No Enema!

I know, this sounds like too much information, but I had to share. A couple weeks ago my Mom had the "privilege" of helping my Grandma. My Grandma recently moved in with my parents and at the request of a nurse my Mom had to administer an enema. Max was kind of told what this would mean so that he would leave the room and not watch. He was more than willing to leave the room and NOT share in the experience. Well, he has struggled with #2 going in the potty. He wants to hold it in and then go when he has his night time pull-up on. I think he has been scared of it. We go in spurts where is isn't afraid and then is, but really it has just mostly been not good (at least he isn't going on the floor now). Anyway, he got this bee in his bonnet that he had to go poo in the toilet or else he would have to have an enema too. Last week he went in the toilet...finally. He ran out and yelled excitedly, "Mom, I went poo in the toilet! Now I don't need to get an enema!"

Max is so funny!

Just a couple comments from Max:

1. Coffee is not good for us. It is yucky and it stinks!

2. (When noticing London doesn't have boy parts) Why does she have a chubby bumb?

3. I told him he is my big boy. He said, "No Mom, I am baby sister's big boy!"

London's Baby Announcement

Here is London's baby announcement. I deleted her name, but it was in the big pink area. Thanks Uncle Nate for taking her picture.

Before and After

I thought it would be fun to post the last pregnant picture (10 days before) and the most recent after pregnancy picture (11 days after). Couple comments on both pictures for comparison.

First of all, the swelling is way better. I can wear my wedding ring for the first time in months. My face is also looking better, the picture doesn't do it justice.

I thought with this pregnancy my chest wouldn't get any larger. I was wrong. The after photo definitely shows increase!

My tummy is healing well from the C-Section and I am glad I am now fitting in some smaller clothes, especially pants. I still have a lot to lose, but this will motivate me.

My hair is already so much better! I couldn't do anything with it while I was pregnant. Now it is starting to be more tame and I don't have to just pull it back.

C-Section Comparison

This is for my own personal journal. If you aren't interested in learning about the different C-Sections I have had you don't need to read on. If you have a C-Section coming up and are interested feel free to read on.

Preparation

#1 - I already had an IV from having been in the hospital for a week. They did an epidural and then the fun part of a catheter and another personal thing. They did this all in the labor and delivery room.

#2 - They did the personal thing and started an IV. I was given some antibiotics, anti-nausea, and morphine.

Surgical Room Prep

#1 - I was taken into the operating room already numb and on a bed. They transferred me onto the operating table at this time and put an oxygen mask on my face.

#2 - After the IV I was walked to the operating room where I sat on the operating table. I was then given a Spinal Block rather than the epidural. They quickly laid me down and did the catheter. Monitors were placed on me, but no oxygen.

The Surgery

#1 - They put a wedge under my right side so that if there is drainage it all goes to the left for some reason. They tested to see how numb I was and then they cut in and began the surgery.

#2 - Same as #1.

Breaking of the Water

#1 - My water had already broken prior to this C-Section so they didn't have to do this part.

#2 - They broke my water and it was quite the splash!

Getting the Baby

#1 - They all comment on how small he is. He is taken immediately to a different room. Daddy follows, but it is several minutes before I get to see him and even then it is for just a moment before he is taken to the NICU. Total time from first incision to baby out is 7 min.

#2 - They all comment on how small she is. She is taken to a table that I can actually see. They do everything right in front of me. They wrap her up and let Daddy sit in a chair with her right by my head for a little bit before taking her to the nursery. Total time from first incision to baby out is 6 min.

Random Comments

#1 - Wow, did you see that? After asking about the comment I learned that my uterus flipped inside out. Apparently this is not good in a normal delivery. Good thing I delivered C-Section because they say it is ok during a C-Section.

#2 - Wow, her uterus is really small! Even after the surgery when the nurses come and check everything more of them comment on the small size of my uterus.

End of surgery

#1 - Dad leaves with baby and they take the placenta and stitch me up. I don't really even feel any pressure at this point. When I am done they wrap me from head to toe in warm blankets and take me to the NICU to see the baby.

#2 - Dad leaves with baby and they take the placenta and stitch me up. I feel a whole lot of pressure at this point. Something about the placenta that I need to ask about at my appt. because I couldn't at the time. My blood pressure dropped (common with a spinal block), but it was pretty low because I started to become nauseous. They injected anti-nausea stuff into the IV, but before it kicked it I had the pleasure of puking! Not fun, but once the medicine kicked in I felt wonderful! After they are done I am moved to a new bed and wheeled into my room. Daddy brings in the baby.

Recovery

#1 - With the epidural I remember still being numb, but I had control of my limbs pretty early because I was walking/getting up to go to the NICU the same day. No solid foods until the next day. I walked a lot after this delivery because I was going up and down from the labor and delivery floor to the NICU. I think this helped with my recovery.

#2 - With the Spinal Block I was really numb and didn't really have control of my lower limbs the until later that evening. It is a hard comparison because this was an afternoon delivery where the other was a morning, so I maybe wasn't walking around because it was bed time. The baby was in my room for this one, which made me walk less. I think this made it harder. I had to make a point of getting up and putting her in the crib thing and pushing her up and down the halls. This recovery has been good, but harder because there is another little one at home to entertain.

Leaving the Hospital

#1 - Prior to leaving the hospital they came in my room and removed the staples and applied Steri-Strips which I left on until they fell off/I went to the doctor and he told me when to take them off. The staples look freaky and you think will I ever be smooth there again and this is like in the middle of my stomach, is it going to go down to a hidden spot? It really does.

#2 - Same thing. I even knew that the stomach would flatten out where the incision was, but it still looked freaky and I just questioned it again, but I can already see improvement.

My biggest recommendation (Thank you Tracie) is to walk as much as possible, as early as you can. It helps so much! I would also say, don't be afraid of the pain medication to stay on top of the pain. This allows you to get up more and walk around so you recover faster. I did limit the amount of Percocet because it makes me SOOOO tired. I would take one instead of the prescribed 2. I think this helped. It still took care of my pain, but I wasn't as sleepy. This part is totally up to the person having the surgery though. The Motrin definitely helped as well with swelling, which can cause pain. Once I left the hospital I only took Ibuprofen/Motrin and didn't fill the prescription for Percocet. I only did this to avoid being tired. I also found that because I took the anti-inflammatory it helped to reduce pain because there wasn't so much pressure. It has been enough and I only took it for 2 days. Again, everyone handles medicine differently. I am ultra sensitive so this is all I needed.

I'm a Big Girl Now

We went to the doctor today to check London's weight. She is up to 5 lbs. 4 oz. That is great considering we left the hospital at about 4 lbs. 6 oz. That is almost a pound in like 6 days! The doctor was very impressed. I was not surprised, she is ALWAYS eating! We are so glad she is doing well. We go back in 2 weeks for a regular check up so I can give more stats then.

Look at the giant pants. These are newborn, but she doesn't fit in anything newborn.

Here she is in just a preemie onesie

4 Generations

My Mom's birth Mom came into town on Wednesday and was able to meet London. We decided to take a picture before I realized I really didn't have much make up on, so please forgive. Anyway, this is 4 generations from birth. I thought that was pretty cool. My Mom's birth Grandmother is still alive as well. It would be cool to get a picture of 5 generations!

Shower Time

My sisters, sister-in-law, and Mom were kind enough to throw me a shower since I have never had a girl before. It was great. We had so many people turn out. I know there were some we couldn't get a hold of, so if we missed you, please forgive us and if you want to meet London let me know! Here are a few pictures my sister took. I wish we had gotten more, but you get so busy talking and you forget everything else. Thank you to everyone!

We're Home!

We were able to come home from the hospital yesterday! This is a new experience for me because Max had to stay in the hospital for another week and a half after I left. It was so great to leave together. We have just been relaxing and getting used to being home. We are all exhausted and you can see it in us all. Max loves her and constantly wants to hold her, but you can tell he needs more sleep from our crazy last two weeks because he is really cranky. Some, I am sure, from the adjustment of another person to take attention, some from me being unable to do what I normally do, and some from the lack of sleep. As things calm down and we all rest things should improve.

We opted for a low key Valentine's Day and are staying in, of course. It has been nice to just relax. Shane got sparkling cider and he and Max brought it down to me and Max said, "Happy Valetine's Day Mom!" Then he had to do cheers! What a cutie pie! It was really cute. His cute friend also decorated a heart cookie for him and brought it over. Very sweet, he felt so special! Now he and Daddy are watching the slam dunk competition, so they are at peace!

The Winners

Thank you for everyone's well wishes. London is doing GREAT! Her glucose is up to a normal level, she is maintaining her body temperature and is eating well. She scored an 8 and 9 on the Apgars. She is so long and lean. Our pediatrician said she doesn't know she is small, she is doing just what those bigger babies are doing. He is the sweetest man ever! I love my nurse this morning as well! She has been fabulous. So now, to the winners of the guesses for all her birth info.

Birthdate: Actual: 2/9/09
Tie between Anna (10), Suzy (8) and Michelle (8)

Birth time: Actual 4:26 p.m.
Lori with 3:12 p.m.

Weight: 4 lbs. 13 oz.
Anna with 4 lbs. 10 oz.

Length: 20 inches
Michelle 19.5

Hair Color: Currently Dark, but could change.
Kelly, Alison, Suzy and Lori

More Pics

London

London was born at 4:26 p.m. today and was 4 lbs 13 oz, 20 inches. She is doing great. We will post pictures of her later. We have had her in our room most of the time since she is doing so well.

To Deliver or Not To Deliver...

This morning I went in for my Dr. appt. and my blood pressure was up. Since we were given the ok by the Perinatologist my doctor decided that instead of waiting he would send me to labor and delivery and just do it. I got over here and then about an hour later I was told there was some misunderstanding of when the Perinatologist recommended delivery so we were off. I was to just do a non-stress test and then it would probably be Thursday. In the meantime my doctor called the Perinatologist, they talked it over and at 2:30ish, we were back on for a C-Section. So, I will be going back in about 5 minutes to get my spinal block and then we are off. I am scheduled for 4:30 p.m., so we will see what time she comes and all that. I had a blessing and we are having faith that everything will work out great and she will be healthy and strong. We will post again soon once we have all her stats.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

So I had my ultrasound today (8 or 9). They said she is still measuring small. She is measuring at about 34 and a half weeks and I am just over 36 weeks. They said at this stage that could just mean I have small babies. We don't know because I haven't had a full-term baby. The Perinatologist said, however, that he doesn't want her size to be because of my recent blood pressure issue. He looked over everything and got on the phone with my OB. They talked over my case and have decided that they won't wait until 39 weeks to schedule me. I go in on Monday and they will schedule me for some time next week as I will be 37 weeks and that is considered full-term and will hopefully mean no harm to the baby. So, sometime next week! I will let you all know on Monday when exactly we schedule everything!

Bed Rest =(

So I have been swelling pretty bad lately. When I went into the Doctor today my blood pressure was super high. They monitored it for a couple hours and did blood tests. All the tests were fine, but my blood pressure was better the longer I was down. So, I have been put on bed rest. So not fun. You just feel useless. My doctor doesn't even want me to go to work at a desk job, so we'll see how all this works with Max. I have an ultrasound on Friday and another appointment with my doctor on Monday. We are hoping that since I will be just shy of 37 weeks at the doctor's appointment that they will go ahead and just do the C-Section because that is considered full-term. Here's hoping!

My Husband (From My Point of View)

Here's a fun tag I saw on a friend's blog. My husband, from my point of view.

Shane's 5 favorite things: (in no particular order)
1. Me =)
2. All of his kids
3. Kona, Hawaii
4. Sports (Especially BYU and Lakers)
5. Desserts

5 things on his to-do list:
1. Finish painting a few parts of the outside of the house
2. Finish the empty wall in the kitchen (paint and baseboard)
3. Fix a couple toilets (a broken handle and one that rocks)
4. Help me put away the laundry
5. Paint the ceiling over the patch in the kitchen from taking down a cupboard

5 snacks he loves: (Again, in no particular order)
1. Nachos
2. Mint chocolate chip ice cream
3. Shakes
4. Molten Lava Cake
5. Chips with Mango Salsa


5 facts you may not know about him:
1. He is the 2nd of 7 Children
2. He is one of the most loyal people you will ever meet. If you are his friend, consider yourself lucky
3. He hates heat and loves when it is overcast, but lately he does get cold easier
4. When he was little he was best friends with Paul Walker (yes, from The Fast and The Furious)
5. His first marriage happened in a drive-thru window in Vegas

5 places he has lived:
1. California (Bunch of Places)
2. Santaquin, Utah
3. Orem, Utah
4. Lehi, Utah
5. Germany


5 quirky things about him:
1. He could watch sporting events all day if you let him, even if he has seen it before. Every game is important, even if it isn't his team.
2. When you talk to him in person or on the phone he is super quiet, unless you start to talk to him about sports...the volume is tripled.
3. He loves to sleep with a fan in his face and loves the AC turned up as high as possible (however, he is starting to get old and the cold is getting to him) =)
4. When we found out we were having a girl he confessed he was nervous about all the pink. We have gone shopping and he has picked out far more pink outfits than me. We also saw our niece today and she had a cute hair do and he was asking about how it was done saying we needed to learn. He is going to LOVE having a girl!
5. He always tries to put others first. He will send me to the store to get some much needed clothes and not mention that all his pants have holes or he has no good socks. It isn't until I am folding clothes or catch him in socks that have holes that he'll admit he needs them. He hates to be a bother.

He is a great husband and very loving. He is so selfless and is always trying to put everyone ahead of him, even those who may not deserve to be put first. He loves him kids more than anything else in the world and tries to always put them first, even when it hurts him. He is an incredibly hard worker and is constantly trying to improve himself personally and professionally. I wouldn't trade him for anything.