Sunny Side Up

Sick Baby

As a parent, there is nothing worse that watching helpless when your child is sick.  Max developed a cough about a week ago.  It was only every once in a while and it has progressed into serious cough.  It is deep in his chest and sounds horrible.  He tries to cough up whatever is tickling him but only gags.  We were getting worried so we took him to the afterhours clinic on Saturday evening.  The doctor that was there was... thankfully our regular Pediatrician!!  What a blessing.  The doctor said that he could hear the wheezing in his chest but that it was intermitent.  He sent us to get an x-ray.  That experience was one that I never want to go through again.  The tech put Max on a little seat facing backwards, his little face pressed up against a sheet of plexiglass.  Then had Will hold his little arms up above his head - his elbows against his ears.  The tech then closed around him two curved pieces of plexiglass and strapped them closed squeezing his little body inside. 

Needless to say, Max was crying.  Will was trying not to as he held Max's little hands up above his head.  The tech said that Max was the littlest baby she had ever x-rayed.  She tried really hard to hurry and took two pictures.  However, once they were developed, she didn't get all of what was needed and had to take another.  So we had to go through the process of strapping him in again. 

It gave me a whole other appreciation for what parents of terminally/critcally ill children have to go through.

Update - Max seemed to be worse this morning so I called the Doctor.  He could hear, over the phone, Max coughing and told us to come back in.  After two hours there in the office, we came home with a diagnosis of mild RSV, a nebulizer, antibiotics and instructions for everything.  We have to give Max a breathing treatment every four hours.  That in itself is a challenge!!  He fights it and wails.  Dr. said that wasn't a bad thing... crying will help clear his lungs.  It isn't a bad case, however, it will be several days before we see any inprovement.  (sigh)  Just one more thing to add to my day.  I see what little sleep I do get disappearing.  We go back on Friday for a check up to see how Max is doing at that point.  I hope and pray we see marked improvement!!!

Indecent Exposure

Children have a way of keeping you humble in ways that are totally unexpected.  Since Will gets off work at 3:30 p.m., I have been waiting til he gets home to get groceries.  It is just easier with his extra hands as well as his input in what we get.  Well, we are calmly wandering up and down the aisles getting the necessary items, Elisabeth is walking along with us and Max is snuggled in the Baby Bjorn.  We head down the toilet paper/paper goods aisle and I turn to see where Elisabeth is, as I like to keep her close by.  To my utter surprise, she standing in the middle of the aisle with her jeans and panties down around her ankles scratching her bottom.  HELLO?!?! It took me a moment to realize what she was doing ... then I quickly knelt down in front of her and pulled up her clothing while Max is swinging between us.  I, indcredulously, ask why she had her pants down and she calmly says that she is scratching her itchies.  Trying really hard not to bust out laughing, I inform her that pulling her pants and panties down in public was unacceptable behavior while Will is trying struggling to pull his new camera phone from his pocket before I get her clothing back where they should be.  (Typical man - LOL)

Needless to say, Will and I are still laughing about our darling daughter baring all in the paper goods aisle at our Neighborhood Walmart grocery store. 

New Arrival

Well, after three false alarms, Max finally made his arrival on Thursday, September 29th at 11:09 pm. He weighed 6lbs 8.7oz and was 20in long.

It was a very rough journey!!! I was stuck at a 2 and 70% effaced for two weeks. But on Wed night/Thurs morn, I started contracting fairly consistently so Will came home from work and we went to the hospital. After arriving and getting checked... there was still no change. They had me walk for an hour contractions were still regular and strong) but then when they checked me... I was at a 3 and 75%. Not much difference. His head just wouldn't come down and engage. After much discussion with the dr and my nurse (who is also a longtime family friend), we determined that I really was in early labor but that it could be several more days before active labor started. So they gave me the option of pitocin to kick start things and that when we passed a 4 the dr would break my water, then once my body took over we would back off the pitocin.

So at about 4:30, they admitted us and started me on pitocin very slowly. They would up it every couple hours or so. The contractions were getting more intense and closer together but it was taking a while. At one point my friend checked me and the dr checked me – I was at a 3 /4 and was feeling some awful pressure. A second nurse checked me because his heart rate dropped quite suddenly. He had turned and dropped and was really pushing on the cervix, which was a good but very painful thing.

Finally at 9:45, I was at a 4/5 and the dr broke my water. Within a very painful hour, I progressed from a 5/6 to a 7 and was feeling the urge to push.  But since I wasn’t complete yet, I had to breathe thru those excruciating contractions. Thankfully, within 15 minutes I was complete and could push. After two pushes, he was out and the relief was intense and almost overwhelming. I was so glad it was over!!! I had done it   made it thru my second birth without any pain medication. However, it isn’t for the faint of heart. The pain is much more intense and harder to manage. The neat part was watching, in the mirror, him coming out.

Ironically enough, after it was all over, the dr said that since it took so long for another week. I am so glad we went ahead and induced/kickstarted.  Max is a sweet baby. Very alert and contented. He latched on immediately after delivery and sucked for 30 minutes. He is still feeding quite well. Nursed for 4 hours straight last night! The downside is the contractions that come with nursing. When they say that they get stronger with each child... they are right!!! They are VERY painful.

He is now 5 days old and is a voracious eater.  He has taken up the practice of nursing ALL NIGHT long.  Just going from side to side to side to side.  Needless to say... I am rather sore. (sigh)  He is also almost 7lbs already.  Hmm... seems that breastmilk is pretty good stuff.  I just hope that it doesn't take three weeks to get past this toe-curling latch on like it did with Elisabeth.

Elisabeth is a wonderful big sister and loves to be around Max.  She is already very protective of him and wants to make sure he is okay at all times. :)  Gotta love a little mama.

Almost Time

Since due date is approaching within a few days - September 30, I figured it was high time to post again.

After three false alarms last week, I am thoroughly ready for this little one to make his arrival.  Exhaustion has set in and sleep is a dim memory.  For the past two weeks or so I have been sleeping on the smaller couch while hubby sleeps on the bigger one.  It has been working well until last night.  The pain in my hips was more than I could handle and I wandered about the house for a couple hours crying and wondering if there was anywhere or any way that I could catch a few winks.  The baby is low in my pelvis but his head hasn't engaged yet so he stil has room to roll around and is still pretty active. 

Other than the last few days, I truely enjoy being pregnant.  Granted it is harder with a 2 1/2 year old but there is something wonderful and surreal about a growing life inside of you.   From the first knowledge at just a few weeks along to the days of waddling and being unable to bend over... it is all such a very short time and goes by so very quickly.  It is so much a miracle!!!!  Especially when the doctors tell you that hubby will never be able to sire children without some kind of medical intervention.  Well, in a few days I will be delivering our second miracle child.  He, like his sister, was conceived WITHOUT any medical intervention.

Disaster

It is amazing to see how a monumentous disaster will either bring out the best or the worst in people.  The sky-rocketing gas prices all over the nation, the uncontrollable and very WRONG looting, the death and distruction, the raping and pilaging that is occuring... it all has to stop.  We have to band together and pray as well as doing whatever is in our power to help.  The water alone is extremely dangerous with toxins, alligators, sewage, snakes and such.  Stealing isn't going to help.  I don't care if the people are "desparate."  It still doesn't make it right especially since help is on its way. 

I thank those that are bending their knees in serious prayer, those that are sending money, and those that are using vacations to go help.  However, to those that are stealing/looting, raping, being violent and viscious ... God help you! 

Sweet Success

The last week has been extremely hectic.  Hubby was on vacation so we spent three days painting Elisabeth's "big girl" room, her dresser and bed.  We are very pleased with the results.  Last Tuesday night she spent the first night in her "big girl" twin bed and did wonderfully.  I am so proud of her.  She still goes to bed at her regular time as well as a long nap in the afternoon.  When she crawls into bed she stays in bed and goes to sleep.  The transition was extremely smooth.  She loves her new room and bed very much.  We let her pick out the room color and of course she picked pink.  The name of the color is "princess" ... imagine that.  We painted her bed a white with a very tiny hint of pink and then I stenciled butterflies, bees, and flowers on it.  Turned out adorable. 

Our second success is that she is completely potty trained and is doing just awesome.  We had a quick success with pee-pee but had a little struggle with potty.  We gave her an incentive to work towards.  She wanted pink ballet shoes so we said that when she went potty four times in the potty we would get them for her.  Well, she has surpassed our expectations.  Other than the occasional accidents when we are in an unknown place she is doing beautifully.  Doesn't even wear pull-ups at night.  I am amazed at the amount she pees when she first wakes up.  I don't know how she holds it all night but I am VERY proud of her and she knows it. :)

So now it is just a waiting game.  The crib and nursery is ready, Elisabeth is potty trained, her room is completed and she is in it, and the bassinette is set up.  The only things left to do is ... get the swing and miscellaneous items down from the attic, move E's carseat over and install the infant carseat, and pack my labor bag.  Wow... time sure is going fast.

Preparations

Well, we have exactly 10 weeks til due date.  Things are going great.  At the doctor appointment on Monday, the report was awesome.  I am measuring exactly right on, passed the glucose test with flying colors, NO swelling whatsoever and very little weight gain.  This little one still has yet to realize that there is a left side to my belly. LOL  He still likes the right side and he is more of a roller than a kicker.  His sister enjoys hugging and kissing him as well as trying to share her Boppy (paci) and Nuzzie (blanket) with him. 

On the potty training front, we have wonderful success.  I am so proud of my daughter.  She is now wearing "big girl" panties all day without accidents (except for an occasional potty) and only wears pull-ups at night.  We even got her Hello Kitty panties, which she is very proud of. :)  She is also very proud of herself when she goes in the "big potty."  We usually call Grammie or Papa to announce her success.  Just today, she went into the bathroom, pulled up her dress, pulled down her panties, peed, pulled her panties back up and straightened her dress - totally without my knowledge until she came in the room where I was and announced "I did it!"  Of course we did the "happy dance" together around the room.  Such a big girl.

We are now in the process of getting her "big girl room" ready.  Sanding and painting the twin bed is our first step, then painting her room in the way she is requesting.  It will be in some combination of the three colors she picked out... pink, purple and yellow.  And a theme of butterflies and hearts.  She is extremely excited about it and will talk about it to anyone who will listen. 

Gosh, I love that tiny little sprite.

Advice - Unwanted?

Is a pregnant belly an open invitation for unsolicited advice?  I am beginning to think so!  Even though this isn't my first baby.  What is it that compels people to think that they know everything there is to know about anything and everything?  Especially about pregnancy, birth, labor and the personality of my unborn child? 

My first born is a beautiful little girl who is gentle, laid-back, and extremely polite.  Says "please" and "thank you" as well as "excuse me."  Even her birth was wonderful.  It was everything I wanted - no drugs, quick labor, and small baby.  She slept in her own crib for most of the night at 4 weeks old, teeth came in without any fussiness, and hasn't been sick yet.  Now at two she goes to bed easily, gets up each morning happy, and is making progress at potty training. She is a wonderful child who is eager to please and very loving.

Therefore, most people tell me that I just got lucky with her and not to expect the same thing with the second one.  I am also told that this one will be VERY different from her.  They say "don't expect him to be as easy as she is/was." 

My question is... "What the heck do you know?"  First off, I believe that the personality of a child is a mirror of the parents.  Secondly, I believe that the child is molded by the disclipline from the parents.  And thirdly, I EXPECT him to be very much like her.  And why not?  Yes, I agree that their personalites will be different because they are different people.  But I disagree that he won't be as laid-back, easy-going or as gentle as she is.  I and hubby are the ones who shape their lives. 

This pregnancy as actually been easier than the first one which is pretty amazing since that one was very easy.  No morning sickness with either one or any complications.  He doesn't move about very hard... mostly just gentle rolls and taps, which I think is a direct indication of his personality.

So to all you "know-it-alls" and the "you just wait..." people, I don't care for your advice or predictions.  It isn't wanted or needed.  This child is created in the image of God and is exactly what this family needs.  He will fit perfectly into this house and family.  There will be no conflict with the neat and orderly personality of my daughter and she will love her little brother and be very protective and motherly towards him.

Miracles DO Happen

On May 18th, Hubby and I went in to the doctor for our routine ultrasound.  The only difference between this one and the one with our daughter was that I am now of "advanced maternal age" at the ripe age of 35.  Due to that fact, I had to go to a maternal specialist.  No big deal, just get to see more of the baby since it is more indepth.  Well, it turned out to be not as routine as expected.  After about 30 minutes of looking, the doctor began to be a little concerned.  He showed us that there was fluid next to the left lung and a "spot" on the lung.  Since the baby kept flipping around he couldn't get a good look at the heart so he wasn't sure what he was looking at.  The heart was positioned where it was supposed to be, which was good because if there was any extra cells on the lung it would push the heart to the center of the chest or to the right. 

Well, needless to say, he was unable to give us a true diagnosis but said that he would be sending us for a fetal echocardiagram to get a good look at the heart and then he wanted us back for a follow-up in four weeks.  He also suggested that we change hospitals for the birth incase there would be complications with breathing.

Deep in my heart, I knew that God would not give us the son that we desired only to have complications.  Therefore, I was totally and completely at peace.  No fear welled up inside me, just God given peace. 

A week later, we went to have the echocardiagram.  After reviewing the ultrasound, the doctor consulted with us.  She said that the heart was exactly as it should be for a 22-week baby and did NOT see any fluid in the chest cavity NOR could she see any spot on the lung.  She did preface that she was not looking at the lung but the heart because that is what she focuses on.  This was a wonderful confirmation for us only a week after the initial ultrasound.   However, we still had three weeks before the follow-up ultrasound.

***

Well, that ultrasound follow-up was last Wednesday.  It only took thirty minutes total but it only took about five minutes for the doctor to be amazed that whatever he saw the first time was NO LONGER THERE!!!!  Thank you, God!!!  We know that there was something there because hubby and I could see what the doctor was seeing yet we knew that our God is much bigger than a doctor's diagnosis.  Our baby will arrive in the world in less than 15 weeks and he will be whole, well, complete and I will have the birth/delivery that I want, at the hospital I want and with the doula I want. 

Training

"The things that try men's patience."  Whoever wrote that must have been trying to potty train a two-year old.  I swear sometimes I just want to scream.  Maybe I should have really started earlier.  But then hindsight is always 20/20.  Who's to know.  The only thing I do know is that we are now into June and this baby will arrive in three short months.  I so desparately want her out of diapers before that day.  Buying two sizes of diapers/pull-ups is not a good thing.

Now mind you, just a week or so ago, she pottied quite successfully in her little blue and green potty chair.  We were soooo proud of her that Papa went out immediately and got her a treat.  I was just sure we had turned a corner and that we had made progress.  Well, she hasn't gone again in the chair since then.  I am now attempting to set her on the chair every hour and let her sit there for at least fifteen minutes.  Of course, I give her a book to read and she will sit anywhere for that long.

If you ask her where she is supposed to potty she will say "chair."  Yet she doesn't.  She will come to me after she is done and say "change" and is usually bringing a pull-up with her.  Therefore, I know she doesn't like being in yucky pants.  We tried the cotton training pants but because her little legs are soooo tiny, the legs of the training pants were too big and the mess just went out of the training pant and down her leg.  That distressed her considerably.  Hmmm... maybe that isn't a bad thing. 

God, give me patience to master the trying job of potty training a two-year old!!!  Question is... who is training who?