tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37922363785942395322024-02-07T22:28:38.369-08:00I must have prayed for patiencemy journey through infertility and hopefully, one day, motherhoodimusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-15054929949047823112013-09-11T05:27:00.004-07:002013-09-11T05:27:55.377-07:00Is there such a thing as the terrible 9 months?<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm alive! I know it has been a ridiculously long time since I blogged, but this is why:</div>
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He's a cute one, but a handful! He's 9/5 months old and now has 6 teeth, which he is fond of using to bite me and everything else in his path. And he just started crawling forward last week, and has taken immediately to finding all things he should not get into. One thing I had not thought of was the rubber caps on the end of the doorstops. He was popping those off and sticking them in his mouth. So, my husband super glued them all on. This little smartie pants then started unscrewing the entire doorstop from the wall and sticking the whole thing in his mouth. So, now all the doorstops have been removed and placed in a ziploc for future use. He also makes a bee-line for whatever is in the cabinets when I open them, so I have to be ninja fast at getting what I need out of there. And, he got into the purell that was hanging off my diaper bag, so now the diaper bag can no longer hang on the back of a chair. He's keeping me busy!</div>
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Now, for the title of this post: this dude is developing a bad attitude, and I don't like it. I'm afraid it's just the beginning! And, I can only assume he inherited this from his dad, lol. :) He throws a fit when he doesn't get what he wants or doesn't want to do what you need him to do (like lay still while I change your diaper!) I know part of this is just being a baby and maybe he's teething or tired at any given point, but this is also making me realize that I'm going to have to WORK to get this child raised right, lol. And not just raised to be respectful and kind and obedient, but into heaven. I had hoped that he would just naturally be saintly and perfect, ha ha. But, what I'm seeing is just evidence that we do indeed have original sin. </div>
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And that has me feeling stressed out at the responsibility! I'm a researcher and reader. I read all about babies and breastfeeding before he was born and was super-prepared. I even planned my own c-section and met with everyone who would be involved and had a detailed birth plan. I like to be prepared! So, I need me some books on the faith aspects of parenting. How do I hand down the faith in a way that his focus in life is on God? I was not raised with that. Yes, we went to church, but faith was not the center of our life. I want to make his journey to heaven easier on him by giving him a better foundation, so that he will naturally seek God and put God as his goal, rather than career, possessions, worldly things. </div>
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How do I start? What books can I read (other than the Bible and Catechism). I need some concrete advice, and also age appropriate books for him as he grows up. Have any of you found books that you like?</div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-91742434537053602382013-07-23T04:45:00.002-07:002013-07-23T04:45:52.558-07:00Look Who's Laughing<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lots and lots of things happening over the past few months. He's sitting, scooting backwards, and is working on getting four teeth. He also just started sleeping better! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluiaaaaaaaaaaa! It's like a switch flipped just as soon as he hit 8 months (on July 19). It's like he just decided, yep, I'll sleep a little bit now. Thank the Lord! It is awesome to sleep! He'll go to bed at 7, and wake once, then sleep until around 6. Aaaaaagh! </div>
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The other milestone that we're working on is food. This child will put anything in his mouth but food! And if you put food in there, he makes an awful face and spits it out. Doesn't matter what texture it is. I've tried solid steamed little pieces of things, mashed things, . . . . it doesn't matter. I even tried a momsicle (breastmilk popsicle) and that little stinker wouldn't eat that! And he drinks the stuff all day every day! Go figure. </div>
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And he's doing really cute stuff like laughing at things that he thinks are hilarious, like this: (for some reason, this town is plagued with flies and every time we open the back door to use the grill or the smoker, they infiltrate, and I go to work eradicating them):</div>
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Love this little guy!<br />
<br />imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-54211011702276407212013-05-16T05:39:00.005-07:002013-05-16T05:39:59.360-07:00What Not To Do<div style="text-align: justify;">
Husband's 45th birthday was yesterday, so I stupidly decided to throw him a birthday party at our house with all of his family. Yeah, dumb move. Even dumber, I decided to clean the house beforehand. With 40 something unruly nieces and nephews in the house, it looks like a bomb went off over here, and I'm find a sticky layer of syrupy nastiness over everything. Sigh. And tonight I'm hosting husband's sister and family from out of town for dinner. So here goes the cleaning process all over again. Here is my promise to myself: never again until we have a large yard with a barn out back where we can host parties and then just hose it down. </div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-55303619404458515722013-03-07T11:45:00.000-08:002013-03-07T11:45:09.399-08:00The Walking Tired<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Walking Tired. Yep, that's me. (borrowed that cute little phrase from my bff who came up with it this morning as we were texting about how horribly our babies are sleeping at night.) Henry has been up hourly after midnight for the last two days and it is driving me insane. I have googled it and apparently it could be a 4 month growth spurt. I hope it passes quickly. It is insanely tiring. Would make for good torture of your worst enemy. Husband and I have been taking shifts since 12 weeks, where from 8-1 he will be "on call" and I can sleep, and the rest of the night, it's my turn. Husband came to bed at 12:15 last night and said he had just put Henry back down. I figure he'd be good until at least 3. Nope! At 1:15 he was up. So, I nursed him until 2 and put him back down, and that stinker was up at 2:50! I tried rocking him and then husband gets up because of all the crying and I let him hold him for a while, and then he hands him back to me and says that I "can" bring him to bed (like I need the permission) and he can just put earplugs in. I was like, "I wish I could do that." So, from then until 6:30 in the morning, I laid in bed with Henry draped across me, nursing and snoozing, while I tried to sleep. Needless to say, not much sleeping was done. </div>
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But, big advancement today! Henry rolled over! And I wasn't looking. :( I put him down on his tummy and was typing a text message and looked up and he was on his back! But, I grabbed the iphone and waited a bit more, and he did it again. So proud of him. Now if he could just be a good boy and do some sleeping! :)</div>
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imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-75501504134049862772013-02-28T05:34:00.000-08:002013-02-28T05:34:17.582-08:00Today we are orphaned<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today, Papa steps down and we are left fatherless. As one with abandonment issues, I feel abandoned and orphaned. But, God knew I would feel that way and put it in his divine plan that this very day my bff/godmother would fly all the way from Atlanta to come visit me. I cannot wait to see her beautiful face when I pick her up at the airport this evening. Thank you, Jesus. You know me so well.</div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-48709809478897927542013-02-15T07:16:00.004-08:002013-02-15T07:16:57.977-08:00Unbelievable<div style="text-align: justify;">
This week I received a letter in the mail from a fertility center that we once sought treatment from (where they told us we had a 3% chance of ever having a baby unless we did IVF and ICSI), urging us to oppose the Sanctity of Human Life Act. Can you believe that?! I was so appalled and shocked and miffed by it. I want to write back explaining the value of human life and why an "embryo" is indeed a human being, which they as medical professionals should kno, and also to explain that they can actually help people better through Napro, and how we had a baby without their immoral help. I just don't know where to begin. And, the knee jerk responsiveness in me just wants to write back, "You suck." I need to take some time to collect myself and write back. Grrrrr! </div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-71425933586332376392013-01-24T15:42:00.001-08:002013-01-24T15:42:27.834-08:00Advice?<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been MIA lately because being a mother is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I was blessed with a high need baby who likes to nurse all day, doesn't nap at all, and won't go back to sleep after the 3 am feeding. Needless to say, I barely have time to brush my teeth. </div>
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This poor child is obviously tired, you can see the redness around the eyes and he yawns and is cranky, but he simply will not nap. The only way I can get him to nap, and it's only an hour, is by wearing him in a wrap carrier. I downloaded this book today on naps, The No C.ry N.ap So.lution, and started reading it, but got overwhelmed and just started crying. He started showing sleepiness at 1 in the afternoon, and from that point until 5:30, I was trying to get him to doze off. I tried swaddling and wearing and nursing, and nothing worked. I did get him to sleep briefly by nursing him, but then when I put him down in the swing and walked away to finally use the bathroom, he woke up crying. </div>
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I feel like a total failure as a mother. I worry about him not sleeping. How can his little brain develop if he is wide awake all day and then only sleeps probably 9 hours at night. That's insane. Supposedly, a newborn sleeps 16 hours in a 24 hour period. What can I do? </div>
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And to top it all off, I'm having to fight off the very annoying suggestions by my mother and occasionally my husband to "just let him cry." I've read enough to know not to do that. So, while I'm wearing myself out trying to find the magic solution to please my baby, and being so exhausted that I would in fact love to just put him down and walk away but I know that is not good for him, I have to fight off bad advice and suggestions that I am "spoiling" him. </div>
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So, did anyone else have such a high need baby, and how did you get him/her to nap?</div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-15200999760137010302012-12-26T06:05:00.000-08:002012-12-26T06:05:00.002-08:00Home!<div style="text-align: justify;">
We finally got discharged yesterday afternoon, although the doctor was trying to keep us another day because Henry still sounded raspy. Well, while he's standing there telling us this, Henry is nursing, and the oxygen saturation monitor is showing 99%, and my husband points to that, and the doctor says, "ok, you're right." So, we're finally home with instructions to keep suctioning the nose and give breathing treatments as needed.</div>
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Now that he's home, he is so much more like himself and is doing great. It feels even more fantastic to hold my sweet baby; no wires, no beeping machines, no nasal canulas. Just a sweet baby in a cheesy "my first Christmas" fleece sleep n play. The best Christmas present ever!</div>
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imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-74743812545117387992012-12-24T06:58:00.001-08:002012-12-24T06:58:09.683-08:00Still stuck in isolation<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, we're not going home today as we had hoped. They put Henry on supplemental oxygen last night because is saturation kept dipping a little bit. We'll be here until at least tomorrow, and I'm wondering if we even get to go home then. They'll try to wean him off the oxygen today and see how he does. Poor baby has so many freaking tubes hanging off of him. It makes holding him and handling him so much harder. I just want to hold and cuddle my baby without worrying about pulling out an IV or kinking his oxygen line. </div>
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It sure stinks to be stunk here watching your baby suffer on Christmas Eve. It just breaks my heart. He makes the saddest faces and cries so sadly. I want to punch in the face whoever he caught this from! </div>
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On the bright side, at least we are Catholic. For us, Christmas doesn't end tomorrow; it is just beginning. Here's to hoping we'll be celebrating Henry's good health soon. Merry Christmas everyone. </div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-80218851341461925432012-12-23T13:54:00.000-08:002012-12-23T13:54:02.612-08:00Poor Henry<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are in the hospital with Henry. He came down with a cough on Thursday afternoon and it turns out he has RSV. He was admitted last night and is getting breathing treatments every 6 hours and super duper nose suctioning. It is so sad seeing him struggle like this. My heart breaks for him. Hoping he is well enough to go home tomorrow with a nebulizer for home use and hopefully we'll have a white Christmas to look forward to. Right now they're predicting at least an inch of snow. That would be a nice end to this harrowing experience. St. Henry and St. Gerard, pray for us. </div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-78824890238951522272012-12-04T12:48:00.000-08:002012-12-04T12:48:17.943-08:00Growing like a weed<div style="text-align: justify;">
Henry turned 2 weeks yesterday, and had already surpassed his birth weight by 4 oz, and grew half an inch. Oh my! Before I know it, he will be a full grown kid! </div>
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I guess the boobies are doing their job. :) It's definitely difficult, though, being on call 24/7. I read really good breastfeeding books before he was born, and I know the first 40 days are hard, and after that, is the reward period. I have to just keep reminding myself of that. Aside from being up about every 2 hours during the night, my main issue is I want to be able to transition off of the nipple shield that I have been using due to inverted nipples, and he is having a hard time with it. He latches right away with the shield, without me having to struggle with positions or anything like that. I met with the lactation consultant yesterday, and we worked for about an hour with him, and he can, with a lot of prodding, and me constantly holding the boob in a "sandwich", get a latch on the real thing, but keeps popping off after a few swallows. </div>
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I tried what she showed me at home, and it just ended in frustration for both of us, so back on with the shield. Maybe he will get better at taking the real thing when he is a little bigger. For now, I am not going to push the issue more than once a day, or I will spend the afternoon in tears like I did yesterday. At least I can rest assured in knowing he is definitely getting enough with the shield, so it is not a big deal to keep using it. I would just like to be free of having to search for it in the middle of the night, reattach it when he accidentally knocks it off, or carry it with me whenever we go anywhere. </div>
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Cloth diapering is finally in full swing and is going well. We have been using cotton prefolds so far, but I think I will see if his b.um.gen.ius aios fit when he wakes up from this nap he's taking. We have found that he has inherited my dairy issues. I indulged the other night and had a chicken quesadilla, which was super duper cheesy. Two hours later, the poor baby had an allergy ring diaper rash. Luckily, we had his pediatrician appointment the next day, and he confirmed it was a food sensitivity and to discontinue dairy. He also said to use a diaper cream with zinc oxide (which is a big no-no for cloth diapers), and we have been doing that with each diaper change, making sure to put a liner in the diaper to keep that stuff off the diapers. The rash seems to be fading, so I am glad for that and hope to never let that happen again. </div>
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Oh, I hear him stirring. So, I better go. Hope you all are having a great week!</div>
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imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-54366441433964733112012-11-26T11:52:00.004-08:002012-11-26T11:52:36.676-08:00Go boobs!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Henry had his first pediatrician appointment today, and he is gaining like a champ! He was born weighing 6 lbs, 15 oz and got down to 6 lbs, 6 oz in the hospital. He weighed in today at 6 lbs, 11 oz, which apparently is great. According to the doctor, it normally takes 2 weeks to gain back that much. So, you go, boobs! :)</div>
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His cord stump also fell off today at the appointment . . . and stuck to my shirt as I was carrying him to the scale to be weighed. Yuck! So, tonight will be his first bath. I hope he likes it! </div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-31827006451482958512012-11-25T10:42:00.000-08:002012-11-25T10:42:11.984-08:00My family centered c-section<br />
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<span class="messageBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38;"><span class="userContent"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I just wanted to share with everyone that I had a wonderful "family centered" c-section with the birth of Henry. A c-section was so not what I wanted, but given my prior myomectomy, all the physicians I met with felt that I was too great of a risk of uterine rupture to be able to have a natural birth. So, to be able to get as much of that natural birth experience as I could, I lobbied for a "family centered" aka "natural" c-section. Here is an article that explains what it is: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2613254/</span></span></span></h5>
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<span class="messageBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38;"><span class="userContent"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Armed with this article, I first approached my OB with it somewhere in our 2nd trimester. At first, he refused to read the article, lectured me about how long he has been practicing and how many babies he has delivered, and claimed I couldn't change hospital policies. In the end, he agreed to read the article, then arranged for me to meet with anesthesia, and helped me find out who the pediatrician would be on call the day of our birth. I met with the head guy in anesthesia and showed him the article, and he was totally cool with it as long as the OB was fine with it. I then met with the pediatrician who would be on call, and and he was ok with it, as long as baby was breathing fine. </span></span></span></h5>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; line-height: 22px;">When the time came, I got everything I wanted: immediate skin to skin, arms unrestrained, saw the baby coming out of the incision (didn't think I wanted that, so didn't include it in my birth plan, but my Dr. in the middle of the procedure asked the nurse to lower the drape, and they did, and I saw baby being born), able to discover the sex on our own, baby stayed with me for three hours before being taken for his assessments, no grief over us not wanting the hep b vaccine or the eye drops. Anesthesiologist was also fantastic at what he did. I had no nausea, no headache, no arm heaviness. The whole process could not have gone better. I am pretty sure this was their first time doing any of this. It was a lot of work on the front end to get everyone on board, but it all came together in the end. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; line-height: 22px;">And, miracles of all miracles, Henry came out pink and crying, which I think is unusual for c-section babies. I chalk it up to the St. Gerard relic I had in the pocket of my hospital gown during surgery. St. Gerard was with us this entire pregnancy and of course, that's where Henry's middle name comes from. :)</span></div>
<span class="messageBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38;"><span class="userContent"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 22px;">I hope that if any of you have to go through a c-section, you will be able to experience the "natural" c-section. And, if it helps, I can email anyone a copy of my birth plan if you are interested.</span></span></span></h5>
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<span class="messageBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38;"><span class="userContent"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I was also so pleased to hear the doctor tell me that my insides looked fantastic. No adhesions! Thank you, Dr. Hilgers! And, after quite a bit of argument from my OB, I was able to get him to agree to use Sep.rafilm on my uterus. When I brought up the subject, he said it was not standard of care and did not make a difference. I countered that in order to get FDA approval, they had to show it was safe and <i>effective. </i>I also argued that if it could prevent even one adhesion, I wanted it used. So, he said he would review the literature again and reconsider. The morning of my procedure, he told me he would use it, and agreed that if even one adhesion was prevented, it was worth it. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="messageBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38;"><span class="userContent"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">All in all, a wonderful experience, despite being a terrifying medical procedure. Glory be to God!</span></span></span></div>
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imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-28048947837362438232012-11-23T09:10:00.001-08:002012-11-23T09:10:21.082-08:00Henry's Thanksgiving outfit, and now his game day fight clothes. :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgnMEjdXgSs3qDgslAJTGtL5zXALD2h3TqEDX3BQqxVFCyOBccEboakhyY6Pa7Ai1xh3EMtCmaY5ddLBLVJnAhU3tM_ko14EV9lrT1b3ef030AneurEh7onYed6Yupt0CAXyAU3UKmJSO/s1600/Henry+and+Momma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgnMEjdXgSs3qDgslAJTGtL5zXALD2h3TqEDX3BQqxVFCyOBccEboakhyY6Pa7Ai1xh3EMtCmaY5ddLBLVJnAhU3tM_ko14EV9lrT1b3ef030AneurEh7onYed6Yupt0CAXyAU3UKmJSO/s320/Henry+and+Momma.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTOwzlRrvLfRtxhjY6K9XONKD263ZYdHuXsW2yhsi3I4oEViJkfzAEMAaicMnn9a_rAH6P78lx9vCEn1cz0qEGc9H_MtoFNIYNAMo8jqOB3Jvs6oY06xwUpre4dEK4jgyc__OQRljq8nP/s1600/Henry+Thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTOwzlRrvLfRtxhjY6K9XONKD263ZYdHuXsW2yhsi3I4oEViJkfzAEMAaicMnn9a_rAH6P78lx9vCEn1cz0qEGc9H_MtoFNIYNAMo8jqOB3Jvs6oY06xwUpre4dEK4jgyc__OQRljq8nP/s320/Henry+Thanksgiving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI55xoKfreiY6Ms5h4JUnqW8mwcy2TACtjBzwW-R2lEkXBr3Q7AydqPcKgCQAGT9sFZsXgP4yPxlLqL0RhrQuy3fj1ZQVkoih2KI196XZ4FvNuP2EbkBMue1lRUtQN6hb2oInP0b1Ky2zc/s1600/Henry+Tigers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI55xoKfreiY6Ms5h4JUnqW8mwcy2TACtjBzwW-R2lEkXBr3Q7AydqPcKgCQAGT9sFZsXgP4yPxlLqL0RhrQuy3fj1ZQVkoih2KI196XZ4FvNuP2EbkBMue1lRUtQN6hb2oInP0b1Ky2zc/s320/Henry+Tigers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-42552557622503108802012-11-19T19:52:00.001-08:002012-11-19T19:52:42.852-08:00It's a boy!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Henry Gerard born at 8:37 this morning, weighing 6 lbs, 15 oz, and measuring 20.5 inches long. He is perfectly healthy and a great nurser. Already three poopy diapers and one good wet one. Glory be to God!</div>
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<br />imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-26984607871387365552012-11-17T10:38:00.002-08:002012-11-17T10:38:38.340-08:00Finished, with less than 48 hours to spare!I finally finished the baby pants I was knitting, with less than 48 hours to spare! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdx09fkd9w-xjEK3A7StE5fsQh75sdnesiDNdg9jqhk7OpUcuv2lYIrsZDoh8HiuXq6Y9CikeMZCIYHB645CLUB5JqcWPGJf27cNE4V7XbTamHY73iw5kGlXz6wVAMA1xdFmpu_T2-Koe/s1600/100_7021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdx09fkd9w-xjEK3A7StE5fsQh75sdnesiDNdg9jqhk7OpUcuv2lYIrsZDoh8HiuXq6Y9CikeMZCIYHB645CLUB5JqcWPGJf27cNE4V7XbTamHY73iw5kGlXz6wVAMA1xdFmpu_T2-Koe/s320/100_7021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPCQbCzadT35k1G9ybjkCILCe_B3dU06Mpfjg2JjJck1PBvDnGcg05LWbLj6rEV-ZRYEIp4sGG1EMfM3WYVmN6jkfu_kCYxArevbpRgOpzCLLbajT5D6i2gR9_dcABAIas8X-mVhyphenhyphenMaOt/s1600/100_7022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPCQbCzadT35k1G9ybjkCILCe_B3dU06Mpfjg2JjJck1PBvDnGcg05LWbLj6rEV-ZRYEIp4sGG1EMfM3WYVmN6jkfu_kCYxArevbpRgOpzCLLbajT5D6i2gR9_dcABAIas8X-mVhyphenhyphenMaOt/s320/100_7022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Monday morning at 7:30 central time is the scheduled c-section. I can't believe it is here already! This pregnancy has flown by and it's hard to believe that in just a few days a little one will be in this house. Wow! </div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-28477972746522919092012-11-11T06:38:00.001-08:002012-11-11T06:38:18.858-08:00Advice?<div style="text-align: justify;">
We're on countdown here, folks. 8 days left as "just us." I feel like we need to have a "mardi gras" of sorts and do all the things that we're not going to be able to do again for a long time or that will just be different when baby gets here. What are some things that you guys did in the last days before your baby arrived? We're planning on going out for one more fancy dinner. We'll probably get one more movie in. I have a microdermabrasion appointment and may go ahead and try to get a haircut in since it will probably be a while before I can go to the salon. A pedicure is also in order, and I should probably go ahead and get an eyebrow wax even though they aren't that bad yet. Given them a week after baby is born, though, and I'm sure they'll be unruly. </div>
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What else? I feel like my husband and I need to live it up. </div>
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I could also use some advice from moms who have had c-sections. What kinds of things should I make sure I've got at home for when I come home? I'm thinking I should stock up on snacks. What else? </div>
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8 days. I can't believe it!imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-49857503302617663052012-11-09T15:23:00.001-08:002012-11-09T15:23:21.138-08:00Progesterone<div style="text-align: justify;">
I ordered another batch of PIO from Kubat's and then found out I could stop all my progesterone. So, now I have two new vials of 100mg PIO and lots of syringes, and the vials say to use before April 30, 2013. Any of you ladies currently supplementing and could use this?</div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-33011919914498283872012-11-07T08:33:00.001-08:002012-11-07T08:33:46.333-08:0012 Days<div style="text-align: justify;">
Only 12 days until we meet this baby! I have done all I can to try and prevent having to go forward with the c-section, but because the doctor who did my fibroid surgery back in 2007 did a terrible job in her OP note of describing what she did, there is no way to know how far into the uterus she cut. So, the doctors are all scared of letting me labor. So, bright and early on the 19th, we will be welcoming the little one into the world. </div>
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I woke up 2 hours early this morning not able to sleep anymore, worrying about what still needs to be done before the baby gets here and hoping that somehow during the night the election results had changed. Alas, they had not. So, I spent the next two hours writing a birth plan, googling for new maids because me.rry mai.ds that we have been using just suck and I am tired of them, and designing the invitation for the baptism, and then had a good cry on husband's shoulder when he finally woke up. Needless to say, I feel just a little overwhelmed. </div>
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I have spent the last several months talking with my doctor about my wishes for how the c-section goes (wanting immediate skin to skin contact and delaying newborn procedures for 2 hours) and have put together a birth plan documenting it all. Let's just hope he abides by it and doesn't pull a switch-a-roo on me at the last minute. </div>
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Baby has continued to do well despite the continued horrible progesterone numbers. I am still in zone 1. PPVI had me go in for a biophysical profile last Friday to make sure things are OK given the persistent low progesterone. Baby scored perfect. And, I had a follow up appointment today and the OB decided to do a non-stress test to make sure since Omaha had raised the issue. Baby is doing great, but apparently I am having contractions that I don't feel. Luckily, though, they are not doing anything. He did a check on me and there is no progress. Thank goodness, I started to get afraid he was going to tell me we're doing this c-section tomorrow. </div>
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So, gladly, baby is still in there hanging out and not ready to go anywhere. Now I just need to try and relax and enjoy these last 12 wonderful days of pregnancy. The past 8 months have gone by so fast. </div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-82187089500432578562012-10-06T09:05:00.000-07:002012-10-06T09:05:16.449-07:00Free Stuff<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, I just went to Mo.ther.hood and picked up a pair of pants and some tights, and I received this bag full of coupons. Three of them are for free items, but the shipping for each item is $12. If any of you need a carseat canopy, feel free to use this promo code at carseatcanopy.com: DMQ3M2276CC</div>
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If you need a free "udder cover" feel free to use this code at uddercovers.com: DMQ3W325UC<br />
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And, if you would like a free baby sling, use this code at sevenslings.com: DMQ3B6648SS<br />
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I don't need any of these things, otherwise I wouldn't mind paying the shipping, but I don't want to pay that kind of shipping on things that I don't need. </div>
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Enjoy!imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-37463637755120542962012-10-02T15:31:00.000-07:002012-10-02T15:31:05.600-07:00Picture PostHere is the baby cocoon and hat that I knit:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9o1QC02Er6CGQ2sIAUQWnZnP-0eOYB6K5-fPgkQts3_ONku7oZ0fC5J7BA3kwLZEDfwrkXhV8fWULMBuaVnbqoXHIGGhFN-kRTq7OTcoYbTczySiKtaDkP_Dt1C7NeGm-KUqeEidISTC/s1600/cocoon+and+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9o1QC02Er6CGQ2sIAUQWnZnP-0eOYB6K5-fPgkQts3_ONku7oZ0fC5J7BA3kwLZEDfwrkXhV8fWULMBuaVnbqoXHIGGhFN-kRTq7OTcoYbTczySiKtaDkP_Dt1C7NeGm-KUqeEidISTC/s320/cocoon+and+hat.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AIY62iNeKuy-1Pxi7pr0T4Hw1rFEqWzggtXq4FqqcGTerh14-goGW3UnUrTl-3v9qxtmA1euWcAHqDNlZmhK_9POotSj1zmFWHZg7WhPSbau2_1t51f__6m2Z10Ef997eWbYSxA4saHj/s1600/cocoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AIY62iNeKuy-1Pxi7pr0T4Hw1rFEqWzggtXq4FqqcGTerh14-goGW3UnUrTl-3v9qxtmA1euWcAHqDNlZmhK_9POotSj1zmFWHZg7WhPSbau2_1t51f__6m2Z10Ef997eWbYSxA4saHj/s320/cocoon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here are the booties I made:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIpNk1Jrz_xdyvLQ-O75XZwd7Wkbivxe7UOHik_dbGbGscZFaYGZLGxOxtu9Ve2khMKrRypDjEdw29CCYyIuLjJwSV2cbFTnh1w0ldi2hhg3rKBCCBnfkFglRz4XE0xrEb2uBbGDECS77/s1600/booties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIpNk1Jrz_xdyvLQ-O75XZwd7Wkbivxe7UOHik_dbGbGscZFaYGZLGxOxtu9Ve2khMKrRypDjEdw29CCYyIuLjJwSV2cbFTnh1w0ldi2hhg3rKBCCBnfkFglRz4XE0xrEb2uBbGDECS77/s320/booties.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here I am this past Saturday at 32 weeks:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_z07kdqTJPEARU4nokzzB71R8i0ZmyyqSfrGSqRJvBfu9fanoQ9nga2iYe4AVkruTaYZj_lQ75D2oLEJ95fAsyrLem1yAb5kbrpi51277PApvGpz0KkyN-dOoKN4DbJIsLmup7Njkjq6e/s1600/32+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_z07kdqTJPEARU4nokzzB71R8i0ZmyyqSfrGSqRJvBfu9fanoQ9nga2iYe4AVkruTaYZj_lQ75D2oLEJ95fAsyrLem1yAb5kbrpi51277PApvGpz0KkyN-dOoKN4DbJIsLmup7Njkjq6e/s320/32+weeks.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Just 7 weeks left until c-section. Can't believe it!imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-25240436762797219192012-09-24T17:59:00.000-07:002012-09-24T17:59:03.285-07:00Brief Updates<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. My sister in law hosted a baby shower for me this past Saturday, and it was great. We had all of the sisters in law there who live here and close friends who all know what it has taken to get to this point. There was a lot of reflecting on how long it's been and how excited everyone is to meet this baby. And, of course, there were lots of much-needed gifts! Most importantly, we received the car seat and BOB stroller. Big ticket items that I was glad were given to us and we didn't have to purchase. </div>
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2. After the shower, I headed down to our local natural parenting shop where they sell cloth diapers and diapering accessories. There was a meet the local doulas event going on, and I knew they were giving away several door prizes, including a gift certificate to the shop. I wanted to win that gift certificate, and lo and behold, I did! Yeah! It was only for $35, but hey, that pays for a couple of diapers. :) </div>
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3. In installed the car seat just a little while ago, and I've got the base so tight that the end that is close to the front passenger seat is raising up. Anyone know if that's ok? I emailed the local police station to see if I can swing by for an inspection, so hopefully I can just have someone take a look at it and put my mind at ease.</div>
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4. I finished the knitted baby "cocoon" and matching hat that I have been working on. Phew! Finally! That was a long project! Now I'm on to knitting a pair of felted booties. </div>
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5. Emotions are getting the better part of me. Last week at childbirth classes, we watched video of women in labor and babies being born, and I just about broke down and bawled when the babies were born. It brought me to thinking about how happy I'm going to feel when we finally meet our baby that we have been waiting for and trying for for so long. I just know I'm going to be a sobbing mess when we meet him/her. </div>
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6. I'm kind of feeling overwhelmed by all of the baby "stuff." I am the most anti-clutter person ever, and having all this extra "stuff" is starting to kind of stress me. And we didn't go overboard with stuff. I really tried to think of what was really needed. I suppose I can start goodwilling stuff as the baby outgrows it, or put it in the attic for the next baby. </div>
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7. This is not baby related, but I'm excited about the new Rev.ol.ution show. The first episode was not as great as I had hoped, but I love the idea of this show. I wish that the first few episodes would go more into what happened in the first days and weeks after the event, rather than starting with 15 years out after everyone's settled into their routines. Maybe we will see more in flashbacks. Anybody else excited about this show? I think it will be like the new Lo.st for me. Can't wait for tonight's episode! </div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-20940486226696358632012-09-22T03:51:00.002-07:002012-09-22T03:51:24.828-07:00Can't Sleep<div style="text-align: justify;">
I can't sleep because we can't agree on a boy name and the baby will be here in 8 weeks! I have been lying awake for an hour and finally decided to just get up. I was running names through my head and praying to go to sleep and be delivered a message that of what our baby's name should be if it's a boy. Instead, I have continued to just lay there agonizing over it. I really hope this baby is a girl or we are really going to have problems. I have offered 5 or 6 very good suggestions. Good, solid, strong boy's names, and my husband just rejects each of them with no reason. He suggests ridiculous sounding names, and I give reasons why I don't like them. For instance, Hunter. Um, babe, I don't think you should name a child after something you do. I wouldn't name a girl Baker or Knitter. Plus, Hunter is not a saint's name. And, I have a half brother whose name is Hunter. Roman. Really? Sounds like a frat boy name. </div>
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Y'all, what are we going to do if we have a boy? The middle name is set: Gerard. No questions about that. But, the first name thing is a battle. Maybe I will just have to hi-jack the birth certificate when he's off getting a shower while I'm recovering in the hospital and I will just unilaterally name the baby! </div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-31899226267223237692012-09-13T10:50:00.000-07:002012-09-13T10:50:04.223-07:00Progesterone still not cooperating, but baby doing well<div style="text-align: justify;">
Progesterone continues to be an issue in this pregnancy. Despite 200 mg injections twice a week and 300 mg suppositories twice a day, I'm still in zone 1. But, my last OB appointment on Tuesday went great. My belly is measuring perfect and the baby's heart rate is great. Plus, this baby is moving a lot. So much so that last night, the baby was moving so much during my sleep that the movements made it into my dreams. So, I guess all is well. </div>
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I think I am also making progress with my OB on the issue of immediate skin to skin in the OR. He is arranging for me to meet with the anesthesiologist to discuss it. (Plus, I've also been secretly communicating with my family practitioner who is an OB and does c-sections. He said it's not policy to do what I want to do, but he would talk to the head of pediatrics and anesthesiology and see what we can do.) </div>
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Oh, and joy of joys, we have baby stuff! My mom threw us a couple's shower this past weekend in Louisiana, and we came home with a car load of baby clothes and a few toys and things like baby lotion and powder, etc. (also some disposable diapers, which I'm going to donate to the food pantry. I know they hand out diapers to people who need them). So, when we got back to town, I had the funnest time washing and folding and putting away baby clothes. I just love going in the nursery and opening the drawers and looking at how tiny everything is! </div>
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Next weekend, there will be another shower here where we live with family and friends from around here. It is completely surreal being the recipient of a baby shower and not the person throwing one or just attending one. I felt overwhelmed at the last shower with the miracle of this little baby and what it has taken to get to where we are. Simply amazing. </div>
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And, besides the progesterone issue, the pregnancy has been a breeze so far. My husband feels like the pregnancy is lasting forever, but I feel like it is going fast. I can't believe we'll be holding our baby in about two months. And, I know those two months are going to fly by. I want to cherish every moment of this pregnancy. </div>
imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792236378594239532.post-63304422626199651592012-08-21T13:51:00.002-07:002012-08-21T13:51:47.121-07:00I could use a glass of wine<div style="text-align: justify;">
But, of course, I'm not going to have one! But, I really could use it. By the way, the gestational diabetes test is over with, so I just went ahead and did it. But, I was crying through the whole thing because of how my doctor reacted to my desires for certain things to happen in my c-section. I had scheduled in advance a longer appointment, so he knew I was coming to talk about the c-section. He was almost antagonistic, though, when it came down to my requests. He at first refused to read a medical journal article I brought in that explained the "family-centered" c-section (which includes things like not strapping down the mother's arms, not giving her so much medication that her arms are heavy, placing the baby immediately across the mom's chest with a blanket over the two of them instead of taking the baby across the room to a warm table), but eventually toward the end of the meeting folded the article and put it in his pocket. I just felt like I was having to fight with him, and that put me in a very emotional mood as soon as I walked out of his office. I did not expect him to be so prideful and "know it all" and dismissive. Maybe after he has time to think about it all, he will lighten up and come around, but right now, I'm still crying (thanks, hormones) and thinking maybe I should switch doctors. </div>
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I mean, there were other things I wanted to discuss with him and had articles I brought, but I sure didn't bring those up yet. I wanted to talk about adhesion prevention and give him copies of Dr. H's article and another article I found that specifically talked about adhesion prevention in c-section. I did ask about sep.rafi.lm, and he claimed that it hasn't proven to make a difference, but that's not what I've read. And, so what if it doesn't? Can't hurt, right? Can he please just use it on me given that we know I'm prone to adhesions? My husband thinks we should stick with him and just bring up one issue at each visit, but after today, I'm not so sure things will go any differently at future visits. Lord, I just bring up the idea of placing the baby on my chest, and he goes off claiming it can't be done. Imagine how he'll react when I ask him to close my uterus in a certain way!</div>
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I wish I knew of a way to find a new doctor that I could know in advance would have no problem with accommodating some alternative ways of how a c-section usually goes. I wish I could just go to Omaha and have Dr. H do my c-section. Better yet, I wish I could just have a good old fashioned home birth. </div>
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imusthaveprayedforpatiencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099424250039253624noreply@blogger.com7