The Bittersweetness & Update

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he bittersweetness.  Yesterday one of the nurses that was with us in ER when trying to revive Matthew two years ago, came up to visit us in our room, to CELEBRATE LIFE.    We have seen Cindy numerous times since Matthew’s death in ER (broken fingers, kidney stones, carbon monoxide poisoning, etc.) and she wanted to know when our new little blessing arrived.  She came up the day Nathan was born and then again yesterday with a big blue teddybear and onsie.  It was just a sweetness . . . her holding our new life.  The circle of life and death, and a little more healing.

GOING HOME! ~ GOING HOME! ~ GOING HOME!

UPDATE on baby ~  I had this all pre-written earlier this morning because we were told there was no way we could go home today.  BUT, the pediatrician checked him and his lungs are TOTALLY CLEAR (PRAISE GOD!!), and he is happy with the way the SMS feeding is going (see yesterday’s post). We have to see the doc on Friday to get his weight checked. 

No news is good new here!  I am going to go home and snuggle with the kids, be in my OWN bed, and even appreciate the cobwebs on the ceiling!  I have to call the U-Haul company to get me moved out of here!   

The Bittersweetness & Update

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he bittersweetness.  Yesterday one of the nurses that was with us in ER when trying to revive Matthew two years ago, came up to visit us in our room, to CELEBRATE LIFE.    We have seen Cindy numerous times since Matthew’s death in ER (broken fingers, kidney stones, carbon monoxide poisoning, etc.) and she wanted to know when our new little blessing arrived.  She came up the day Nathan was born and then again yesterday with a big blue teddybear and onsie.  It was just a sweetness . . . her holding our new life.  The circle of life and death, and a little more healing.

GOING HOME! ~ GOING HOME! ~ GOING HOME!

UPDATE on baby ~  I had this all pre-written earlier this morning because we were told there was no way we could go home today.  BUT, the pediatrician checked him and his lungs are TOTALLY CLEAR (PRAISE GOD!!), and he is happy with the way the SMS feeding is going (see yesterday’s post). We have to see the doc on Friday to get his weight checked. 

No news is good new here!  I am going to go home and snuggle with the kids, be in my OWN bed, and even appreciate the cobwebs on the ceiling!  I have to call the U-Haul company to get me moved out of here!   

Little Nathan Update

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ince so many have asked about the surgery and a baby update, here it is!   It was a LONG surgery yesterday. The doc had lots of adhessions and scar tissue to go through.  The surgery was almost 2 hours long.  Thankfully all went well with it.  There were no side affects with the spinal like I had last time, and Nathan came out screaming!  Though my blood pressure stayed high until late last night, today it is great.  I am moving about and at this point feel this is the least pain I’ve had after a c/s (a definite praise!)

Our twin daughter Heidi was in the surgery and was thrilled being a part of that.  She was at the baby’s side as soon as he was out, watching as they cleaned him up and took him to the nursery.  The disppointing thing for her is she took lots of pics in the OR and they all disappeared from the digital camera.  She was quite bummed. 

All the children and Norm’s parents were up yesterday, which made for a wonderful time of rejoicing.  The little ones were especially excited and wanting lots of hands on! 

Nathan is having a tough time with nursing.  He does have some slight breathing problems.  The docs and nurses here call it "singing" where he just does a lot of noises as he is breathing, esp. if he is upset.  We’ve only had a few good feedings.  It seems to tire him more and he just does not know what to do.  Today, at 5:00 they are going to weigh him again, and if he has lost more weight than they MAY want a "gavage" feeding, which is a tube from his mouth right to his stomach, for a quick feeding of formula and then tube removed.  Those that got my recent e-mail update, there is another idea the head nurse just told me about, we prefer, and she is going to check with the pediatrician, and that is a SNS feeding (supplemental nursing system) which is me still nursing him but having a very thin, fine, tube also inserted in his mouth which he will barely be able to feel, and be able to get some formula (or breastmilk later if I have to continue this and pump).  This sounds so much less invassive than a tube feeding and something I could do at home too.  (UPDATE:  He weighed 5 lbs. 4 oz. tonight, so more loss than the doc wanted.)

It’s still hard, as I’ve never had a baby struggle with nursing.  Otherwise, he seems to be doing well.  Of course we think he’s pretty adorable.  I will put a few more pics on my blog along with this info too.

So we are prayful this will correct quickly.  We are rejoicing with how he well he really is doing, and actually, this is probably minor with the nursing.  It’s a joy to hold this little guy and know God’s blessing on our family. 

HE IS HERE! REJOICE WITH US!

Less Than 24 Hours – A BABY!

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N less than 24 hours, we should have a baby!  The week in the hospital has been LONG!  Have I mentioned yet how boring it’s been?!?!  Thankfully I have at least been able to get out of the room for wheelchair rides and short walks down the hall so I don’t get blood clots. Our older daughters have been taking turns spending the night with me.  We do not have the Hallmark channel at home, and here we can see how that channel could become addicting.  Yesterday we watched Sarah Plain & Tall, Skylark and Winter’s End – one right after the next.  It’s been a long time since I have seen them and I don’t think I even ever saw the last one.  BP has been better, though again last night I had a couple spikes that had to watch.

I am not sure when we will be able to give the details when the baby is born. I am at this time the only c-section for the day, but could easily be bumped if there is an emergency.  They are planning for it sometime in the afternoon.  The nurses tell me not to say the "Q" word (quiet) which it is here right now.  I am excited and anxious.  We are just praying this little guy’s lungs are well developed that he won’t have any side affects and/or breathing problems.  If he has serious problems, he’d have to be aero-med to another hospital with a NICU, which would be so hard.  There will be a pediatrician in the OR, so we are prepared.  One of our older twin daughters will be in the surgery with me and taking pictures.  She is SO excited.  I don’t know how SHE will be able to sleep tonight!

We are ready.  Baby’s little clothes are here.  Camera is ready.  We are ready for a joyous celebration! 

Hospital Bedrest Continues

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ou’d think with all this bedrest and boring time here in the hospital I’d have numerous posts a day, but my mind has been cloudy and even with being in bed around the clock, I am tired!  Sleep is just not the same as being in my own bed, with my own pillows and my husband.  Since being here I have played musical rooms 3 times with probably another room change back to OB either today or tomorrow.  I am in "accute" right now, because OB was overflowing.  Yesterday my OB delivered 6 babies in less than 24 hours.  I’d rather be in OB hearing babies crying than the very sick people here – including an emergency one night with the "code" and "stat" announcements, and later hearing people crying outside my room.  I assume someone may have died.  The OB nurses still come over here to check on me, so I don’t have nurses that are dealing with the seriously ill bringing in those germs.  The first night in accute I did not sleep well at all . . .  last night was better.

Yesterday I had several visitors besides family which helped pass the day.  Another friend who has been at several of my past c-section births and at my homebirth spent the evening with me which was great encouaragement.  The nurses here have really been wonderful.  The head nurse/manager I cannot say enough about.  She just has been so caring, dealing with my emotional ups and downs, and sitting down with me even after her long stressful days.  This morning she stopped in my room on her way over to OB before even checking in, with her coat on and just a great encourager. 

I’ve had a few laughs with my OB too.  She came in yesterday afternoon when I was dealing with another headache and half asleep.  I thought at first she was a friend and said "come on in girl" – to see it’s my OB.  I was rather embarassed, but she was fine.  I just cannot convince her for me to go home for a "day visit" or anything.  Before she left the room she offered to put my shade down so I could sleep better.  I told her it was nice seeing the sunshine and and blue skies.  She told me by the time I get out of here all the snow should be melted – with my reply of "and there will be leaves on the trees and flowers in full bloom!"  Sigh . . . Actually, now it’s in the forecast of a snowstorm this weekend. I’ve gotten some flowers, so it does look a little springy in here! 

This morning Norm came in with all the kids except our oldest who’s at college classes.  They did real good.  One wall in my room has quite a collage of drawings and notes.  Thanks for the many e-mails.  I can’t reply to them all, but they are read and appreciated! 

Hospital Bed Rides

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he highlight of my long Tuesday in this hospital:  GIGGLES from the youngest two getting rides with mama on her hospital bed!    Daddy brought two of the kids in the afternoon, so our youngest got her first hospital bed ride and went home later and bragged about her rides with mama.  So when the next youngest came with big brother to the hospital tonight she HAD to have a bed ride too!  The hard part was she cried when she had to leave.  She wanted to stay and snuggle with mama.  Big brother had to bribe her with a trip to the store and her pick of a candybar. 

Monday night was a LONG night.  They had me on a Non Stress Test  (NST) monitor throughout the night.  The things they attach to my belly are super sensitive, so if I move and/or baby moves, it can lose the heartbeat, and they have to come back in and re-adjust – like ALL NIGHT LONG!  By 5:30 a.m. I had not slept at all.  THIS IS BEDREST???  I finally told the nurse that I would definitely get more rest at home than here, and THIS will make my BP go up.  She was real sweet and understanding and said she’d adjust one more time and then wait ’til shift change – 3 hours of sleep.  The OB thankfully did change the orders in the morning for the NST to be done every 8 hours and BP every 4 hours – unless there is a bad reading. 

The nurses and doctors have been great, so I have not much to complain about.  It was neat to hear my nurse say today how she was busy with the 2nd delivery for today in case she cannot get my call light right away, and I asked her if she has adrenaline rushes with each birth.  She said she is "awestruck" each time – and still marvels over the miracle of birth.  That was precious to hear.

If you are a pregnant mom, or know someone who is pregnant, you might want to check out Contemporary Baby.  They have a contest going on for moms who will be delivering in 2007, and the top prize is valued at over $150 worth of neat baby products.  Deadline is the end of the month to sign-up by.  Check it out!  

In Other Words: Taste & See

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ow often is it we blindly read through a passage of Scripture, just to say we have "done devotions" to not have a clue of what we have read.  I mentioned in the beginning of the year how I am attempting again to read through the Bible this year, but if I am just reading the required reading for the day, and glean nothing from it, is that profitable for me spiritually?  Instead, if God pricks my heart with looking up a topic or going to a certain passage and reading just a few verses to soak in and meditate on for that day, I believe that is the direction God would have me savor those few Words than skimming over numerous chapters.

"O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"
Psalm 34:8 (NASB)

The other day one of our teen boys came home late after missing supper and was "starving".  He told dad, "I am just going to stand in front of the refridgerator and inhale." I think at times our teen boys DO inhale their food, and never really taste it!  When we really taste our food and enjoy it, we don’t inhale it and get on to the next bite but savor each bite, enjoying the goodness of it.  When we stop, taste and savor God’s Word – even a familiar Scripture verse, God may show us something new in that verse that we need for now. 

What sweets are awaiting us in one or two verses today that God wants to speak to us through?

This week, "In ‘Other’ Words" is hosted by Laurel Wreath. Be sure to visit Laurel’s blog to link to the other women’s interpretations on this quote. 

In Other Words: Taste & See

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ow often is it we blindly read through a passage of Scripture, just to say we have "done devotions" to not have a clue of what we have read.  I mentioned in the beginning of the year how I am attempting again to read through the Bible this year, but if I am just reading the required reading for the day, and glean nothing from it, is that profitable for me spiritually?  Instead, if God pricks my heart with looking up a topic or going to a certain passage and reading just a few verses to soak in and meditate on for that day, I believe that is the direction God would have me savor those few Words than skimming over numerous chapters.

"O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"
Psalm 34:8 (NASB)

The other day one of our teen boys came home late after missing supper and was "starving".  He told dad, "I am just going to stand in front of the refridgerator and inhale." I think at times our teen boys DO inhale their food, and never really taste it!  When we really taste our food and enjoy it, we don’t inhale it and get on to the next bite but savor each bite, enjoying the goodness of it.  When we stop, taste and savor God’s Word – even a familiar Scripture verse, God may show us something new in that verse that we need for now. 

What sweets are awaiting us in one or two verses today that God wants to speak to us through?

This week, "In ‘Other’ Words" is hosted by Laurel Wreath. Be sure to visit Laurel’s blog to link to the other women’s interpretations on this quote. 

Now Hospital Bedrest

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ell, I am back in the hospital.  The blood pressure is back up and protein showing up again.  The OB wants me to stay in the hospital until the baby is born.  I am not thrilled.  But with how high the BP was going up and being early for the baby to be born, they want me close by in case of an emergency and being we have lost a baby in the past to a placenta abruption which is a risk right now.  Their goal is to get me to 36 weeks – I am 35 weeks today.  A week sounds like a longgg time here.  So I got a few books here, my laptop, the phone to keep in touch with the kids and a long wait . . . .   I am hopeful the BP can go down some and stay down that I could be sent home.  Prayers appreciated.