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Thursday, March 31, 2011
He's Here!!
Jackson Reece is here! Born at 8:04 am 9 lbs 15 oz, 22" long on 3/30/2011. All is well for both mommy and son! Isn't he beautiful?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, March 26, 2011
38 Weeks - The Home Stretch
How many weeks? Guess who’s 38 weeks along? Me! Can you believe it?!?
(Excuse the look on my face. It was late, and I was really tired. This is the latest picture I have. We're taking an updated 38 week picture tonight.)
By last estimation, Baby Lo was between 7 pounds 10 ounces - 7 pounds 14 ounces (at my 36 week scan). They say he should gain at least a pound between then and the time I deliver.
Which is Wednesday, March 30, people! 4short days from now.
He should be at least in the 8.5 to 9 pound range when he arrives. Had I kept him in until 40 weeks, he'd likely have made it to 10 pounds or more. Yikes!
How am I feeling? I am so glad that I finally went on disability and am no longer working. It is really getting hard to breathe. I tire pretty easily now, too. Other than that, I am feeling good overall.
Well, maybe I should say I feel good except for the panic I feel when I think about actually having a real, live baby in the house again in less than a week. Lol. What do people do with a newborn baby who hasn't been in the hospital for three months before he comes home?
Doctor’s Appointment? I had two appointments this week. The first one was on Tuesday. I had a rough night with plenty of contractions and my back was killing me. They hooked me up to the monitors and found that sure enough, I was contracting every 6 minutes. There was no dilation, thankfully, so they gave me a shot of terbutaline to calm things down. Even though that drug is from the devil himself (ugh, it makes me shaky and jittery), it did its job and the contractions stopped for the most part. Yeah. I went home and slept for most of the day, though.
The second appointment was on Wednesday for my pre-op consultation. Everything is all set for my c-section at CMH.
Weight Gain? 28 pounds, and from Isaac says, it looks like it is all baby. You wouldn't know I was pregnant if you saw me from the back only.
See?
Stretch Marks? Not a single one. Jealous? :-)
Maternity Clothes? Um, yes. It's either that or Isaac's XL t-shirts. I have reached the stage where the bottom of my belly still hangs out if I am not careful. I feel like I am always tugging my shirts down to cover all of my belly.
Baby Preparation? I have finally gotten into gear and started on the baby's room (nothing like the last minute). My mom came over on Friday and we painted it a pretty soft green. The furniture arrives tomorrow. We'll also put the crib together tomorrow. Clothes are washed. Blankets/sheets/etc are ready to go. Diapers are purchased.
My bag is packed for the hospital.
Now all we need is for Wednesday to get here, and we're going to have ourselves a BABY!
Best Pictures of the Week?
(Excuse the look on my face. It was late, and I was really tired. This is the latest picture I have. We're taking an updated 38 week picture tonight.)
By last estimation, Baby Lo was between 7 pounds 10 ounces - 7 pounds 14 ounces (at my 36 week scan). They say he should gain at least a pound between then and the time I deliver.
Which is Wednesday, March 30, people! 4short days from now.
He should be at least in the 8.5 to 9 pound range when he arrives. Had I kept him in until 40 weeks, he'd likely have made it to 10 pounds or more. Yikes!
How am I feeling? I am so glad that I finally went on disability and am no longer working. It is really getting hard to breathe. I tire pretty easily now, too. Other than that, I am feeling good overall.
Well, maybe I should say I feel good except for the panic I feel when I think about actually having a real, live baby in the house again in less than a week. Lol. What do people do with a newborn baby who hasn't been in the hospital for three months before he comes home?
Doctor’s Appointment? I had two appointments this week. The first one was on Tuesday. I had a rough night with plenty of contractions and my back was killing me. They hooked me up to the monitors and found that sure enough, I was contracting every 6 minutes. There was no dilation, thankfully, so they gave me a shot of terbutaline to calm things down. Even though that drug is from the devil himself (ugh, it makes me shaky and jittery), it did its job and the contractions stopped for the most part. Yeah. I went home and slept for most of the day, though.
The second appointment was on Wednesday for my pre-op consultation. Everything is all set for my c-section at CMH.
Weight Gain? 28 pounds, and from Isaac says, it looks like it is all baby. You wouldn't know I was pregnant if you saw me from the back only.
Stretch Marks? Not a single one. Jealous? :-)
Maternity Clothes? Um, yes. It's either that or Isaac's XL t-shirts. I have reached the stage where the bottom of my belly still hangs out if I am not careful. I feel like I am always tugging my shirts down to cover all of my belly.
Baby Preparation? I have finally gotten into gear and started on the baby's room (nothing like the last minute). My mom came over on Friday and we painted it a pretty soft green. The furniture arrives tomorrow. We'll also put the crib together tomorrow. Clothes are washed. Blankets/sheets/etc are ready to go. Diapers are purchased.
My bag is packed for the hospital.
Now all we need is for Wednesday to get here, and we're going to have ourselves a BABY!
Best Pictures of the Week?
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Jason's Day!
On this day, three years ago, my little Jason came home from the hospital after 99 days in the NICU.
February 3 was actually one of many discharge dates for Jason. He was originally set to come home January 20, 2008. but the doctor changed his mind because Jason didn't gain enough weight the night before.
Then we were told January 21 would be his homecoming day, but that was postponed 1-3 more days because Jason had one high blood pressure reading.
Then he was set to come home on January 23. We got to the hospital only to find that he had been diagnosed with a bladder infection--which meant at least a 10 day course of IV antibiotics.
Then on January 25, while the nurses were changing his IV, Jason had a seizure, coded, and had to be bagged. It was one of the scariest moments we had had up to that point.
Shawn came home that day, and we had to leave Jason behind...so sick and fragile.
Ugh, it was such a hard, hard day. I really feared that Jason would never get to come home with us after all of that.
But January 3, 2008, was finally the day. Our little family was complete.
On the outside, I was trying to be cool about it all, but I was filled with such raw emotion...
What I had wanted for so long was finally happening.
I didn't really know what to do with myself that day. I was torn between smiling like a fool and crying like a baby.
Three years ago today, Jason, we finally gottcha to take home. Since then you have been a joy and have made me laugh at your crazy antics each and every day. You truly are an amazing, intelligent little boy. I am so lucky to be your mommy.
February 3 was actually one of many discharge dates for Jason. He was originally set to come home January 20, 2008. but the doctor changed his mind because Jason didn't gain enough weight the night before.
Then we were told January 21 would be his homecoming day, but that was postponed 1-3 more days because Jason had one high blood pressure reading.
Then he was set to come home on January 23. We got to the hospital only to find that he had been diagnosed with a bladder infection--which meant at least a 10 day course of IV antibiotics.
Then on January 25, while the nurses were changing his IV, Jason had a seizure, coded, and had to be bagged. It was one of the scariest moments we had had up to that point.
Shawn came home that day, and we had to leave Jason behind...so sick and fragile.
Ugh, it was such a hard, hard day. I really feared that Jason would never get to come home with us after all of that.
But January 3, 2008, was finally the day. Our little family was complete.
On the outside, I was trying to be cool about it all, but I was filled with such raw emotion...
What I had wanted for so long was finally happening.
I didn't really know what to do with myself that day. I was torn between smiling like a fool and crying like a baby.
Three years ago today, Jason, we finally gottcha to take home. Since then you have been a joy and have made me laugh at your crazy antics each and every day. You truly are an amazing, intelligent little boy. I am so lucky to be your mommy.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Mostly Wordless Wednesday - The Flashback Edition
From May 29, 2009: 19 Months actual, 16 months adjusted...
We call this one "Team Work."
Also known as "How to Get Out of Eating Your Green Beans."
We call this one "Team Work."
Also known as "How to Get Out of Eating Your Green Beans."
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Shawn's Day
On this day, three years ago, this happened. Go check the link. It still makes me teary to relive that memory.
On January 25, 2008, after 13 long weeks, our little Shawny came home from the NICU.
I remember the day so clearly--so long ago, yet somehow it seems like it was just yesterday. It's funny how that happens.
I had waited for discharge for so, so long. We had been told it was possible for him to go home; however, we had heard that before, so I don't think I really allowed myself to actually believe it.
As I filled out the discharge paperwork, I expected them to change their minds at any moment. But they didn't.
I held my breath.
As we got him dressed and removed his wires and monitor leads, I expected them to come running over and take him away. But they didn't.
I held my breath.
As we put him in his car seat, I expected his nurse to say something about how the had made a mistake. But she didn't.
I continued to hold my breath.
Before I knew it, we finally made it out of the hospital. I think I was in shock! Lol.
I couldn't keep my eyes off of him the entire ride home. My mind swirled with a bizarre mixture of utter awe at this sweet little creature in the back seat and an overwhelming fear that if my eyes left him for a second, he'd vanish back to the hospital.
I don't think I exhaled until we had finally walked in the front door and locked it behind us. Only then did I feel like he was really ours.
After all that time in the NICU, I was ready to really be a mom, but I was so terrified of actually having a real live baby at home for us to take care of--alone.
With no monitors to make sure he was breathing!
Yikes!
But home he came, and our lives have never been the same again.
Three years ago today, Shawny, we finally gottcha to take home. Since then I've been amazed by your strength, determination, and intelligence. You continue to blow me away each and every day...
I am so proud to be your mommy.
On January 25, 2008, after 13 long weeks, our little Shawny came home from the NICU.
I remember the day so clearly--so long ago, yet somehow it seems like it was just yesterday. It's funny how that happens.
I had waited for discharge for so, so long. We had been told it was possible for him to go home; however, we had heard that before, so I don't think I really allowed myself to actually believe it.
As I filled out the discharge paperwork, I expected them to change their minds at any moment. But they didn't.
I held my breath.
As we got him dressed and removed his wires and monitor leads, I expected them to come running over and take him away. But they didn't.
I held my breath.
As we put him in his car seat, I expected his nurse to say something about how the had made a mistake. But she didn't.
I continued to hold my breath.
Before I knew it, we finally made it out of the hospital. I think I was in shock! Lol.
I couldn't keep my eyes off of him the entire ride home. My mind swirled with a bizarre mixture of utter awe at this sweet little creature in the back seat and an overwhelming fear that if my eyes left him for a second, he'd vanish back to the hospital.
I don't think I exhaled until we had finally walked in the front door and locked it behind us. Only then did I feel like he was really ours.
After all that time in the NICU, I was ready to really be a mom, but I was so terrified of actually having a real live baby at home for us to take care of--alone.
With no monitors to make sure he was breathing!
Yikes!
But home he came, and our lives have never been the same again.
Three years ago today, Shawny, we finally gottcha to take home. Since then I've been amazed by your strength, determination, and intelligence. You continue to blow me away each and every day...
I am so proud to be your mommy.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Wonder of Genetics
I have always had a hard time telling people who the boys look like. Sure, I can tell you who acts like whom (mostly their father, especially when they are challenging!), but the physical attributes have always left me scratching my head. If I am pressed, I'd tell you that Shawn has the skin tone of Isaac's side but physically takes after my side of the family. Jason is the reverse. He has the skin tone of his poor pasty pale mother, but looks more like Isaac. Still, I would only say that because other people have told me those things--not because I actually see that myself.
But sometimes, I look at the curve of Jason's mouth and am struck by how much it resembles Isaac's mouth. Other times, I look at Shawn and am amazed at how much he reminds me of my nephew, Jeffrey, when he was a toddler.
Usually though, I just think of them as their own people. Each boy is a wonderful mix of the best (and worst at times!) of both of us. They look like...well, themselves!
Then the other day, my aunt sent me this picture and asked me if it reminded me of anyone.
Oh boy did it. It was like someone took my little Shawn and photo shopped him into an old photograph.
There it was.
Proof.
This picture is of my dad (left), my uncle Norman (right), and my aunt Sandy (center). I'd guess my dad is about 3ish years old here.
The look on his face...
The way his hair falls across his forehead...
Shawn looks like that now! To be honest, he also has that same look that Norman has on his face often enough. Jason gets that look, too. :-)
It blows me away, frankly.
I guess he really does look like my side of the family!
But sometimes, I look at the curve of Jason's mouth and am struck by how much it resembles Isaac's mouth. Other times, I look at Shawn and am amazed at how much he reminds me of my nephew, Jeffrey, when he was a toddler.
Usually though, I just think of them as their own people. Each boy is a wonderful mix of the best (and worst at times!) of both of us. They look like...well, themselves!
Then the other day, my aunt sent me this picture and asked me if it reminded me of anyone.
Oh boy did it. It was like someone took my little Shawn and photo shopped him into an old photograph.
There it was.
Proof.
This picture is of my dad (left), my uncle Norman (right), and my aunt Sandy (center). I'd guess my dad is about 3ish years old here.
The look on his face...
The way his hair falls across his forehead...
Shawn looks like that now! To be honest, he also has that same look that Norman has on his face often enough. Jason gets that look, too. :-)
It blows me away, frankly.
I guess he really does look like my side of the family!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Update on Baby Lo
I just had another perinatalogist appointment on Monday. Baby Lo was looking good. He's measuring at 2 pounds 2 ounces, which is still following his big growth curve. (Here is a cool growth average chart. For reference, I am 25 weeks and 2 days and the boys were 2 lbs 15 ounces at 28 weeks 3 days.) Amniotic fluid looks great. Baby's right kidney is still a bit enlarged, but not alarmingly so. I am told that boys just sometimes do this kind of thing.
Holla!
I didn't get any great shots of Baby Lo (still no name, I'm not holding out on you) this appointment. I did however get an awesome shot of him at the last appointment. Without further ado, meet little Baby Lo...
Isn't he just awesome! :-) I am not sure which of the boys he looks like more.
Shawn:
Holla!
I didn't get any great shots of Baby Lo (still no name, I'm not holding out on you) this appointment. I did however get an awesome shot of him at the last appointment. Without further ado, meet little Baby Lo...
Shawn:
or Jason (trying to make off with Shawn's nose):
Things are getting exciting now. :-)
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