NICU Update

Well, little Elliot is now two days old.  He is still in the NICU but he is doing amazing!  His oxygen came off today and they also stopped his antibiotics.  I started breastfeeding him and he's slowly getting the hang of it.  We're hoping everything keeps going as well as it is and then we can bring him home some time this weekend.  He has the absolute cutest little squeal cry.  He seems to be a very mellow baby, much like Scarlet.  He only cries when he is hungry or cold. 

Today's highlight:  Ryan and I went to see the babe this morning and the nurses were cleaning up his incubator.  Apparently when they went to change his diaper, he decided it was time to pee.  It was everywhere!  He managed to get it all over the inside, out one of the holes, down the outside and into a puddle on the floor.  Way to go, straight shooter! 

My Two Babies

SCARLET

ELLIOT

I about died when Ryan sent me this picture of Elliot.  I said, we have almost that exact same picture with Scarlet!  Haha.  Aren't they just the cutest?

A Birth Story

May 22, 2012, started unlike most days for us.  I was 37 weeks pregnant and scheduled for a c-section that morning.  We woke up bright and early, I think 5:30 to be exact.  Well, that's just when we got out of bed.  I'm pretty sure neither Ryan or I slept well that night.  Here's the last belly shot before we left the house.  I'm sure that's more of my skin than you will ever want to see in your life!

We woke up Scarlet and I snuggled her all the way to the neighbor's house.  We're so grateful for amazingly awesome neighbors who were so willing and able to take Scarlet for us!  Jeff and Amy, you guys rock! 

We arrived at the hospital just before 7:00 a.m.  I was scheduled for my section at 9:00, but apparently the 7:30 surgery didn't show up, so I got bumped up to 8:15.  Holy cow!  Yep, totally ready to get this over with.  I love how totally cheesy I look.  Remember, it was early and I was nervous!

I love this man so much!  He is the rock in our relationship.  It has been so nice having him do anesthesia since I had a million questions about spinal anesthetic.  He definitely put my mind at ease.

Below:  Just minutes before I went in to get my spinal.  I hated that Ryan had to wait in the hall until they started my surgery.  I was so totally nervous and just wanted him to hold my hand.  Thankfully I had amazing nurses who let me hug on them while the doctor stuck a 6-inch needle in my back.  The anesthesiologist did an amazing job with my spinal though.  I didn't even really feel him put it in.  Then it was showtime!

Before I knew it, they had made the skin incision.  It would only be a matter of minutes before I would see this little miracle we had waited so long to meet.  It's just always a little scary when you start to hurt during the surgery.  I think I almost had a panic attack over it.  The anesthesiologist just adjusted my OR table and the anesthesia made it's way to where I could feel.  What a strange sensation.

Then I heard the doctor say she could see lots of blonde hair.  Of course.  I knew he would look just like his daddy.  Within just seconds I heard the most beautiful sound in the world.  For the first time in my life, I heard the child I just gave birth to, screaming!  I lost it.  I was a complete mess.  It was one of the most amazing sounds I could ever imagine.  It was all so real.  I had created a life and now he was on the outside, crying!  I couldn't wait to lay my eyes on him.

It felt like it took forever for them to bring him to me.  I could hear him struggling to breathe and the doctors working on him.  They tried suctioning his lungs and pounding on his chest.  They also tried to make him really mad so he would scream all the fluid out.  Sadly, it didn't work as well as it needed to and off to the NICU my little miracle went.  I didn't even get to touch him, just a little snuggle before he left the OR.  Heartbreak.

Once again, my amazing man followed the baby and helped him get all set up in the NICU.  I'm so grateful Ryan was there to watch over our son.  I went to recovery, all doped up on drugs and rested.

Late last night, around 10:30, 14 hours after I gave birth, I finally was able to leave the confines of my bed and travel downstairs to see my son.  Heaven.

And here he is:  Elliot Ezra.  Our miracle.  Born at 8:46 a.m., May 22, 2012.  He weighed in at 6 pounds 14 ounces.  I can only imagine how big he would have been had he gone to 40 weeks!  He was 18.5 inches long.  He's absolutely precious and we are SO completely smitten with him.  Happy birthday sweet boy!  We love you!

Pregnancy Update -- 36 Weeks

I'm just going to hurry and post a quick update.  I went to the doctor yesterday and my blood pressure is still elevated.  I also got the results of my 24-hour urine protein test.  They were not good.  Essentially I have pre-eclampsia so the doctor wants this baby out.  Soon.  She wants me to try and get to 37 weeks, which I think is totally possible.  It's just one more week.  So far all of my symptoms of pre-eclampsia have been manageable so I'm hopeful we'll make it until May 22nd.  My doctor scheduled my c-section while I was sitting in her office.  I was freaking out!  I think I was just in complete shock.  It has finally set in that this is our last week with just little Scarlie.  In a way it makes me really sad, but we are so excited to meet this new little guy and see what he looks like!  I can't believe he'll be here so soon! 

Now, let the games begin!  I want to hear your predictions on weight and length.  I will send a prize to whoever is closest!

Dear Scarlet -- 21 months

Dear Scarlet,

Well, sweet princess, this will be the last time I write to you as my only child living at home.  I want you to always know just how much I love you.  You make me smile every single day and I am beyond grateful to have you in my life. 

There are going to be a lot of new changes happening this next month.  You might feel left out for a little while, but I'm still going to love you just as much as I do now, if not more.  Love is an amazing thing, it just keeps growing.  I know you are going to be an amazing big sister!  I'm so excited to introduce you to your new little brother. 

You have become quite the little talker.  You talk non-stop.  You have started copying a lot of what we say or what your favorite TV shows say.  You also have been working on phonics, colors, and numbers.  We try to work on it everyday.  I love watching you learn.  Your dad and I think you are quite spectacular. 

You are still wearing 12-month clothes and occasionally you will wear 18 months.  You're very petite.  We weighed you last week and you came in at a whopping 20 pounds.  You love to eat just about anything you can get your hands on.  I found you the other day with a giant bag of potato chips from the pantry.  You were trying to get a little baggy out of the drawer to put some chips in.  You looked at me and said, "crackers?"  How could I resist?  You're too adorable. 

I wish that you could stay my "baby" forever, but I know you need to grow and gain your independence.  It's so fun watching you learn and develop.  You really are such an amazing blessing in our lives.  I love you to pieces and pieces. 

Love you forever,

Mom

Pregnancy Update -- 35 weeks

How far along? 35 weeks 1 day
Weight gain/loss? At my doctor's appointment 2 days ago, I was up 15 pounds.
Maternity clothes? The bigger, the better
Stretch marks? Nope, not yet.
Sleep? What's that?  My doctor gave me permission to take Tylenol PM to help me sleep.  Too bad my bladder still wakes me up.
Best moment this week? The best moment was probably when Scarlet looked at my belly and started laughing at me.  Yes, even my 1 year old is making fun of me.
Food cravings? I'll admit that while at the pool yesterday, I smelled the wet cement and I kind of wanted to lick it.  Okay, I really wanted to lick it.  Thankfully I'm not dreaming of wet cement or dirt, but if I smell it, it's another story.  I salivate over it.  Weird and slightly disgusting.
Gender? Still Tiny Todd.
Belly button in or out? Totally flat at this point.
Movement? This is a very wiggly baby.  When I haven't felt him playing soccer for a while, I start to get worried because he is always moving. 
What I miss? Being able to put my shoes on.  I was so determined last night to put my own shoes on and not ask Ryan for help.  It took me what seemed like 10 minutes to do it, but I did it!
What I'm looking forward to:  Spending time with Scarlet, just Scarlet for a little while longer.  Last night she fell asleep in my arms.  I can't remember the last time that happened.  It was divine!  I was in complete heaven.  I love watching her sleep... her tiny little features.  It makes me a little sad that she won't be my baby much longer.  I'm really trying to soak up as much of her as I can before this little guy arrives. 

**So, my blood pressure has decided to shoot up.  I thought something was going on since I had been getting headaches at night for about a week.  I had also mentioned to Ryan a little while ago that I felt like I was getting morning sickness all over again (apparently a sign of high BP).  I had a date with the little orange jug of urine over the last 24 hours to check my protein.  I've also had to have my liver function tests and some other blood work drawn.  I'm hoping all the tests come back normal so I don't have to deliver quite yet.  We're hoping we can make it at least 2 more weeks before he comes into this world.  I'm now super paranoid about swelling, any little twinge of headaches, blurry vision, and all the other good stuff that comes with pre-eclampsia.  No bedrest yet, just "take it easy."  I can almost guarantee I'll be put on bedrest within the next week or two if I haven't delivered.