I am officially one month into life as a mom of three children. It is all that I thought it would be and so much more. I love the view from my rear-view mirror when I have all my little babies filling my mini-van (aka the cool mom car). I love how much my big kids love their sister. I love how snuggly our E still is...and that newborn cry which I know is going to disappear so soon is now recorded for me to remember forever!
E had her one month check-up this Monday. She's a little piglet who weighs 9 lbs. and 14.4 oz! Oh my! She's grown 3/4 inches. Wow! Her hair is still there...beautiful and dark. Her eyes are sparkly and blue, dark blue like L's with a hint of the sky blue that C has. I am focused on enjoying every second of this because it goes by so fast!
In other news, "yesternight" is our new favorite word...C talks about things happening yesternight. I love it! She's a trip, and I honestly don't know how in the world we deserved such a blessing. That chic is funny and sassy and beautiful and is the life in our home.
L began another t-ball season. This is not the same caliber team as the team Z coached in the spring. Oh, well. He's having fun, so that's what matters. He also got a "gold slip" (which is a recognition of a positive action or character trait) at school today and he is so excited. He's really gotten so much better at school. He's improving so much so quickly. Math continues to be his strong suit, and he's only going to the support classes 3 days a week. Yay!
I have a job interview for a director of a preschool/childcare facility on Monday at 9am. It's in my town, and I believe E would just come with me. L and C would join us after school in my ideal scenario. We'll see. I know it would help out so much on our finances, especially if Z needs to stop working with the family company. When our lakehouse sells (note that I said when...I am keeping a positive attitude), my salary would be gravy...savings, college funds, portraits of my beautiful babies, trips to DISNEY WORLD!, etc. Although in a perfect world, I'd be home everyday with my kids and we would have money coming out our ears and tons to do for others with, a great alternative would be a happy husband in his job, and my kids with me at my job! Praise God in advance for getting me the interview. If it's His will, it will all fall into place.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
A Birth Story...(also known as a very long post)
I can't believe our little E is now 15 days old! Over 2 weeks have passed since she entered this world, but our hearts have been waiting on her for a long time. I told Z that I couldn't believe how full my heart feels now that she's here. She really completes our family. Even he agrees...the man who was so comfortable with our boy and girl. We look at her, snuggle her and wonder how we ever got along without this tiny blessing. To say that we're all over the moon about her is simply an understatement!
I want to record the details of her birth before I forget them in the chaos of daily life (which, by the way, I LOVE!). I'll begin with my 36 week appointment at the ob's office. I wasn't scheduled to see my regular doctor, but I had been told that I'd have an ultrasound at this appointment (and the dreaded GBS test). So, with the thought of an ultrasound, Z accompanyied me to the appointment. Turns out, the doctor we saw is also a huge Tech football fan and graduate, just like my Z. With football season looming large on the horizon, Z asked the doctor if we could induce me early to avoid the birthday party/football opening day dilemma every year. I was shocked to hear the doctor totally agree with Z and start looking for a date to induce. We never had the ultrasound, but it was decided that I was a great candidate for induction, as I had been induced previously and was already 1-2cm and 40% effaced. We left with instructions to call the nurse the next day to be scheduled with Labor and Delivery after we checked everyone's calendar's to make sure they could make it on our selected day with my doctor.
The next day, C and I were headed to lunch with a my friend from college Elizabeth downtown. On the way, I called the nurse and was placed on the induction schedule for Friday, August 28th, which happens to be my cousin's youngest son's birthday. So, he and E would be exactly 3 years apart! I sent Z a text to let him know everything was scheduled, and we were all set to meet our girl in 2 weeks. We didn't go crazy telling everyone about our date since it could change and also because our family situation is a little crazy right now.
While we spent the next 2 weeks preparing to welcome our E into our lives, I had 2 more appointments with my doctor. I didn't really dilate more, but I did have a higher effacement percentage at each appointment. At my 37 week appointment, I was supposed to receive the results of my GBS test. In the tradition of my crazy medical history, my results came back pending, which my doctor said he has never seen before. He read the report about 3 times while I was waiting, even reading parts aloud to see if he could figure out what was "pending." He finally came to the conclusion that the best option would be to treat me with antibiotics before the birth as if I tested positive (even though I hadn't tested positive with either L or C) in case I went into labor before next week's appointment when we should have more definitive results.
At the 38 week appointment, another report was sent saying the results of this test were pending and that my sample wouldn't react with any of their medium at the lab. Interesting and unusual was the comment that Dr. Cook made regarding the reults. But, he reassured me that while the pediatricians would insist on taking extra precautions with E, the antibiotic treatment protocol would be fine. He laid out very specific orders for the nurses about my induction medications. Because I have had anaphalatic reactions to penicillian, I was to be treated with vancamyacin as soon as I arrived and the iv was started. He informed me that pediatriacians only consider penicillian a successful or accepted treatment for a positive GBS test, the vanc would suffice if I could get it hung and in my system at least 4 hours before the baby was delivered (we later learned that pediatricians really like a 12-hour treatment window with vancamyacin...). With that knowledge, we knew that there wouldn't be a big push for her to arrive before at least noon.
We went to the hospital at 6am on August 28th, a Friday. My mom had come up the night before to stay with L and C. We told her to take her time getting to the hospital because we felt like it would take a bit of time for things to get under way. We had decided to keep the kiddos out of school because L had asked us if he and C could be the first ones to hold their baby sister. How could we refuse that request? He had been praying for another baby about a year before I was even pregnant with her.
Also, my dear sweet friend M drove up from Tallahassee to be here for E's birth. She knew about E just after I did...before her daddy even found out! W, M's husband, was working at a conference all week in Atlanta. She arranged for her babies to be with her mom and drove up Thursday night. She and W had a date night in the city, and were at the hospital bright and early...and I just loved hearing all about their fun date night while I labored away. I am so honored they came.
I had to awaken at 4am to call and make sure we were going to have a bed for my induction. After that, as you can imagine, I couldn't go back to sleep. I mean, we were having a baby in a few hours. Who could sleep??? It was raining pretty steady that morning, which slowed us a bit. But, it was great to only have to drive about 10 minutes vs. all the way downtown where L and C were delivered. Thankfully our local hospital began delivering babies 3 years ago.
We actually arrived on the Labor and Delivery floor (3rd floor) about 6:15. I changed and began answering a million questions regarding my allergies, unique medical history, and past deliveries. The night nurse retrieved my orders from Dr. Cook and began to make preparations for my iv's. She ordered the medications from the pharmacy and it took a while for them to arrive. I'm guessing it was bout 8am before anything was started infusing into the iv. Another nurse came in and tried to start my iv in my right arm--right over my incision scar from my broken arm. Are you kidding me?? Of course it didn't work because of all the scar tissue, and it hurt! But, I was feeling generous because I was becoming a mommy again, so I didn't complain. She tried on my left arm, then discovered the line was kinked after my hubby pointed that out to her. But, she did get it started and in went my fluids, and antibiotic.
Shift change was up next. Dr. Cook came in with the shift change, and my new nurse, Karen, followed his orders to up the antibiotic drip, up the pitocin and push another bag of fluids to ready me for the epidural whenever I wanted it. I totally like his style. He was the same way with L's delivery. No need to hurt, childbirth should be fun.
At this point, I was starting to feel a little strange. The antibiotic had been hanging for about 30 minutes at this time. I was really beginning to feel the pitocin working on those contractions because they were getting stronger and closer together. I wanted to go to the bathroom before I asked for the epidural, so the nurse diconnected me from the monitors and off I went. While I was in the bathroom, I began to feel really funny. My head began itching horribly, my lips felt as if they were swelling, and when I came out of the bathroom, Z immediately asked me what was wrong. I told him I was itchy, and he and the nurse looked at me and said something wasn't right at all. My lips were really swelling. I was itching a lot, and Z said my face was extremely red. Another nurse entered the room around the time of me exiting the bathroom to check on some lights (construction is still taking place at the hospital). She and Karen began assessing the situation. As I broke out into hives before their eyes, they decided to have Karen discontinue the antibiotic, and then she ran to get Dr. Cook. He came in, made the official call that I am indeed allergic to vancamyacin, and said we were no longer worried about the GBS protocol. The chances of E having any adverse reactions were so small that it wasn't worth me having any more reactions. He ordered Zyrtec and an epidural. He also wanted yet another bag of fluids pushed in order to rid my body of the vanc. He left with the plan to come break my water around lunchtime if it hadn't already broken.
People began arriving. Nana actually arrived about the time I was to get my epidural. I felt bad for my mom because I think she wanted to be there for that part. But, with all the concern from Dr. Cook about the allergic reaction, he really decided the epidural timing, so I let him be in charge of that. We sent Z out of the room to go and wait on L, C, and my mom while the epidural was placed. My mom actually began knocking on the door of our labor room (#363) during the epidural's placement. Of course, I was hearing someone knock, but no one was allowed to move to answer the door. I am so sorry she got her feeling hurt about that, but it couldn't have been helped. There was a minor complication in placing the epidural. A blood vessel had to be collapsed to place the epidural. When the fluid was placed to collapse the vein, I went kind of numb on my left side. It was strange. But, everything was fine afterwards.
I was lying flat when the kids came in, so that was a little intimidating for L, who is by nature, our worrier. I assured him I was fine. C wasn't concerned too much. She was ready for the baby to be here. After that, Karen sat me up in what Z called my Indian Princess stance to help bring the baby down. She checked me after a while and I was 80% and about a 5. I was getting antsy for this baby to come, but it was nice to have visitors in and out to chat with us as we waited. I couldn't believe it was taking so long with my 3rd baby!
Finally around 1:30, my water was broken and all looked good. The pitocin was upped and a strange thing happened...I started feeling everything again. My mom was with me while everyone else was taking a break from waiting. I pressed the button I was told to press to make the epidural work even better and nothing happened. Well,not really nothing happened. What actually happened was the contractions became more intense and no relief was acheived. So I puhed the button again and again...nada! Just splitting contractions. My mom happened to look over on the floor to notice a puddle of fluid. Then, we looked on my back and my epidural had come apart. The medicine was hitting the floor and not going inside me! UGH!
We called the nurse, who called the anesthesiologist. He hadn't seen a catheter come apart like mine did (of course he hadn't...). So he worked to get things corrected. He left with a bolus in my iv, and he had reassembled the catheter. I was supposed to feel relief in about 15 minutes and if not, he'd come back. Well...no relief, only intensity. By the end of the 15 minutes, I was wondering if I was supposed to have a natural birth. (I was a little freaked out, but if it made things happen faster, I was all for it!) Anyway, the anesthesiologist (my third of the day) was called back after about 30 minutes, and another iv bolus was administered. Finally, my legs started going numb again. Yay! Up until the epidural came apart, the tracings on the contractions were so low. I was very disappointed with my progress. However, when the epidural came apart, I must have shifted enough for the contractions to begin tracing again. Boy were they spiking up...and I had been feeling them.
By this time, it was around 3:30 or so. Finally, progress was beginning. The nurse checked me and I was getting close...really close. M's husband had gone home to retrieve their children, but M decided to stay. I was so glad. Our babies were hanging in there, but were very anxious to meet their sister. I was grateful to everyone who helped to entertain them. Everyone was telling me that they really were being good and weren't any trouble. Good for them.
So, around 4, I was feeling all kinds of pressure. Karen checked me and I was 10 and ready to go! Yay! Goodbyes to all our family and friends that had been visiting with us, and we waited on Dr. Cook to arrive. He did about 4:30, and he got us all settled. He laid out our plan of action, and joked that he and Karen had a bet going on how many pushes I'd take. He said 20, she said 3. Then he said, he really felt that E would be out in about 12 pushes. I told him that I love a challenge. The other thing Dr. Cook told me was that we were going to do this nice and steady. He estimated her weight to be about 6 lbs, 12 oz, 18inches long. He still couldn't believe that L was 7 lbs. 15 oz and 21 1/2 inches long!
I began pushing and progress was pretty quick. Before I knew it, her head was out. Then, Dr. Cook told me to quit pushing and to let her come on her own. He wanted my body to do the work. I have to say, this was the coolest thing I have ever seen in my entire life. Watching my daughter emerge from my body...a miracle. Z agrees. L or C's births were like this one. It was absolutely amazing. I have to also say that I felt a lot of this birth. It was not as bad as I thought, and I have no idea what happened to the epidural as I pushed. No matter, though, because I was able to be up and about around 2 or 3 hours after she was born.
As soon as she was out, Dr. Cook tried to move her up on my tummy. That's when we discovered how short her umbilical cord was. So, Z snipped it (complete with pictures), and then she was up on my chest. She had so much hair. I couldn't believe it. She looked so much like L did when he was born.
Next she was whisked away to the warmer to be checked. When I was all cleaned up, Z ran out to get the big kids so they could see her first bath. C burst into the room asking all about E. L took his normal, more cautious approach, checking on me, then peeking at his sister. Z made both kids wash their hands, and then C couldn't wait to get her hands in that warmer to touch her sister! L didn't want to touch her yet. He stood and observed with his hands in his pockets. They watched the nurse bathe E and measure her and weigh her. C kept asking lots of questions, and the nurses were so patiently explaining things. I think L finally patted E on her head around this time. He was so in love with his baby sister already.
I think one of the funniest things that C did was cry back at E when she was crying during her bath. L scolded C for doing that, but she told him, "You just don't know how to speak baby and I do. I know what she's saying." The nurses got a kick out of that one. Then, when it was time to bring the grandmothers in, L wouldn't leave the room. He told Z he needed to stay with Mommy and E to watch over them. So, Z and C went down the hall to fetch Tee and Nana. On their walk, C told Z, "Daddy, I just can't believe my eyes. She is so beautiful. Can you believe it? I love her so much Daddy."
Everyone took turns visiting and meeting our precious girl. Almost everyone agreed that she looked so much like L did. The friends/family that visited that night were my friend, M, Josh, Renata, Audrey, Jonathan, Heather, Joshua and Jackson and Z's dad. Other folks that visited at the hospital were Heather and the rest of her family, Dwight and Allie, Kelly and Maddie K., and Lindsay and Jared.
It was a wonderful, wonderful time! I'm so glad she's ours! I am so grateful to God for answering my prayers!
I want to record the details of her birth before I forget them in the chaos of daily life (which, by the way, I LOVE!). I'll begin with my 36 week appointment at the ob's office. I wasn't scheduled to see my regular doctor, but I had been told that I'd have an ultrasound at this appointment (and the dreaded GBS test). So, with the thought of an ultrasound, Z accompanyied me to the appointment. Turns out, the doctor we saw is also a huge Tech football fan and graduate, just like my Z. With football season looming large on the horizon, Z asked the doctor if we could induce me early to avoid the birthday party/football opening day dilemma every year. I was shocked to hear the doctor totally agree with Z and start looking for a date to induce. We never had the ultrasound, but it was decided that I was a great candidate for induction, as I had been induced previously and was already 1-2cm and 40% effaced. We left with instructions to call the nurse the next day to be scheduled with Labor and Delivery after we checked everyone's calendar's to make sure they could make it on our selected day with my doctor.
The next day, C and I were headed to lunch with a my friend from college Elizabeth downtown. On the way, I called the nurse and was placed on the induction schedule for Friday, August 28th, which happens to be my cousin's youngest son's birthday. So, he and E would be exactly 3 years apart! I sent Z a text to let him know everything was scheduled, and we were all set to meet our girl in 2 weeks. We didn't go crazy telling everyone about our date since it could change and also because our family situation is a little crazy right now.
While we spent the next 2 weeks preparing to welcome our E into our lives, I had 2 more appointments with my doctor. I didn't really dilate more, but I did have a higher effacement percentage at each appointment. At my 37 week appointment, I was supposed to receive the results of my GBS test. In the tradition of my crazy medical history, my results came back pending, which my doctor said he has never seen before. He read the report about 3 times while I was waiting, even reading parts aloud to see if he could figure out what was "pending." He finally came to the conclusion that the best option would be to treat me with antibiotics before the birth as if I tested positive (even though I hadn't tested positive with either L or C) in case I went into labor before next week's appointment when we should have more definitive results.
At the 38 week appointment, another report was sent saying the results of this test were pending and that my sample wouldn't react with any of their medium at the lab. Interesting and unusual was the comment that Dr. Cook made regarding the reults. But, he reassured me that while the pediatricians would insist on taking extra precautions with E, the antibiotic treatment protocol would be fine. He laid out very specific orders for the nurses about my induction medications. Because I have had anaphalatic reactions to penicillian, I was to be treated with vancamyacin as soon as I arrived and the iv was started. He informed me that pediatriacians only consider penicillian a successful or accepted treatment for a positive GBS test, the vanc would suffice if I could get it hung and in my system at least 4 hours before the baby was delivered (we later learned that pediatricians really like a 12-hour treatment window with vancamyacin...). With that knowledge, we knew that there wouldn't be a big push for her to arrive before at least noon.
We went to the hospital at 6am on August 28th, a Friday. My mom had come up the night before to stay with L and C. We told her to take her time getting to the hospital because we felt like it would take a bit of time for things to get under way. We had decided to keep the kiddos out of school because L had asked us if he and C could be the first ones to hold their baby sister. How could we refuse that request? He had been praying for another baby about a year before I was even pregnant with her.
Also, my dear sweet friend M drove up from Tallahassee to be here for E's birth. She knew about E just after I did...before her daddy even found out! W, M's husband, was working at a conference all week in Atlanta. She arranged for her babies to be with her mom and drove up Thursday night. She and W had a date night in the city, and were at the hospital bright and early...and I just loved hearing all about their fun date night while I labored away. I am so honored they came.
I had to awaken at 4am to call and make sure we were going to have a bed for my induction. After that, as you can imagine, I couldn't go back to sleep. I mean, we were having a baby in a few hours. Who could sleep??? It was raining pretty steady that morning, which slowed us a bit. But, it was great to only have to drive about 10 minutes vs. all the way downtown where L and C were delivered. Thankfully our local hospital began delivering babies 3 years ago.
We actually arrived on the Labor and Delivery floor (3rd floor) about 6:15. I changed and began answering a million questions regarding my allergies, unique medical history, and past deliveries. The night nurse retrieved my orders from Dr. Cook and began to make preparations for my iv's. She ordered the medications from the pharmacy and it took a while for them to arrive. I'm guessing it was bout 8am before anything was started infusing into the iv. Another nurse came in and tried to start my iv in my right arm--right over my incision scar from my broken arm. Are you kidding me?? Of course it didn't work because of all the scar tissue, and it hurt! But, I was feeling generous because I was becoming a mommy again, so I didn't complain. She tried on my left arm, then discovered the line was kinked after my hubby pointed that out to her. But, she did get it started and in went my fluids, and antibiotic.
Shift change was up next. Dr. Cook came in with the shift change, and my new nurse, Karen, followed his orders to up the antibiotic drip, up the pitocin and push another bag of fluids to ready me for the epidural whenever I wanted it. I totally like his style. He was the same way with L's delivery. No need to hurt, childbirth should be fun.
At this point, I was starting to feel a little strange. The antibiotic had been hanging for about 30 minutes at this time. I was really beginning to feel the pitocin working on those contractions because they were getting stronger and closer together. I wanted to go to the bathroom before I asked for the epidural, so the nurse diconnected me from the monitors and off I went. While I was in the bathroom, I began to feel really funny. My head began itching horribly, my lips felt as if they were swelling, and when I came out of the bathroom, Z immediately asked me what was wrong. I told him I was itchy, and he and the nurse looked at me and said something wasn't right at all. My lips were really swelling. I was itching a lot, and Z said my face was extremely red. Another nurse entered the room around the time of me exiting the bathroom to check on some lights (construction is still taking place at the hospital). She and Karen began assessing the situation. As I broke out into hives before their eyes, they decided to have Karen discontinue the antibiotic, and then she ran to get Dr. Cook. He came in, made the official call that I am indeed allergic to vancamyacin, and said we were no longer worried about the GBS protocol. The chances of E having any adverse reactions were so small that it wasn't worth me having any more reactions. He ordered Zyrtec and an epidural. He also wanted yet another bag of fluids pushed in order to rid my body of the vanc. He left with the plan to come break my water around lunchtime if it hadn't already broken.
People began arriving. Nana actually arrived about the time I was to get my epidural. I felt bad for my mom because I think she wanted to be there for that part. But, with all the concern from Dr. Cook about the allergic reaction, he really decided the epidural timing, so I let him be in charge of that. We sent Z out of the room to go and wait on L, C, and my mom while the epidural was placed. My mom actually began knocking on the door of our labor room (#363) during the epidural's placement. Of course, I was hearing someone knock, but no one was allowed to move to answer the door. I am so sorry she got her feeling hurt about that, but it couldn't have been helped. There was a minor complication in placing the epidural. A blood vessel had to be collapsed to place the epidural. When the fluid was placed to collapse the vein, I went kind of numb on my left side. It was strange. But, everything was fine afterwards.
I was lying flat when the kids came in, so that was a little intimidating for L, who is by nature, our worrier. I assured him I was fine. C wasn't concerned too much. She was ready for the baby to be here. After that, Karen sat me up in what Z called my Indian Princess stance to help bring the baby down. She checked me after a while and I was 80% and about a 5. I was getting antsy for this baby to come, but it was nice to have visitors in and out to chat with us as we waited. I couldn't believe it was taking so long with my 3rd baby!
Finally around 1:30, my water was broken and all looked good. The pitocin was upped and a strange thing happened...I started feeling everything again. My mom was with me while everyone else was taking a break from waiting. I pressed the button I was told to press to make the epidural work even better and nothing happened. Well,not really nothing happened. What actually happened was the contractions became more intense and no relief was acheived. So I puhed the button again and again...nada! Just splitting contractions. My mom happened to look over on the floor to notice a puddle of fluid. Then, we looked on my back and my epidural had come apart. The medicine was hitting the floor and not going inside me! UGH!
We called the nurse, who called the anesthesiologist. He hadn't seen a catheter come apart like mine did (of course he hadn't...). So he worked to get things corrected. He left with a bolus in my iv, and he had reassembled the catheter. I was supposed to feel relief in about 15 minutes and if not, he'd come back. Well...no relief, only intensity. By the end of the 15 minutes, I was wondering if I was supposed to have a natural birth. (I was a little freaked out, but if it made things happen faster, I was all for it!) Anyway, the anesthesiologist (my third of the day) was called back after about 30 minutes, and another iv bolus was administered. Finally, my legs started going numb again. Yay! Up until the epidural came apart, the tracings on the contractions were so low. I was very disappointed with my progress. However, when the epidural came apart, I must have shifted enough for the contractions to begin tracing again. Boy were they spiking up...and I had been feeling them.
By this time, it was around 3:30 or so. Finally, progress was beginning. The nurse checked me and I was getting close...really close. M's husband had gone home to retrieve their children, but M decided to stay. I was so glad. Our babies were hanging in there, but were very anxious to meet their sister. I was grateful to everyone who helped to entertain them. Everyone was telling me that they really were being good and weren't any trouble. Good for them.
So, around 4, I was feeling all kinds of pressure. Karen checked me and I was 10 and ready to go! Yay! Goodbyes to all our family and friends that had been visiting with us, and we waited on Dr. Cook to arrive. He did about 4:30, and he got us all settled. He laid out our plan of action, and joked that he and Karen had a bet going on how many pushes I'd take. He said 20, she said 3. Then he said, he really felt that E would be out in about 12 pushes. I told him that I love a challenge. The other thing Dr. Cook told me was that we were going to do this nice and steady. He estimated her weight to be about 6 lbs, 12 oz, 18inches long. He still couldn't believe that L was 7 lbs. 15 oz and 21 1/2 inches long!
I began pushing and progress was pretty quick. Before I knew it, her head was out. Then, Dr. Cook told me to quit pushing and to let her come on her own. He wanted my body to do the work. I have to say, this was the coolest thing I have ever seen in my entire life. Watching my daughter emerge from my body...a miracle. Z agrees. L or C's births were like this one. It was absolutely amazing. I have to also say that I felt a lot of this birth. It was not as bad as I thought, and I have no idea what happened to the epidural as I pushed. No matter, though, because I was able to be up and about around 2 or 3 hours after she was born.
As soon as she was out, Dr. Cook tried to move her up on my tummy. That's when we discovered how short her umbilical cord was. So, Z snipped it (complete with pictures), and then she was up on my chest. She had so much hair. I couldn't believe it. She looked so much like L did when he was born.
Next she was whisked away to the warmer to be checked. When I was all cleaned up, Z ran out to get the big kids so they could see her first bath. C burst into the room asking all about E. L took his normal, more cautious approach, checking on me, then peeking at his sister. Z made both kids wash their hands, and then C couldn't wait to get her hands in that warmer to touch her sister! L didn't want to touch her yet. He stood and observed with his hands in his pockets. They watched the nurse bathe E and measure her and weigh her. C kept asking lots of questions, and the nurses were so patiently explaining things. I think L finally patted E on her head around this time. He was so in love with his baby sister already.
I think one of the funniest things that C did was cry back at E when she was crying during her bath. L scolded C for doing that, but she told him, "You just don't know how to speak baby and I do. I know what she's saying." The nurses got a kick out of that one. Then, when it was time to bring the grandmothers in, L wouldn't leave the room. He told Z he needed to stay with Mommy and E to watch over them. So, Z and C went down the hall to fetch Tee and Nana. On their walk, C told Z, "Daddy, I just can't believe my eyes. She is so beautiful. Can you believe it? I love her so much Daddy."
Everyone took turns visiting and meeting our precious girl. Almost everyone agreed that she looked so much like L did. The friends/family that visited that night were my friend, M, Josh, Renata, Audrey, Jonathan, Heather, Joshua and Jackson and Z's dad. Other folks that visited at the hospital were Heather and the rest of her family, Dwight and Allie, Kelly and Maddie K., and Lindsay and Jared.
It was a wonderful, wonderful time! I'm so glad she's ours! I am so grateful to God for answering my prayers!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Poodles and Oodles of change
It's so funny how kids think. Right now, C is praying each night that God will let her be a Pink Poodle when she grows up. She is serious! Totally freaks her big brother out..."C, you can't be a dog when you grow up. God made you a person. You will have be a person for your whole life."
About the changes...oh my goodness have we been bombarded since August 10th with changes. My little man, we have realized, is a bit behind in reading. I kind of suspected this area to be his toughest. But, when we receieved a letter stating that he was also behind in math and needed to be put in EIP for math as well, I kind of flipped a little. I mean, the boy can add money in his head, add any football, baseball or basketball score, tell time, days of the week, shapes, basic math facts...how is he behind??? Come to find out, he just wouldn't answer the questions. I mean, after 3 hours of new student testing, I can see how he would be DONE! Anyway, after speaking with both the EIP teachers and my hubby, we have decided to leave him in both programs for now, just for extra exposure. The curriculum has just gotten so hard and the pace so fast, how can we not give him every advantage available. Even the EIP teacher is not sure he'll be in the math program long, but to have a good solid start during this school year, it wll be worth it.
On to C...at her open house, I realized that there is no way she can stay at our beloved pre-school. The curriculum is just exactly what she had the past 2 years. My C is ready to begin reading...and they will only expose them to letter sounds after they go through all the letters again. C learned all her letters and sounds in the 2 year old class...Although she needs lots of practice writing the letters and numbers, she really seems ready to be challenged. So, my heart fell when I realized that for 4 days each week, she would be wasting her time (and our money)!
As soon as I got in the car, I got on the phone with my friend J, whose daughter is C's best friend and also in the class. I asked her what she thought about the open house (before I shared my thoughts), and her feelings were the same as mine. This wasn't going to work! I was so worried about changing schools without A and doing it the same week Baby E will be born. I felt like my hands were tied. Then, I called another friend, A. Her daughter is at another preschool...God's divine intervention was revealed. There were 2 slots available in a 5 day class. This school has computers, pe, music, cultural arts, and of course a Christian education. Sight words, writing, math...just what Pre-K needs to be! Still a half-day program, still the same amount of money...and an extra day for her to be at "big school" like her brother (whom she misses terribly while he's at school). I mean, even the teacher I liked best had been praying for 2 more girls to balance out her class. Could that have been any more prefect? Crisis #2 averted.
I have tried to get in touch with the old pre-school director all weekend to let her know about the new development, but I haven't been able to reach her. I hate to just not show up on time on Monday, so I guess I'll call them to let them know as we're on our way to drop my little girl off at her new school tomorrow morning. Now both of the 4 year old classes at our old pre-school will be down to 8 kids and with only 1 three-year-old class, I don't know if they'll make it past this year. It's a shame, but they need to step up their program. So does the Kindergarten...the teacher is wonderful, and it is a great transition program for someone who has a late birthday (like my E will have), but it's just not keeping up with all that is being pushed on the kids on public school. It's sad that we can't let our babies stay babies and just attend playschool. But, it's just not what they need.
Next, we realized that dragging 3 kiddos to dance on Thursday evenings was really not going to be the best option. With the new school for C, her Lunch Bunch days could change. Fabulous! There was a class with 2 openings for A and C to join on Thursdays at 12:45! Yay! So, I'll pick the girls up from school on Thursdays while J picks up her other daughter from her MDO class. We'll have a picnic-type lunch in the car and get to dance and be done all before L even gets out of school. Sweet Baby E will just be grabbing her naps when she can, I guess. But, Thursday nights won't be so stressful now! God has been keeping His hand on us guiding us right now. I am so thankful to his provisions.
In other news, I am enjoying my last week of pregnancy ever. I am so ok with this one being our caboose. I feel like we'll be complete. It's been a wonderful pregnancy, and I am so excited to meet my girl! I am going to try to write more about the pregnancy this week.
About the changes...oh my goodness have we been bombarded since August 10th with changes. My little man, we have realized, is a bit behind in reading. I kind of suspected this area to be his toughest. But, when we receieved a letter stating that he was also behind in math and needed to be put in EIP for math as well, I kind of flipped a little. I mean, the boy can add money in his head, add any football, baseball or basketball score, tell time, days of the week, shapes, basic math facts...how is he behind??? Come to find out, he just wouldn't answer the questions. I mean, after 3 hours of new student testing, I can see how he would be DONE! Anyway, after speaking with both the EIP teachers and my hubby, we have decided to leave him in both programs for now, just for extra exposure. The curriculum has just gotten so hard and the pace so fast, how can we not give him every advantage available. Even the EIP teacher is not sure he'll be in the math program long, but to have a good solid start during this school year, it wll be worth it.
On to C...at her open house, I realized that there is no way she can stay at our beloved pre-school. The curriculum is just exactly what she had the past 2 years. My C is ready to begin reading...and they will only expose them to letter sounds after they go through all the letters again. C learned all her letters and sounds in the 2 year old class...Although she needs lots of practice writing the letters and numbers, she really seems ready to be challenged. So, my heart fell when I realized that for 4 days each week, she would be wasting her time (and our money)!
As soon as I got in the car, I got on the phone with my friend J, whose daughter is C's best friend and also in the class. I asked her what she thought about the open house (before I shared my thoughts), and her feelings were the same as mine. This wasn't going to work! I was so worried about changing schools without A and doing it the same week Baby E will be born. I felt like my hands were tied. Then, I called another friend, A. Her daughter is at another preschool...God's divine intervention was revealed. There were 2 slots available in a 5 day class. This school has computers, pe, music, cultural arts, and of course a Christian education. Sight words, writing, math...just what Pre-K needs to be! Still a half-day program, still the same amount of money...and an extra day for her to be at "big school" like her brother (whom she misses terribly while he's at school). I mean, even the teacher I liked best had been praying for 2 more girls to balance out her class. Could that have been any more prefect? Crisis #2 averted.
I have tried to get in touch with the old pre-school director all weekend to let her know about the new development, but I haven't been able to reach her. I hate to just not show up on time on Monday, so I guess I'll call them to let them know as we're on our way to drop my little girl off at her new school tomorrow morning. Now both of the 4 year old classes at our old pre-school will be down to 8 kids and with only 1 three-year-old class, I don't know if they'll make it past this year. It's a shame, but they need to step up their program. So does the Kindergarten...the teacher is wonderful, and it is a great transition program for someone who has a late birthday (like my E will have), but it's just not keeping up with all that is being pushed on the kids on public school. It's sad that we can't let our babies stay babies and just attend playschool. But, it's just not what they need.
Next, we realized that dragging 3 kiddos to dance on Thursday evenings was really not going to be the best option. With the new school for C, her Lunch Bunch days could change. Fabulous! There was a class with 2 openings for A and C to join on Thursdays at 12:45! Yay! So, I'll pick the girls up from school on Thursdays while J picks up her other daughter from her MDO class. We'll have a picnic-type lunch in the car and get to dance and be done all before L even gets out of school. Sweet Baby E will just be grabbing her naps when she can, I guess. But, Thursday nights won't be so stressful now! God has been keeping His hand on us guiding us right now. I am so thankful to his provisions.
In other news, I am enjoying my last week of pregnancy ever. I am so ok with this one being our caboose. I feel like we'll be complete. It's been a wonderful pregnancy, and I am so excited to meet my girl! I am going to try to write more about the pregnancy this week.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Drop-off
I dropped off my little guy at school early this morning. It was a zoo. People were everywhere, but he was so happy to be going to school. I wonder how long him popping up out of bed will last. One week? Three days? He's typically not a morning person,so we'll see.
I walked him to his class since we had a huge bag of supplies to deliver. He went right to his seat, across from his buddy from t-ball, and just waited. Another mom came up to talk to me and I just wanted to tell L good-bye. I began walking to the door and called out a good-bye to him. He just nodded his head and barely lifted his fingers in a wave to me. It was as if to say, "I'm fine, Mommy. You can go now."
Of course time is dragging by, and I can't wait until 2:20. C and I are going to the grocery store and then to lunch with friends to pass our time. I keep thinking how I wish L ate more breakfast...oh, well. He'll be fine!
I walked him to his class since we had a huge bag of supplies to deliver. He went right to his seat, across from his buddy from t-ball, and just waited. Another mom came up to talk to me and I just wanted to tell L good-bye. I began walking to the door and called out a good-bye to him. He just nodded his head and barely lifted his fingers in a wave to me. It was as if to say, "I'm fine, Mommy. You can go now."
Of course time is dragging by, and I can't wait until 2:20. C and I are going to the grocery store and then to lunch with friends to pass our time. I keep thinking how I wish L ate more breakfast...oh, well. He'll be fine!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
The Night Before
It's been so long since I've posted, but I have finally stolen a few moments to get a few things recorded for me to remember. I'll go into more detail later, but for now, here are a few of our biggest happenings since Christmas 2008:
--On Dec. 30, my husbanded collapsed in pain and was rushed to the ER for emergency surgery for kidney stones. This was his first experience with kidney stones, but it was a doozie!
--New Year's Eve we attend the GT bowl game (Chick-fil-A Bowl against LSU)...yes, that's right, one day after my husband's emergency surgery to place a stint and remove a kidney stone.
--On New Year's Day, I found out I was pregnant! Yes, that's right! Number 3...a surprise...is on the way. But, with my man on major pain killers and not feeling well at all, I kept the news to myself. I was sort of freaked out...so I called my go-to gal, M, and hid in L's closet and let her talk me down from my panic.
--On Jan. 4th, my son was baptized. I can't explain the emotions I felt as I watched my oldest son take this public step in his Christian growth. His eternity is sealed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Thank you, Jesus!
My mom and grandparents came for the Sunday night event. My mom immediately figured out I was pregnant...but I still hadn't told my man! I took one more test, and it was again positive.
--Z was able to have his stint removed a few days later. The next day, he and I had a date night. I had planned to have him open a present at dinner containing the positive test and a GT onesie since the due date is Sept.7th (right in the heart of GT football)...I couldn't wait. I burst into tears after watching the movie before we even made it to the restaurant. He was excited, and I was relieved by his positive reaction. Of course with his sense of humor he asks, "Why are you crying? Is it not mine?" Always the kidder! He was so glad to know whay I had been acting so strangely.
--I went to the doctor in late January. After we found out everything was going well, we shared the news with L and C. They were thrilled! It was so precious to see the excitement on their faces. L immediately prayed for the baby and just couldn't stop hugging us. Morning sickness (at night) and exhaustion ensued, but didn't last as long as it did when I was pregnant with C. Z, who has not missed a guess of gender since I've known him, knew right away it was a girl. I wasn't sure.
--C had mono of all things around her 4th birthday. Party had to be postponed, which turned out to be a blessing because my L promptly threw up all over the floor the night that C's "Not Quite Spend the Night" party was to occur. With her mono, we kept things low-key for a few weeks. Tee came up to spend C's actual birthday with her, brought a cake, and took her to Build-A-B*ear. A fun day.
--C played pre-t...we weren't sure if she'd actually play since she told us that the only way she'll play is if she got to wear a pink shirt and a purple bat. Well, she did play, and she played well. Z helped coach and discovered that the little girl who seemed to have paid so little attention to her dad and brother when they practiced in the yard actually paid atention. She ended up being one of the better players on her team! She played with her cousin, Jackson, and they were cute.
--For the next few months, Z kept experiencing kidney stones. I mean, he even passed kidney stones in between innings of L's t-ball games he was coaching! (By the way, the t-ball team was awesome and Z is an incredible coach!) The weekend of L's birthday, we were scheduled to leave on an awards trip that Sunday. He spent Sat night after the games (double-header, of course) in the ER with another kidney stone. Fortunately, my mom and his mom were able to help out. The news he received at the ER was crazy. He had hyperparathyroidism and his calcium level in his blood levels were through the roof. Needless to say, we debated missing our trip to Miami Beach...but I talked him into going, just so we could rest.(Oh, I forgot to mention that I was doing a long-term sub at the time.) Our trip was fantastic.
--Upon our return, we began seeing doctors. Turns out, one of the leading parathyroid experts is local! It finally all made sense. Z's headaches, acid reflux, thinning hair, exhaustion, irritability, were all direct symptoms of this crazy parathyroid. Z had surgery in mid-May, and the doctor delivered the news that he'd not seen a pt tumor this size, nor had he had anyone with Z's calcium level that wasn't comatose! Scary! We had a few bumps in the recovery...including rushing Z back to the ER with symptoms of a possible heart-attack and then 2 days later again with symptoms of a stroke! Both are related to the reaction his body was having to a normal calcium level. His body thought it was not getting the calcium it needed, but slowly and surely we have our Z back!
--The week prior to leaving for Miami Beach, we found out that our family of five will have more girls than boys! As soon as the u/s tech announced the "girl", L looked at Z and said, "We are SO out-numbered. It's just you and me, now, Daddy!" The night before the appointment, we were talking with L and C to kind of prepare them that we don't get to pick if we were having a boy or a girl. C said, "I know it's a sister. I prayed for a sister, not a brother. I asked God for a sister because I already have a brother." I was pretty nervous that she might flip out if the news was not what she wanted.
--Fastforward to August 9th...the night before I drop my son off in first grade at the big school. I am nervous for him. I have been questioning our (mainly my) decision to keep him in a half-day kindergarten...but the alternative at our local school was not a viable option. I am thrilled with his teacher and para. Excellent! Now, to get them on a schedule that works before our baby girl arrives in a few weeks!
--On Dec. 30, my husbanded collapsed in pain and was rushed to the ER for emergency surgery for kidney stones. This was his first experience with kidney stones, but it was a doozie!
--New Year's Eve we attend the GT bowl game (Chick-fil-A Bowl against LSU)...yes, that's right, one day after my husband's emergency surgery to place a stint and remove a kidney stone.
--On New Year's Day, I found out I was pregnant! Yes, that's right! Number 3...a surprise...is on the way. But, with my man on major pain killers and not feeling well at all, I kept the news to myself. I was sort of freaked out...so I called my go-to gal, M, and hid in L's closet and let her talk me down from my panic.
--On Jan. 4th, my son was baptized. I can't explain the emotions I felt as I watched my oldest son take this public step in his Christian growth. His eternity is sealed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Thank you, Jesus!
My mom and grandparents came for the Sunday night event. My mom immediately figured out I was pregnant...but I still hadn't told my man! I took one more test, and it was again positive.
--Z was able to have his stint removed a few days later. The next day, he and I had a date night. I had planned to have him open a present at dinner containing the positive test and a GT onesie since the due date is Sept.7th (right in the heart of GT football)...I couldn't wait. I burst into tears after watching the movie before we even made it to the restaurant. He was excited, and I was relieved by his positive reaction. Of course with his sense of humor he asks, "Why are you crying? Is it not mine?" Always the kidder! He was so glad to know whay I had been acting so strangely.
--I went to the doctor in late January. After we found out everything was going well, we shared the news with L and C. They were thrilled! It was so precious to see the excitement on their faces. L immediately prayed for the baby and just couldn't stop hugging us. Morning sickness (at night) and exhaustion ensued, but didn't last as long as it did when I was pregnant with C. Z, who has not missed a guess of gender since I've known him, knew right away it was a girl. I wasn't sure.
--C had mono of all things around her 4th birthday. Party had to be postponed, which turned out to be a blessing because my L promptly threw up all over the floor the night that C's "Not Quite Spend the Night" party was to occur. With her mono, we kept things low-key for a few weeks. Tee came up to spend C's actual birthday with her, brought a cake, and took her to Build-A-B*ear. A fun day.
--C played pre-t...we weren't sure if she'd actually play since she told us that the only way she'll play is if she got to wear a pink shirt and a purple bat. Well, she did play, and she played well. Z helped coach and discovered that the little girl who seemed to have paid so little attention to her dad and brother when they practiced in the yard actually paid atention. She ended up being one of the better players on her team! She played with her cousin, Jackson, and they were cute.
--For the next few months, Z kept experiencing kidney stones. I mean, he even passed kidney stones in between innings of L's t-ball games he was coaching! (By the way, the t-ball team was awesome and Z is an incredible coach!) The weekend of L's birthday, we were scheduled to leave on an awards trip that Sunday. He spent Sat night after the games (double-header, of course) in the ER with another kidney stone. Fortunately, my mom and his mom were able to help out. The news he received at the ER was crazy. He had hyperparathyroidism and his calcium level in his blood levels were through the roof. Needless to say, we debated missing our trip to Miami Beach...but I talked him into going, just so we could rest.(Oh, I forgot to mention that I was doing a long-term sub at the time.) Our trip was fantastic.
--Upon our return, we began seeing doctors. Turns out, one of the leading parathyroid experts is local! It finally all made sense. Z's headaches, acid reflux, thinning hair, exhaustion, irritability, were all direct symptoms of this crazy parathyroid. Z had surgery in mid-May, and the doctor delivered the news that he'd not seen a pt tumor this size, nor had he had anyone with Z's calcium level that wasn't comatose! Scary! We had a few bumps in the recovery...including rushing Z back to the ER with symptoms of a possible heart-attack and then 2 days later again with symptoms of a stroke! Both are related to the reaction his body was having to a normal calcium level. His body thought it was not getting the calcium it needed, but slowly and surely we have our Z back!
--The week prior to leaving for Miami Beach, we found out that our family of five will have more girls than boys! As soon as the u/s tech announced the "girl", L looked at Z and said, "We are SO out-numbered. It's just you and me, now, Daddy!" The night before the appointment, we were talking with L and C to kind of prepare them that we don't get to pick if we were having a boy or a girl. C said, "I know it's a sister. I prayed for a sister, not a brother. I asked God for a sister because I already have a brother." I was pretty nervous that she might flip out if the news was not what she wanted.
--Fastforward to August 9th...the night before I drop my son off in first grade at the big school. I am nervous for him. I have been questioning our (mainly my) decision to keep him in a half-day kindergarten...but the alternative at our local school was not a viable option. I am thrilled with his teacher and para. Excellent! Now, to get them on a schedule that works before our baby girl arrives in a few weeks!
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