We had SUCH a BIG day today!!
1. Everett has been weaned off of all oxygen supplementation!! I got to see his sweet face for the first time this morning! Though he still has an oral-gastric tube in which is taped to his chin, he no longer has tapes and tubes across his little cheeks. It makes a world of difference! His oxygen saturation has been wonderfully steady as well. The pediatric intensivist made rounds today as it was the regular neonatologist's day off. He warned not to be alarmed if Everett gets tired over the next day or 2 and needs to be put back on oxygen for a time as his birth was extremely traumatic for his respiratory system. He added that his gut feeling was that Everett would be ok with the wean, but wanted to let me know that it's not uncommon for a baby that took such a hard respiratory hit to take a little step back after making such progress.
2. I was offered a first attempt to breast feed! I think it went well. Everett latched on very briefly a few times and seemed to have a good grip on the whole "suck swallow breathe" rhythm. However, after 2 days of fussing about not eating and taking comfort in a pacifier, we still have an awful lot of work to do. I can continue to try every 3 hours to nurse him and will follow up with a bottle of breast milk. He did take some milk from the bottle today after nursing for a bit. He took 25 mls. Not too shabby for a first feed. I am hoping this will allow him to rest comfortably and make our subsequent attempts to feed a little more successful. Whatever happens, I know I can get the milk to him somehow - regardless of the mode of transport. (though, don't think for a second that I won't fight tooth and nail for us to figure out actual breast feeding. We can do this!!)
Brent had gone to the house this morning to do some laundry, check on the kiddos and have a little break from hospital life. Mommom came to the hospital to visit with me and to sit with Everett for a bit. It was really special to have her there while attempting to nurse. I am so grateful for that time, her advice, and un-ending encouragement.
3. After the feeding, I found that Brent had returned with Mary Louise and David in tow. The nurses in the NICU were more than happy to allow us to just pop in with our wee ones so that they could meet their little brother. All were in awe of how big Mary Louise and David have gotten. They were both very good - David got a little restless but didn't bother anything. Mary Louise was totally enamored with Everett: "das ma yittle brother Everett! Da baby in Mommy's bel-yee wite dere!" Everett had a case of hiccups while they were there which concerned Mary Louise to no end. She was also concerned about all of the monitors and stickers on his little body. "baby have a yittle bo-bo and Mommy have a yittle bo-bo." "Mommy in da hospital cause she has a yittle bo-bo."
David's first words about Everett? ha - "Das a foggie! Mine have it?" Everett received a most treasured NICU treat today: his first Frederick T. Frog positioning bean bag. David has 4 and has one with him at all times still today. It was funny to see how pristine, white and crisp they once looked. David's are so dingy and stained from "helping" with gardening, riding in wagons, assisting with Play-doh time, and whatever else David decides to get into.
Brent took Mary Louise around a bit in the NICU to show her where she was given her very first bath, her first bottle, her first bed. She listened very closely and actually told me all about it when we returned to the hospital room.
It was amazing to see our little ones together.
*****************************
I spoke with the NICU doctor today about goals for discharge for Everett:
1. He must be able to maintain his temperature on his own (as of now, he is still under the radiant warmer)
2. He must maintain his blood sugar. Though his birth weight was great, he's not eaten for 2 days and is down to about 6 pounds now. He must be able to eat full meals and maintain his own blood sugar. Since he is starting to feed, they will now begin to wean his TPN (total parenteral nutrition) until he is no longer on it at all.
3. He must be regularly gaining weight - approximately an ounce daily. Currently, he is to nurse as long as he wants. Then he is offered a bottle of breast milk. There are no set amounts he has to take in - they are just seeing what he can do. He is eating every 3 hours. I tried to nurse at 2 today - he did pretty well - latched a few times (as I said above)- but was very tired. I gave him a bottle and he nippled very well taking in 25 mls. I went back at 5 for another round and he nursed like a total rock star! He fed for about 20 minutes from each breast then followed with just over 20mls of bottle. At that rate, he'll out weigh Mary Louise and David by the end of the month!
In addition, when I returned at 5, the radiant warmer was off! He is swaddled in a soft cotton blanket and has one of Mere's totally famous and awesome NICU knit hats on but is otherwise maintaining his own temperature! His nurse for the day told me she has this weekend off and wanted to tell us goodbye and best wishes as she doesn't expect to see us here on Monday when she returns!!
Brent and I are going back at 8am to feed again and give Everett his first bath! What a day!!
xo,
Heather
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Our Little Everett: Day 2
Everett had a great day today. His chest xray was repeated this afternoon and showed cleared lungs - no more infiltrates on his left side. His breathing has settled to a relatively rapid, but clear rate. His oxygen is still via cannula at 21% but the volume has been reduced to just 1.5 liters. The plan is to wean as quickly as possible in hopes of Everett being clear of all respiratory support by tomorrow afternoon.
Great news: I get to try nursing tomorrow (as long as Everett remains stable of course)!!!!!!! The doctor felt it was important to allow a full 48 hours to pass prior to an introduction of nutrition to his gut. Reason: the gut is not protected during a stressful event. If a person is experiencing trauma, blood is shunted to the super organs - brain, heart, kidneys - the gut is sort of last to get support making continuous perfusion questionable. To allow time for recovery and insure proper blood flow to the area, 48 hours is the optimal time to keep the gut sterile. So, that would be tomorrow. I will nurse and then he will be offered a bottle of breast milk (provided I can produce that much). I'm not super excited about the bottle supplementation but at this point, whatever it takes to get us all home and in one place is what I'll do. If he can get to eating full meals, he can be weaned off of all IV supplementation bringing him one more GIANT step toward the exit. The neonatologist is extremely supportive of my breast feeding beliefs and efforts so it's really nice to be on the same page with Everett's care team.
Mary Louise and David seem to be handling things fairly well. I haven't seen them since yesterday morning and miss them terribly. I talk to them on the phone though so that's something...they have had a great time playing with their grandparents and with Uncle Collin. Mere and Pops left today to take care of some things at home and plan to return at the end of the weekend. Mommon and Uncle Collin will stay until then. Brent goes back and forth between the hospital and home. It's a bit of a mess, but the best we can do for now.
One day soon...one day soon...we will be together again...many many thanks for the prayers and support throughout.
xo,
Heather
Photos to come - uploading now...
Great news: I get to try nursing tomorrow (as long as Everett remains stable of course)!!!!!!! The doctor felt it was important to allow a full 48 hours to pass prior to an introduction of nutrition to his gut. Reason: the gut is not protected during a stressful event. If a person is experiencing trauma, blood is shunted to the super organs - brain, heart, kidneys - the gut is sort of last to get support making continuous perfusion questionable. To allow time for recovery and insure proper blood flow to the area, 48 hours is the optimal time to keep the gut sterile. So, that would be tomorrow. I will nurse and then he will be offered a bottle of breast milk (provided I can produce that much). I'm not super excited about the bottle supplementation but at this point, whatever it takes to get us all home and in one place is what I'll do. If he can get to eating full meals, he can be weaned off of all IV supplementation bringing him one more GIANT step toward the exit. The neonatologist is extremely supportive of my breast feeding beliefs and efforts so it's really nice to be on the same page with Everett's care team.
Mary Louise and David seem to be handling things fairly well. I haven't seen them since yesterday morning and miss them terribly. I talk to them on the phone though so that's something...they have had a great time playing with their grandparents and with Uncle Collin. Mere and Pops left today to take care of some things at home and plan to return at the end of the weekend. Mommon and Uncle Collin will stay until then. Brent goes back and forth between the hospital and home. It's a bit of a mess, but the best we can do for now.
One day soon...one day soon...we will be together again...many many thanks for the prayers and support throughout.
xo,
Heather
Photos to come - uploading now...
35 weeks 2 days...
Ahhh...best laid plans...thinking you have some sort of control...the luxury of decisions...being in that super low minority - REALLY ?! 1%?!
I got up very early with Mary Louise yesterday as she needed a breathing treatment. We sat on the sofa together, watching a few cartoons, and doing the "teet-mint". I started to feel pretty nauseated. I am used to feeling run down the day after a progesterone injection so at first I didn't think much of it. Then it got worse...I felt as if I might have eaten something that just didn't agree with my system on top of the injection reactions I normally get...still - didn't think all that much about it but instead decided to take things easy and lie next to Mary Louise in the sofa.
I got up to use the restroom around 5:30am and felt a sharp pain. It lasted a few seconds and stopped. I made my way to the bathroom and didn't have any other pains or feelings until closer to 6 - but I did continue to feel nauseous. I took some Tums and felt quite a bit better for a time.
When the nausea returned, I sent Mary Louise to get Brent who was still sleeping up stairs. I was having more regular pains - cramping - and thought it might be contractions but they were not consistent and still very far apart (upwards of 20 minutes in down time) and no bleeding or discharge.
About 6:30 or so: Brent came downstairs and I went up to lie down for a bit. He brought me a piece of toast and I ate that and drank water - felt a little better and rested awhile without discomfort - but the contractions were still happening occasionally.
8am: I called the hospital but didn't get an answer. I called my OB's answering service but the doctor on call didn't know my history at all and the office was to open in less than an hour so I opted to wait to speak with my doctor directly. I knew I would likely need monitoring to be safe, and didn't know if they could just monitor me in office rather than the hospital.
Contractions started coming every 10 to 13 minutes and worsened with activity. I called Brent who got the babies dressed while I threw some clothing together for myself just in case...
I called my neighbor who'd said many times to call if we needed anything. Thankfully, she was home and was more than happy to let Mary Louise and David play at her house while Brent took me to the doctor.
I spoke to my doctor and told him I felt I should go directly to the hospital - that my contractions were predictably coming every 10 to 13 minutes and had been for just over an hour. He agreed and said he'd call to let the nurses know I would be there soon: I think we need to just hook you up to some monitors to make sure everything is ok. Sounds like today might just be the day Heather. It's a little early, but you're at a very good point in your pregnancy.
I hung up with him.
We got to the parking lot of the hospital and I told Brent to hurry - something felt different - in a really really awful sort of way. I could barely get out of the car and into the wheel chair. Some old lady tried to stop us when we went through the emergency room. I yelled at Brent to just go and that we didn't have time for the lady to "look up my information" or "call to make sure they were expecting me...
We got to the second floor.
The nurse who took care of me when my labor started with Mary Louise, David and Kuylen happened to be standing in the hall. She asked if I was visiting. Ha.
"I think I'm having a baby." I said, "but I have to have a section."
It was all I could even get out of my mouth.
She brought me to an empty room and was going to help me get into a gown. I tried to stand out of the wheel chair. The pain was absolutely excruciating. I started to wimper which quickly turned into yelling when she tried to check me and put monitors around my lower belly. I started to bleed.
"I think you're rupturing," she said with an absolutely terrified look on her face.
Codes were called and within seconds, 8 nurses surrounded me in a room. Within 10 minutes, I was in the section suite and somehow, my doctor was there and ready to go.
I could barely breathe - very very wet and shallow breaths were all I heard. I felt the baby kick twice - It was absolutely awful - but I knew he was still there. They couldn't find any heart sounds.
A mask was pressed tightly on my face. Brent had gone to get our car out of the emergency line and came back to find me already in the OR. He popped in to tell me he was there with me and was handed scrubs to don and told to wash up so he could be with me for surgery.
I was put under general anesthesia as soon as possible.
Brent never made it back into the surgical suite.
Everett Baily LeBlanc was born on the morning of April 10th, 2012. 6 pounds 8 ounces and 19 inches long.
As soon as the doctor cut, little Everett popped out. My uterus had ruptured completely along my old incision line. Everett was free and in my abdominal cavity. He and I literally did not have one more second to spare.
The doctor was able to stop the bleeding and repair my uterus. Everett showed left lung infiltrates yesterday on his chest xray (due to aspiration or prematurity or both.) He was ventilated very briefly, given Surfactant and extubated. He spent most of the day yesterday on a high flow nasal cannula working very hard to breathe. By last night though, he was weaned down to 21% O2 via cannula (the equivalent of room air).
I haven't been able to hold him just yet but can touch his feet pretty easily. He is in an open bassinet under a low radiant warmer. He has 2 umbilical lines from which they draw labs and administer antibiotics and fluids. He is currently on TPN nutrition but the staff told me they were hoping to be able to gavage feed (through an oral-gastric tube) today. I spoke with his night nurse this morning and was told he had a good night, still on 21% O2 and doing just fine. He is having another chest xray today. If the infiltrates were from aspiration, it is expected that most would be gone today.
I have been pumping diligently...disappointed that I don't have my little nursling snuggled by my side, but knowing I can give him the next best thing. My milk hasn't come in just yet despite best efforts but I am getting tiny drops of colostrum so that's better than nothing.
Surgical recovery is going pretty well too. I have some bruising and am certainly very achy. But as long as my pain medications arrive on time, I do ok. I had been up and visiting in the NICU via wheelchair, but this morning was able to walk down the hall after a shower.
I'm very tired but did get some sleep last night in between antibiotic doses, vital signs, and pumping of course. Ha - everyone knows the hospital is no place to sleep right?
We have been told to expect Everett to be here until his due date (May 13th). I am very very much hoping to bring him home sooner though. We'll see how he does today. That should offer more of a long term prognosis.
xo,
Heather
I got up very early with Mary Louise yesterday as she needed a breathing treatment. We sat on the sofa together, watching a few cartoons, and doing the "teet-mint". I started to feel pretty nauseated. I am used to feeling run down the day after a progesterone injection so at first I didn't think much of it. Then it got worse...I felt as if I might have eaten something that just didn't agree with my system on top of the injection reactions I normally get...still - didn't think all that much about it but instead decided to take things easy and lie next to Mary Louise in the sofa.
I got up to use the restroom around 5:30am and felt a sharp pain. It lasted a few seconds and stopped. I made my way to the bathroom and didn't have any other pains or feelings until closer to 6 - but I did continue to feel nauseous. I took some Tums and felt quite a bit better for a time.
When the nausea returned, I sent Mary Louise to get Brent who was still sleeping up stairs. I was having more regular pains - cramping - and thought it might be contractions but they were not consistent and still very far apart (upwards of 20 minutes in down time) and no bleeding or discharge.
About 6:30 or so: Brent came downstairs and I went up to lie down for a bit. He brought me a piece of toast and I ate that and drank water - felt a little better and rested awhile without discomfort - but the contractions were still happening occasionally.
8am: I called the hospital but didn't get an answer. I called my OB's answering service but the doctor on call didn't know my history at all and the office was to open in less than an hour so I opted to wait to speak with my doctor directly. I knew I would likely need monitoring to be safe, and didn't know if they could just monitor me in office rather than the hospital.
Contractions started coming every 10 to 13 minutes and worsened with activity. I called Brent who got the babies dressed while I threw some clothing together for myself just in case...
I called my neighbor who'd said many times to call if we needed anything. Thankfully, she was home and was more than happy to let Mary Louise and David play at her house while Brent took me to the doctor.
I spoke to my doctor and told him I felt I should go directly to the hospital - that my contractions were predictably coming every 10 to 13 minutes and had been for just over an hour. He agreed and said he'd call to let the nurses know I would be there soon: I think we need to just hook you up to some monitors to make sure everything is ok. Sounds like today might just be the day Heather. It's a little early, but you're at a very good point in your pregnancy.
I hung up with him.
We got to the parking lot of the hospital and I told Brent to hurry - something felt different - in a really really awful sort of way. I could barely get out of the car and into the wheel chair. Some old lady tried to stop us when we went through the emergency room. I yelled at Brent to just go and that we didn't have time for the lady to "look up my information" or "call to make sure they were expecting me...
We got to the second floor.
The nurse who took care of me when my labor started with Mary Louise, David and Kuylen happened to be standing in the hall. She asked if I was visiting. Ha.
"I think I'm having a baby." I said, "but I have to have a section."
It was all I could even get out of my mouth.
She brought me to an empty room and was going to help me get into a gown. I tried to stand out of the wheel chair. The pain was absolutely excruciating. I started to wimper which quickly turned into yelling when she tried to check me and put monitors around my lower belly. I started to bleed.
"I think you're rupturing," she said with an absolutely terrified look on her face.
Codes were called and within seconds, 8 nurses surrounded me in a room. Within 10 minutes, I was in the section suite and somehow, my doctor was there and ready to go.
I could barely breathe - very very wet and shallow breaths were all I heard. I felt the baby kick twice - It was absolutely awful - but I knew he was still there. They couldn't find any heart sounds.
A mask was pressed tightly on my face. Brent had gone to get our car out of the emergency line and came back to find me already in the OR. He popped in to tell me he was there with me and was handed scrubs to don and told to wash up so he could be with me for surgery.
I was put under general anesthesia as soon as possible.
Brent never made it back into the surgical suite.
Everett Baily LeBlanc was born on the morning of April 10th, 2012. 6 pounds 8 ounces and 19 inches long.
As soon as the doctor cut, little Everett popped out. My uterus had ruptured completely along my old incision line. Everett was free and in my abdominal cavity. He and I literally did not have one more second to spare.
The doctor was able to stop the bleeding and repair my uterus. Everett showed left lung infiltrates yesterday on his chest xray (due to aspiration or prematurity or both.) He was ventilated very briefly, given Surfactant and extubated. He spent most of the day yesterday on a high flow nasal cannula working very hard to breathe. By last night though, he was weaned down to 21% O2 via cannula (the equivalent of room air).
I haven't been able to hold him just yet but can touch his feet pretty easily. He is in an open bassinet under a low radiant warmer. He has 2 umbilical lines from which they draw labs and administer antibiotics and fluids. He is currently on TPN nutrition but the staff told me they were hoping to be able to gavage feed (through an oral-gastric tube) today. I spoke with his night nurse this morning and was told he had a good night, still on 21% O2 and doing just fine. He is having another chest xray today. If the infiltrates were from aspiration, it is expected that most would be gone today.
I have been pumping diligently...disappointed that I don't have my little nursling snuggled by my side, but knowing I can give him the next best thing. My milk hasn't come in just yet despite best efforts but I am getting tiny drops of colostrum so that's better than nothing.
Surgical recovery is going pretty well too. I have some bruising and am certainly very achy. But as long as my pain medications arrive on time, I do ok. I had been up and visiting in the NICU via wheelchair, but this morning was able to walk down the hall after a shower.
I'm very tired but did get some sleep last night in between antibiotic doses, vital signs, and pumping of course. Ha - everyone knows the hospital is no place to sleep right?
We have been told to expect Everett to be here until his due date (May 13th). I am very very much hoping to bring him home sooner though. We'll see how he does today. That should offer more of a long term prognosis.
xo,
Heather
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Never Normal
All Heather wished for this time around was a normal pregnancy with a c-section at the end of 38.5 weeks to 39 weeks when the doctor said it was time. Well she did not get her wish, but we did get a beautiful baby boy named Everett Baily LeBlanc @ 9:48am this morning. He weighs 6lb 8oz and is 19 inches long. Heather is resting in the Hospital, and feeling much better considering. Everett is in the NICU getting a little respiratory support and great care from the staff at Women's & Children s Lake Charles. I can not say enough about how awesome these people jumped into action to save my wife and child today.
The Story: This morning at 3:15am Mary Louise wanted to sleep with her mom, so i sent her in to Heather's room (I was sleeping on the single bed in the kids room). At 3:30am Mary Louise had a coughing fit and needed a respiratory treatment. Heather brought he down stairs then, to keep from awaking the beast David. At 5:30 am, I heard Mary Louise fusing down stairs, then I heard her at the top of the stairs calling for Dada, Dada, Dada. I jumped up, and she told me momma needs you. I rushed down stairs and Heather was not feeling real well. She told me she was nauseous and had some pain in her lower abdominal area. I said lets go to the Hospital, but She told me to slow down a minute. She went upstairs to lay down, and i brought her some toast and water, and went back to taking care of the kids, dogs, and general house stuff. I checked on her from time to time, and she had her phone to call me if she needed me. About 8:30 she called me and said we needed to get things ready to go to the hospital. I dressed Mary Louise and David, brushed there hair, and got them in the car while heather packed her bag and the baby bag just in case. We went to CVS to get disposable diapers and dropped the kids off at a family friends house. We then made our way to the hospital, and as I drove Heather had more severe pain, so I put my flashes on, and got to the Hospital as safe and fast as possible. We rolled in about 9:30 and I ran into Emergency and got a wheel chair. I got heather loaded in the chair and went straight up to Labor and Delivery. One of Heather's L&D nurses from the triplet pregnancy was working and though we were visiting when Heather crunched up in pain and asked for help. They immediately got her into a room and got monitors on her. I ran down stairs to move Heather's vehicle out of the emergency entrance and park it. When I returned upstairs to the room, there were 8 or so nurses, doctors etc in the room moving heather to an OR bed and the doctor told me to they had to do an Emergency C-Section. They gave me some scrubs and said they would be right back to get me. A nurse came back a few minutes later and told me that I had a baby boy, and that he was heading to the NICU, and that Heather was stable. I was in awe. I wanted to cry, get angry that I missed the delivery, since it happened so quick. a few minutes went by and another nurse came to get me and explain what was going on. Heather's Uterus Ruptured along the old section scare and the baby was sitting in her abdominal cavity when the opened her up. The doctor told me that he didn't have another minute to wait and that he was sorry that I missed it. He did what he had to do to save momma and baby. Everett was delivered @ 9:48am and we got to the Hospital @ 9:30 and in a room about 9:35. That gives you an idea of how fast tings happened. Everett id doing well besides having respiratory support. the doctors feel that he may have aspirated some fluid and blood wile in the abdominal cavity. They will do another x-ray in the morning to see what the condition of his lungs are. This will determine if it is premature lungs or fluid.
We are in the room, and Heather was asking to pump while still in the recovery state. I ran home and got her pump and some new bottles. When I got back the Lactation Consultant was there and we got things started. Heather has gotten out of bed and made the trip to the NICU to see her Sweet baby Boy. Everett and Heather are doing much better now, and we pray that that continues to be the case.
Today has been a whirlwind, but at the end of the day, I have a beautiful wife, a sweet Mary Louise, a handsome David, and a Strong willed Everett. Thank you God for all your blessings, I just wish you would quite testing us so much. I want to thank all our family for their support and quick response, Mere & Pop, MaMom, Collin, and Father Jack was right there to say a pray when it was all over.
I will update tomorrow with pictures.
We are in the room, and Heather was asking to pump while still in the recovery state. I ran home and got her pump and some new bottles. When I got back the Lactation Consultant was there and we got things started. Heather has gotten out of bed and made the trip to the NICU to see her Sweet baby Boy. Everett and Heather are doing much better now, and we pray that that continues to be the case.
Today has been a whirlwind, but at the end of the day, I have a beautiful wife, a sweet Mary Louise, a handsome David, and a Strong willed Everett. Thank you God for all your blessings, I just wish you would quite testing us so much. I want to thank all our family for their support and quick response, Mere & Pop, MaMom, Collin, and Father Jack was right there to say a pray when it was all over.
I will update tomorrow with pictures.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
34 weeks 3 days!
I made my weekly trip to the ultrasound tech on Wednesday. The news was excellent!
The baby is still in the "head down" position - expected to stay there until delivery. However, little one did flip sides so that he / she is kicking and punching my left side now, rump just under my ribs. Sugs is stretched from one end to the other of my abdomen and curled around into the classic fetal position. Again, no peeks at the face, but we did see a nice gorgeous halo of fuzzies around the back of the head. Oh that's right: baby LeBlanc #4 has hair!! I have no idea what color it is of course, but it's certainly there on ultrasound. It took Mary Louise and David a full 2 years before we even thought about breaking out a comb or brush for their tiny bits of peach fuzz!
Measurements: right on target at an estimated 5 pounds 11 ounces. This week, the baby was measured (femur length, head circumference, abdominal girth) so the weight is more accurate (than last week's). Heart rate was 134 or 135 - within normal range. On the fetal growth charts, our little one isn't so little - still measuring between the 53rd and 57th percentile!
I met with my regular OB as well and will do so every week from now until delivery. He was extremely pleased with my health status as well as the ultrasound measurements and outcomes. My blood pressure is still very steady and my UA continues to be "normal" (I do one every time I go in for a MD visit).
I will finish my Asprin therapy this Sunday!! No more baby Asprin after 35 weeks. This allows my platelets to return to a normal range prior to the delivery. It typically takes about 3 weeks for platelets to recover.
I actually had the triplet section while taking Asprin. It was full on awful...the bruising...I should have taken pictures. The nurses kept offering to "scrub the Betadine" off of my incision area. I kept telling them I was perfectly capable of performing my own personal hygiene and that these particular shades of yellow, and purple wouldn't come off with any type of Hibiclens scrub anyhow. After 3 days of watching the bruises spread, I remember asking Brent to mark them to ensure the bleeding would stop. It did - but man, the rainbow of colors - impressive.
Anyhow, stopping Asprin on Sunday. Oh. my. gosh.
And...my last progesterone shot with be Monday!!!! (and the angels sing here. or happy dancing can commence. whatever you prefer)
Now, stopping the progesterone is not without SOME worry. Trends show an increased risk of labor after stopping progesterone. Of course, one must keep in mind that the women taking the stuff are, to begin with, believed to be predisposed to preterm labor. It's another small area of debate with me as to whether or not I am, in fact, predisposed to such. So, I'll be covered until 36 weeks with progesterone doses (a dose lasts anywhere from 7 to 9 days. I will do my last dose at 35 weeks 1 day).
The doctor mentioned delivery at 38.5 weeks (which, if you're doing the math, would put it about May 2nd) as long as both the baby and I remained stable. I didn't argue...yet. But, it will need to be discussed a little further should I find us in the happy position of being totally stable, no signs of labor, and 38.5 weeks along. Some conversations are best had when necessary right? Again, I just want to make the most informed decisions possible and explore all possible options to ensure the best (safest) route for our sweet little one.
(ha - after badgering the mega leftist ICAN group and hearing, "well, you COULD push for a vaginal delivery, but your risk would be considered significant" I tearfully said fair- the- well to a totally natural birth. I mean really, if the mega hippies and extremists would think twice about it, maybe I am unfortunately in the type of situation for which a section is actually warranted? It HAS to be better than last time right?)
At any rate, my doctor is well aware of my wants, needs and ideals and has been very understanding and more than attentive with me throughout. In short, he knows no moves are made without a very thorough discussion and without my total and ridiculously type A understanding - ha.
Also, if you're counting, we could be meeting our baby in as little as 3 weeks. gah!!!!! lee!!!!! I'm so nervous, and excited, and nervous, and happy, and nervous, and...well, a little nervous...
********************
Mary Louise and David and I made it to our very first La Leche League meeting today! It was packed - much busier than I thought it would be...I should have considered that the kiddos were hangin' round the house for Easter break...
Mary Louise and David had SUCH a good time! Mary Louise, upon arriving and scoping out the kids, the toys, the chaos, looked up at me and said, "my go play now Mommy?"
She joined right in - finding a toy phone and preceded to make a few "business" calls while mingling with new friend possibilities.
David stayed by my side for about 5 minutes longer before he spotted an empty box. He went for it - quickly turning said box into a car "driving" it through kids and saying, "hi" to all in his path.
They ate. Lots. David ate 2 pieces of the banana bread I'd brought while Mary Louise ate about half a piece and some fruit. They also ate full lunches once home.
It was a great meeting - a nutritionist was the speaker today. In case you're wondering about the goings on at these secret society meetings...it's a bunch of granolas with boobies out singing camp fire songs while holding hands and feeding babies...
ha - no...
It's a great mix of mothers - all kinds - new, experienced, pregnant, and "done with all that" - just supporting one another and sharing experiences. It's actually really nice and comforting. The meetings here are once per month. All kids are welcome to tag along (very nice for me!). They have some sort of guest speaker to discuss a topic (today: nutrition), then there is time to socialize a bit and lactation consultants as well as LLL leaders are there to answer any specific questions breastfeeding mothers might have. Simple, relatively informal, VERY flexible. My kind of group.
We stayed for just over an hour prior to heading out to "yook at da fountains!". The exterior of the hospital (the meeting was in the education room at a local women's hospital) is lined with really beautiful fountains. David and Mary Louise threw pennies in while making "bufday wishes" and were just fascinated by the flowing water.
David also had speech this afternoon at the private care facility (super busy day). He did really well and had a HUGE grin on his face as he showed me his 3 tiny Easter eggs he'd "found" and the cookies he decorated with his speech therapist.
The kids then went to a neighbor's house for a couple of hours to play while Brent helped me do a bit of house work.
We've all had a long - but happy happy and productive day. I must acknowledge that since David's week-o-fits, he's been increasingly happier by the day. I love these moments. My sweet boy. I missed him.
xo,
Heather
The baby is still in the "head down" position - expected to stay there until delivery. However, little one did flip sides so that he / she is kicking and punching my left side now, rump just under my ribs. Sugs is stretched from one end to the other of my abdomen and curled around into the classic fetal position. Again, no peeks at the face, but we did see a nice gorgeous halo of fuzzies around the back of the head. Oh that's right: baby LeBlanc #4 has hair!! I have no idea what color it is of course, but it's certainly there on ultrasound. It took Mary Louise and David a full 2 years before we even thought about breaking out a comb or brush for their tiny bits of peach fuzz!
Measurements: right on target at an estimated 5 pounds 11 ounces. This week, the baby was measured (femur length, head circumference, abdominal girth) so the weight is more accurate (than last week's). Heart rate was 134 or 135 - within normal range. On the fetal growth charts, our little one isn't so little - still measuring between the 53rd and 57th percentile!
I met with my regular OB as well and will do so every week from now until delivery. He was extremely pleased with my health status as well as the ultrasound measurements and outcomes. My blood pressure is still very steady and my UA continues to be "normal" (I do one every time I go in for a MD visit).
I will finish my Asprin therapy this Sunday!! No more baby Asprin after 35 weeks. This allows my platelets to return to a normal range prior to the delivery. It typically takes about 3 weeks for platelets to recover.
I actually had the triplet section while taking Asprin. It was full on awful...the bruising...I should have taken pictures. The nurses kept offering to "scrub the Betadine" off of my incision area. I kept telling them I was perfectly capable of performing my own personal hygiene and that these particular shades of yellow, and purple wouldn't come off with any type of Hibiclens scrub anyhow. After 3 days of watching the bruises spread, I remember asking Brent to mark them to ensure the bleeding would stop. It did - but man, the rainbow of colors - impressive.
Anyhow, stopping Asprin on Sunday. Oh. my. gosh.
And...my last progesterone shot with be Monday!!!! (and the angels sing here. or happy dancing can commence. whatever you prefer)
Now, stopping the progesterone is not without SOME worry. Trends show an increased risk of labor after stopping progesterone. Of course, one must keep in mind that the women taking the stuff are, to begin with, believed to be predisposed to preterm labor. It's another small area of debate with me as to whether or not I am, in fact, predisposed to such. So, I'll be covered until 36 weeks with progesterone doses (a dose lasts anywhere from 7 to 9 days. I will do my last dose at 35 weeks 1 day).
The doctor mentioned delivery at 38.5 weeks (which, if you're doing the math, would put it about May 2nd) as long as both the baby and I remained stable. I didn't argue...yet. But, it will need to be discussed a little further should I find us in the happy position of being totally stable, no signs of labor, and 38.5 weeks along. Some conversations are best had when necessary right? Again, I just want to make the most informed decisions possible and explore all possible options to ensure the best (safest) route for our sweet little one.
(ha - after badgering the mega leftist ICAN group and hearing, "well, you COULD push for a vaginal delivery, but your risk would be considered significant" I tearfully said fair- the- well to a totally natural birth. I mean really, if the mega hippies and extremists would think twice about it, maybe I am unfortunately in the type of situation for which a section is actually warranted? It HAS to be better than last time right?)
At any rate, my doctor is well aware of my wants, needs and ideals and has been very understanding and more than attentive with me throughout. In short, he knows no moves are made without a very thorough discussion and without my total and ridiculously type A understanding - ha.
Also, if you're counting, we could be meeting our baby in as little as 3 weeks. gah!!!!! lee!!!!! I'm so nervous, and excited, and nervous, and happy, and nervous, and...well, a little nervous...
********************
Mary Louise and David and I made it to our very first La Leche League meeting today! It was packed - much busier than I thought it would be...I should have considered that the kiddos were hangin' round the house for Easter break...
Mary Louise and David had SUCH a good time! Mary Louise, upon arriving and scoping out the kids, the toys, the chaos, looked up at me and said, "my go play now Mommy?"
She joined right in - finding a toy phone and preceded to make a few "business" calls while mingling with new friend possibilities.
David stayed by my side for about 5 minutes longer before he spotted an empty box. He went for it - quickly turning said box into a car "driving" it through kids and saying, "hi" to all in his path.
They ate. Lots. David ate 2 pieces of the banana bread I'd brought while Mary Louise ate about half a piece and some fruit. They also ate full lunches once home.
It was a great meeting - a nutritionist was the speaker today. In case you're wondering about the goings on at these secret society meetings...it's a bunch of granolas with boobies out singing camp fire songs while holding hands and feeding babies...
ha - no...
It's a great mix of mothers - all kinds - new, experienced, pregnant, and "done with all that" - just supporting one another and sharing experiences. It's actually really nice and comforting. The meetings here are once per month. All kids are welcome to tag along (very nice for me!). They have some sort of guest speaker to discuss a topic (today: nutrition), then there is time to socialize a bit and lactation consultants as well as LLL leaders are there to answer any specific questions breastfeeding mothers might have. Simple, relatively informal, VERY flexible. My kind of group.
We stayed for just over an hour prior to heading out to "yook at da fountains!". The exterior of the hospital (the meeting was in the education room at a local women's hospital) is lined with really beautiful fountains. David and Mary Louise threw pennies in while making "bufday wishes" and were just fascinated by the flowing water.
David also had speech this afternoon at the private care facility (super busy day). He did really well and had a HUGE grin on his face as he showed me his 3 tiny Easter eggs he'd "found" and the cookies he decorated with his speech therapist.
The kids then went to a neighbor's house for a couple of hours to play while Brent helped me do a bit of house work.
We've all had a long - but happy happy and productive day. I must acknowledge that since David's week-o-fits, he's been increasingly happier by the day. I love these moments. My sweet boy. I missed him.
xo,
Heather
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Mail Call!!
It's no secret that Mary Louise and David LOVE opening mail! Mere and Pops make sure to use any and every excuse to send cards their way. Excited doesn't even begin to describe their moods when they find out they have their very own mail on a particular day (as opposed to Mom and Dad's boring old junk mail!).
When Mary Louise first opened her card, she told me it said, "birthday cake". She and David are well aware that they have a birthday coming up and have been asking to make cup cakes for over a month now. Cup cakes it is kids - cup cakes it is...
Showing off their VIP mail (for the record, they were very sweet Easter cards...that are quite broken in now as once the kids open their mail, they don't set it down for hours and "read" it over and over and over):
Thanks Pops and Mere for the happies!
xo,
Heather
When Mary Louise first opened her card, she told me it said, "birthday cake". She and David are well aware that they have a birthday coming up and have been asking to make cup cakes for over a month now. Cup cakes it is kids - cup cakes it is...
Showing off their VIP mail (for the record, they were very sweet Easter cards...that are quite broken in now as once the kids open their mail, they don't set it down for hours and "read" it over and over and over):
Thanks Pops and Mere for the happies!
xo,
Heather
Monday, April 2, 2012
Patience.
Over the past week or so, David's tantrums have gone from pretty intrusive concerning our day, to down right unbearable. He'll pitch from 20 minutes to upwards of an hour - full blown, yelling, screaming, inconsolable. I hesitate to even write this on a public forum for I know the "old school" hard nosed "experts" would quickly recommend discipline.
It's not a discipline problem.
Now, I don't really think I need to point out that I'm not that big on hard core discipline or corporal punishment - whatever works for others - but here, it's just not what we do. I feel consistency is key and early boundaries are necessary. Otherwise, Mary Louise and David are pretty free to play and express - within the set boundaries: no hitting, eating at their little table - NOT on the sofas, pick up after themselves, please and thank you requests and responses...we add more as we see fit and as the kids mature and push the set boundaries.
Tantrums, however, are not (to me anyhow) a time for imposing a strict discipline. The only person that seems to serve is the frustrated parent. From what I've seen (and obviously, this is case specific), trying to discipline during a tantrum is totally futile. Ridiculous even - for the parent typically resorts to yelling and balling their fists, grunting and stomping just like the kid (who, P.S., is still pitching a fit)...umm - not that I've done this like 100 times or anything.
I have to find my happy spot...and I have to write this down to remind myself of what actually works to get my sweet David back. We've been trying to hang on by a thread to our sanity - and it's just not working...
So here are a few problems I've identified:
David's digestion: he still battles with pretty severe constipation. Identified irritants are: anything white potato (French Fries, tater tots, baked potatoes, chips...he doesn't love any of these things or get them regularly - but in a pinch, and as a treat, we've offered, he's eaten, and we've paid for a minimum of 2 days - it typically ends in a heart wrenching suppository only increasing the distance between diapering and potty training as he associates discomfort and suppositories with using the "big potty" now), processed meats (he is allowed 2 slices of bacon after which only whole grains and fruit are offered - and he get said bacon at most, once per week, he's not a big fan of ham or deli meats, but if offered, they are in minimal amounts), cheese - and my word, does this child LOVE cheese. We limit it as much as possible and offer it with fruits and veggies - I also try for hard cheeses like fresh parmesan - that pack alot of flavor in a tiny serving. Apples, bananas, any white starch - basically, the BRAT diet. A few slices of apple with peanut butter, about 1/3 of a banana and no white rice - the fruits are not offered on the same day. White flour - just needs to be avoided whenever possible. Essentially, his diet must be balanced with very very little flexibility to keep his system working properly. Even doing this, and pushing fluids constantly, he still has issues. Issues = very grumpy David. Also, he needs food offerings very often during the day. If I can keep him from getting hungry in the first place, I can at least eliminate one small reason for the fit. The eating, though, depends on the functionality of his gut on any particular day. If it's not working properly, he won't eat properly, which allows hunger to compound his building digestive discomfort. Gah - even I'm tired reading this...
In addition, he seems to be going through another mental growth spurt of sorts. But his mental abilities are growing while his expressive speech is lagging. He's making general improvements in both areas, however, the gap is a pretty constant source of struggle and frustration. With a jump in maturity and reasoning, frustration has increased with verbalizing.
Another contributor may be his sleeping pattern. Mary Louise and David both get pretty tired in the afternoons. We've tried naps lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour - to even a bit longer. Whatever we do throws off their night sleeping which, if sound, would be more important than napping. I wouldn't really mind if they would actually go to bed a bit later. But a 20 minute nap earns us about a 2 hour struggle in the evening routine. So. not. worth. it. Oh - and the grumpies post nap are worse than the tired grumpies. Again - no win.
David has been waking more regularly during the night, however, and when he doesn't wake completely, can be very restless. The other night, I heard him yelling - loudly. I went to check on him and he was talking in his sleep - which is by no means unheard of for him. He'll toss, turn, fuss, grunt, whine and finally settle...maybe. But he has not been sleeping soundly.
Of course David's changes are only compounded with the general feel of our changing household at the moment. We've been organizing and moving things around quite a bit in an effort to streamline (uhem) operations before our new bundle arrives. That and well, I'm flat exhausted much of the time. I need about as many breaks as I can get and as much rest as I can muster in between cooking, cleaning, laundering and rearing which hasn't been much fun for the kiddos.
And finally, they've been having pain associated with cutting molars for weeks if not months now. It's off and on - but it's been going on so long that I sometimes forget it could be a likely culprit.
*************************
We have been able to get outside a TON more though so that has been wildly nice as I can get little rests sitting on the patio and watching play time before joining. Also, even though Mary Louise and David don't nap, they do need down time - a 30 minute Curious George or reading a few books does wonders for all of us when the sun beats up the outside mid afternoon. Park time is better as well - we can go on off hours while other children are in school. Odds are, the park won't be too busy and if it is, the kids there are similar in age to Mary Louise and David. They have great fun there and don't need me to hover over them as much as they used to so, at times, I even get to stand back and take pictures and videos!
We (thankfully) had a really good morning today (Saturday). We walked to the local farmers' market and then to the park by the lake. It was still quite early so the park wasn't crowded at all. As Uncle Collin is in helping out once more, he and Brent took the kids around the whole park (even the "big kid" side!) while Lizzie and I sat by the water to rest. Mary Louise went down a really high tube slide ALL BY HERSELF!! She was so excited to tell me about it - such a big girl. David did really well too - with all of the new toys.
I offer choices whenever possible and applicable, offer outlets for creativity daily - even if it's just practicing cutting paper or fabrics with safety scissors (they LOVE their scissors - and thankfully have not turned to cutting hair just yet!) or playing with Play-doh. During David's home speech this week, Mary Louise and I spent an hour putting wall decals around their room - she thought it was great fun! "Momma, my put tickas on da walls?" "yook pretty Momma?" "boo-ti-full!"
Brent spent all day Sunday cleaning out and setting up the shed / work shop the way he's been wanting it. Uncle Collin played outside with Mary Louise and David and I cleaned out linen closet, upstairs bathroom and pantry. These were small projects - but all I could handle after a huge laundry over haul on Friday.
David did really well all morning. But (you knew that was coming) when they came in for another application of sun screen, some got in his eyes and he just couldn't recover (I know it hurts and after the fact, think we may not be using water babies at all anymore as Mary Louise didn't do very well with it either - we usually use California Baby but as I said, I was cleaning and the Water Babies just happened to be at arm's reach...boo.). The only thing I could think of was to rock poor David to sleep. He napped for an hour, did ok in the afternoon, and pushed his bed time back almost 3 hours...at least those 3 hours were fabulously pleasant.
He woke at the same 6am hour this morning and we had a decent day and even got to play outside after a rain storm this afternoon. He ALMOST shared with Mary Louise!!
So, today was better - sans nap. We'll see what works. Admittedly, we've had the same or almost the same routine for quite some time now so it might just be time for a little growing and tweaking. We'll find our groove again...hopefully soon.
********************************
34 weeks yesterday!! That means less than a week of Asprin left, and after this morning's progesterone shot, only 2 more to go!! Holy moly! I'm getting nervous! (and excited...but really nervous...and also excited there are only 2 more shots left - those things have become increasingly difficult to take complete with about 48 hours of feeling borderline fluish after having one.) I see the doctor and have another ultrasound on Wednesday then start weekly checks with both the doctor and ultrasound...oh. my. goodness.
I have now passed the point of being "allowed" to travel. Brent and I talked early on and opted out of any non-necessary travel throughout the pregnancy to reduce stress and prevent diet and sleep fluctuations. But to make it to the point at which the doctor is recommending we stay close to home because I might (happily) go into labor soon (as in at least 3 more weeks Sugs!! at LEAST) is so surreal. I am doing things like kick counts and packing hospital bags. Brent and whimsically discuss setting aside time to install the new car seat (umm - yep - 3 car seats), and have washed newborn clothing and put it in it's place. We talked today about setting up the co-sleeper and I've already bought extra parts for my trusty pump just in case...what luxury! What a feeling of excited anticipation!
Mary Louise asks at least daily, "Momma? My see da baby in da tummy? My touch it?" She sweetly cocks her head to the side as she puts her tiny hand next to my belly button and waits for a kick. "Momma? My see da jel-dy on da bel-dy? Peese?!" She loves it...but still maintains that she will, in fact, be a big brother.
Adore them all and am so thankful for their insight into some of life's simplest, but most profound moments...
xo,
Heather
P.S. In an effort to try to gain interest in the use of the "big potty", Brent got in on the training (or lack there of) this weekend...today, Mary Louise kept going back and forth to the bathroom over and over:
Me: Mary Louise, what are you doing?
ML: My tee tee in da potty Momma! My tee tee a-yot!
Me: Oh wonderful Meesey! Would you like me to take your diaper off so that you can really use the potty?
ML: No Mommy. My al-weady use it...(and she walks back to the bathroom)
Me: curious, I follow. She doesn't notice I'm watching. She walked up to the toilet, stood in front, lifted her dress, got on her tip toes in front of the commode, made a "tss tss" sound, pulled her dress down and turned to exit the bathroom.
ML: (noticing I'm standing there laughing - puts on an impish grin) "see, my tee tee in da potty myself!!"
Close but no cigar kiddo. Really, I'm cool with your tinkling from a stand if that's what it takes, but we'll have to employ a step stool for the attempts to truly be successful.
Thanks Daddy, for you contribution to the potty training effort. There's no where to go but up now right?
It's not a discipline problem.
Now, I don't really think I need to point out that I'm not that big on hard core discipline or corporal punishment - whatever works for others - but here, it's just not what we do. I feel consistency is key and early boundaries are necessary. Otherwise, Mary Louise and David are pretty free to play and express - within the set boundaries: no hitting, eating at their little table - NOT on the sofas, pick up after themselves, please and thank you requests and responses...we add more as we see fit and as the kids mature and push the set boundaries.
Tantrums, however, are not (to me anyhow) a time for imposing a strict discipline. The only person that seems to serve is the frustrated parent. From what I've seen (and obviously, this is case specific), trying to discipline during a tantrum is totally futile. Ridiculous even - for the parent typically resorts to yelling and balling their fists, grunting and stomping just like the kid (who, P.S., is still pitching a fit)...umm - not that I've done this like 100 times or anything.
I have to find my happy spot...and I have to write this down to remind myself of what actually works to get my sweet David back. We've been trying to hang on by a thread to our sanity - and it's just not working...
So here are a few problems I've identified:
David's digestion: he still battles with pretty severe constipation. Identified irritants are: anything white potato (French Fries, tater tots, baked potatoes, chips...he doesn't love any of these things or get them regularly - but in a pinch, and as a treat, we've offered, he's eaten, and we've paid for a minimum of 2 days - it typically ends in a heart wrenching suppository only increasing the distance between diapering and potty training as he associates discomfort and suppositories with using the "big potty" now), processed meats (he is allowed 2 slices of bacon after which only whole grains and fruit are offered - and he get said bacon at most, once per week, he's not a big fan of ham or deli meats, but if offered, they are in minimal amounts), cheese - and my word, does this child LOVE cheese. We limit it as much as possible and offer it with fruits and veggies - I also try for hard cheeses like fresh parmesan - that pack alot of flavor in a tiny serving. Apples, bananas, any white starch - basically, the BRAT diet. A few slices of apple with peanut butter, about 1/3 of a banana and no white rice - the fruits are not offered on the same day. White flour - just needs to be avoided whenever possible. Essentially, his diet must be balanced with very very little flexibility to keep his system working properly. Even doing this, and pushing fluids constantly, he still has issues. Issues = very grumpy David. Also, he needs food offerings very often during the day. If I can keep him from getting hungry in the first place, I can at least eliminate one small reason for the fit. The eating, though, depends on the functionality of his gut on any particular day. If it's not working properly, he won't eat properly, which allows hunger to compound his building digestive discomfort. Gah - even I'm tired reading this...
In addition, he seems to be going through another mental growth spurt of sorts. But his mental abilities are growing while his expressive speech is lagging. He's making general improvements in both areas, however, the gap is a pretty constant source of struggle and frustration. With a jump in maturity and reasoning, frustration has increased with verbalizing.
Another contributor may be his sleeping pattern. Mary Louise and David both get pretty tired in the afternoons. We've tried naps lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour - to even a bit longer. Whatever we do throws off their night sleeping which, if sound, would be more important than napping. I wouldn't really mind if they would actually go to bed a bit later. But a 20 minute nap earns us about a 2 hour struggle in the evening routine. So. not. worth. it. Oh - and the grumpies post nap are worse than the tired grumpies. Again - no win.
David has been waking more regularly during the night, however, and when he doesn't wake completely, can be very restless. The other night, I heard him yelling - loudly. I went to check on him and he was talking in his sleep - which is by no means unheard of for him. He'll toss, turn, fuss, grunt, whine and finally settle...maybe. But he has not been sleeping soundly.
Of course David's changes are only compounded with the general feel of our changing household at the moment. We've been organizing and moving things around quite a bit in an effort to streamline (uhem) operations before our new bundle arrives. That and well, I'm flat exhausted much of the time. I need about as many breaks as I can get and as much rest as I can muster in between cooking, cleaning, laundering and rearing which hasn't been much fun for the kiddos.
And finally, they've been having pain associated with cutting molars for weeks if not months now. It's off and on - but it's been going on so long that I sometimes forget it could be a likely culprit.
*************************
We have been able to get outside a TON more though so that has been wildly nice as I can get little rests sitting on the patio and watching play time before joining. Also, even though Mary Louise and David don't nap, they do need down time - a 30 minute Curious George or reading a few books does wonders for all of us when the sun beats up the outside mid afternoon. Park time is better as well - we can go on off hours while other children are in school. Odds are, the park won't be too busy and if it is, the kids there are similar in age to Mary Louise and David. They have great fun there and don't need me to hover over them as much as they used to so, at times, I even get to stand back and take pictures and videos!
We (thankfully) had a really good morning today (Saturday). We walked to the local farmers' market and then to the park by the lake. It was still quite early so the park wasn't crowded at all. As Uncle Collin is in helping out once more, he and Brent took the kids around the whole park (even the "big kid" side!) while Lizzie and I sat by the water to rest. Mary Louise went down a really high tube slide ALL BY HERSELF!! She was so excited to tell me about it - such a big girl. David did really well too - with all of the new toys.
I offer choices whenever possible and applicable, offer outlets for creativity daily - even if it's just practicing cutting paper or fabrics with safety scissors (they LOVE their scissors - and thankfully have not turned to cutting hair just yet!) or playing with Play-doh. During David's home speech this week, Mary Louise and I spent an hour putting wall decals around their room - she thought it was great fun! "Momma, my put tickas on da walls?" "yook pretty Momma?" "boo-ti-full!"
Brent spent all day Sunday cleaning out and setting up the shed / work shop the way he's been wanting it. Uncle Collin played outside with Mary Louise and David and I cleaned out linen closet, upstairs bathroom and pantry. These were small projects - but all I could handle after a huge laundry over haul on Friday.
David did really well all morning. But (you knew that was coming) when they came in for another application of sun screen, some got in his eyes and he just couldn't recover (I know it hurts and after the fact, think we may not be using water babies at all anymore as Mary Louise didn't do very well with it either - we usually use California Baby but as I said, I was cleaning and the Water Babies just happened to be at arm's reach...boo.). The only thing I could think of was to rock poor David to sleep. He napped for an hour, did ok in the afternoon, and pushed his bed time back almost 3 hours...at least those 3 hours were fabulously pleasant.
He woke at the same 6am hour this morning and we had a decent day and even got to play outside after a rain storm this afternoon. He ALMOST shared with Mary Louise!!
So, today was better - sans nap. We'll see what works. Admittedly, we've had the same or almost the same routine for quite some time now so it might just be time for a little growing and tweaking. We'll find our groove again...hopefully soon.
********************************
34 weeks yesterday!! That means less than a week of Asprin left, and after this morning's progesterone shot, only 2 more to go!! Holy moly! I'm getting nervous! (and excited...but really nervous...and also excited there are only 2 more shots left - those things have become increasingly difficult to take complete with about 48 hours of feeling borderline fluish after having one.) I see the doctor and have another ultrasound on Wednesday then start weekly checks with both the doctor and ultrasound...oh. my. goodness.
I have now passed the point of being "allowed" to travel. Brent and I talked early on and opted out of any non-necessary travel throughout the pregnancy to reduce stress and prevent diet and sleep fluctuations. But to make it to the point at which the doctor is recommending we stay close to home because I might (happily) go into labor soon (as in at least 3 more weeks Sugs!! at LEAST) is so surreal. I am doing things like kick counts and packing hospital bags. Brent and whimsically discuss setting aside time to install the new car seat (umm - yep - 3 car seats), and have washed newborn clothing and put it in it's place. We talked today about setting up the co-sleeper and I've already bought extra parts for my trusty pump just in case...what luxury! What a feeling of excited anticipation!
Mary Louise asks at least daily, "Momma? My see da baby in da tummy? My touch it?" She sweetly cocks her head to the side as she puts her tiny hand next to my belly button and waits for a kick. "Momma? My see da jel-dy on da bel-dy? Peese?!" She loves it...but still maintains that she will, in fact, be a big brother.
Adore them all and am so thankful for their insight into some of life's simplest, but most profound moments...
xo,
Heather
P.S. In an effort to try to gain interest in the use of the "big potty", Brent got in on the training (or lack there of) this weekend...today, Mary Louise kept going back and forth to the bathroom over and over:
Me: Mary Louise, what are you doing?
ML: My tee tee in da potty Momma! My tee tee a-yot!
Me: Oh wonderful Meesey! Would you like me to take your diaper off so that you can really use the potty?
ML: No Mommy. My al-weady use it...(and she walks back to the bathroom)
Me: curious, I follow. She doesn't notice I'm watching. She walked up to the toilet, stood in front, lifted her dress, got on her tip toes in front of the commode, made a "tss tss" sound, pulled her dress down and turned to exit the bathroom.
ML: (noticing I'm standing there laughing - puts on an impish grin) "see, my tee tee in da potty myself!!"
Close but no cigar kiddo. Really, I'm cool with your tinkling from a stand if that's what it takes, but we'll have to employ a step stool for the attempts to truly be successful.
Thanks Daddy, for you contribution to the potty training effort. There's no where to go but up now right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
