We are on day 12 of being home as a 5 person family, and I realize this isn't enough time to establish any kind of routine. We are still figuring things out on our end... figuring out Parker... figuring out how the girls are dealing with the new addition... having friends and family over to visit... things are still new and different and it'll take a while to get things together.
But, I wanted to give you a snapshot of a typical untypical night.
Mom and I picked the girls up from daycare around 4:15ish after a full day away from home. Parker starts crying on our way home, so I'm feeding him a bottle from the front seat. My arm falls asleep within 1.5 minutes. He finishes his meal and falls right back to sleep.
We make it home, and I'm trying to get the house tidied up, bottles washed, the girls entertained and fed. Taylor is given all of her medicines- steroid, antibiotic, 2 inhalers. Our good friend and her daughter arrive around 6 to meet Parker. Sydney and her little friend have a blast playing dress up and running circles around the house. Taylor is hanging out with the adults, and while she's sitting in my lap, her diaper completely starts to leak. Grandmom to the rescue- she handles the issue, and Taylor comes back down with nothing but a t-shirt on and her little bootie hanging out of her diaper. She runs around like this for the next 1.5 hours. Meanwhile, Parker sleeps peacefully.
A good neighbor friend arrives around 7 PM to bring us dinner. Girls are still running around the house, Taylor is still entertaining us, and Parker continues to sleep.
When both friends head home, Stephen bathes the girls. Taylor is screaming from being up a little later than normal (and I think part of her crankiness came from the steroids she is on). As I'm getting ready to brush her teeth, she steps up on the stool, slips off, and hits her chin on the counter. Blood is absolutely pouring out of her mouth, getting all over her PJs, her body. She's crying, I'm crying, I'm screaming for Stephen to grab Parker, who I am holding (and who is staring wide-eyed at me like, what kind of household was I born in to??). Taylor's bleeding slows and eventually stops. Sydney is crying that she is sick. We can't find her monkey to send her to bed with. I get Parker and Stephen searches the house for monkey, with no luck. Taylor lays down but is doing that post-crying breathing (where it sounds like she can hardly catch her breath). I give Parker, who at this point is uncontrollably crying, to Stephen and I lay down with Taylor. Sydney starts screaming, "Mommy! Mommy!" and when I go in there, she wants monkey.
Meanwhile, I check my almost-dead phone and I see several missed calls and text messages. None of which I replied to tonight.
So, what do I do? I get a brownie, made by another neighbor, a glass of milk, and I sit down to write this. I kind of feel better already.
Yep, folks, this is our kind of life right now!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
One week!
Parker is one week old!! Lots has happened within this last week, it's insane.
We are home from the hospital, trying to get settled as a family of 5! I can't lie, it's been a bit of a tough adjustment. I think that my recovery (or lack there of) was my first issue. I could hardly move! The pain meds literally knocked me out, so that was counterintuitive. Stephen and my parents have been amazing.
Unfortunately, Stephen had to go on a mandatory business trip to NYC this week. This has opened my eyes to my future reality when he travels and home with the 3 by myself. Eek. Thankfully my parents have been here with me to help maintain my household, my children, and my sanity.
Back to Parker- he is precious! He is jaundice, and we keep having to go to the doc to get his blood drawn. His level isn't dropping, but it's not in the "dangerous" zone- it's in the intermediate zone. He is also gaining weight slowly. He sleeps all the time! Probably 21 hours a day.
The girls are getting used to habit Parker around! Taylor loves to pet him and kiss him. Sydney wants to feed him and hold him.
Parker's accomplishments in week 1:
-sleeping
-eating 2-2.5 ounces at a time
-going on his first walk
-meeting lots of friends and family
-first venture out to lunch at Atlanta bread co.
-sat patiently (well, slept, actually) during mommy's pedicure
-is up to 9 lbs, 3 oz.
-being precious
It's been a wonderful, tiresome week!
We are home from the hospital, trying to get settled as a family of 5! I can't lie, it's been a bit of a tough adjustment. I think that my recovery (or lack there of) was my first issue. I could hardly move! The pain meds literally knocked me out, so that was counterintuitive. Stephen and my parents have been amazing.
Unfortunately, Stephen had to go on a mandatory business trip to NYC this week. This has opened my eyes to my future reality when he travels and home with the 3 by myself. Eek. Thankfully my parents have been here with me to help maintain my household, my children, and my sanity.
Back to Parker- he is precious! He is jaundice, and we keep having to go to the doc to get his blood drawn. His level isn't dropping, but it's not in the "dangerous" zone- it's in the intermediate zone. He is also gaining weight slowly. He sleeps all the time! Probably 21 hours a day.
The girls are getting used to habit Parker around! Taylor loves to pet him and kiss him. Sydney wants to feed him and hold him.
Parker's accomplishments in week 1:
-sleeping
-eating 2-2.5 ounces at a time
-going on his first walk
-meeting lots of friends and family
-first venture out to lunch at Atlanta bread co.
-sat patiently (well, slept, actually) during mommy's pedicure
-is up to 9 lbs, 3 oz.
-being precious
It's been a wonderful, tiresome week!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
More on Parker...
I've just now had a chance to sit down at the computer, check emails, upload pictures, and, of course, update the good ol' blog. Of course, I'm holding a sweet little boy as I do this, so please excuse any misspellings.
Parker is now 5 days old!! We got to go home from the hospital late Saturday afternoon. It was a rush of an evening getting settled, with the girls (esp. Taylor) not understanding what was going on, and getting used to the new little invader of our home. Plus, Taylor really doesn't understand why I can't pick her up. So, it was a little rough of a couple of days for her. Sydney has been coping pretty well! We get some attitude from her, but then again, she is a 4 year-old little girl.
I have been having a much rougher recovery this go round. I have been drugged up on pain meds each night before bed, which completely wipes me out. Stephen is my absolute hero- he has been up with Parker, feeding him and comforting him in the middle of the night. (while having to go to work the next day!) Luckily, I woke up this morning, and I feel like a new woman!!
Parker had his first pediatrician appointment yesterday. He's doing well, except for gaining weight (he was at 9 lbs, 1 oz on Monday) and he is jaundice. We had to go back in today to check on his level again, so I'm now waiting to hear. Hopefully he will be A-OK!
Things are going well, really. Stressful when all 3 kids need you at once. Tiresome, for obvious reasons. Stressful when you are trying to clean for guests while you have demands in 5 different directions. Joyful when you get to see your 3 children, happy and healthy under one roof.
I am very blessed!!
Parker is now 5 days old!! We got to go home from the hospital late Saturday afternoon. It was a rush of an evening getting settled, with the girls (esp. Taylor) not understanding what was going on, and getting used to the new little invader of our home. Plus, Taylor really doesn't understand why I can't pick her up. So, it was a little rough of a couple of days for her. Sydney has been coping pretty well! We get some attitude from her, but then again, she is a 4 year-old little girl.
I have been having a much rougher recovery this go round. I have been drugged up on pain meds each night before bed, which completely wipes me out. Stephen is my absolute hero- he has been up with Parker, feeding him and comforting him in the middle of the night. (while having to go to work the next day!) Luckily, I woke up this morning, and I feel like a new woman!!
Parker had his first pediatrician appointment yesterday. He's doing well, except for gaining weight (he was at 9 lbs, 1 oz on Monday) and he is jaundice. We had to go back in today to check on his level again, so I'm now waiting to hear. Hopefully he will be A-OK!
Things are going well, really. Stressful when all 3 kids need you at once. Tiresome, for obvious reasons. Stressful when you are trying to clean for guests while you have demands in 5 different directions. Joyful when you get to see your 3 children, happy and healthy under one roof.
I am very blessed!!
22 Months!
Oops, I'm a day late with Taylor's monthly blog celebration!
Taylor is 22 months old!!! Hard to believe she'll be hitting the big 2 in two months.
She's had a big month with lots of accomplishments:
Here are some pics from this month!
Taylor is 22 months old!!! Hard to believe she'll be hitting the big 2 in two months.
She's had a big month with lots of accomplishments:
- Most noteworthy accomplishment- becoming a BIG sister!!!!
- Going on the potty a lot!!!
- All sorts of new words. I can't even keep up anymore. She's talking in mini sentences now.
- Having a month full of sicknesses- strep, coughing, congestion, etc.
- Having a blast at her sister's birthday party.
- Swinging more on the big girl swing.
Here are some pics from this month!
Meeting Parker for the first time.
Eating her favorite snack (a peach!) with Daddy.
Galloping on the horsey with Sydney. Thanks, Meg!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Welcome Baby Parker!!
Our sweet son is officially here, born September 27th at 8:41 am! He was 9 lbs, 10 ounces and was 21" long. He looks so much like Sydney and Taylor did at birth. Especially Sydney. He sleeps most of the day away. He's been spitting up a lot of his food and, when last checked, was down to 8 lbs, 15 oz. Doc thinks it may be lots of amniotic fluid still inside his belly, causing him to spit up.
We got to the hospital at 6 am Thursday morning. Surgery wasn't until 8 am. All was going well- I was prepped, got my epidural, and was wheeled back to the OR. They were testing to see how numb I was, and realized I could feel everything in my abdominal region. They called back the anesthesiologist, who tested me, too. Since they had given me the max amount of drugs, he said they were going to have to put me under.
I immediately got upset- I hated thinking I wouldn't know right away or not if Parker was okay. A sweet nurse knelt beside me and said a prayer. Last thing I remember is a mask going over my mouth, and I was out.
Poor Stephen couldn't even come back, so he had to miss the whole birth, too. I didn't wake up until Parker was a couple of hours old. I was SO groggy and drugged up Thursday that I couldn't even hold Parker. It was sad.
When the doctor came to check on us this morning, she explained to me about the surgery. She said it was a blessing in disguise that I was put under. She said I had so much scar tissue from my last 2 csections that it was really hard to get Parker out. They had to press all over my abdomen really hard and had to be rough getting Parker out. She said I would've been in so much pain had I just had the epidural.
But, the main thing is that Parker is healthy and sweet and just perfect! We are so blessed!
We got to the hospital at 6 am Thursday morning. Surgery wasn't until 8 am. All was going well- I was prepped, got my epidural, and was wheeled back to the OR. They were testing to see how numb I was, and realized I could feel everything in my abdominal region. They called back the anesthesiologist, who tested me, too. Since they had given me the max amount of drugs, he said they were going to have to put me under.
I immediately got upset- I hated thinking I wouldn't know right away or not if Parker was okay. A sweet nurse knelt beside me and said a prayer. Last thing I remember is a mask going over my mouth, and I was out.
Poor Stephen couldn't even come back, so he had to miss the whole birth, too. I didn't wake up until Parker was a couple of hours old. I was SO groggy and drugged up Thursday that I couldn't even hold Parker. It was sad.
When the doctor came to check on us this morning, she explained to me about the surgery. She said it was a blessing in disguise that I was put under. She said I had so much scar tissue from my last 2 csections that it was really hard to get Parker out. They had to press all over my abdomen really hard and had to be rough getting Parker out. She said I would've been in so much pain had I just had the epidural.
But, the main thing is that Parker is healthy and sweet and just perfect! We are so blessed!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
You've come a long way, baby!
My sweet Sydney is officially FOUR! Where has the time gone??
9-23-2008
9-23-2012
Sydney is the most sassy, caring, hilarious thing, all rolled into one little girl. I am so blessed to be able to be her mom!!!!
Happy birthday, Sydney!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Sassy, Classy, and...
Still kicking a$$y.
I think that will be my new motto for 32.
Yes, my friends, I am another year older. Another year wiser. And thanks to a birthday card from a dear friend, I have been encouraged by the above motto. Bring this new year on!
I had a wonderful birthday. Despite the fact that my work day was insane, I had a doctor's appointment, and I didn't get home until after 6, I still had a great day. Stephen surprised me by arranging a babysitter and taking me to the Blue Willow Inn for dinner. The theme there involves anything with the words 'fried' or 'cheese' in it. And it's an unlimited amount of deliciousness that you get. I definitely enjoyed that meal while I still can!
I got so many phone calls, cards, messages. I went about 4 hours at work without looking at my phone, only to see a "14" by my missed call number when I checked it. It's nice to feel the love. So, thank you to everybody!
OK, enough about my birthday.
I have had a long week of long workdays after little sleep. I couldn't sleep one morning and I actually went on into work a little after 6. (I can promise you that has never happened before- and probably never will again!) Every day, I've been leaving work trying to think- if I went into labor tonight, what kind of paperwork mess am I leaving my coordinator? (the person who's taking over for me while I'm out). And it has been a hot mess of paperwork.
Friday's appointment went well. I am SO swollen- duely noted by the doctor- in fact, last week I gained 5 POUNDS in a week. I did the same thing with Sydney at the end. So much water retention, it's terrible. Luckily, my blood pressure was normal and I haven't had any other symptoms of preeclampsia. Doc recommended Friday be my last day of work, but I'm hoping to get through at least Monday, if not Tuesday. Now the doc is saying she's not sure if he'll top Taylor (10 lbs)... but she did feel my belly and say, "But, he is definitely a BIG boy." We will find out soon! He's sitting on my sciatic nerve- which he's done throughout my pregnancy- but this one is causing me to have terrible back pain and it makes it hard to walk. I guess because he has no where to go and weighs a lot now, that it's constantly pressing on that nerve.
Countdown- 5 days! So hard to believe. I'm trying to wrap up last minute things this weekend, but thankfully, we've been really productive for the last few weekends that so much is already done.
On a side note, I was thinking about this today. I went to the gym to freeze my membership, and the owner guy was asking if this was my first pregnancy. I told him it was my 3rd. He said, "Oh, well you're a pro at it, then!" I thought about that, and yes, I may be familiar with the stages of pregnancy and what to expect. However, with each pregnancy it gets about 10 times harder, because you are chasing, lifting, getting up early, bathing, playing with a little one! (or two little ones!) I remember the days, being pregnant with Sydney, when I could come home and prop my feet up from 4 PM-bedtime if I wanted to. Now, there is no choice but to suck up any pain I'm having and tend to the girls. I remember having such bad morning sickness, and having to take care of the girls all by myself when Stephen was traveling. It was TERRIBLE. Lifting the girls now with my back pain... miserable. Waking up 12 times a night between going to the bathroom, trying to get comfortable, soothing crying girls (and then having to work, lead meetings, have my head on straight the next day at work)... insanity.
But, I wouldn't change it for the world...
I think that will be my new motto for 32.
Yes, my friends, I am another year older. Another year wiser. And thanks to a birthday card from a dear friend, I have been encouraged by the above motto. Bring this new year on!
I had a wonderful birthday. Despite the fact that my work day was insane, I had a doctor's appointment, and I didn't get home until after 6, I still had a great day. Stephen surprised me by arranging a babysitter and taking me to the Blue Willow Inn for dinner. The theme there involves anything with the words 'fried' or 'cheese' in it. And it's an unlimited amount of deliciousness that you get. I definitely enjoyed that meal while I still can!
I got so many phone calls, cards, messages. I went about 4 hours at work without looking at my phone, only to see a "14" by my missed call number when I checked it. It's nice to feel the love. So, thank you to everybody!
OK, enough about my birthday.
I have had a long week of long workdays after little sleep. I couldn't sleep one morning and I actually went on into work a little after 6. (I can promise you that has never happened before- and probably never will again!) Every day, I've been leaving work trying to think- if I went into labor tonight, what kind of paperwork mess am I leaving my coordinator? (the person who's taking over for me while I'm out). And it has been a hot mess of paperwork.
Friday's appointment went well. I am SO swollen- duely noted by the doctor- in fact, last week I gained 5 POUNDS in a week. I did the same thing with Sydney at the end. So much water retention, it's terrible. Luckily, my blood pressure was normal and I haven't had any other symptoms of preeclampsia. Doc recommended Friday be my last day of work, but I'm hoping to get through at least Monday, if not Tuesday. Now the doc is saying she's not sure if he'll top Taylor (10 lbs)... but she did feel my belly and say, "But, he is definitely a BIG boy." We will find out soon! He's sitting on my sciatic nerve- which he's done throughout my pregnancy- but this one is causing me to have terrible back pain and it makes it hard to walk. I guess because he has no where to go and weighs a lot now, that it's constantly pressing on that nerve.
Countdown- 5 days! So hard to believe. I'm trying to wrap up last minute things this weekend, but thankfully, we've been really productive for the last few weekends that so much is already done.
On a side note, I was thinking about this today. I went to the gym to freeze my membership, and the owner guy was asking if this was my first pregnancy. I told him it was my 3rd. He said, "Oh, well you're a pro at it, then!" I thought about that, and yes, I may be familiar with the stages of pregnancy and what to expect. However, with each pregnancy it gets about 10 times harder, because you are chasing, lifting, getting up early, bathing, playing with a little one! (or two little ones!) I remember the days, being pregnant with Sydney, when I could come home and prop my feet up from 4 PM-bedtime if I wanted to. Now, there is no choice but to suck up any pain I'm having and tend to the girls. I remember having such bad morning sickness, and having to take care of the girls all by myself when Stephen was traveling. It was TERRIBLE. Lifting the girls now with my back pain... miserable. Waking up 12 times a night between going to the bathroom, trying to get comfortable, soothing crying girls (and then having to work, lead meetings, have my head on straight the next day at work)... insanity.
But, I wouldn't change it for the world...
Stephen and me after dinner.
The Blue Willow Inn.
Sydney enjoying one of my cards that made funny noises.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)