Harper had her 2 week check up and is doing great- she is already 9 lbs. 1 oz. Both of our kids have been eager eaters. She is in the 8oth percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height. I think she might be tall like her mama:)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Pizza Time
We could not have gotten through this difficult time without the support and help from our friends and family. Thank you to Miss Danielle for taking Sam to the Science Center today so Russ and I could spend some time taking care of errands and trying to get back to normal. Looks like he really enjoyed his lunch, huh?!
Harper had her 2 week check up and is doing great- she is already 9 lbs. 1 oz. Both of our kids have been eager eaters. She is in the 8oth percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height. I think she might be tall like her mama:)
Harper had her 2 week check up and is doing great- she is already 9 lbs. 1 oz. Both of our kids have been eager eaters. She is in the 8oth percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height. I think she might be tall like her mama:)
It Was Not Mastitis
Really long story... here is the short version.
Saturday my fever went back up to 103, chills, aches etc. The doctor had told me to come in if my fever reached that high. Went to the ER with a pulse rate of 160 and a blood pressure drop to 70/30. Really scary stuff and I was labeled serious condition. Diagnosed with a "raging" kidney infection I was admitted. Three nights later, several tests later, several misdisgnosis later my ob was called in for consult. Come to find out there was part of my placenta left in my uterus that was causing the infection. The rushed my right down to the OR yesterday for a D&C and 6 hours later I was home.
I don't even know where to begin. I was away from my kids for 3 nights- my two week old. If I had been diagnosed correctly Saturday I could have had the procedure and been on my way home to be with my family. I never had a kidney infection. I can't breastfeed from the tests I had done. I feel like my head is spinning as I try to get back in the swing of things. I feel so overwhelmed.
Being a patient in the hospital is horrible and I am not a good "patient" - especially not 2 weeks post partum. I was going crazy trying to get home to be with my kids. Crazy.
I have never been happier to be home.
Saturday my fever went back up to 103, chills, aches etc. The doctor had told me to come in if my fever reached that high. Went to the ER with a pulse rate of 160 and a blood pressure drop to 70/30. Really scary stuff and I was labeled serious condition. Diagnosed with a "raging" kidney infection I was admitted. Three nights later, several tests later, several misdisgnosis later my ob was called in for consult. Come to find out there was part of my placenta left in my uterus that was causing the infection. The rushed my right down to the OR yesterday for a D&C and 6 hours later I was home.
I don't even know where to begin. I was away from my kids for 3 nights- my two week old. If I had been diagnosed correctly Saturday I could have had the procedure and been on my way home to be with my family. I never had a kidney infection. I can't breastfeed from the tests I had done. I feel like my head is spinning as I try to get back in the swing of things. I feel so overwhelmed.
Being a patient in the hospital is horrible and I am not a good "patient" - especially not 2 weeks post partum. I was going crazy trying to get home to be with my kids. Crazy.
I have never been happier to be home.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Mastitis: Round Two?
Let me set the scene:
Harper and I had a great night. She slept two longer stretches and I woke up feeling rested. Sam, no longer afraid of the bath, was bathed and dressed and out the door with Russ to run errands. I fed Harper, bathed her and had her in a new onesie all ready to meet my good friend Amy from high school this afternoon. She fell asleep and I decided to head out back to get a little sun on my legs. As I was sitting out back I got a bit of a chill- weird because it was heading close to 90 degress. Thirty minutes later I had the chills, headache and was back to being sick again. My temperature shot up to 102.8.
Wow, I feel sick.
Harper and I had a great night. She slept two longer stretches and I woke up feeling rested. Sam, no longer afraid of the bath, was bathed and dressed and out the door with Russ to run errands. I fed Harper, bathed her and had her in a new onesie all ready to meet my good friend Amy from high school this afternoon. She fell asleep and I decided to head out back to get a little sun on my legs. As I was sitting out back I got a bit of a chill- weird because it was heading close to 90 degress. Thirty minutes later I had the chills, headache and was back to being sick again. My temperature shot up to 102.8.
Wow, I feel sick.
Siblings
Both of our children start to break free of Russ' "super swaddle" by week two. You can hear Harper grunting after she is swaddled and a few minutes later her hands are broken free! Sam did the same thing. They also both wanted their hands free for the same reason:
Sam was 3 weeks old in that picture. Ok, now go back and look at Harper's picture. Look at those lips- don't you just want to kiss them!
Sam was 3 weeks old in that picture. Ok, now go back and look at Harper's picture. Look at those lips- don't you just want to kiss them!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Good Advice
Sam developed a fear of taking a bath when I was in the hospital with Harper. We are not sure why but we have a few guesses. So, Russ and I have been taking turns taking a bath with him. That was the only way we could get him in there and I am all about clean kids and clean hair. I mentioned this to my friend Amy who gave me a suggestion to try. I did tonight and it worked. Thank god for mom friends!
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The secret to managing two kids is organization and planning. Luckily for me, I live for organizing and planning.
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I feel like I have come back from the brink of death. I am finally feeling better today and will be the first to let you know mastitis is no fun. Not at all. Imagine yourself with a horrible flu and a newborn feeding every 2-3 hours around the clock. I felt so good late this afternoon I left Russ with the kids and ran out for an hour! I went to Pier 1 and browsed and it was very good for the soul.
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The secret to managing two kids is organization and planning. Luckily for me, I live for organizing and planning.
.................................
I feel like I have come back from the brink of death. I am finally feeling better today and will be the first to let you know mastitis is no fun. Not at all. Imagine yourself with a horrible flu and a newborn feeding every 2-3 hours around the clock. I felt so good late this afternoon I left Russ with the kids and ran out for an hour! I went to Pier 1 and browsed and it was very good for the soul.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Doctor Visits
Harper had her 1st check up at the pediatrician which went well. As all parents know, your baby is perfect are the sweetest words to hear. She has already regained her birth weight, which newborns usually do by 2 weeks. She is a great breastfeeder and loves to snuggle with mama.
Sam is still doing great and helping us every step of the way. He loves to read to her and show her his cars, fire truck and puzzle pieces. We are lucky he seems to be adjusting well so far. That had been a fear of mine having number two.
Last night I came down with a temperature/chills and flu-like symptoms. A quick trip to the ob and I have mastitis. OW! I started my antiobiotics so hopefully I will be feeling better soon. I called in the troops today and my mom came over to help Russ when I was gone. She also did all my laundry- thanks mom. What would I do without you?!
Sam is still doing great and helping us every step of the way. He loves to read to her and show her his cars, fire truck and puzzle pieces. We are lucky he seems to be adjusting well so far. That had been a fear of mine having number two.
Last night I came down with a temperature/chills and flu-like symptoms. A quick trip to the ob and I have mastitis. OW! I started my antiobiotics so hopefully I will be feeling better soon. I called in the troops today and my mom came over to help Russ when I was gone. She also did all my laundry- thanks mom. What would I do without you?!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
One Week Ago
I had been having contractions for days, but the one that woke me at 2:30 am let me know this was it. From 10 minutes apart, to eight and to six by 3:30, I called my doula and woke up Russ. This is it, I told him. I showered and decided to labor in our bed until my doula arrived. We wanted to do as much as possible at home before heading to the hospital. By 5:30 my contractions were 2 minutes apart so we decided it was time to go.
I began to feel the urge to push in the car and told Russ to drive faster. I was hoping not be on the local news- having delivered on the side of the road! When we arrived at the hospital at 6 am I was 8 cm dilated. Now the nurses were moving around me fast and trying to get all of their paperwork done. I remember one nurse asking me if I had fallen recently?! Uh, no.
By 6:30 I was 10 cm and began to push- a little early we would learn. I kept hearing "no progress" and "presenting transverse", and became worried someone may suggest a c-section. I pushed for the next 2 1/2 hours in different positions until she decided to come on her own. She was born at 8:58 am after a shorter but much more intense labor than with Sam.
"It's a girl", Russ announced with delay and surprise in his voice. A girl? I couldn't believe it. How lucky to have one of each and to be able to experience the relationship a mother has with a son and a daughter. What a wonderful week we have had getting to know you. Welcome home baby girl.
I began to feel the urge to push in the car and told Russ to drive faster. I was hoping not be on the local news- having delivered on the side of the road! When we arrived at the hospital at 6 am I was 8 cm dilated. Now the nurses were moving around me fast and trying to get all of their paperwork done. I remember one nurse asking me if I had fallen recently?! Uh, no.
By 6:30 I was 10 cm and began to push- a little early we would learn. I kept hearing "no progress" and "presenting transverse", and became worried someone may suggest a c-section. I pushed for the next 2 1/2 hours in different positions until she decided to come on her own. She was born at 8:58 am after a shorter but much more intense labor than with Sam.
"It's a girl", Russ announced with delay and surprise in his voice. A girl? I couldn't believe it. How lucky to have one of each and to be able to experience the relationship a mother has with a son and a daughter. What a wonderful week we have had getting to know you. Welcome home baby girl.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
What a Wonderful Mother's Day...
Home sweet home. It is good to have our little girl at home and we are all settling in well. Big brother Sam has been great with her. He really wants to help and is so gentle. He wants to hold her, change her and feed her- and he wants me out of the way! He has a baby to take care of and I seem to be getting in the way of that!
I am so much more at ease with the newborn stage this time around. I remember how fast it really does go by. Before you know it they are walking and talking. Harper has been a sleepyhead today and we are enjoying getting to know her.
I am learning how to manage two at a time with the help of Russ. He cooked breakfast for me today and cleaned the entire house. My mom and dad came by and my mom and I spent some time getting me organized and ready to take care of two!
My best Mother's Day hands down...
Saturday, May 10, 2008
It's a Girl!
I am proud to announce the arrival of Harper Elisabeth on May 8th at 8:58 am. She was 8 lb. 3 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. I will blog about my labor and delivery but wanted to get a picture up first:)
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
3 am Blogging
How can I be so tired- but unable to sleep? I have the answers:
1. Reflux- I basically had crackers and water for dinner, was sleeping sitting up with 4 pillows, had the max allowable TUMS before bed with no relief.
2. Lower back pain- only at night now do I have some bad back pain that makes me feel like I am 80 years old. No, at least 90 years old. I work with the elderly and I know what 90 looks like. That is what I look like on my way to the bathroom(see number 3 below)
3. Trips to the bathroom- If I stop drinking water at 8 pm- how is it possible I have to go to the bathroom at 12 am and every hour after that? Where is this coming from?
4. Hot flashes- I am apparently unable to regulate my own body temperature anymore and wake up covered in sweat.
5. Small space- Our queen sized bed has become so small. If I don't have Russ' elbow in my back it is his knee. Oh wait- maybe it is because I am taking up so much room!
6. Excitement- When I wake up for any of the above reasons I start to think. I think about meeting our new family member- what will you look like? are you a boy or a girl? will you look like Sam? how can I love another as much as I love my boy? when will you decide it is time to come out and meet all of us?
Back to bed to try to get some sleep... wish me luck:)
1. Reflux- I basically had crackers and water for dinner, was sleeping sitting up with 4 pillows, had the max allowable TUMS before bed with no relief.
2. Lower back pain- only at night now do I have some bad back pain that makes me feel like I am 80 years old. No, at least 90 years old. I work with the elderly and I know what 90 looks like. That is what I look like on my way to the bathroom(see number 3 below)
3. Trips to the bathroom- If I stop drinking water at 8 pm- how is it possible I have to go to the bathroom at 12 am and every hour after that? Where is this coming from?
4. Hot flashes- I am apparently unable to regulate my own body temperature anymore and wake up covered in sweat.
5. Small space- Our queen sized bed has become so small. If I don't have Russ' elbow in my back it is his knee. Oh wait- maybe it is because I am taking up so much room!
6. Excitement- When I wake up for any of the above reasons I start to think. I think about meeting our new family member- what will you look like? are you a boy or a girl? will you look like Sam? how can I love another as much as I love my boy? when will you decide it is time to come out and meet all of us?
Back to bed to try to get some sleep... wish me luck:)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
39 Week Check Up
Nothing much to report today. No exam was done today so I don't know if I have dilated any more since last week. The doctor felt the baby and his guess is he/she is sitting at right around 8 and 1/2 pounds right now. Sam was 8 lbs. 9 oz so I expected another 8 pounder! He did mention if I go past my due date too far we would want to be careful not to let the baby get too big. If I make it to next Tuesday's appointment we will discuss the options at that point. I do hope this baby comes on their own before we have to discuss our options next week. He told me lots of walking so off I go:)
Besides being a bit tired I am feeling well.
Who knows...
I may make it to brunch Sunday for Mother's day and I am still hoping for delivering on the 12th!!
Besides being a bit tired I am feeling well.
Who knows...
I may make it to brunch Sunday for Mother's day and I am still hoping for delivering on the 12th!!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
39 Weeks Today
Ok guys... looks like I made it to the home stretch:) I am still feeling great and feeling very excited. I have made it farther than most of my family/friends predicted. Most people thought I would have delivered by now. We are off to get Sam some new shoes today, go out to lunch to satisfy one of my last pregnancy cravings and take Sam to the bounce houses tonight for a little fun.
I do love being pregnant. What I don't love is that horrible reflux at night. That had me up every hour last night. Fire ball in my throat...
How I wish I could have learned to sleep standing up the last nine months!
I will post some pictures of our weekend tomorrow. Maybe one last belly shot!
I do love being pregnant. What I don't love is that horrible reflux at night. That had me up every hour last night. Fire ball in my throat...
How I wish I could have learned to sleep standing up the last nine months!
I will post some pictures of our weekend tomorrow. Maybe one last belly shot!
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