an "augmentation" not an induction but for both they still use pitocin. This was my first experience with pitocin and boy is it something that should not be taken lightly... ouch! By 12 my contractions really got rolling and by 4am I was asking for an epidural. I got my epidural at 4:35am, I am not ashamed of my choice to use modern medicine, I believe toughing it out within your own pain limits is awesome and that everyone knows their limits. I hit mine at 4:35 :-) at 9am they broke my water and I was still only 4cm dilated. At 10:00 Your sister, Lala, and Grandee came by for a quick visit before they took Reagan to breakfast. It was such a treat to snuggle your sister and see her sweet face! Shortly after they left at 10:30 I was feeling a ton of pressure and I could feel you moving into place, the nurse came to check me and I was 8cm. Your heart rate started to jump around like a mexican jumping bean- so they put me on oxygen to try and help you. I got really nervous and scared so I closed my eyes and prayed and prayed. At 11:00 I knew it was time to push and I sent your dad to find the nurse. They nurse came in and I was 10cm and you were nearly here. She ran out and called Dr. Brandl to come quickly. Dr. Brandl arrived and I pushed through 2 contractions and then you were in my arms! 11:21am YOU Dawson Robert Perry entered the world 20 inches 7lbs 7oz. Your chord had been wrapped around your neck which explained so much, it explained why you didn't drop when you should have- why you were only 7lbs 7oz (when they predicted about 9lbs, but you only gained 1lb 2 oz the last month you were in my belly) your poor little body was so tangled up that you weren't getting the things you needed to keep growing. You also had issues swallowing the first few days because your esophagus and face were bruised from the chord. Most of your issues have subsided now, but you do have gastro-esophagial reflux that may or may not go away as you get older. I have changed my diet to try and help you and so far so good. You are an AWESOME baby... completely adorable and sweet. You hardly ever cry, you love to sleep and eat, and your smile lights up the entire room. Everything you sister does makes you smile! It has been two glorious months now and I can't imagine my life without you sweet boy. You have brought so much to our family, and as predicted you not only look just like your daddy, but you are the first grandson born with the Perry name. Your father is so happy that his lineage is secure and he has someone to watch European Football with!

Looking back things make so much sense now. I believe God knew that you were in distress and that despite my trips to Labor & Delivery the doctors couldn't see what was going on. He knew that if my blood pressure went up they would have to bring you, so that is what had to happen. You my precious red haired, blue eyed angel- God has an investment in you. God planned every wrinkle in your face, and crinkle in your nose. He ordained a path for the course of your life and the fact that I was chosen to help Him bake you is an honor. You are perfectly imperfect, you are precious, and you are loved!

Xoxo
Mommy

Irish Cream Bundt Cake

 A St. Pattys Day gift, from my kitchen to yours

1- Yellow Cake Mix
1- cup Chopped Pecans
1- package of Vanilla Pudding Mix
4 eggs
1/4 cup of water
1/2 a cup of oil
3/4 cup of Irish Cream (Baileys or Emetts or whatever you want)

Glaze
1 cup of Brown Sugar
1/4 cup of water
1/4 cup of Irish Cream Liqueur


Mix yellow cake mix and pudding mix together till well blended. Then add in 1/2 the pecans, 1/4 cup of water, 1/2 cup oil & eggs. Blend on high for 5 minutes till thick and creamy! Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a bundt pan and then sprinkle the remaining pecan bits into the bottom of the pan. Once cake mix is blended pour over pecans and spread out evenly. Bake in the oven at 325 for 60 minutes or until you can insert a toothpick and remove it without residue.

While cake cools-
Bring 1cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup of water to a boil on the stove. Stir constantly and continue to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and slowly stir in 1/4 a cup of Irish Cream liqueur... some separation may occur and that is ok! Transfer bundt cake to serving platter. Use a wooden skewer or fork to poke holes in your cake. Don't riddle it with holes or it will fall apart, but enough to give the glaze a channel to travel through. slowly pour or spoon the glaze over the cake and continue to let cool, glaze will harden and become devilishly delicious! ENJOY!