8:30pm - Our nurse Ursula is concerned and starts to monitor Erin's heart rate. They notice Erin's heartbeat is dropping and isn't coming back up after the contractions. Paige and I are nervous and worried, as we tell each other the c-section must take place now. All day I wanted to say get her into surgery, but they are in charge and they do this everyday. Dr. Kellert is called.

When Dr. Kellert arrives she reads the graph and the nurses update her on Paige's and Erin's condition. In a calm tone of voice, Dr. Kellert immediately orders an emergency c-section. As they disconnect the monitors and begin to move Paige to surgery. I run to the computer to post an update telling my family to come ASAP. In the hospital, my cell didn't work and the room phone didn't make long-distance calls. Terry said in a nervous voice. "Jimi there is no time for that, we need to get you dressed for surgery". Looking at the computer I sensed a feeling that Paige and I were all alone. My family had watched this site religiously since 8:00am. My family now would wonder why the entries have stopped. Enya's "May It Be", plays in the back ground as they scramble to get Paige to surgery. Paige is wheeled out the door and rushed down the hall to the operating room.

Terry takes me to get scrubs and tells me to wait outside the operating room. Waiting outside I can hear a nurse say," The babies heart rate is stable and sounds great". Everyone is still moving fast. I notice doctors and nurses coming in quickly as if they came off the beach (dressed in shorts and tank tops). Terry grabs my camera and says,"Quick photo op". They then call me into the operating room, and I sit behind Paige. I massage her arms and kiss her forehead as they begin to start. Terry told me the surgery will be an hour but Erin will be here shortly.

Paige notices the anesthesia hasn't taken full effect and complains. The anesthesiologist leans forward between Paige and I and says, "Let me give you something for that pain", as he administers something into her IV. They wait for a few seconds and Paige still complains. Dr. Kellert begins to operate anyways. Paige goes into shock and now her heart rate drops but she is now out of it. During surgery I consoled my wife. I never have been more scared, vulnerable or helpless in my life. When you are in their (doctors, surgeons and nurses) world you at their mercy. I thought I was tuff as nails, until I walk into their world. During surgery Erin did great, was pink, and cried right when she came out. After Erin was born, I went to see how she was. At first, I couldn't see her, there were three nurses cleaning her, checking her heart rate and rating her. I then cut the cord and went back to check on Paige. What turned out to be less then twenty minutes, seemed like a lifetime.

At 8:52pm Erin Katherine Crowley is born, weighing in at 7lbs 8 onces, she is 20.5 inches in length and rated 9.9 by the pediatrician. I finally hold our baby daughter for the first time. Soon after they weighed, cleaned and checked Erin. Once that was all done, I brought her to Paige to see and hold. When we were in the operating room, just after surgery they tried to show Paige baby Erin but her eyes were blurry and she couldn't see her. Paige went threw alot today.

Soon, my Mother, Dad and Christine, Debbie, Kathy, Allison, Jamie, and Christina were there to see little Erin. Mom, baby and Dad are recovering well after a long day.



1:00am - July 18th - Paige, Erin and myself visited for a couple of hours, and then I took Erin back to the nursury. It was a long day and everyone needed to rest. Walking out of the hospital a man waiting near the emergency said, "good morning doctor". I noticed I had forgotten to take off the scrubs when I left. I walked to my car and with Elvin Bishops "Rock My Soul" playing on my CD player. I drove home to get some much needed rest with the biggest, proudest and happiest smile on my face. For today I am now considered daddy to a beautiful baby girl we named Erin!!

July 18th-19th - Paige recovers from the long day on saturday and is visited my family and friends. On Sunday, Kathy White brings Amelia up from San Francisco and they spend the day with Paige and Erin.

Monday comes and Paige and I spend the day alone. My mother comes by and brings a beanie baby for Erin.

July 20th - On tuesday, I arrive around 8:00am and find Paige and Erin in bed watching TV, though Erin is sleeping. "Goodmorning!! I can't wait to get home today" says Paige. Around 9:00am Dr. Kellert comes and visits Paige. Dr. Zimble, Erin's doctor arrives around 9:30 and gives Erin a clean bill of health. Around 11:00am, Paige, Erin and myself drive home.

- Just The Beginning -




Photo Album

One Week Old

Two Weeks Old

Three Weeks Old
First Outing
Rio Nido Luau

One Month Old

[direct connect/email to hospital]