7 posts tagged “#2”

Remember that commercial? For long distance I think, only it was Bob and the baby was a boy. Anyway, I shall spare you the gruesome details but confirm that I did indeed have a baby girl just 5 days ago. She, now known as "The Princess" in this vox, was born at 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday. 7 pounds, 4 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long. When I went to the OB Tuesday morning (11:30 am) they confirmed what I had thought on Monday--that I was indeed in labor. I was already 4 cm dilated, 80% effaced whatever the hell that means and according to the doc who very Ungently checked my cervix, my membranes were "bulging". Alrighty then...

Long story short, around 3:30ish they ruptured my bulging membranes (and holy crap I did not realize what that meant. I would much much rather have my water break on its own than go through that again...), and I made it to 6 cm dilated before I got the epidural. I had asked for it at 5 cm because once again the pain went all to my back. And I'm sorry but I can't deal with back pain. So I called uncle, and had to wait because the lady in the room next to me had some kind of problems with her epidural. When it finally came the anesthesiologist kept saying what a strong back I had. It took us only 5 minutes. That was at 5:06 p.m. At 5:14 p.m. I was fully (10 cm) dilated. And after a few quick pushes out she came. I managed to do it without any tearing or episiotomy--and then they put her on me, cord attached, icky all over her and I didn't realize that the placenta was still coming out. And they didn't tell me. So instead of pushing I was trying to figure out how to politely say "Can you clean this baby now?". Oh, and there was the crying and being grateful for a healthy baby and a girl and all that. So I was distracted. And the damn placenta tore me! How could a placenta do that?? See, I knew my placenta still hated me. So my poor girlie bits are still sore and I still had to get stitches and it's a bitch.

She is doing very well, came out ready to eat, and is doing her favorite thing right now--sleeping. She sleeps a lot, unfortunately not so much at 3 am. But we're getting there. SkyWalker is doing WONDERFUL with her and loves her and pronounces her name right and wants to hug his "baby sister" all the time.

They are both waking from their naps right now. Aside from the normal tiredness and the uncomfortableness of stitches and not being able to poop easily, things are going swimmingly. Vader is being a huge help, as he should be, and I'm sure I'll be back on my feet in no time. :-)

So I feel a little better today. Vader and I had a long talk last night, initiated by him which was weird because he doesn't usually do that right before bed and because it was all about what we're doing with SkyWalker when I'm at the hospital. The timing was very odd... anyway, we decided that after #2 is born Vader and SkyWalker will spend the nights at home while I'm in the hospital with #2. As much as I need Vader to be with me I realized a few things last night:

1) He was no help at night. I distinctly remember SkyWalker waking up and me not being able to get up (with the whole passing out after losing so much blood thing) and having to SCREAM at Vader to wake up so he could get him. And throw a pillow at him. When he finally woke up I remember crying and saying "What good are you if you can't even wake up??" And I know it was difficult each time waking him up, that was just the WORST.

2) The second night we had the nurses take SkyWalker to the nursery so we could sleep for 4-6 hours.

3) I will be up every 2 hours feeding and not sleeping anyway.

If Vader is at home with SkyWalker (at night) then at least SkyWalker's routine will not be totally screwed up (whenever I work the night he goes to sleep without me there anyway). And the dogs will be okay. And if Vader is sleeping at night then he will be more help during the day. It makes more sense for them to be home. I can deal with SkyWalker being away during the day (although I'm sure he'll visit) because that's what's happening now. And as much as I don't want to be away from him at night at least he'll be in his own bed.

Of course if I go to the hospital in the middle of the night then we'll have to drop him off at BF's house to sleep there until I deliver.

I did some research last night and I think I've diagnosed myself. The pain I've been having sounds very much like symphysis pubis dysfunction. Aside from hearing any clicking noise when I walk, I've got all of the other symptoms. And I found a reference that says that some women continue to have this pain when they get their periods. The last time I had those I was getting such bad pain on the first day that I went to the doc to see if I had endometriosis. I think it's more likely that it's this. I printed out some exercises to do (ha), but basically I think I just need to take it easy and have this baby.

Vader is working late again tonight and I really need to come up with something other than waffles for dinner.

I'm started to feel pressure to get everything done. That's a lie. I've been feeling the pressure since day 1, I know I've talked about it here before. But it's been much much worse. Walking is somewhat difficult right now, I'm having LOTS of pelvic soreness and pain (Ladies, do those kegels) and I'm predicting that if I don't go early I will at least be off my feet before I hit my due date. I am 30 weeks now, which leaves me with 6-10 weeks left. I hope at least 6 weeks.... Anyway, I'm feeling the pressure.

Last night I opened up the box with the bookcase we got delivered from Target.com... and naturally the top shelf is broken. Sigh. So we have to have a new one shipped and then ship this one back. The target man was very nice but it's still a pain in the ass. On top of that, we're shipping the i7500 BLK from i-Luv.com that Vader bought for me for Christmas because the LCD crapped out on us. Bah! But anyway, when I opened the bookcase I just wanted to cry.

Mostly what I am hyperventilating about is what I'm going to do with SkyWalker when I'm in the hospital. My best friend will take care of him but the idea of spending the night away from him just makes me sick. We have never done that. Actually, Vader may have for some work-trial-thing. But Mommy has never spent the night away from him. In fact we haven't left him with a babysitter for over a year. I believe when the last Star Wars movie came out. I should probably have him sleep over at my best friend's house (she has a boy 9 months younger and they LOVE each other) but I can't even come to terms with doing *that*. I know I've posted here before about coming home and having himout with my husband and feeling so totally empty... I know that when I'm in the hospital I'll have other things to do (like bleed and push a baby out and nurse and all that) but I have a physical need to be with my boy. That sounds a little sick when I write it... I swear it's not sick. There's a reason I'm going to work part-time. I NEED to be with my kid(s).

I know a lot of moms would just send their husbands home to be with the first kid. But I couldn't do it without him the first time. I don't know if I can be without Vader. I should just give birth at home. Yeah, the dogs will love that.

Hence, I am hyperventilating.

I left work an hour early and SkyWalker and I made it home at our normal time. The roads are not good, visibility is not good, my wipers kept freezing over. The library closed early at 5.

This has no effect on my husband. He is *still* working late. He's not planning on leaving any earlier than he did last night. He is an idiot. He's driving the Civic, which is not good in the snow, and he'll probably be home even later because of the conditions. And I need him home because it is impossible for me to give SkyWalker a bath and get him to bed by myself.

And this working late and weekends thing might be happening until May. Actually he said until #2 is born. Joy.

As soon as we got home I updated the library blog and the event keeper to say the library closed at 5 because I am a good little webmistress. I also added a headline something or other from the library blog on the library's website to try to entice people to go there. I only have 3 links to it on the main page already.

The one benefit of the snow is that I don't have to worry about muddy dogs. Snow is much easier.

I wonder if I'm so tired because #2 doesn't stop kicking me. It's constantly pushing. I have images of it trying to claw its way out of my womb. Please let it stay in until May.

I can't remember how long it's been since I updated last, but I've been told it's been a while. ;-)

#2's room has been successfully painted (white), the crib has been put together (by my amazing husband on Saturday while taking care of SkyWalker at the same time), the dresser has made it upstairs and all of the gender neutral newborn onesies and outfits are in it. I need to get a bookshelf (I already have one picked out--the same one I bought for SkyWalker) and little odds and ends, but the major things are done. The car seat still has to be installed but I think I would be pushing it if we did that this soon.

I'm only 28 weeks.

I feel somewhat silly pressuring myself to get all of this done, but then I look at my pregnancy scrapbook from last time and we got the room together and the car seat installed and it was literally the next week that I was in the hospital with the second bout of bleeding and subsequently had a preemie child. I am taking no chances this time. That and the fact that I think as time goes on there will be less and less that I can do. Physically or mentally.

A couple of weeks ago I had a lovely surprise. Some out of town friends came to see me (expected) and threw me a mini-shower! Totally not expected! Complete with vegan cupcakes. It was just amazing. The generosity of this group of friends literally brought me to tears. I am truly honored to know them.

SkyWalker has been particularly funny lately. I taught him to say "mommy's womb" when I ask him where the baby is. I can't wait for someone to say something about a baby in my tummy and have him say "No! woooomb!!!". I love it. He has a Thomas tattoo on his arm and proudly showed Pop (who also has tattoos) on his arms. He called it a sticker for a  few days but he's finally accepted the fact that it's a tattoo.

There's stuff going on at work... I don't really want to say too much since this is a public blog and I make no attempt at hiding it. But let's just say we're in between a rock and a hard place--more money for us at the expense of the part timers that make this place run. And considering that I would like to be one of those part timers the rock I'm stuck next to is even bigger....

I worked all day alone since BossMan was in the courthouse waiting to be picked or hopefully not picked for jury duty. I told him to say inappropriate things and to simply tell them that his pregnant co-worker isn't allowing him jury duty anyway. It would be a 4 week trial. That would suck. A lot.

Friday is my next Level 2 ultrasound. I wonder if we'll get another 3D pic. That would be cool. Oh--we went to the consultation with the surgeon last week. Surgery is not a given--they want to avoid it for as long as they can. They'll monitor my ultrasounds and see the progress and they're still hoping that this will work itself out. And there's no reason for us not to have more kids. Because SkyWalker had hypospadious there is a greater chance that if this is a boy he may also have it. Which would royally suck if it turns out that surgery is necessary for the kidney. That would be two surgeries by 6 months old (kidneys by 3 months, hyspospadious at 6). That's a bit much. Am I selfish for wanting this to be a girl?

I had my checkup on Thursday. Everything's all good. I have to go every 2 weeks now. I got the shot in my ass (I'm rH negative) and I'm up to 114. I can't imagine gaining another 10 pounds in the next 10 weeks but I suppose it can be done. They don't seem concerned (although she did mention that I had lost a pound. Well, yeah, you made me fast for the damn glucose test and then you made me wait in the waiting room forever. I'm sure I've gained the pound back since then).

SkyWalker is sitting next to me on the couch watching his fire truck movie (bire cuck moo-yee). He has him arm around me like he's on a date and looking to get some. It's quite funny. He also smells like urine. That's not that funny. Daddy will be home soon so as long as it's just urine I'm not getting up. Although I suppose I should make dinner soon.

Haze has just relocated so she is sitting directly in front of me. On guard. Her neck is craned. It's funny. She's my little puppy girl. Oh--that's what SkyWalker has been doing! I was in the bathroom yesterday and I come out and see him at the back door--with it wide open--wearing his scarf and hat, coat in his hands, calling the dogs. He let them out. And apparently decided they should come in. At least he didn't leave but his hat and scarf being on was scary. And then when we got home today I let the dogs out, hung up my coat, heard the scratching on the door, and saw him run to it, so I ran to it, but he was closer and well, faster, so he got there first and let them in! Which could be useful if he would promise not to go out himself. But 2 year olds are not to be trusted, so the door has to be locked all the time now. Knowing Haze she would lead him to gate and between the two of them they'd figure out how to get out of the fenced yard and run free.

I really should make dinner now. Sometimes I wish we didn't live so far out. Delivery is never an option. Ever. We have never had food delivered. Ugh. And now I am starving.

I know I've bored you all ad nauseum with SkyWalker's sleeping problems of late. I bought a Thomas the Tank Engine fleece blanket to entice him to his bed. No go. My mother bought him an entire Thomas toddler bedding set and a little Thomas flash light. I put the comforter on his bed and the sheets in the wash. He slept with the flash light, on the floor, but once Vader put him in bed under the comforter he did stay there all night. So it was progress. I finally did his laundry yesterday and put the sheets on the bed. The fitted sheet, the flat sheet, and I even got one of the pillows from the other room and put the pillowcase on it. He's never slept with a flat sheet or pillow, but I figured what the hell? I put the fleece blanket and comforter back on so the entire bed was just THOMAS. Apparently while I was at work he napped for 2 hours. In his bed. Okay, fine. We put him to bed last night, he said "I want night-night", crawled in his bed and stayed there.

I can no longer hate Thomas the Tank Engine. Even if he is a whiny baby.

We're having snack time right now and for some unknown reason SkyWalker flipped out when he caught sight of the old Veggie Puffs in the closet. He hasn't had these since he was a baby, but I brought them down for him, in addition to his animal crackers and Nilla Wafers. I made the mistake of letting him pour some of the puffs on his tray. And then leaving the canister within reach. He has emptied the entire thing on his tray. It is hilarious. Luckily these are really baby snacks, a serving size is 80 pieces, so I don't think it'll spoil his dinner.

We went to the OB for my regular checkup. He was such a good boy. Every once in a while I have to take him out in public to remind myself of how good he really is. The OB didn't seem too concerned when I told him what happened at the ultrasound on Friday. He's glad that it's being monitored with the ultrasounds, but is under the impression that a lot of cases clear up on their own. I did some research myself and found an article written by the surgeon who would do it (the one who did SkyWalker's hypospadious surgery) and the article says the same thing--surgery is a last resort and it was comforting to read that this doctor doesn't advocate immediate surgery. So I feel a little bit better than I did last week.  He also said that there's no reason for us not to have more kids.

I'll have to do that glucose gestational diabetes icky drink test soon. As well as get a shot in my ass again. We're up to visits every 2 weeks now. I can't believe I'm at that point already. Although by this time last time (25 weeks) I was only 11 weeks away from delivering. Kinda scary when I think about it. I have to be prepared to go at 36 weeks again, actually I should be prepared to go at 34, but man I am so NOT prepared.

SkyWalker has the hiccups and it's amusing me. Looks like someone is playing with his massive tray of puffs now, I should probably pay attention...

And unfortunately I'm not talking about the kind with copper (do they still use copper?) pipes.

We had our second Level 2 ultrasound yesterday. Those of you who have followed me from my LJ will remember that 4 weeks ago we had our first L2 ultrasound to check on the status of my evil placenta. The placenta turned out okay, but they saw some dilation in a kidney. Hence the second L2 ultrasound. I had hoped that it would clear up on its own, but apparently I just can't escape children who have pee-pee problems. SkyWalker had to have surgery at 6 months old to correct hypospadious. This one will need surgery too. There is still dilation in the right kidney which means that something is either pinching the ureter or there's reflux, some kind of obstruction. They'll keep giving me the L2s every 4 weeks to make sure that there is enough amniotic fluid (baby pee). There's plenty of fluid now which means that the kidneys and bladder are working. If there is not enough fluid that could be a problem... We'll meet with a surgeon, the same guy who did SkyWalker's surgery, he'll check out #2 after its born to diagnose the actual problem and we'll go from there.

I wonder what will happen to #3 and #4? Will their pee-pee problems be worse? Will they tell me I can't have #3 and #4? That will suck.

In other plumbing news FIL is not feeling too well and is actually in pain. I think he starts the radiation next week. He's been on some pain medication that made him sick so now he's back on something he took when he had chemo last year.

Think maybe there's a reason my kids have bad plumbing? I'm going to blame my husband's side of the family.