God Works in Mysterious Ways

Just days after my sister returned to the States she developed severe pre-eclampsia and was admitted to the hospital on Father's Day.  She tells me that the doctors say it had nothing to do with the fact that she had just traveled to the UK and there wasn't anything she could have done to prevent it.  I was so worried because she wasn't feeling the best when she got here, but was looking great and her blood pressure came down by the time she left.  But she did get back into the swing of things when she got home and life as a nurse is pretty tough on a pregnant woman. Funny thing was that she was on duty at the University of Iowa Hospital when her pain started and one of the volunteers on her floor happened to be a retired OB nurse practitioner. She told my sister to get down to the OB ward immediately.  They diagnosed the preeclampsia and admitted her right away.  

I had just called my folks that day to wish Dad a Happy Father's Day and my mom said she was getting ready to call me (and they would only call us on the phone if it were an emergency).  She told me about my sister and they said that she would most likely have to deliver in the next 48 hours.  This was so weird because I had a dream before my sister even came to the UK that she delivered 6 weeks early, but in my dream I was there with her.  I absolutely couldn't imagine if this had happened while she was here...she had only gotten back home 5 days earlier.  I feel that God truly gave both of us an amazing gift to be able to be pregnant at the same time and for my sister to be able to come see me in England and to get her safely home before this all happened.

After a few days of waiting and trying to get the baby to deliver naturally, little Bo Preston Brandt was born at 3:48AM (US Central time) on June 18th.  My sister said he was beautiful with lots of blonde hair.  Weighing in at 3 pounds 12 ounces and 17 1/4" long, this little guy is definitely a little fighter.  Bo will have to spend a few weeks in the NICU until he gets big enough to go home.  I really feel for my sister though.  She was put on magnesium to prevent her from strokes or seizures due to the pre-eclampsia, so this kept her on bed rest for the 24 hours after she delivered and she wasn't able to be with Bo for the next 24 hours as well.  For all you mommies out there, you know how gut wrenching it is to be away from that new baby for a second, so please keep them all in your prayers.

I don't have pictures yet, but hope to soon.  I am so excited to be an aunt and can't wait to spoil my little nephew.  More to come....