Friday, April 26, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Middle of the night musings
I am not normally a violent person, but I want to punch Tom in the face when he happily snores loudly away, stretched out over my side of the bed, while I sit nursing all night in the glider. I mean, I know it isn't his fault, but it is sometimes hard not to feel a wee bit resentful.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Sam at 2 weeks
I took Sam in for his 2 week checkup last Thursday even though he wasn't quite 2 weeks old. His stats are as follows:
Height - 22 in (99%)
Weight - 10 lb, 8 oz (96%)
FOC - 15 1/4 (99%)
My boy is big, but he looks so tiny to me! I can't even imagine how tiny an average 7 pound baby would feel!
As Sam starts being awake for more of the day, I am getting a feel for his personality. He is definitely not the chill baby Jack was. We have two baby bouncers, a swing, and a Fisher Price Rock n Play, but none of them will satisfy Sam. He wants to be held at all times, preferably by me so he can use me as a human pacifier. His cry is not the cute, tiny cry of a newborn, but a loud, shrill cry that can be heard throughout the house. But as long as you aren't doing anything foolish, like changing his diaper, he is content. I frequently have to remind myself that this is my last baby and I need to treasure these moments because they are so fleeting. I really do love this cuddlebug, no matter how much he shreds my n.ipples.
My mom leaves tomorrow morning and I am so sad to see her go. I am pretty sure I won't be getting anything accomplished for awhile.
Height - 22 in (99%)
Weight - 10 lb, 8 oz (96%)
FOC - 15 1/4 (99%)
My boy is big, but he looks so tiny to me! I can't even imagine how tiny an average 7 pound baby would feel!
As Sam starts being awake for more of the day, I am getting a feel for his personality. He is definitely not the chill baby Jack was. We have two baby bouncers, a swing, and a Fisher Price Rock n Play, but none of them will satisfy Sam. He wants to be held at all times, preferably by me so he can use me as a human pacifier. His cry is not the cute, tiny cry of a newborn, but a loud, shrill cry that can be heard throughout the house. But as long as you aren't doing anything foolish, like changing his diaper, he is content. I frequently have to remind myself that this is my last baby and I need to treasure these moments because they are so fleeting. I really do love this cuddlebug, no matter how much he shreds my n.ipples.
My mom leaves tomorrow morning and I am so sad to see her go. I am pretty sure I won't be getting anything accomplished for awhile.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Dear Ellie: 7 years
Dear Ellie,
This letter is one day late. I have never been late on your birthday letters before, but your actual birthday was a busy day for us because we threw you a birthday party in our backyard. For months now you have been saying you wanted a "sea animal party" which I took to mean an Under the Sea party. We had a big blow up water slide, water balloons, and a sand pit that you could dig for treasures. It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of work considering we just added a baby to the family!
Speaking of babies, you love your new brother. You take great pride in the fact that you named him and you love to sit and hold him. It has been a little difficult for you to adjust to all the attention a new baby requires, but having your grandma here has been a big help.
I bought you two new chapter books as part of your birthday present and you had finished both before the day was out. You love to read and are an amazing reader. You can even read the difficult language of the scriptures without missing a beat. You are always on the alert for new words, whether it be in a book, on TV, or in daily conversation and not a day goes by that I don't have to define several words for you. Maybe I should have just bought you a dictionary! I love your curiosity, your desire to learn, and your love of reading.
The past few months have been difficult for me with the pregnancy and you really stepped up and helped me out. You entertained your brother, cooked him breakfast, and helped keep the house picked up. I don't know what I would have done without you. I am so thankful for you, my amazing little girl.
Ellie-belly, our lives are going to be a little crazy the next few months, but I hope you always know how loved you are. Happy birthday, sweet girl!
Love,
Mom
Monday, April 08, 2013
Sam: 1 week
It seems hard to believe it has already been one week since Sam was born. I am slowly adjusting to feeding/rocking a baby all night and my pain level is down enough that I replaced the Vicodin with Motrin. I am so thankful my mom is here to cook, clean, and take care of the kids!
Ellie and Jack can't get enough of their brother. Especially Jack, who will happily sit and hold him for 20 minute stretches without getting bored.
Saturday, April 06, 2013
Sam's very long birth story
I am completely sleep-deprived, but here is a rambling account of Sam's birth. The high dose of steroids my hematologist put me on had kept me awake for several nights in a row. So, it was no surprise when I was unable to sleep the night before Sam was due to arrive. I was really worried about my platelet count and having to be put under general anesthesia for the delivery. Tom and I left for the hospital at 4:45am. He tried to distract me with small talk, but all I could think about were platelets! When we arrived, the L&D nurse started talking as if I was having my surgery under general and right away I corrected her and told her that they were supposed to check it again because I was on steroids to bring up my platelets. And then for the next hour I kept bugging her to see if the count had come back yet. At one point, she popped her head in the room and told me all excitedly that my count had gone up to 319! Then she realized she had another patient's paperwork. After what seemed like forever, I got my results and I was at a 99 (I just needed to be at 90 or higher)! Finally, I could relax. Except then it was time for surgery. Tom got all dressed up in his smurf suit which I promptly posted to Facebook.
The nurse and anesthesiologist wheeled me back to the OR and started preparing me for surgery. I always hate that Tom can't be with me when they are inserting the spinal block because that is one of the scariest parts for me. I just tried to visualize Sam's little tiny hand wrapped around my finger. Finally, I was prepped and ready and Tom was allowed in. I had asked my OB to try to clean out the scar adhesions from my previous c-section because I could feel sharp pains on my lower left side so he initially worked on that. Unfortunately, the scar tissue was wrapped around a ligament and embedded into the wall so he wasn't able to remove it, but he promised to put in a shield to prevent more scar tissue. He then went about actually delivering the baby. This is where it got interesting. There is a point during a c-section that they have to push on the top of your stomach with a lot of force to get the baby out of the uterus. So, I was expecting it. I wasn't expecting Sam to be so big they couldn't get him out! My OB and the considerably larger male tech were both pushing with all their might trying to push Sam down. The whole table was shaking and I couldn't breathe. Weird, strangled noises were coming out of my mouth and my face was turning purple. Tom was getting really alarmed. The OB ended up having to add another incision to the uterus (an inverted T instead of just one slit) and using a vacuum (again!) just to get Sam out. Finally, he was out and I waited anxiously to hear his cry. I waited anxiously until they got him breathing and announced he was 10 pounds, 11.5 ounces and 20 inches long (they measured wrong, he is actually 21 and 1/4 inches)! No wonder he was stuck in there! I was able to hold him for a few minutes and snap some pictures before Tom and the baby were whisked away and I was stuck lying there while they finished the job.
I knew this surgery would take longer because I was having my tubes tied as well. With all that extra time on my hands, I decided to update my Facebook status. I posted a pic of Sam along with his stats.
I then texted several of my friends and family. My doctor and the anesthesiologist thought it was so funny that I was texting and on Facebook. I said, "Well, there is nothing else for me to do right now!" and my OB was like, "Uh, you could be resting."
By the time I was moved to recovery, the adrenalin had worn off and I was exhausted. I was pretty much in a haze of drugs the rest of the day. We had visitors, but I don't remember much of that first day after the delivery.
My recovery from this C-section was much more difficult than the previous two. Partly because I also had my tubes tied, but also because on the third day I came down with a really nasty stomach bug that also wiped out most of my extended family. It was really miserable. I had a terrible nurse that day who was afraid of getting sick so she was avoiding me. At one point, she finally came into the room and I just started bawling hysterically. Definitely, the worst day of my stay. They also tried to keep Jack and I longer because of my high blood pressure and Sam's jaundice. We were finally discharged Thursday night. Tom had to go to a track meet, so my mom and the kids came to take me home. I was just so happy to get out of that hospital!
I am loving my little Sam. He has his nights and days confused and he lets the whole world know when he is mad, but he is the cutest litle snugglebug. Ellie and Jack can't get enough of him and are always fighting over who gets to hold him.
I love our little April Fools Day baby and think he is the best surprise I have ever received!
The nurse and anesthesiologist wheeled me back to the OR and started preparing me for surgery. I always hate that Tom can't be with me when they are inserting the spinal block because that is one of the scariest parts for me. I just tried to visualize Sam's little tiny hand wrapped around my finger. Finally, I was prepped and ready and Tom was allowed in. I had asked my OB to try to clean out the scar adhesions from my previous c-section because I could feel sharp pains on my lower left side so he initially worked on that. Unfortunately, the scar tissue was wrapped around a ligament and embedded into the wall so he wasn't able to remove it, but he promised to put in a shield to prevent more scar tissue. He then went about actually delivering the baby. This is where it got interesting. There is a point during a c-section that they have to push on the top of your stomach with a lot of force to get the baby out of the uterus. So, I was expecting it. I wasn't expecting Sam to be so big they couldn't get him out! My OB and the considerably larger male tech were both pushing with all their might trying to push Sam down. The whole table was shaking and I couldn't breathe. Weird, strangled noises were coming out of my mouth and my face was turning purple. Tom was getting really alarmed. The OB ended up having to add another incision to the uterus (an inverted T instead of just one slit) and using a vacuum (again!) just to get Sam out. Finally, he was out and I waited anxiously to hear his cry. I waited anxiously until they got him breathing and announced he was 10 pounds, 11.5 ounces and 20 inches long (they measured wrong, he is actually 21 and 1/4 inches)! No wonder he was stuck in there! I was able to hold him for a few minutes and snap some pictures before Tom and the baby were whisked away and I was stuck lying there while they finished the job.
I then texted several of my friends and family. My doctor and the anesthesiologist thought it was so funny that I was texting and on Facebook. I said, "Well, there is nothing else for me to do right now!" and my OB was like, "Uh, you could be resting."
By the time I was moved to recovery, the adrenalin had worn off and I was exhausted. I was pretty much in a haze of drugs the rest of the day. We had visitors, but I don't remember much of that first day after the delivery.
My recovery from this C-section was much more difficult than the previous two. Partly because I also had my tubes tied, but also because on the third day I came down with a really nasty stomach bug that also wiped out most of my extended family. It was really miserable. I had a terrible nurse that day who was afraid of getting sick so she was avoiding me. At one point, she finally came into the room and I just started bawling hysterically. Definitely, the worst day of my stay. They also tried to keep Jack and I longer because of my high blood pressure and Sam's jaundice. We were finally discharged Thursday night. Tom had to go to a track meet, so my mom and the kids came to take me home. I was just so happy to get out of that hospital!
I am loving my little Sam. He has his nights and days confused and he lets the whole world know when he is mad, but he is the cutest litle snugglebug. Ellie and Jack can't get enough of him and are always fighting over who gets to hold him.
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Welcome to our family, Sam!
Sam is our biggest baby yet! He weighed in at 10 pounds, 11.5 ounces. My OB had a very difficult time getting him out, but I will save all the gory details for when I write his birth story!
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