Sleepless Nights

Well, this is a much needed update on Anthony. I know everyone's been waiting patiently for me to blog! Sorry it's taken soooo long to do so. This being-a-mom thing is a lot of work! There have been many sleepless night around this house...but lots of help, which I'm very thankful for!

As most of you know, Anthony was born on December 11th (a scheduled c-section). He was born at 7:19 am, and was 6 lbs - 2 oz and 18 in long. Yes, he was a little thing, but was also 3 1/2 weeks early too. His actually due date was just this Monday, the 5th of January...and I bet he's just about 8 lbs now. Dad, Robby, was of course in the room during the procedure and enjoyed watching the docs cut and push and pull on me (he loves all that bloody stuff). He was amazed by all the layers they went through and how they just yanked them back to get to the next layer. At one point I asked Robby if they had started yet and his response was "Oh yeah, you are already cut wide open". Then I quickly told him to shut up and not talk like that again, as I started breathing very fast to keep myself from fainting. Getting the epidural and getting the baby out was the fast part. Putting me back together is what took so long. As they finished sewing me back up, Robby went with Anthony to the transitional nursery to watch him and to see if he needed to be admitted to the NICU. They kept him in there all day (until about 5 pm) to give him a chance to correct some breathing patterns on his own, but then decided to go ahead and send him on to the NICU. Of course when they came and told me, I cried...even though I knew that was probably going to happen before he was born. I was still in the prep room until late that night because there were so many mom's in the hospital that they didn't have any rooms available. Finally one came open and they moved me to a regular room. As they took me on the gurney to my room, they stopped off at the NICU and strolled me in to see Anthony. He was so precious! Just this sweet little boy lying there with oxygen over his face and breathing so fast. His little immature lungs had just not developed all the way yet.

So to make a very very long story (11 days worth) shorter:

Anthony stayed in the NICU for 11 days. He had to overcome many obstacles including: keeping his temp on his own, deep breathing instead of shallow breaths, to come off the oxygen, food intake up and keeping it down. He was on a feeding tube at first, but came off that pretty quick. Robby and I went to see him everyday after I was discharged from the hospital. That was the hardest thing to do - leave the hospital without my baby. I cried a lot those 11 days. We would wake up every morning at 3 am to get dressed and go see him in the NICU and to be there for the 5 am feeding. Then my mom and I would go see him again around noon, then Robby and I again around 5 pm. I felt like the hospital was my second home :(

Ok, I have to say this...even though Rob always tells me there are some things you just don't say!!! Every morning that we went to the NICU at 4 am, you had to go through the ER because the front doors don't open til 6 am. This still haunts me to this day!!! Every morning as Robby and I walked through the ER, someone...and I mean someone would say to me, "Oh, it's about that time, isn't it?" or "Are you ready to have that baby?" or as I would leave, "oh, was it a false alarm?" I would be so self-conscious, it would take me 10 minutes in the morning to find something in my closet that would make me look a little less pregnant. Not only the workers in the ER said something, but a few friends (that didn't know I had had the baby actually said something as well, like "Not yet?!" Man, I couldn't believe I looked so pregnant after I had the baby. My tummy was actually round and hard. It looked like I was 5 months. But it's gone now! Now it's just flabby.

Ok, this is the good part! On December 23rd, two days before Christmas, we got to bring Anthony home from the NICU. It was the best Christmas present Robby and I could have ever asked for! We were so blessed to have him with us and our family during those special days. Anthony went to Christmas Mass on Christmas Eve (his very first church service) and again to Mass that very next Saturday. Everyone at church just thought he was so cute. We took lots of pictures over Christmas (which you will get to enjoy below).

I have had lots of help from my mom and mother-n-law, Cindy. Cindy, stayed for 3 nights and got up with me for each feeding and changed his diaper and rocked him back to sleep so I could get as much sleep as possible...which was awesome! Thanks Cindy. And then my mother came for a week (just left yesterday) and cooked dinner for us every night and cleaned my house...thanks mom! Yes, Anthony has his days and nights mixed up (I'll accept any advice you have to fix it). We are working on that right now. I can't wait til he sleeps 8 hours! When does that happen??????????????? Anthony loves to be held (oops) that could be a bad habit I think...but it's hard to put him down. And he sleeps so good in my arms. He'll probably sleep with us til he's 18! And he loves his baths. The warm water actually calms him. I haven't gotten a chance to give him a bath yet..Rob loves to do it. I won't even go there with the diaper changing experiences...just put it this way, I hold the record of using 5 clean diapers in one changing! Go Me!!! Rob's just at 4! Oh, and when you see me, I might MOO at you...so watch out. I am a cow now and milk my breast all day long. You should see me hooked up to the boob machine, it's pretty funny looking, but I promise I won't post a picture of it!

Well, it has officially taken me about 4 hours to type this blog and I haven't even uploaded the pictures yet (which will take another 4 hours I'm sure). I don't get to sit at the computer for long periods of time anymore because I'm feeding or changing a diaper or letting the dogs in and out. Which, by the way, Holly is Mommy #2. Brady is interested in Anthony but just looks at him and walks away. Holly will actually block me and Robby from coming to get Anthony (like it's her baby)! She just can't get enough of him. She gives him several kisses a day and sleeps by his side all day. Anthony and Holly will be the bestest friends ever! Ok, now I want to cry because of "Marley and Me". If you haven't seen the movie you must go see it this weekend, well that's if you are a dog person! First movie Robby's ever cried in...my gosh, he'd kill me if he knew I told y'all that! Don't say anything. He doesn't read my blogs...I don't think! Everyone told Robby and me that Holly and Brady would be put on the back burner and left outside after the baby comes...but they really are part of our family and NOTHING has changed, especially after watching "Marley and Me". The one and only thing that bothers me about the dogs is their hair. I have pulled several dog hairs out of Anthony's mouth during a feeding...soon he'll cough up a hair ball!
Ok, enough for now. Enjoy the pictures!


The night before Anthony came...it snowed! What a miracle!


On our way to the hospital to have our baby boy! Dec. 11th, 2008

Getting prepared for delivery!

Robby in his scrubs! He sure would make a cute doctor!


Epidural is in and curtain is up!


7:19 am, our little boy is born.


First Family Photo


Isn't that a pretty smile?


Just arrived to the NICU


The Grandma's eating my yummy hospital food!


Those early morning feedings...don't we look tired?


Nanny Ginger


Daddy and Anthony


Dec. 23rd...going home!


Proud Mommy getting to take my baby home!

December 11, 2008

Anthony's birthday will be December 11, 2008...so mark your calendars!!! He will be born around 7 am that Thursday morning. Yesterday, Monday, I went back to the doctor...remember we were going to see if we could have the c-section moved to the 15th. That didn't seem to work out with any of the doctors, so they kept the c-section scheduled for the 11th. We are both fine with that and believe that Anthony will be just fine! We could use all the prayers you can send our way - in hopes that Anthony's lungs will be fine and he will only need minimal help. He will be born at 36 1/2 weeks that Thursday. We are very excited about having a little Christmas baby, and having him early will give me a few more weeks (with pay :) to stay home with him. I have pre-op the 10th (Wednesday) so my last day of work will be that Tuesday...one week from today. I still haven't finished all my long-term sub plans so I have a lot to do in one week. Still a little more Christmas shopping, but did get most of that done over the Thanksgiving break. Anthony's room is ready (as you can see from the pictures). And my belly feels (and looks) ready too! I feel like I'm carrying a very heavy basketball around. I just can't believe how big he's gotten...and I'm delivering 3 1/2 weeks early.

I will be making sure that LOTS of pictures get taken at the hospital so I can post them on my blog when I get home. Wish me luck...and prayers for the baby and my recovery.

Oh, I have my school shower on the 4th and a coaches shower on the 6th...so more pics to come this weekend :)



Couldn't pass up all the cute Christmas outfits: one for Christmas eve eve, one for Christmas eve, one for Mass, and one for Christmas day :)


Anthony's bedroom


Another picture of his bedroom


Here's that heavy basketball!


It's not that bad...really!

Anthony is coming sooner than we thought!!!

First off...THANK GOD FOR A WEEK OFF!!! I was really starting to struggle around the school this past week. Man, when the kids go home at 3, I am DONE for the day. Anthony is getting so heavy and weighing me down...and my bladder! I can't believe it is already Wednesday and I only have 4 more days before I have to go back to work and stand on my feet all day.

Well, Monday Robby and I went to see both doctors, first to Dr. Rowe. We looked at the placenta and of course it was still there...in the way. He has been SOOOOO optimistic all these visits, but this time he got realistic on us. He said that he WOULD NOT go one day after 37 weeks of pregnancy to take the baby for my health and the baby's. It gets too risky past 37 weeks with bleeding and then having a big mess on your hands (or his hands :). However, taking the baby that soon would cause some lung complications. White males seem to develop their lungs later than females. So he might have to get some oxygen treatments because of what he called "wet lungs". We were a little shocked (thinking he would say more like 38 weeks) but he assured us that this was the best way to go and the baby would be fine. He already weighs 5 lbs. 7 oz., so with a few more weeks (and gaining 1/2 lb a week) he should be around 7 lbs. Dr. Rowes window was between 36 weeks (Dec. 8th) and 37 weeks (Dec. 15th) for the c-section and that my OBGYN (now Dr. Nisbet) would schedule the appt and let us know what the date would be. We made it pretty clear that we would like to have him at 37 weeks so his lungs could have another week to develop.

After Doctor Rowes appt, we went across the hall to Dr. Nisbet. She agreed with Rowe and said she would set up the c-section and let us know the next day when it would be. She talked to us a little about the procedure (or major surgery that is) and wants to see me every week until the surgery.

Well, we were out and about doing some Christmas shopping yesterday and getting last minute baby stuff done, when we got the phone call. Dr. Nisbet had scheduled the appt for Dec. 11th (Thursday) at 7 am. We were a little concerned about that date and put a call back in to the Dr. about moving it to the 37th week. Dr. Nisbet did call us back and discussed she would be out of town the next week and said she would try to see if Dr. Files and Rowe could do it. At this point we really don't care who delivers the baby since Phillips was suppose to and is no longer working there. Dr. Rowe is the closest doctor to us and we would really feel much more confortable if he could be the one doing it. They have expressed their concern about having 2 doctors during the surgery because of where the placenta is placed low and in front. If they cut into the placenta there will be a "bloody mess" on their hands. That is what they said. YIKES...I hope I make it ok. The baby will be fine because they will take him first then deal with me. I think I'd like 2 docs too!!!

Well, we will let you know if that date changes. But looks like baby A will be here in a couple weeks. Below are some pictures of my Texas City shower that I had on Nov 15th. It was a huge shower and we got LOTS of stuff. Thanks to Tootie, Michelle, Liz, Jennie, Janet, Kayla, Jane, and Carol for giving me the shower. It was beautiful!!!



Here are the letters I made using the sports theme for Anthony's name. It hangs right above his crib.


This is about 3/4ths of the gifts we got at the shower (the big stuff is in the garage)...we had a lot to go through!


Thanks to all my wonderful Hostesses!!!


My Aunt Lil made this blanket with a wedding picture of me and Rob in the middle...what an awesome keepsake!!!


This had to be one of my FAVORITE gifts...an SFA jersey! Thanks Emily. Oh, and her mom, Susan got me a Coach diaper bag and is making me a puppy dog quilt...you're the best Susan!!!


Sis-n-law, Michelle, and me. Thanks Michi for taking all the notes!


Shout out to Michi and cousin Lauren for helping at the shower. Lauren took all the pictures!

Placenta Update

Went to Dr. Rowe about a week ago and of course the placenta has not shifted at all. It looks like it is still in the same spot. The tech that was doing my ultrasound said it would probably stay that way and C-section would be in my future...however when Dr. Rowe arrived, he is soooo optimistic, he said we still have time for it to move out of the way. I told him about going into the hospital and his advice for me was to take it easy and STAY AWAY FROM SICK PEOPLE!!! I sorta laughed because well..I teach 1st grade and staying away from sick people (kids) is not possible. Just this week I've been sneezed and coughed on numerous times. I asked (kinda in a joking way and kinda not) if that meant I needed to go on bed rest. He said no and we'd discuss it more on my next visit. As long as I'm not bleeding or having early signs of labor I'm fine to keep working for now.

Oh my...during the ultrasound I just couldn't believe how big and developed he was. I said "I can't imagine what a 3-D ultrasound would look like". And before I knew it the tech switched wands and there he was ... in 3-D. He was beautiful! His nose and lips were so cute. We got to see him frown and smile...it was wild! I did get a few pictures of it and wish I could upload them to my computer but don't have a scanner. Maybe I'll try taking them to school to see if I can scan them in there.

Yesterday I went to my 2 week checkup with my OB and find out that she no longer works there! She is pregnant too and started having early labor so went on bed rest. But she won't be coming back after the baby...so looks like I'll be finding a new doc. One of the other doctors there in the office will be delivering me and I'm fine with that...as long as Anthony comes out fine. As for the weight gaining...whoops, that 1 pound that I was suppose to gain turned in to 5 pounds :(
That makes my weight 155. Prepregnancy I was 127, so that is a total of 28 pounds. So now I need to slow it down a little and really just stick to about 1 pound every 2 weeks. As of yesterday (Monday) I am 32 weeks and have 7 weeks left until the C-section (at 39 weeks) unless they move it up more. Dr. Rowe makes that decision. I go back to see him over the Thanksgiving break and then probably 2 more times after that.

Well, sadly I am leaving my 20's thursday. Yes that is right - I turn 30 on the 13th! Robby and I thought we'd be done having kids by our 30's but it doesn't always turn out the way you dreamed. We are just happy that kids are in our future!!! Thank GOD. Anthony is a miracle baby and we just can't wait to meet him. My parents are coming into town this week to celebrate my birthday, go to my BIG baby shower, and to Robby's playoff game. We have a very busy weekend ahead (so you know I probably won't blog until next week (if you're lucky):)

As much as I would like football season to be over so I can have my husband back, I am very happy for him and for the Kempner Football team that they made it to the playoffs. We play Clear Lake this weekend and I think we can beat them...but we'll see. WAY TO GO COUGARS!!!

Kelly

A Trip to the Hospital and a Baby Shower!!!

Man, what a week! I got word back from Dr. Phillips that I had failed my 1 hour glucose test. Guess I shouldn't have eaten the Ultimate Breakfast Jack from Jack in the Box and some coffee with creamer that morning! Oops! So I had to schedule a 3 hour glucose test for last Wednesday morning. This time the drink was red and had like 3 times the sugar as the last one I drank. I had to have my blood drawn 4 times that morning, every hour. Just so you know I have already gotten word back from the Doc that I passed and everything is ok...YEA!

Thursday at work (Oct. 23) I was coughing, as usual, trying to get all the flem up and suddenly felt this sharp pain in my chest that lasted about 15 minutes. It made me get light headed and dizzy and very clammy feeling. I had to leave my classroom and go into a room next door where our reading recovery teacher was. I asked her if I looked pale and she said yes and went to get the nurse. Because I had said the words "chest pain" and "shortness of breath" she decided to call 911, which landed me in an ambulance and on the way to Clear Lake Hospital. Once I got into the ambulance I had already started feeling better and wanted to turn around and go back. Not happening!!! I got to the hospital and my mother-n-law and Robby met me there. I had a lot of tests run: xrays, Doppler on my legs (checking for blood clots), Cat Scan, etc. Everything came back fine except the Cat Scan. It showed what they thought might be possible pneumonia in the lower left lung area. Well, I had been coughing for now over 4 weeks, so it makes sense. They went ahead and admitted me to the hospital and I had to stay over night. They started me on 2 different antibiotics Thursday night. Friday morning a had more tests run: an EKG and an Echo. Both came back fine. An internal medicine doctor came by to see Robby and me and discussed what he thought it was and decided to put me on oral meds instead of IV meds. The nurse went ahead and took the IV out. They monitored the baby's heart beat several times while I was there and he had a great heart rate every time. Dr. Phillips came by, said she wanted me to stay one more night (Friday night). I tried to explain to her that my first baby shower was the very next day, Saturday, in DALLAS!!! That didn't seem to bother her and still wanted me to stay, even though I had NOTHING hooked up to me and ALL my tests came back good. Friday night I asked the nurse what time the Doctor on-call would come by in the morning to release me and I told her my situation with my Dallas shower. She said she would try to do what she could. A couple hours later she came back into the room, said she talked to the doctor on-call and the doctor said I could go ahead and go home. I started to cry, I was sooooo happy that I would make it to my Dallas shower. My mother-n-law took me home and came to pick me back up Saturday morning and we headed to Dallas. I don't know what I would do without her. Thank you Cindy!!! I am still taking my antibiotics and actually feeling much better. The cough is finally coming to an end.

Well, I had my first baby shower in Dallas this weekend. It was wonderful. My Aunt Karen put the shower on for me and it was beautiful. I received lots of goodies. My nieces where there and were a big help too. I have lots of pictures below of the shower.

I also went to my 2 week OB follow up appointment today. Everything is measuring good and the baby's heart beat was 140...good! I did get into a little trouble because I had not gained any weight for 4 weeks. She told me I needed to be gaining 1/2 a pound each week from this point on. I guess being sick for the last month has kept me from gaining weight...because I am eating!!!

I go to Dr. Rowe to check the placenta Wednesday after school, so hopefully it has moved. I'll blog then to update y'all.

Enjoy the pics!
Kelly


My best friend Ruth, and me!



The Mimi's. This is my mimi and Robby's mimi.



The soon to be grandparents!!! My mom and Rob's mom.




The Host, Aunt Karen and me.


Cheyenne and Sierra were a BIG help!



My Mimi made this football quilt with Anthony's name on it.



I received lots of personal items with Anthony's name



Got to love the Activity Gym!



All my wonderful goodies!!!

Glucose Test, 28 Weeks/7 months!!!

Well, it's been awhile since I've blogged and I have a lot to say. At the end of September I went back to Dr. Rowe to see if the placenta had moved out of the way of my cervix...and the answer was NO. Still there!!! It didn't look like it had moved at all. Dr. Rowe seemed very confident that it still might and wants me to continue to come back each month to monitor it until up to delivery. If it does not move we will schedule a c-section probably sometime after Christmas but before New Years. So we will probably have a little baby boy for Christmas this year :) But cross your fingers and say a prayer that the placenta moves out of the way.

My mother in law has been AWESOME...thanks to her the baby's room is almost complete. We painted (or she did) the room two different colors divided by a chair rail. Cindy did all she could and then my father-n-law completed it. He painted the top of the room and installed the chair rail. There is just a little touch-ups to do then we can put the furniture in place. I can't wait for the room to look like a room!!! My first baby shower is Oct 25th in Dallas and I want to come home and be able to organized the stuff I get.

I went to my friends, Hayley's, shower a couple weeks ago and WOW...she got so much stuff...cute stuff for boys and girls. It kinda got me excited about everything. Her mother took a picture of us (which is posted below)...yes, my belly is getting big.

Everyone keeps asking me, "Are you ready for the baby?" ... Well, honestly NO. I couldn't imagine having a baby yet. I know it's a little TOO late and he's coming no matter what...but I'm getting a little nervous. If I have a c-section then there really is about 10 weeks left and the weeks are flying. I hope this is a normal feeling and I'm not a BAD mom already. I'm sure I'll be ready to meet him more in November or December...but right now...SHIT...what do I do? I have NO idea how to have a baby or what to do with him. I know I'll have a lot of help with Robby, and my mom and Cindy (mother-n-law). I tried to sign up for a "baby class" today with the cradle club at the Clear Lake Hospital, but all classes were full. So now I'm really nervous. The lady told me to try Women's Hospital, so I'll do that tomorrow.

Today I went for the glucose test where you drink that yummy orange drink and wait an hour and then have blood work. It wasn't bad at all. Everyone told me the drink was bad, but it really didn't taste that bad. I drank it in a few minutes and then as I waited I had my OB visit while I was there. Rob took the day off to go with me. Today's visit (28 weeks) started the 2 week appointments. So I will be going back every 2 weeks from now on. First thing Dr. said to me when she walked in the room was to go home and take my heels off!!! No more heels, only flats. I wish she could have written my a prescription to wear FLIP FLOPS to work the rest of the pregnancy...but I will wear them anyway. The baby's heartbeat was good, I think it was 130 (the lowest it's been), but in the normal range. My belly measured 29, so a little on the bigger side, but in normal range. Then she prescribed me vicotin...that's a whole other story...

About 2 1/2 weeks ago I started getting that drainage in my troat. Then I started coughing a little. Then it turned into that HACKing cough where I couldn't stop. It was horrible! I went to the doctor and she put me on several drugs over the counter that was safe to take...but nothing seemed to help the cough. I lost my voice and a few days of work. Then last Sunday (a week ago) I coughed so bad that I thought I had broken a rib or two. Man, it hurt so bad and I was in severe pain for about 3 days and decided to go back to the doctor. Thank God Robby went with me, because she sent me over to the hospital to have x-rays for my chest and ribs. The results came back fine...no cracked ribs and no signs of pneumonia...thank God. She gave me some cough med with a little vicotin in it for the pain. The cough has finally eased up, but the pain is horrible. I can't sleep at night, pick up my purse, turn to the side, bend down to scoop the dog food...nothing. So this morning when I went for my OB visit she gave me a pain med...yes, more vicotin. Surely she wouldn't be giving me meds that would harm my baby! I am a little worried about taking them, but the pain is so bad. Robby is afraid we are going to have a "crack baby". That's the first thing he said when we got in the car. I hope I start to feel better soon. Lots of people are saying their cough lasted a month...so I'm almost there!

Well, I hope I didn't leave anything out.
Will blog and post Dallas shower pictures soon!



The almost completed baby's room!



Hayley's Shower...and our bellies!!!