BABY CHASE ROBERT DeSANTIS IS FINALLY HERE!

Hi All!
POIGNANT MOMENT #3!!!!

After arriving on Long Island 2 weeks ago, our handsome grandson FINALLY came into the world. He is perfect in every way.

First of all I want to tell everyone how proud we are of Chrystal. She is an amazing woman. Those of us who have had a child or have witnessed the birth of a child, know how profound and truly amazing the process is. Chrystal gave birth after 5 hours of labor without a single "ouch" or complaint. She had an epidural at 6 cen. but the real challenge was pushing a 9 lb 11 oz baby out. She did this with amazing strength and will power. It was humbling to watch and it truly puts everything in this crazy life into perspective. Our deepest graditude and love go out to both Rob and Chrystal for giving us this beautiful gandbaby, and allowing us to witness his birth.

We were awoken at 1 am with Chrystal on the other end saying, " I have been trying to call you, like 6 TIMES!!. What the hell are you doing??" We were sleeping! I was up and ready to go in like 5 minutes, but Allen was all bleary eyed since he had just fallen asleep like 15 minutes before the phone call. He was moving around like a zombie and I wanted to grap him and drag him to the truck, throw him in and take off like a bat outa hell. But, I didn't, and he demanded he drive, so we made it to the hospital slowly, but on time. Typical man, "Relax, calm down, we will get there, don't piss me off, I am going as fast as I can." HOLY COW!!

When we arrived at the hospital at 2:30 am, Chrystal was already dialated to 6 and was really concentrating and focused taking each contraction with astounding strength while waiting for her epidural. Once that arrived around 3:30 am, she was smiling. It didn't take long for her to be completely dialated and she started to push at 4:45. After a difficult birth Chase was born at 5:07 am. It seemed like forever before they got that baby out, but it was only 27 minutes. Chrystal had a hard time with his shoulders, he had inhaled some fluid and his ambilical cord was wrapped around his neck,and he was blue. They stablized him, and off he went to the NICU ( intensive care for new borns).

That was scary and I don't think we really wrapped our heads around it completely until Chrystal was all cleaned up and we could think about what had happened. It was just plain weird weird to be there and go through all that without a baby in our arms. Allen was not allowed in during the actual delivery, so he was really concerned and disapointed when he came back into the room. Chrystal and Rob were understanding but obviously worried. Their medical training came in handy at that point.

Well, baby Chase is so handsome and doing GREAT! Chrystal is doing fantastic and is just plain amazing. Rob and Chrystal finally got to hold him last night ( Rob did hold him after birth, but only for about 30 seconds ) and Chrystal started breast feeding.
We have a new family member and all is well!
I have added a few pictures, and I will continue to do so as the days pass and we get baby and mommy home. Matthew was unable to see the baby, but there will be plenty of time to introduce him to his new brother.
Till then, enjoy the pics.
Thank you everyone for your love and well wishes! We truly appreciate it. xoxoxox
Donna

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Part of trip: Allen & Donna's Great Adventure!

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