So remember last Saturday, when I mentioned I could go into labor that night? Well...
Mark and I went out that evening. We planned to go to PF Chang's and see a movie. As soon as we sat down to dinner, I started having contractions. Over the next 3 hours, they got stronger and closer together, till they were about 4 minutes apart. So we went to the hospital. They hooked me up and checked me out, and sure enough, there were the contractions on the screen. I was still about 3cm. They had me get up and walk around for a while, then hooked me up again. Contractions were stronger (painful by this point) and about 2 minutes apart. However, STILL only 3cm dilated. So they sent me home, saying I would probably be back within 24 hours to deliver the baby.
We've yet to go back.
Since then, I've had a couple of periods of fairly regular contractions, some of which were pretty painful. But nothing had progressed. At this point I'm counting on Saturday morning, but I guess I could still go into real labor at any point. Anyway, no baby yet!
Right now it's 5:30am and Owen and I have been hanging out for about an hour. He's watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and I'm about ready to get his first bottle of the day going. I think he's restless because he's getting new teeth; he was up with Mark from about 3:30. Today is Owen's last day of daycare for a while. Mark will be home with him tomorrow, and then we'll keep him home as much as we can while I'm off. Hopefully I can handle both bubbies by myself!
As much as this week has been frustrating and exhausting, it's nice that we've still had some time to prepare for the baby. We hadn't even packed our bags by last Saturday, so it was a good reminder that we needed to get ready - a baby is definitely coming in the next few days!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Ain't That a Kick in the Head...
There have been many of you who, upon seeing me within the past few weeks, have emphatically declared that I'm going to have Bean before the induction date. I have mostly laughed and said, "I'm not that lucky." Because with Owen I went the full 40 weeks and my body had made ZERO progress toward labor. I guess it's true, what they say about every pregnancy being different, because...
I'm dilated 3cm and 25% effaced.
I'm pretty shocked. It doesn't mean much; pregnant women can walk around like this for weeks before going into labor, or I could go into labor tonight. But it does mean my induction is likely to go smoothly. So now we officially go in next Saturday morning at 6am (ugh) and by Easter we'll probably have a baby! YAY!
Plus, my doctor lets her patients have their epidurals right at the beginning of their inductions - no wait! Double YAY!!!
I'm dilated 3cm and 25% effaced.
I'm pretty shocked. It doesn't mean much; pregnant women can walk around like this for weeks before going into labor, or I could go into labor tonight. But it does mean my induction is likely to go smoothly. So now we officially go in next Saturday morning at 6am (ugh) and by Easter we'll probably have a baby! YAY!
Plus, my doctor lets her patients have their epidurals right at the beginning of their inductions - no wait! Double YAY!!!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
ONE YEAR!
It's been such a long time since I updated that I hardly know where to begin! Today is Owen's first birthday. Twelve months ago today, he came into the world, we got a short glimpse of him, and he was quickly taken away. About two hours later, we got to see him and hold him for a bit. And then not again for several days. We got to hold him the day before his first surgery, and that morning before they took him away. And then not again for several days. He went back to the NICU and remained there until he was 2.5 months old. We saw him as much as we could, while also preparing for a move and with me trying to finish school. One year later, I don't really understand how we made it through all this, except by the grace of God.
So what is Owen like today? The little boy who could easily not have survived his heart condition, who easily could have been so affected by his chromosome abnormality that he would be completely unresponsive to us, is thriving! What's new with Owen? Well...
1) He can sit on his own, unsupported, for short bursts of time while he plays with toys. He loves to stand. He needs help with balance, but he supports himself and tries to take steps (yikes!) He is not very close to crawling, but is getting there. We will insist with him that he learn to crawl before walking, since crawling is tied to good language and speech skills later on. We are in PT and OT to accomplish these goals.
2) Owen has two teeth, and a couple more on the way!
3) At this point, he is completely G-tube fed for his formula. He started refusing the bottle around Christmas, when his first tooth came in. We are in speech therapy to work on this, and the therapist is optimistic that we'll get the bottle back. Aside from formula, he hates baby food, but loves to try what's on our plates!
4) Owen definitely recognizes strangers now, and has become a bit of a mama's boy. He loves to cuddle.
5) His favorite games are to see his daddy hop around like a bunny, see his mommy take slow steps toward him and tickle him, and see his soft toys get thrown around. He laughs up a storm anytime we do these things.
6) His favorite toy right now is his red bird that chirps when you squeeze its tummy. It can bring him straight out of a shrieking fit into smiles and coos.
7) Finally, and best of all, his heart function has remained great! It couldn't be any better given his funky anatomy. In fact, we last saw cardiology in February, and they released us until the end of AUGUST!!! Much, much praise to God for this blessing! The truth is, we *never* worry about his heart. Isn't that amazing?!
We know his next surgery is coming, either this fall or next fall. But we are at peace. Our baby boy is a joy to us, and whatever time we have with him is the time we're meant to have. We are thankful for it all.
The next several days will be big for us. Baby Frossard #2 is coming by scheduled induction next Friday/Saturday, April 10/11. We go in that Friday evening at around 5 for me to get checked, and if no dilation has occurred (as was the case with Owen,) they will give me some medicine, and we'll go from there. The reason I think we could still have the baby Friday is because Owen's induction began at 6pm and he was almost born that same night!
In the meantime, we are trying to get our house straightened and cleaned. The boys' rooms are almost completely finished. Owen has moved into his new, bigger-boy bedroom, and the nursery is put together for Bean. I feel the nesting instinct, but I am too tired to act on it! We let our house go so much that it's all we can do just to complete a decent cleaning.
I plan to start updating regularly again, especially now that Owen is getting a new baby brother to interact with! I have lots of pictures to post, once I get them downloaded. Owen was pretty cute with his birthday cupcake last night, though he didn't actually eat any of it. He definitely didn't inherit too much of my sweet tooth!
So what is Owen like today? The little boy who could easily not have survived his heart condition, who easily could have been so affected by his chromosome abnormality that he would be completely unresponsive to us, is thriving! What's new with Owen? Well...
1) He can sit on his own, unsupported, for short bursts of time while he plays with toys. He loves to stand. He needs help with balance, but he supports himself and tries to take steps (yikes!) He is not very close to crawling, but is getting there. We will insist with him that he learn to crawl before walking, since crawling is tied to good language and speech skills later on. We are in PT and OT to accomplish these goals.
2) Owen has two teeth, and a couple more on the way!
3) At this point, he is completely G-tube fed for his formula. He started refusing the bottle around Christmas, when his first tooth came in. We are in speech therapy to work on this, and the therapist is optimistic that we'll get the bottle back. Aside from formula, he hates baby food, but loves to try what's on our plates!
4) Owen definitely recognizes strangers now, and has become a bit of a mama's boy. He loves to cuddle.
5) His favorite games are to see his daddy hop around like a bunny, see his mommy take slow steps toward him and tickle him, and see his soft toys get thrown around. He laughs up a storm anytime we do these things.
6) His favorite toy right now is his red bird that chirps when you squeeze its tummy. It can bring him straight out of a shrieking fit into smiles and coos.
7) Finally, and best of all, his heart function has remained great! It couldn't be any better given his funky anatomy. In fact, we last saw cardiology in February, and they released us until the end of AUGUST!!! Much, much praise to God for this blessing! The truth is, we *never* worry about his heart. Isn't that amazing?!
We know his next surgery is coming, either this fall or next fall. But we are at peace. Our baby boy is a joy to us, and whatever time we have with him is the time we're meant to have. We are thankful for it all.
The next several days will be big for us. Baby Frossard #2 is coming by scheduled induction next Friday/Saturday, April 10/11. We go in that Friday evening at around 5 for me to get checked, and if no dilation has occurred (as was the case with Owen,) they will give me some medicine, and we'll go from there. The reason I think we could still have the baby Friday is because Owen's induction began at 6pm and he was almost born that same night!
In the meantime, we are trying to get our house straightened and cleaned. The boys' rooms are almost completely finished. Owen has moved into his new, bigger-boy bedroom, and the nursery is put together for Bean. I feel the nesting instinct, but I am too tired to act on it! We let our house go so much that it's all we can do just to complete a decent cleaning.
I plan to start updating regularly again, especially now that Owen is getting a new baby brother to interact with! I have lots of pictures to post, once I get them downloaded. Owen was pretty cute with his birthday cupcake last night, though he didn't actually eat any of it. He definitely didn't inherit too much of my sweet tooth!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
