John’s chin-jury

Well, we ended 2019 with a bang... right on the concrete.  The kids were outside playing and John took the ramp down to the cup-de-sac a bit too fast and busted his chin.  He quickly started bleeding. As I took him inside he held his body chin with his hands. I tried to clean it as best I could with warm water before putting a giant bandaid on it. The bandaid seemed to calm him a bit but it definitely still hurt. Hubs and I had plans to go see a movie and the kids spend some time with Mimi and Popi. I thought all was all right, but I was still worried that I hadn’t taken him in. I kept reasoning with myself that it was too small a cut for stitches, but that didn’t ease me. I waited til after the movie to check on him, and received this picture:

!  Needless to say I had to call and ask what the giant bandage was doing around his head!  Mimi calmly explained that he had bled through the bandaid because there was no pressure on it. So Popi decided this was the best solution. It had stopped bleeding and he was fine with it. 

*sigh*

Okay, so today after he woke up we tried to clean his face up a bit more, and put fresh bandages on. We were able to, but he wouldn’t let us have a good look at it, so we don’t know how bad it really is. At least he’s all smiles today. 

Cellulitis scaring

After The c-section for Paul I got a bacterial infection around my incision called cellulitis. No, this is not what women complain about having on their thighs and butt, it's an actual infection caused by Streptococcal or staphylococca bacteria which can enter through the cesarian scar. This is how mine came about, causing my incision site to ooze slightly then have other symptoms: skin red and warm to the touch, some pain (if any, but I attribute that to the massive amount of drugs I was already taking for the pain), fever, chills, and inflammation of skin around the incision. My inflammation wasn't around but rather above the incision. I don't think I would have even noticed something was wrong if it hadn't been for the bloody tape over the seuteurs. I remembered that with Erin's c-section I didn't have blood showing. So I called attention to it. And I'm glad I did, cause if the infection got too bad I would have had to stay at the hospital even longer.
But now that my belly is somewhat flattening out I am able to see the scaring a little better. I could always feel it though... The inflammation made my skin look and feel like red cottage cheese. It was numb where the infection was and has slowly started to get feeling back. But now my loosened skin reveals an even more stretch-mark type of battlefield. It still feels a bit like cottage cheese is under my skin's surface: normal skin tightness and elasticity with bits and chunks of stretched non-elastic skin mixed in at random. It feels very odd. I'm not as worried about my real birthing stretch-marks as I am these. I mean, you can't really see them if you aren't looking unless I gather that chunk of akin together, but that doesn't stop me from being able to feel it. It's a bit of looseness I'm afraid wont bounce back. I don't know much about this infection other than what I've read on the Internet so I'll be asking my dr about it at our next visit.

Migraines and mommys don't match

Ugh. I have been fighting a massive migraine for most of the day. The oxycodone I took is finally kicking in so I feel good enough to stare at my phones screen long enough to do some stuff. But I was just about in tears (and slightly nauseous whenever Paul got upset. I'm very grateful it's a grandparent day for Erin cause I'm not sure I could have handled them both alone. It's not Paul's cries that make my stomach turn but the shushing noises to make him calm down. I'm in my house right now hiding from the sun and hoping my ears stop ringing. Even though I took medicine my face around my left eye still feels bruised like someone punched me really really hard. ugh. I'm going back to bed before my head explodes.


* I was going to include a picture of an exploding head but I almost threw up doing an image search for one and decided against it. Just image one of the many exploding heads from JJ Abrams Fringe series (and yes, this can include the bleeding eye ones because with all the pressure my temple feels I would not be surprised).

Pauls 2 week check up

Post for July 6, 2011

Today at 1130 was Paul's 2 week check-up. We actually saw Dr. Harp-Wetz now that she is back from maternity leave.
Weight: 9 lbs 3 oz
Length:
Head size:
So basically he has gained a pound since leaving the hospital but remains the same length.
Other things she said was that he was perfectly healthy and she didn't expect to see him back again until his 2 month.
Then there's the stuff with the belly button...

She said it is sticking out because it's herniated; which is not a problem and should go away by the time he is 2 years old. His hernia isn't bad enough to warrant surgery if he doesn't need it. But we are supposed to watch it because it can be more prone to infection (which can be very dangerous) than normal. Also because it is herniated, it will stick out more when he cries or strains. This has been causing the healed/dried up stub to remain fresh (Which is what I've been worried about). The dr put some silver nitrate on it to help seal it, which is perfectly normal. But by the end of the day, due to all his straining, the silver nitrate had worn off and the fresh wound remained fresh (and puss-like). She did say if it didn't look better or wasn't healing by the next couple weeks to go ahead and give her a call.
Other than that he is a perfectly healthy little boy!

Pauls big growth spurt

Paul's definitely going through growth spurt. Yesterday he was nursing what seemed like every hour.
He's now eating very little and sleeping a ton. When he eats it's one side for not very long and he seems like he's fighting it

Grumpy Girl

Today was a bit rough. Erin's being more clingy than normal, I think it's because the daycare stuff. Ever since I started her in daycare she's become really hard to leave with strangers. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I wouldn't leave her with strangers anyway. She has started crying really hard and clinging onto me when I try and hand her over. The first day of daycare she didn't, she willingly went to the lady there, but since then it's been harder. She's gotten to where, after I leave her and they've finally distracted her enough that she quits crying, anytime someone enters the room... anyone entering... if it's not me she starts her hysterics again. It's very bothersome/worrysome. I know it's just a phase, but it's really hard to deal with when I need to leave her (like church) with someone. I don't know how to fix this. She sort of went through a similar phase when she was 7 months, but it wasn't this bad, and it got fixed after a while. But now... now it's crazy. It's exhausting.
And so I had to leave her today at church at the nursery, which she's gone to plenty of times before and been fine. And I thought she'd be okay (because she seems better with people she knows, and she knows them sort of). When I was checking her in she even started walking off to go in, but she had a hold of my finger, so I couldn't let her in because I wasn't done checking her in. By the time I was done the girl tried to take her and Erin freaked out. It was aweful! I spent most of church praying about her. I thought it was all under control until the last five minutes. I recieved a text saying that Erin needed me. Before church I had been looking forward to the idea that I could get a chocolate chocolate-chip muffin there after service for breakfast. I was really looking forward to it. But when I got to Erin she was inconsolable, so I just took her and headed home. We did stop by McD's to see Chris and grab some food. Fries made the tears go away for a little bit. And when we got home she took her nap.
I thought the fits would be done when she awoke, and I knew Patty was coming to get her in a little while after she got up. So I put in one of her Classical Baby DVDs and she immediately was mezmerized ( for that whole "I'm awake but not really ready to move" phase these DVDs are great). She sat down right in front of the TV, which is a bit close for me (I realize TVs have changed over the years, but I always remember hearing you shouldn't sit closer than 4 feet for your eyes' sake, so I still try to keep to that and have been trying to get Erin to follow it too). So I asked her to come sit with me a few feet away. She just ignored my requests. When I reached out for her and took hold to pull her back to me she freaked out: she flailed her arms, arched her back, started crying and yelling. It was aweful. I felt horible. All I wanted to do was sit with her in my lap, or at least beside me, and I couldn't. Every time I even touched her she started again. I finally just grabbed her and held onto her while she screamed and cried and flailed about. I tried to explain to her that we could watch it and that I just wanted to hold her, but I know she doesn't understand that quite yet. I started crying. All I wanted to do was hold my baby and it seemed she hated me when I touched her. We cried together for a little while and she finally realized I wasn't going to take her away, but she stayed stiff while watching the dvd. I felt so bad.
I've got to figure out how to make her less grumpy.
This morning she was very "dizzy" it seemed, so I'm taking her for a check tomorrow because I'm worried that her ear infection has gotten worse. She's not contagious, I know that much. No fever and her caugh is almost gone. She's recovering her voice even. But she was very off-balance today. She fell a couple of times when she shouldn't have and hit her head. Once when she was standing and holding onto something. She didn't slip or trip or anything, just "wham!" fell and hit her head. So that and the grumpiness makes me a bit worried. It's not that she's sick, she's just not acting herself, so I'm going to go have it checked.

Hit #2

So Erin gave me a bit of a scare today. She hit her head and scraped it up pretty good. She was playing at the dog door (which I watch her when she's at) and decided to go out it. This proceeded into a very nasty fall on her head. She got a big bump and a small cut. She immediately started crying... so hard she stopped making noise. It scared me sooo badly! I swooped her up and took her to the ER, but on my way there, she stopped crying and seemed to be calm... almost a little too calm and almost fell asleep. It worried me so much, but when I got there, she wasn't bothered very much by the bump. So I took her to the pediatrician instead (in the adjourning building... if it hadn't been I might have taken her to the minor emergency instead). She got in fairly fast (which is better than what I can say if I had taken her to the ER), and the doc said she was good and doing fine, just to watch her for the next 24 hours for anything weird. So, she is fine and doing well.

Sleepless Nights

Right now I'm suffering from insomnia (as you can tell by the time stamp on this post), but it is not due directly to Erin. But because I'm awake already I've been the one going and checking on her.
Let me restart: She was sleeping pretty well through the night, waking up only ever so often at 3-5am and then for the day at 7am. Chris would do hisi daddy duty and put her back to sleep at the 3-5 waking. In Peru she started waking up at around midnight, 3-5am, and 7am. I let this slide because she was not in her own bed, new environment, etc, etc. So I'd just nurse her back to sleep. She did fine and would fall right back until the next time slot.
But now that we are back she has gotten a whole new attitude towards sleeping. I can't get her to nap worth anything. It tires me out and I just can't deal with it sometimes. I cheat and it seems the only way she'll nap is if she nurses... but even then that does not work all the time. She just gets sooo tired! I don't understand, because I put her down at the first signs of sleepiness, and the moment she knows where she's going it's bloody-murder! You'd think I was pinching her all over or something! It's aweful and I just don't know what to do. I get so frustrated... I can barely get myself to walk away sometimes though. Sometimes I just pick her right back out and say "Okay, if you are awake enough to stand in your crib/cry that hard/etc you are gonna just be awake." I'll take her out and we'll go back out into the living room for some more play time. I don't want to have to nurse her to get her to nap because I know that's "bad association", but I'll be darned if that isn't exactly what I have to do most of the time. Everyone else seems to be able to get her to just pop right off to sleep for a nap, though.
Maybe it is just the seperation anxiety... that must be what happens at night, too.
I'm glad Chris puts her to sleep at night, but she knows that I'm not there and he's having a harder time getting her to stop crying. She knows the routine, I don't know why she doesn't go with it and accept that it's daddy time and not mommy time.
But anyway, back to what I was saying in the begining: She's waking up at 12/1am and crying crying crying! In Peru it wasn't hard to handle because her crib was right there, I'd get her before she woke up anyone else and nurse her back to sleep. But I don't want to keep doing that.
I've been sending Chris in to take care of her, but I know it's been wearing on him as well. Tonight was a different night. I decided that since I've got this insomnia (that's been pestering me for a while now, and it's just getting worse since I've been back. I really gotta get this under control) I'd just get her before it got too out of hand and nurse her. So at midnight when she started crying I did just that. I cheated and nursed her back to sleep. But that didn't do the trick this time. She woke up again about 30 minutes later. She's just stopped crying. Almost two hours later. It's so quiet I'm kind of scared.
I tried so hard to console her. I gave her her paci multiple times without avail. I put origel on her gums in case it was tooth pain. I knew it wasn't hunger so I didn't bother nursing. But I did eventually pick her up and try and rock her, sing to her, and walk around with her. She only stoped crying for a second when I started walking... but only a second or two. It was bad. I had to set her down she was squirming so much. I rubbed her belly. She remained "swaddled" in the wombie, but that just seemed to piss her off more (I wonder a little bit if it's the detergent because it got washed with regular stuff rather than Dreft, and it's kind of the first batch of stuff that's got a bit stronger smell to it than normal. Just in case I'm gonna rewash it when I wake up).
I had to just walk away. I called the Blue Cross Baby hotline, but it's really only for pregnancy up till 6 weeks (newborns), so they told me to check for fever and stuff (which she doesn't have). I tried calling my pediatrician, but unless I wanted the emergency triage people I had little options except to wait to call until the morning... which is what I'm going to do.
So, after some pacing, I sat in the living room with tears and the video monitor watching as Erin rolled around and banged her head against things (which only made her cry louder). It was a good hard cry for an hour and a half, and then another 30 minutes of intermitten sobs and short bursts. It always sounds like she's in pain, so I don't know what it could be.
After crying a bit myself, I looked up possible things of what it could be. The internet kept saying "night terrors". Some other suggestions were teething (which the oragel should have fixed almost immediately), seperation anxiety, and gas.
All I know is she's asleep and I'm tired. My mind keeps racing and I've gotta get it under control so I can be a good mom for Erin. I'm just greatful that Chris is able to watch her when she wakes up... I just wish he would get up right away when she gets up. But that's another blog.
I'd better get some sleep... after I check on her. Night.

PPD on Meds

So I'm on meds now, my 3rd day. Just Welbutrion. I'm a little worried about how it'll affect Erin. I'm doing better, but, you know, since I've had it around me I've been doing better.

The only problem is my milk supply... it is extremely low! It hurts so much when she gets to the end of her feeding. Almost like a needle. I'm trying to be good and drink and eat more, but it's really hard. It's hard to remember, and it's hard to get time sometimes to do anything, let alone eat. I don't know. I know my doctor (Sorenson) reccomended Zoloft because it has little/no effect on her. Welbutron's not supposed to be bad for her, but I'm supposed to watch her attitude (if she becomes docile, non attentive, and whatnot). I didn't know that until today, oye. I'm a bit worried. I need to tell her doctor (first thing tomorrow).

---

Sometimes, when Chris puts her to sleep and she's crying so hard and then she suddenly stops... it scares me. Because I know how frustraiting it is, and I know how tightly he holds her. I worry. I get scared.

---

Life is getting better. I'm just worried... and low.

I did get a sudden high, but now I've leveled off, still in a funk... but not as dangerous. Last tuesday I still wanted to run away. I fought the urge badly over a couple of days but now I'm better. I've been talking things over with Chris a lot more. And things are getting better with communication.

Hair-Pulling

OK, so I'm not pulling my hair out on purpose, but over the last few days (ok, about a week or so) I've noticed an increase in the amount of hair coming out when I just run my hands through or take my ponytail down. I knew that the hormones leveling off would do this, but today and yesterday was an amazing amount of hair! I must have a bald spot somewhere, because I already have fine hair. So maybe I should delay that haircut I've been waiting for and keep all the hair I can while I've still got some!

Dr. Weekly

I'm pretty sure the doctor is set and determined that this week was the due week, but I'm pretty sure now that it's a week off, and she'll be coming next week... at least with the upcoming weather I'm hoping so.
But the update is this: my bloodpressure is down, which is good, to 119 over 87. We were a bit worried when it was up because that could mean something. But it's down to normal now, so that's all good.
I'm at 1cm, still soft, and posterior. So she's not going anywhere right now. I figure once the sleet and snow comes in we'll just sit back and relax until next month (only a few days away!).
The doctor asked if I wanted to set a date or let her go as long as we could. I said we'd let her go as long as we could. So, Dr. S doesn't doesn't want her to go past the 9th.
We went ahead and set up an apointment for next week, which I'll have to do a stress test for when I go. The stress test sounds pretty easy and relaxing, actually. I'll have a dopler (the baby heart monitor) strapped to my stomach and another device that monitors contractions (just in case I'm having them and "not realizing it", though I'm not sure I wouldn't realize it). But I'll be sitting down in a recliner with these two devices strapped to my stomach for 15-30 minutes until they get a good constant reading. And then I'll get the regular weekly done.
You know, the same stuff I got done this week: pelvic exam, blood pressure, heart rate of LBG, questions, weight, and pee in a cup.
LBG's heart rate kept going up from 145-150 at this one, but it's within normal range. I think she thought she was being played with. Dr. S said the cervic was still a ways up there though.

Glucose Test

Well, I had the glucose test just a little while ago and it went well. This test required that I fasted for 10 hours (I could have water during that time) and come in to do it. At first the doctor said that I wouldn't really have to fast, that I could eat, and then four hours later go in, but when I went in and tried to do it yesterday (I ate breakfast then worked a normal 4 hour shift with just water) but the lab techs said no, that I should fast for 10 hours and try it otherwise my results will be such that I have to come in for the 3 hour test (I'll explain in a minute).
So I went home and ate like normal the rest of the day. Today when I got up for sleep, because I had the day off, I didn't have a lick of breakfast, and went in to take the test. It was the right amount of time and everything worked out well.
They gave me this thick orange flavored (and bright orange colored) drink that I quickly drank down and they started the clock. I had to wait an hour in the lobby, so I had taken a sudoku puzzle book from the house and set to work. An hour went by, and they took some blood.
The orange drink wasn't as bad as I would have thought. I guess there are a lot of flavors out there, but I think RMLabs only offers the orange (someone said there was lemon-lime, fruit punch, grape, and orange). I've had worse tasting beverages so I was plesantly surprised. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't order it if it was offered at a resturaunt, but I wouldn't say it was horrible enough to cause a gag reflex. The only part that was suckie was the blood drawn. I mean, I knew I'd have to have it done and whatnot, so I was prepaired. But she really did a number on my arm and it's a bit bruised. For half the day afterwards it felt like the needle, or at least part of it, was still in there.
Otherwise all good on the glucose front.
Oh, I was going to tell you what happens if I fail real quick: I have to do the same test for three hours. I drink an even larger amount of the orange stuff and then they have to take my blood every hour for three hours. Hopefully I won't have bad results.

Adendum (11/4/9): Wehn I went in to the doctor today they said my glucose test results were really good, 114... whatever that means?

Lopsided

Last night was a weird night for me in general. I couldn't get to sleep, my stomach felt so tight! I don't know if I ate too much and couldn't get rid of it, or if it was the baby. Anyway, I finally just went outside with a flashlight and started picking up the dog poo (yes, 10 o'clock at night). But while doing that I noticed that my stomach was lopsided. Now, I've gotten the feeling that it was before, especially when I just get up from sleeping or I'm about to lay down and have to pick a side. But so far it's always just been a feeling. But I think being extra full/tight, last night I was actually able to see it! It was freaky, to say the least. my right side was way bigger than my left, and I was sure it was the baby, but didn't want to push it over or anything like that. The more I think about it the more I realize that that has been the heavier, or "less light" (because I notice the lighter side more when it's the feeling), side more often than not. So, baby's a righty. I think I evened it out durring the night, because by the time I woke up, I couldn't tell anymore. I wonder why they like that side more? Just a general question for the universe.
And this is just general information I thought I should share as my dogs try to catch flies in the last of the summer heat. It's not something people tell you will happen, so it really took me by surprise.
I saw in a movie once where they had to turn the baby around because it was upside-down, and they did it just by pushing it around with their hands. The mother was well into her 8th month, so I don't know if this is really possible or just movie magic. But wouldn't that hurt the baby? I mean, I'm sure that's how they used to do it, but the baby is still developing, does it dent them or something?
Anyway, enough for today. Just thought I'd share that little tid-bit with you.

Ooo... lightheaded

So today I went into work like any other day. I don't know what it was, but I started feeling really lightheaded. Of course, right after I started feeling like this, a crowd of people came in. I was on the front counter taking orders. Anyway, I was a few people away from completely taking everyone's order when everything started going black. You know when you get those dots in front of everything? Yeah, that was happening. And my stomach was feeling real bad, but I didn't want to throw up infront, or faint, of customers. I only had one order left when everything went black even more, I thought I could make it through, but they were two old men and I couldn't hear/understand them (at least not quick enough to take care of myself after them). I yelled for a manager and ran out of there to the restroom as quickly as I could.
Anyway, I'm at home now, still feeling ew-yuckie. My head is full of cotton, with thorns bumping it ever so often for a headache. They say it's common, especially in the second trimester. But frankly, this is worse than morning sickness. I can't do anything. Anyway, feet up, eating and drinking fluids... trying to get rid of these feelings.
Here's a little info (from www.whattoexpect.com) to help ease your mind. It's a perfectly normal thing, just not a nice thing:

Pregnancy Symptoms & Solutions

Faintness, Dizziness, Light-headedness

If you’ve always wanted to perfect your swoon, pregnancy may be your best chance. But if you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, here’s what you’ll need to know.

What it is: A disorienting feeling of unsteadiness (vertigo) can make expectant moms feel as if they’re about to fall or faint (and sometimes they do!).

What causes it: Early in pregnancy, light-headedness is likely due to the fact that your body isn’t yet producing enough blood to fill a rapidly expanding circulatory system. (The good news: Your body is gearing up to meet the needs of two bodies instead of one.)

In the second trimester, your growing (and growing!) uterus may put pressure on your blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to your brain, sometimes making your head spin. (By the way, that reduced blood flow is probably the reason you often forget your own name these days.) You might also feel dizzy if your blood sugar drops or you become dehydrated.

Another possible source of light-headedness is spending too much time in a hot or stuffy room, especially if you’re wearing clothes that are too tight or too warm. Remember, your body is a baby-making oven, generating plenty of its own heat right now.

What you need to know about it: Dizziness and light-headedness are common during pregnancy, but if they persist, or if you actually faint, put in a call to your practitioner just to make sure everything’s okay.

And keep in mind that no matter how "normal" it is to feel dizzy when you’re pregnant, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the feeling. If you’re feeling light-headed, use common sense: no driving, working out, or handling anything dangerous. If you start to feel especially woozy, sit down immediately so you don’t wind up falling and hurting yourself or your baby.

What to do about it: You can stop a dizzy spell in its tracks by lying down as soon as you start to feel light-headed. Elevate your feet to increase blood flow to your brain. Second best: Sit down and bend as far forward as you can, putting your head between your knees, if possible. If there’s no place to lie down or sit, kneel on one knee and bend forward as if you were tying your shoe until the spell passes. And if you need help, don’t be shy about asking.

To keep a spell from starting in the first place:

• Don’t get up too quickly from a sitting or prone position.
• Eat protein at every meal to maintain stable blood-sugar levels.
• Eat several small meals throughout the day.
• Carry healthy snacks with you for a quick blood-sugar boost. Good options: a box of raisins, a piece of fruit, or a couple of whole-wheat crackers.
• Drink at least eight glasses of water a day; more if it’s hot or you’re working out.
• Dress in easy-to-shed layers in case you start feeling overheated.
• Don’t wear tight-fitting clothes, scarves, or hats.

If dizziness or light-headedness persists, tell your practitioner how you’re feeling at your next visit. But if you actually pass out, call ASAP (once you come to, of course).

Sonogram Print Out

The Sonogram paperwork:

The Heartbeat (was good and healthy):

The baby!:

Facebook Update

Okay, so the details: The doctor and I thought we were 8 weeks, but the computer says only 7 (that was last week). So we're two months along.
That put our due date right around the first week of February.
It's healthy and doing well. The heartbeat was good and strong.
We don't know if we want to know the sex or not. We won't get the choice of deciding to know or not for another month or so. There are good reasons behind each choice.

• Emotionally: It's cool to not know until the doctor says: "Hey folks, it's a...!"
• Logically: It makes sense to know when you can because then you can prepare for it. Get the right clothing, set ups, decorations, etc.

Chris is excited and happy that he can finally tell everyone.
I'm doing well. Morning sickness isn't bad (knock on wood). I'm slightly nauseous all day, more so at evening, but not vomiting or anything... just kind of "ugh". If I eat something (even when I don't want to see food) I'm good. Problem is eating something at all times can cause major weight gain, so I'm really trying to watch it. It really surprises me how calm it is compared to the horror stories I hear from everyone.

Thank you, all, for you well wishes! We appreciate it.