Friday, November 30, 2007
Friday Foto
George was holding Baby Boy and was so cozy that he said he could fall asleep right there.
Appointment Update
Baby Boy is 4 weeks old today and I wanted to update you in on his appointment at Children’s hospital. We were able to get him in on Monday afternoon and the appointment went well. The doctor put a scope down his nose and looked into his esophagus which we were able to watch on a TV screen. George thought it was pretty disgusting (okay I did too). It only took about 30 seconds so it wasn’t too bad, although Baby wasn’t happy as he couldn’t eat for two hours before the appointment and was hungry and screaming at that time.
Anyway, Baby does have Laryngomalacia (floppy esophagus) and also reflux which is all related. The doctor was able to see acid coming up from Baby’s stomach and also swelling in the esophagus from the reflux. The swelling makes the noise (stridor) worse. He has been very fussy lately and reminds us of how George was at this age with the large amounts of spit-up he brings up at times, sometimes being yellow from the stomach bile. The doctor put him on Zantac (which George was on for Colic) to treat the reflux which will treat the swelling and help Baby not to have to work as hard to breathe when he is nursing. He goes back in two months for a check-up. We are so thankful that his case is not severe and that nothing surgical needs to be done as he will outgrow this! God is Good!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Fun with bandages!
I wanted to share a picture of my children while I was in the hospital. My mother-in-law is taking classes to become an EMT and my father-in-law already is one. While they took care of the children they decided to pass some time having a little fun bandaging. The kids enjoyed themselves and I got a kick out of the picture I found when I returned.
Doctor Appointments
I mentioned in another post that my incision was opening up a bit and I did end up going to the doctor as it had opened at both sides. As it turns out my body was rejecting the stitches and so he ended up snipping the knots that were trying to work their way out. I was very thankful that nothing was infected and now that the knots are gone the holes are healing up. I had been a little concerned after searching online and finding all sorts of things that could be wrong. Not to mention that having small holes in my incision was disgusting to me. George wondered if I could see all the way into my body. 
My doctor was very reassuring and told me to come in as often as I need to until things are healed up and he would clean up the wound and make sure it wasn't infected. Seeing as everything seems to be on the mend I haven't gone back.
Baby Boy also had a check-up this week. He is starting to fill out more and is now at 9# (he came home two weeks ago at 7# 10 oz.) Before our doctor came in I began nursing Baby seeing as he was quite hungry. He is extremely noisy and so when Dr. Renee came in she asked about that. I mentioned that I hadn't had one this noisy before and she said it was not normal. She had me continue to feed him as she watched and listened to his lungs. The noise is kind of a loud squeak. His breathing looked labored which I realize it always does when he eats and so she had us take him for chest x-rays right away. Thankfully his lungs were clear but she had a call into an Ear/Nose/Throat doctor.
They think Baby has something called Laryngomalacia which is an extra flap of skin in the trachea or something along those lines. This would cause him to struggle to breathe while eating and also why he falls asleep as soon as I nurse him on one side and am unable to wake him easily to nurse on the other side (even with a diaper change in-between). He is getting worn out from working so hard. So we will need to see a specialist at Children's hospital an hour away to find out how severe it is and if it needs to be fixed or if Baby will outgrow it. Thankfully he is growing so it isn't affecting him that way and he only has this problem when nursing. We will hopefully find out more in the next week or two!
My doctor was very reassuring and told me to come in as often as I need to until things are healed up and he would clean up the wound and make sure it wasn't infected. Seeing as everything seems to be on the mend I haven't gone back.Baby Boy also had a check-up this week. He is starting to fill out more and is now at 9# (he came home two weeks ago at 7# 10 oz.) Before our doctor came in I began nursing Baby seeing as he was quite hungry. He is extremely noisy and so when Dr. Renee came in she asked about that. I mentioned that I hadn't had one this noisy before and she said it was not normal. She had me continue to feed him as she watched and listened to his lungs. The noise is kind of a loud squeak. His breathing looked labored which I realize it always does when he eats and so she had us take him for chest x-rays right away. Thankfully his lungs were clear but she had a call into an Ear/Nose/Throat doctor.
They think Baby has something called Laryngomalacia which is an extra flap of skin in the trachea or something along those lines. This would cause him to struggle to breathe while eating and also why he falls asleep as soon as I nurse him on one side and am unable to wake him easily to nurse on the other side (even with a diaper change in-between). He is getting worn out from working so hard. So we will need to see a specialist at Children's hospital an hour away to find out how severe it is and if it needs to be fixed or if Baby will outgrow it. Thankfully he is growing so it isn't affecting him that way and he only has this problem when nursing. We will hopefully find out more in the next week or two!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Happy Birthday to my Love!
Today is my husband's birthday and I feel bad when it comes around at a time when I don't have the energy to do as many special things as I would like. We celebrated last night along with my Dad and brother-in-law who also have birthday's this week . However, it was difficult to do anything special today as it was my first Sunday morning back at church and needless to say I was running behind as usual. My husband is wonderful at helping out each Sunday and will get the children eating breakfast and get them all dressed. He does not like to be late anywhere which is a great quality and helps me to strive for that as well. Today though we had a new little one added to the mix but yet we were still early and sitting in our back row pew. (The children are all in the service with us and so we do not venture any farther forward).
My husband is such a great daddy and husband to me! I cannot say enough how much I appreciate his willingness to help me out around the house. At times I feel like I let too much fall on his shoulders but he continues to assure me that he does not mind helping out in any way that he can, even to the point of doing his own laundry so I have a little less. He has had added responsibilities with me being pregnant and now after my c-section but he never complains but presses on. The children adore him as do I and I love to watch them interact and see the smiles all around.
I could say so much more but just want to say how thankful I am for my husband! Happy Birthday my Love!
Daddy with his newest little boy.
My husband is such a great daddy and husband to me! I cannot say enough how much I appreciate his willingness to help me out around the house. At times I feel like I let too much fall on his shoulders but he continues to assure me that he does not mind helping out in any way that he can, even to the point of doing his own laundry so I have a little less. He has had added responsibilities with me being pregnant and now after my c-section but he never complains but presses on. The children adore him as do I and I love to watch them interact and see the smiles all around.
I could say so much more but just want to say how thankful I am for my husband! Happy Birthday my Love!
Daddy with his newest little boy. Saturday, November 17, 2007
Adjusting
Our Baby Boy is 2 weeks old and the dynamics around here again have changed. While I love to have a new little life in the house it is such an adjustment for everyone to make. Thankfully the other children have handled it well this time around. I wasn't so sure how Tank and Missy Blue would re-act but am so thankful for how loving and gentle they are with Baby. Both of them search out the baby first thing when they awake and periodically throughout the day. They love to watch him and rub their faces against the baby to feel his soft cheek against their own. It is quite sweet.
The older boys aren't phased much as they have been through this all before. Although, George forgot how much babies can cry. On the way to church the other night baby was crying quite a bit and George wondered if I couldn't give him something to suck on to stop the crying as it was too noisy! He is a good help though, especially since I am restricted from lifting over baby's weight for 6 weeks. I am thankful for my parents and sister who have taken turns helping me out every day for the past two weeks, even though it is hard at times to not have my house to myself.
I am recovering and wish my energy would return faster than it is. I must have overdone things a bit as my incision was irritated and opened a bit. I guess that is my sign to just sit down despite the fact that things don't get done. Oh, how hard that is! Baby is sleeping well and wakes every 3 to 4 hours to eat. When I was still pregnant I would be unable to sleep for hours at a time but yet would feel good during the day. Now however, waking in the night to nurse a baby, I am easily exhausted during the day. I know I had surgery which doesn't help but how I long to have the energy to keep up with my family! It seems this is just one more thing to help develope patience in me.
The older boys aren't phased much as they have been through this all before. Although, George forgot how much babies can cry. On the way to church the other night baby was crying quite a bit and George wondered if I couldn't give him something to suck on to stop the crying as it was too noisy! He is a good help though, especially since I am restricted from lifting over baby's weight for 6 weeks. I am thankful for my parents and sister who have taken turns helping me out every day for the past two weeks, even though it is hard at times to not have my house to myself.
I am recovering and wish my energy would return faster than it is. I must have overdone things a bit as my incision was irritated and opened a bit. I guess that is my sign to just sit down despite the fact that things don't get done. Oh, how hard that is! Baby is sleeping well and wakes every 3 to 4 hours to eat. When I was still pregnant I would be unable to sleep for hours at a time but yet would feel good during the day. Now however, waking in the night to nurse a baby, I am easily exhausted during the day. I know I had surgery which doesn't help but how I long to have the energy to keep up with my family! It seems this is just one more thing to help develope patience in me.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Birth Story
Thanks again for all of the prayers for my c-section this past week! Friday morning I woke early and felt great and wasn't nervous in the least. We headed to the hospital around 10 a.m. and got checked in. In a way it felt like home away from home as I have gotten to know so many of the nurses over the past almost six years and I had been told that they had been anticipating my arrival. That is one nice thing about being in the hospital for at least four days each time. My Mom and George came to the hospital to wait with us and George wanted to see his new "sister" or so he thought right away.
Unfortunately the IV took awhile to start and one of my veins burst as I was dehydrated, go figure, after not being able to eat or drink for eight hours. I was moved to the holding area and they started an epidural for me there as the operating room was not ready yet. My past c-sections I have had a spinal but the anesthesiologist thought this would work better for me and hopefully prevent any nauseousness as I have had in the past. I was moved to the operating room and wondered about this epidural as I could still feel things. (With a spinal you are numb almost instantly). They continued to reassure me that indeed I would not feel anything but pressure, especially when they pulled the baby out.
My husband was brought in right after they began and I could see him shaking as soon as he walked through the door. I felt so bad for him and tried to reassure him that indeed I was feeling good. It didn't take long and our little boy was born and Daddy could go and be with his newest son. I admit I was a bit surprised to hear them say, "It's a boy!"
A nurse friend of mine who attends our church had arranged with the anesthesiologist in advance that I could bring my own music in for the surgery and so I had worked at downloading my favorite songs both instrumental and praise choruses/hymns and burned a cd for the occasion. It was such a comfort to be able to sing along to songs such as "Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus" and know that it was indeed Him who was giving me the peace that passes all understanding that morning. On my way out of surgery the anesthesiologist thanked me for bringing in music and how it was the most memorable c-section he had ever assisted in. Everyone agreed and said how it left such a pleasant "taste" in the air. Indeed it was my best c-section also.
I felt good in recovery also but as always was anxious to hold my baby. The nice thing about the epidural was that I didn't need to stay in recovery as long seeing as I had never lost feeling in my toes so was able to move them easily which is a requirement for going back to your room. I also never was nauseous. For that matter, I felt great all day because I numb for most of it. Day two is when the pain hits. For me at least, I feel better with each c-section and am able to move around much faster.
While I was in surgery and recovery our little boy was having difficulty breathing and needed his lungs suctioned due to not being squeezed through the birth canal. He also ended up having low blood sugar and so they gave him a bit of formula to perk him up which it did. As soon as I returned he was hungry and ready to eat. This isn't usually the case with my c-section babies as they are typically tired out and not interested in food.
I had such a nice hospital stay as it was a "fluke" that I was the only patient in that weekend. The nice thing about that was that I had all of the nurses waiting on me. When I was walking around better I was even able to go to the nurses kitchen to help myself to snacks when I got hungry or they would bring whatever I was desiring. I got to visit with and get to know some new faces. Thankfully Monday rolled around and things were back to being busy where I didn't see a nurse for most of the day. That helped to make me desire for home a little more.
I am so thankful for our parents who took care of our children when needed and now my Mom worked out a schedule so that I always have someone with me for the next two weeks and hopefully I can get some rest. I sure can feel it when I overdue it! We are starting to adjust to a new "normal".
Daddy and George in scrubs. George really enjoyed it when the nurses offered him scrubs also.
The gang's all here! Being introduced to the newest little brother.
Our precious little boy. He had acne on this picture that had scabbed over already and his chin and nose are a little red from rubbing against me while nursing. He reminds us a lot of what George looked like as a baby but then I can see glimpses of the other children at times also.
Unfortunately the IV took awhile to start and one of my veins burst as I was dehydrated, go figure, after not being able to eat or drink for eight hours. I was moved to the holding area and they started an epidural for me there as the operating room was not ready yet. My past c-sections I have had a spinal but the anesthesiologist thought this would work better for me and hopefully prevent any nauseousness as I have had in the past. I was moved to the operating room and wondered about this epidural as I could still feel things. (With a spinal you are numb almost instantly). They continued to reassure me that indeed I would not feel anything but pressure, especially when they pulled the baby out.
My husband was brought in right after they began and I could see him shaking as soon as he walked through the door. I felt so bad for him and tried to reassure him that indeed I was feeling good. It didn't take long and our little boy was born and Daddy could go and be with his newest son. I admit I was a bit surprised to hear them say, "It's a boy!"
A nurse friend of mine who attends our church had arranged with the anesthesiologist in advance that I could bring my own music in for the surgery and so I had worked at downloading my favorite songs both instrumental and praise choruses/hymns and burned a cd for the occasion. It was such a comfort to be able to sing along to songs such as "Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus" and know that it was indeed Him who was giving me the peace that passes all understanding that morning. On my way out of surgery the anesthesiologist thanked me for bringing in music and how it was the most memorable c-section he had ever assisted in. Everyone agreed and said how it left such a pleasant "taste" in the air. Indeed it was my best c-section also.
I felt good in recovery also but as always was anxious to hold my baby. The nice thing about the epidural was that I didn't need to stay in recovery as long seeing as I had never lost feeling in my toes so was able to move them easily which is a requirement for going back to your room. I also never was nauseous. For that matter, I felt great all day because I numb for most of it. Day two is when the pain hits. For me at least, I feel better with each c-section and am able to move around much faster.
While I was in surgery and recovery our little boy was having difficulty breathing and needed his lungs suctioned due to not being squeezed through the birth canal. He also ended up having low blood sugar and so they gave him a bit of formula to perk him up which it did. As soon as I returned he was hungry and ready to eat. This isn't usually the case with my c-section babies as they are typically tired out and not interested in food.
I had such a nice hospital stay as it was a "fluke" that I was the only patient in that weekend. The nice thing about that was that I had all of the nurses waiting on me. When I was walking around better I was even able to go to the nurses kitchen to help myself to snacks when I got hungry or they would bring whatever I was desiring. I got to visit with and get to know some new faces. Thankfully Monday rolled around and things were back to being busy where I didn't see a nurse for most of the day. That helped to make me desire for home a little more.
I am so thankful for our parents who took care of our children when needed and now my Mom worked out a schedule so that I always have someone with me for the next two weeks and hopefully I can get some rest. I sure can feel it when I overdue it! We are starting to adjust to a new "normal".
Daddy and George in scrubs. George really enjoyed it when the nurses offered him scrubs also.The gang's all here! Being introduced to the newest little brother.Our precious little boy. He had acne on this picture that had scabbed over already and his chin and nose are a little red from rubbing against me while nursing. He reminds us a lot of what George looked like as a baby but then I can see glimpses of the other children at times also. Tuesday, November 6, 2007
New Baby!
Our new baby BOY has arrived and was born Friday, November 2nd at 12:49 p.m. He weighed 8lbs. 2 oz. and was 21 inches long. I am sorry to keep you waiting! I had wanted my husband to quick blog but he didn't get a chance. The family picked me up from the hospital this afternoon and we are just relaxing. I'll blog more details in the next days along with pictures. Everything went really good. I am still in quite a bit of pain, especially if I don't keep up with my meds but I am enjoying another little baby.
I am going to write his real name here for a few days but will then take it off when I come up with a "blog name". We named him Seth Earl. The middle name is after my Dad and while it doesn't flow as well as others the first name has always been one of my favorites and we also wanted to honor my Dad. Any blog name suggestions are welcome.
Thanks for all of the prayers and comments last week! They are much appreciated. It is so good to go into surgery knowing that many people are lifting you up in prayer, even people you have never met. :)
I hope to post pictures soon so keep checking.
I am going to write his real name here for a few days but will then take it off when I come up with a "blog name". We named him Seth Earl. The middle name is after my Dad and while it doesn't flow as well as others the first name has always been one of my favorites and we also wanted to honor my Dad. Any blog name suggestions are welcome.
Thanks for all of the prayers and comments last week! They are much appreciated. It is so good to go into surgery knowing that many people are lifting you up in prayer, even people you have never met. :)
I hope to post pictures soon so keep checking.
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