He's Here!!

Well, Noah finally made his arrival into this world. On Tuesday, March 23rd, I had some bleeding and an increase in pain in my belly. The doc wanted to see me. While being monitored in the office, it was determined that I was contracting every few minutes. When she checked me, I was 2-3 cm and 80% effaced. I went home not knowing if the contractions would continue, etc. The doctor had said it could be "today, tomorrow, or a few weeks." After getting home, we went for a walk to see what the contractions were gonna do. They got closer and harder. I quickly decided that we were gonna have to head to the hospital. We scrambled to find someone to keep the kids (Thank goodness for Gretchen) and Aunt Lisa was on her way down thanks to Grandpa Yant.

When we arrived at the hospital I was monitored for a while, contractions were 1-2 minutes apart. We did some walking to see exactly how things were going to go (ie: contractions stop or keep going and make cervix changes). At 11:30 that night, they checked me and determined that Noah (being the turkey he is) had turned from a head down position to being completely sideways while we were in the hospital. My OB was shocked. There was fear of him continuing to flip around and tying his cord in knots. I was still contracting regularly every 1-2 minutes and the doc decided it was time for Noah to come out. So we headed to the OR for a c-section. The c-section is a completely different post for another time. But after he was born, he was struggling with his breathing. He was requiring oxygen so they took him to the NICU.

He was diagnosed with transient tachypnea of the newborn, caused by him inhaling fluid into his lungs. We were told it could take 24 hours or up to 3 weeks to get things better. As of today, he is 2 days old and has completely turned around. I have just started being able to attempt to bottle feed him at each feeding. He tires easily, but is doing well. They are weaning the flow on the oxygen and are hopeful that he'll be ready to come home early next week. Keep the prayers coming!!

Baby Noah Updates

Well, Saturday I had my first short shift scheduled, cutting me back to 8 hour shifts. Thought I was doing well. I didn't push any beds, had coworkers walk my patients to xray, drank lots of water, etc. UNTIL 1900 hit and 2 patients both crashed at the same time. My adrenalin kicked in, I ran for and pulled the code cart, and was very stressed for an hour or so. When it was all said and done, I realized I was contracting, frequently. Sat down and got my water. One of our nurses has numerous years as a L&D nurse and she started monitoring me. My contractions were every 2 minutes and for some reason, my peds er staff physician didn't want to deliver my baby so she sent me by ambulance to IU. It was quite stressful, but after some rehydration with IV fluids and laying down, things calmed down. Needless to say, I am now on light duty.

Has it really been 2 1/2 months?

Seems like forever since I last posted an update, so I have lots to say. Let's start with a baby update. I am now 33 weeks, hard to believe, except that my belly and back ache so badly that they believe it! Baby Noah is doing well. Most recent ultrasound shows a perfectally sized baby, despite the fact that mommy is still not gaining much weight. My belly is growing by leaps and bounds and it's so funny to me to actually have a baby belly this time around. Normally with my pregnancies, I just look fatter! He is a very active little man and we're convinced he's gearing up to take on his big brother Zach. I have been diagnosed with polyhydraminos (excess amniotic fluid) and so they are going to watch me closely from here on out. My fluid level is twice what it should be and this can cause preterm contractions/labor. I have had lots of contractions, and actually spent some time in labor and delivery last week being monitored. So far, everything is going ok.

Zachary is about to turn 3 on the 15th. We have a big birthday party planned for him on Sunday the 14th. But first, we have to get through surgery on Monday. He saw a new ENT this week who agreed that it's time to remove the tonsils and adenoids and put more permanent ear tubes in place. As soon as the ear tubes fall out, he begins having ear infections. The ENT also said it appears his adenoids are blocking his nasal passages enough that it's creating some breathing difficulties. Not looking forward to the recovery stage, but will be so glad to get it done and get my little boy healthy again.

Joshua is doing well, just brought home his 2nd trimester report card. He had all A's and B's. Now, if the Danville school system used a normal 90, 80, 70 grading scale, he'd have all A's. The grading scale is so tough, I'd have flunked out for sure! He's loving school and getting very excited about little Noah's arrival.

I think that's about it, will try to post updates more frequently and get some belly pics on here soon.

Wow, what a busy time of year!

But I love it. We spent last Saturday in Fort Wayne celebrating Christmas with both the Hess family and my family. It was a crazy busy day, but so much fun. The drive home on the other hand was much less fun. The roads were awful and our normally 2 1/2 hour drive took 5 1/2 hours. But we made it home safe and sound and for that we are eternally grateful!

Baby bean now has a name and it's public knowledge: Noah Andrew. Noah is a name that I have loved since we were pregnant with Joshua and trying to name him. But Gary has always argued with me about it. Andrew is a name that we came up with that we both liked. Gary wanted to name him Andrew Noah but I quickly made him realize that it didn't sound as nice as Noah Andrew! Yeah, I actually got to name one of my kids.

The boys are doing well, very excited for Christmas. Joshua is enjoying Christmas break and playing with all his new presents that he received in Fort Wayne. Zach has destroyed our living room again with the new things he received and I find myself wondering what in the world the house will look like after Friday morning?

My step dad's mother passed away this morning, peacefully in her sleep at 98 years old. She was lovingly referred to by me as the energizer bunny cause she just kept going and going. I'm glad her passing was peaceful and on her terms. Will be heading up to Fort Wayne sometime soon for the funeral.

Christmas pictures 2009

Aren't they beautiful? We're so blessed!!

Little stinker acting up already

Well, this post is a few days late because the computer has been down. But we had a little excitement/scare on Wednesday. Tuesday night I wasn't feeling well, but I chalked it up to GI issues (with my newly rerouted system, things seem to not set well with me often). I tossed and turned all night and Wednesday morning got up and realized that what I was feeling really reminded me of contractions. The pains would stop me in my tracks and take away my breath. I was scared to death (only 19 weeks pregnant), but called the doc, the sitter, the husband and headed to the office.

By the time we arrived the frequently of the pains had really slowed down. The doc examined me and said there were no changes with the cervix, but that it felt short. An ultrasound showed that all was perfect and little man's head was pushing down in a not nice way. They took me off work for 2 days (darn it, needed that holiday pay) and will see me back next week. I've never been so nervous and prayed so hard that my little guy would stay put for at least several more months. All is good now, and he's active as ever. Woke me up at 4:30am today kicking. Crazy!!

It's a BOY!!

Ultrasound was yesterday and so Gary, Joshua, and I headed to the office. When we got back in the ultrasound room, the questions began rolling out of Joshua. "Just how does that thing create the picture of the baby anyway?" The ultrasound tech was very sweet and explained to Joshua about the sound waves bouncing off the baby and creating a picture. He was fine with that. He quickly made sure that he couldn't wait to know the sex of the baby. She put the ultrasound probe on my belly and Joshua's little brother didn't make him wait any longer for the answer. There, in all his glory, were his little boy parts. Joshua was thrilled, Gary and I just a little shocked. We both really thought that this one was a girl. Not to say that we are not completly thrilled.

We were especially thrilled that all his pieces and parts are in the right places and appear to be formed correctly (remember the nightmares?). He appears healthy and is right on target for his growth. He measured out at 18 weeks 2 days, which is exactly what I was.

Gary, Joshua, and I followed up the appointment with a shopping/registering trip to Babies R Us. We've asked our parents not to buy us gifts, but to buy us the things we still need for the baby. So we registered so that they'd know what those things are. We had a lot of fun looking at all the things that have changed in the past few years. A dinner out to spend more time talking about names (had I mentioned we'd only discussed girl names up to this time?). Still working on the name issue, but will keep you all posted. For now, we are so very thankful for a healthy baby boy.

So ready for my ultrasound

Well, next Tuesday is my "big" ultrasound. The ultrasound where we hopefully find out the sex of the baby and make sure all his/her pieces and parts are in the right place. I am so ready for this ultrasound, I can't even explain it. I have been having dreams, no make those nightmares! I've been having nightmares that there is something seriously wrong with this baby. My nightmares have been so detailed that I can name the multitude of medical issues that I've dreamt afflict this precious peanut. These nightmares are irrational and are making me insane.

I truly believe that it's a combination of the fact that this baby wasn't ever supposed to be able to be created along with the fact that I'm only a year post op weight loss surgery that is founding the fears. I have not gained a single ounce during the first 17 weeks of my pregnancy, infact, I've lost 11 pounds. I think I fear most that this baby will be born too small or that my surgery will negatively impact the health of this baby.

Please pray that my fears are calmed and that we have having a healthy baby, no matter what the sex! Please pray that all is right in my womb, and if for some reason, God has decided to bless us with a baby that does have medical issues, that our hearts will be calmed in the fact that we were chosen for this special baby.

Lovin life again

Well, everyone is healthy for the moment and life is going good again! Joshua is just finishing his first trimester today and I look forward to his first report card of 4th grade. It's been a rough first few months and seems like we are all finally adjusting to the changes that come along with the older grades. I am taking the boys (along with Joshua's friend Winston and his brother) to Monkey Joe's tomorrow since they have the day off of school. Winston's mom, Abby, has been a lifesaver for us since I started my new job. Joshua goes there after school on the days I work and Abby picks up Sammy (our dog) and takes her to her house during the day so that Sammy doesn't spend all day in the cage. So, I'm taking her boys with me so she can have a free day to do as she pleases.

Baby is doing well as far as we know. My belly is growing, so I guess that's a good sign. We used our (very small) ultrasound machine at work yesterday to get a sneak peak of my upcoming ultrasound and he/she waved at us and ran a foot over the screen for us. Can't wait to get a more detailed look at the little peanut! And to finally find out what we're having. The suspense is killing us all. My friends from obesityhelp.com bought us some baby gifts and that has gotten me even more in the mood to do some serious baby shopping! Hoping it's a girl, cause I sure don't need boy clothes! I won't have anything to shop for if it's a boy.