Mommy Days

At 6pm Friday night I was moved from my fishbowl recovery room to the antepartum room. I was also finally taken off the the magnesium sulfate, AKA Liquid Death. I felt exhausted, hungry, thirsty, insanely sore and most of all I missed my little boy. The passed 24 hours were hell on earth! I didn't sleep more than 5 minutes at a time and I felt insanely itchy due to all of the medications they had me on. Sadly, my little boy was no longer inside me but not in my arms either. All I had was his picture to hold. It was a surreal feeling to say the least. I finally drank a ton of water and ate General Tso's Tofu and felt a little better. Eli said he barely recognized me I was so bloated from the medicine. I looked in the mirror and what I saw was scary, a red bloated monster with her hair straight in the air. During my recovery, I was trying desperately to get my milk to come in. A lactation consultant had visited my room that morning and gave me a hospital grade breast pump. Sinc...

We took a tour of the NICU that night. I was pushed around in a wheelchair. I wondered to myself how long my son would need to stay here. (spoiler alert, he was only in for 2 weeks!) I spent the next ten days on hospital bed rest. My friends Dorri and Chrissi came to visit. Dorri even gave me a pedicure. I could barely see my feet at this point but people reassured me they were beautiful! Doctors and nurses were constantly in and out of my room. I had a blood pressure/temp check every four hours, blood work taken every other day and NST with my little one twice a day. I was originally strapped to a BP monitor and NST machine 24/7. I also had blood work taken every 12 hours. So this was actually an improvement! They had so much trouble getting sufficient veins from that they started taking blood out of my hands. And they always woke me up between 5-6am to get blood from me! Eventually my son's NST sessions weren't quite right so they did a Biophysical Profile. They could see h...

I haven't had much of a chance to write since my son was born. I really wanted to blog my mommy adventures so there's no time like the present! I thought I would take the opportunity to write since my son is down for a nap or early bed time. Depends on what he decides :-) On November 4, 2010 I had my 32 week check up at my OB's office. It was supposed to be a typical appointment. It was anything but after they told me my urine had protein in it and my blood pressure was higher than they'd like to see. I was ordered to go to triage and get monitored. My blood pressure wouldn't go down but they still sent me home. I was sent home with orders for me to collect my urine in a jug for 24 hours! YAY, what fun! I should have known this was a HUGE red flag for things to come! I brought the jug in that Saturday and had blood work done. I attended my friend Kristy's baby shower. On the way home from the shower they told me to pack a bag and go directly to the hospital. I...

My son turns eight months on Monday. In a way they have flown by and in a way they have gone by slowly. He started off three pounds and is now 16 pounds. I just started him on a tiny amount of solids. Bananas, avocados and apple sauce. He stills prefers breast milk, which makes his parents very happy! I'm hoping to update more often but the days have a way of getting away from me! I just joined a local moms group and hope to make some local friends! Being a stay at home mother, an hour away from friends and family can make things a bit lonely! Thanks for reading!

I thought that finally being in my third trimester would bring a sense of calm. I kept thinking to myself, "Just make it to October and you will be able to relax about your pregnancy." I realized after I had yet another nightmare featuring a premature birth last night, I probably won't be able to relax until my little boy comes out. And of course once that happens I will have a whole new list of concerns! The internet is a mixed bag for me. There's a ton of helpful information out there and I love the women I meet online, fellow mommies who have experienced miscarriage themselves. Some of their fears and concerns have a way of transferring to myself, which doesn't help when I'm already stressing. Miscarriage is a truly unique experience, something you cannot truly comprehend until it happens to you. It affects the way you feel in any subsequent pregnancy. It truly robs you of the innocence of pregnancy. I must admit before I experienced one myself, I thought...

I'm 24 weeks pregnant currently. It just hit me the other day, in a little over three months I will be holding my little boy. At random times I get so overwhelmed with happiness I almost cry. Its a strange feeling and unlike anything I have ever felt before in my life. I smile every time I feel a little kick from him. He's most active late at night or after I eat something sugary. I had my hand on my belly and felt him kick from the outside for the first time earlier this week. At first it felt like a ball rolling around in my belly. He feels stronger and more "solid" every day. Eli sings, talks and kisses my belly every day. My father-in-law, Richard talked to my belly for the first time today. It was SO cute! This baby is loved by so many already. I saw my brother on Sunday, and I've never seen him smile so much or so genuinely! He's so happy to have a nephew! He put his hands on my belly and just looked so elated! It was nice seeing my dad and brother whe...

Hello All! I'm 23 weeks pregnant (as of yesterday,) and this heat is killing me! I am very much looking forward to fall. It's my favorite time of year! I love decorating for fall! Fall makes me think of leaves changing colors, pumpkins, crisp evenings and snugging with my Eli. In one week my little one could survive outside the womb (although with a lot of medical assistance.) I'm hoping he stays inside at least 14 more weeks. Eli has been working hard on the nursery. Chrissi and Liam are coming up to help paint the nursery this weekend. I am so excited to see them! I've been taking belly pictures each week! They are so much fun! My major symptoms have included nasal congestion, headaches and insomnia. Not a fun mix! But I know my little guy is totally worth it! I cannot wait to meet him. I have so many dreams about him and I wake up disappointed he's not here yet. I can't wait to hold him in my arms. Well that's enough "rambling" for now! :)