Day 37

A glimpse of 'before' Mom today. Before the heart 'incident' that has so turned my world upside down. She was sitting up in a chair when I walked into the room this afternoon and gave me a big smile when she saw the vase of one dozen pink roses that I brought for her; she can have flowers now that she has been transferred to a Progressive Care Unit instead of the ICU. "Oh, babe, they're beautiful...." she whispers and then her head drops down to her chest.  Speaking four words takes an unimaginable amount of energy for someone who's been hospitalized for so long.
    Forming each word, let alone a sentence is something that you or I may take for granted; even the simple act of sitting upright in a chair or brushing your teeth may seem so mundane.  For Mom, they're tasks that must be thought out and deplete all of the energy from an already-taxed body. She has not suffered any neurological damage during her hospitalization, however the large amounts of sedation has made talking quite the chore. Walking is another story- she has lost most of her muscle tone and cannot support herself in an upright position sitting.  Yes, she was sitting in a chair today, however she was secured to the chair with a Posey belt with an attendant not too far away. The 90-minutes of sitting left her spent- which is actually a good thing as she might get some much needed rest and will not suffer from anxiety the rest of the day.
    We found out yesterday that she is weeks away from the heart surgery that she needs to replace the valves. She won't survive it in her current condition- it is a surgery that a somewhat healthy person will have problems recovering from so that option is completely off of the table. The surgeons are going to reevaluate her each week; the nurses and support team will be providing her with aggressive therapy to help get her on the road to recovery much faster.  "If it were my mom, I wouldn't do it," states the surgeon. I understand that and appreciate that- I just wanted the doctors to be straight with me. Her primary pulmonologist and cardiologist weren't telling me part of the story- for each internal organ that is not working correctly, it lessens recovery by 25%. With low functioning lungs, hear and liver, there's only a 25% chance of recovery at this point- wait it out and odds will improve. 
    Fine, we'll wait this out day by day. In the meantime, try to provide her with the moral and emotional support that she needs to cope with her new 'living arrangements' (at least it's a private room!) and be her advocate.  I'm so thankful that an acquaintance is actually an RN in that unit and has called dibs on my Mom whenever she is on shift.  She's a great nurse and takes extra special care of mom and goes the extra mile for us.  Another little blessing in this adventure- I'll take each one that we find!  Especially because things are so difficult.... trying to return to some sense of normal at home outside of the hospital. We'll see- it will have to be after my own surgery (yeah, really- I have to have my gall bladder removed- nice timing, eh?) next week. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention this is on top of the news that a very close family member has been diagnosed with lung cancer (nameless right now as most of the family doesn't yet know); and my 93 year-old paternal grandfather is currently in hospice care with bladder cancer.  This year has been a dozy--- that's why we are just surviving life one day at a time right now.  We're not the first, nor will be the last, family to overcome adversity but sometimes it's a lonely journey......

Three Weeks Already?????

Baby Kiera has been with us for 17 (umm.. now it's 22... blogging takes on a whole new timeline when you are the Mommy of a newborn!) whole days now... it feels like just 17 hours...the time has just rushed by... like they say: time flies when you're having fun!  Warp speed actually began when we were in the hospital- the 48 hours that we spent there with Baby Kiera was very surreal and special.  Every moment was amazing- and we actually relished the idea of being cocooned in there with just each other and our little baby and the occassional fan club member.  (The 'room service' and nurses attention and help wasn't too bad either.... although I could have done without the thrice daily hoo-hoo check!! LOL)  Being out of touch with every day life was a nice change of pace after the ordeal of labor and delivery and believe it or not, we barely turned on the TV- it was enough enterainment just to watch Kiera!  However, once it was time to go home- I was ready to go home... and that has been about the only time so far that has draaaaaged by!  ( :


The first day we had Kiera home, we actually had to take her to meet her pediatrician. Thank goodness Grandma H reminded us to take the DIAPER BAG!! (Mommy needs to make a 'leaving the house' checklist!) Her one day check up was fabulous, and even better- we love, love, love her pediatrician!  (Until she sticks the poor kid w/ a needle, I'm sure!)  Unfortunately, I left my beloved cell phone in one of the bathroom stalls and it disappeared with some 'lucky' (and dishonest- karma is a beyotch) individual (my mom turns over $1000 and someone won't turn in a phone?).... anyways, we also picked up two more bases for the travel system at a consignment store for a steal- only $15 each and then the donut store next door (no, cravings do NOT end once you have the baby- ha!).  (As for the cell phone? Well "Daddy" was nice enough to buy "Mommy" an iPhone for my 'push' present- yay!)

Our days and nights have been filled with feedings, diaper changes (and if you are Daddy- multiple ones at a time- Kiera has a way of doing her duty in the middle of changes with him!), trying to pick up the house, and a constant parade of visitors and fortunately even sleep!  Kiera manages to sleep in about four hour chunks through the night, and we alternate getting up with her, so neither of us is completely sleep deprived. 

We are adjusting more and more every day to life with an infant; and for new parents we aren't doing so badly. I read in one of the six or so books on "The First Year" that as long as the house is still standing and the baby is breathing, is fed and changed, you are doing okay. Not only is the house still standing, but it is semi- clean (as of today, and my dear, dear step-momster has even offered up her cleaning lady once a month to help out- bless her!), and Jason and I are also fed, changed and breathing- so we're batting 1,000! It has certainly helped that we have had a third set hands around from either my Mom or another family member nearly every day.... I highly recommend that any new parent willingly and gratefully accepts any offer of help from anyone kind enough to do so.

We are also fortunate that she is a very, very good baby- mellow and happy and not very fussy... but she does like her food (she gets that from Daddy) and eats like a champ,,. and eats... and eats.  (She's up to about 3.5 oz at a feeding)  We also feel blessed that she doesn't mind her car seat, and likes baths too!  Lucky.  That's about the way to describe it!  Lucky that we have her, and each other, and people who love all of us!

.... And a Little Mustard for the Ketchup....

...yes, playing catch-up again!
(that's for you honey.... he puts mustard on EVERYTHING!)

I’ve not forgotten blogland, it's just these past few weeks have been busy, busy- and I’m trying to just managing eating and working let alone keeping this updated. The good news is that life is finally slowing down this week and I am looking forward to a little break!!!!




We had a regularly scheduled OB appointment on the 15th and it was cancelled- but we didn’t find out until after we go there! Ugh- talk about frustrating! Furthermore, they didn’t seem very concerned once I talked to the triage nurse that the next appointment wouldn’t be until I hit 36weeks! Needless to say, I was concerned and managed to book another appointment (although w/ a diff OB) for the 17th . I’ve been having serious Braxton-Hicks since early last week due to the heat and impending anxiety. One contraction had my baby belly tight for nearly 40 minutes- not so comfy! Jason couldn’t go (thank goodness, I actually had to have an “exam” done for the first time since very early on and I’m trying to maintain a shred of ladylike dignity in front of dear hubby- yes, I know that will fly out the window half-way through labor, but give me a few more weeks!). The good news? No dilation. Bad news? She is a big baby already- about 18” long and 6# already and she has about another five weeks to grow. Holy 9# toddler! So, all is well- so far!




After the appointment, I had a girls’ afternoon planned with my friend Kindle who flew in from Georgia (y’all) for the baby shower. We had a leisurely lunch, got pedis (my polka dot toes kinda look like cartoon mushrooms- and not because they are swollen!!!!) and went shopping- fun! Now how mean is this- she and her parents placed bets on how long I would last for the afternoon; and I was wiped out at 5:30! Nothin’ like hauling around a big ol’ preggers belly to end a fun day out! ( :






Kindle and I









and 'smurf mushroom' pedicure!





























Not to mention I had to rest up for the big baby shower the next day (the 18th) at Dad & Stepmomsters hosted by her and BFF Leah!






Jason and I have been on the hunt for a glider/ rocker for the nursery- GrammaH did give us $$ to spend, but I wanted to try to save a little green (the environment- by recycling and money by not buying retail!) and get one from either a yard sale or craigslist. So we got up early (pre-baby shower) on Saturday to hit a few yard sales off of Craigslist that listed gliders…. Needless to say I am in love with craigslist! Unfortunately we didn’t find what I wanted and the few C/L ads that I’ve inquired about have already sold. Oh, and I discovered a petpeeve- people that say they are having yard sales- and don’t- it almost ranks right up there with them NOT taking down their signs! LOL.




The shower was very fun- I feel so honored that all of my friends and family have been so generous and caring during my pregnancy journey! It was all one big blur, actually! I am working on a complete baby shower post hopefully that will be up by the end of the week! That’s another reason that I’ve been a bad blogger- trying to finish the nursery and find a home for all of the baby schwag had been an adventure! ( :

(some of the Baby Shower Schwag taking over dining room)

<---- note: Jenxie Cat liking the bassinet!! LOL- he's been sleeping in the bottom shelf of it!

We were also busy visiting with friends and family over the weekend, finishing up classes for our Baby Degree as well as Jason’s “jail time” (he he- community service in lieu of paying $$ for a ticket) and maternity pictures throughout the week. I’m not sure if our classes have earned us a Master’s degree, but I definitely feel like we’ve just graduated from baby college. The week was wrapped up with the Keith Urban concert/ girls night out with Nanette and Erika- those Shirley Temples made it almost impossible to drive home! Phew- I’m EXHAUSTED just reliving the whole week! Time for a nap…..

One of our maternity pictures....

A random Keith Urban pic- great show- comfy seats in a luxury box too! ( :

Ketchup... Catsup... Catch-up! ( :

I feel like I have been whipped through a tornado these past 10 days. And it’s going to keep going….. there is so much to do before BabyW comes and joins us, and most have to do with her, but some don’t but unfortunately, I can’t just be pregnant and do nothing else. Life is still happening around me, whether I want it to or not! ( :




We had our “Late Pregnancy & Hospital Tour” class on the 30th. (Yes, ANOTHER class!) Of course, they make you sit through all of the educational crap prior to the tour at the end (smart people, I do the same when I have my training classes!). Actually the info wasn’t as boring as the “Early Pregnancy” class, but I could have done without the video (think it was filmed in the early 80’s…) on delivery and recovery. (No, not the labor and delivering the baby- that’s online and I don’t even want to go there!) All I remember is that I will likely be sitting on ice packs and mattress pad-sized ‘sanitary’ napkins for weeks after BabyW hatches. Sexy. And apparently my bladder is much smaller than the other pregnant ladies attending! So, the hospital rocks! We will have our own Labor & Delivery suite complete with a DVD player and sports-free TV (lol honey!)- it even has a private bathroom with a shower and sleeping couch. They have 24-hour visitor access even. My only weird thing is that there is a mirror so the mommy-to-be (that’s me!) can watch the delivery- no thanks- I’d actually prefer if they could just knock my arse out and wake me up with she’s here! Even recovery still has private rooms…. Well this remains to be seen if that will be the case in late August! There really isn’t a ‘nursery’ because the babies room in with their parents so we only go to see one newborn- a little boy- as we were waiting to access one of the areas (everything is under very high security). The entire group was totally quiet. Me too- I’m thinking, “Holy crap, one of those has to come out of me, and it looked much bigger than the opening currently is!” Our next class will be “Newborn Care” next week- I’m looking forward to learning how to interact with my infant because at this point, I’m not sure what to expect. (I secretly pulled out one to the teeny tiny diapers and tried to put it on Mickey Mouse- umm…. The stickie tabs were stuck to it’s fur and the diaper was still dangling. That was an inanimate object, I can only imagine how it will be on BabyW when she is moving and crying…. Maybe I should practice on Jenxie- here kitty, kitty…)





We also drove to my mom’s the weekend over the 4th- that is the one time of year that I get totally and completely homesick for my Podunk town I grew up in. It’s 328 miles away- a nearly 7 hour drive and a bit uncomfortable while preggers. Luckily our rental was spacious and great for a road trip and the anti-lock breaks came in so handy when a deer decided to try to cross the highway in front of us. (My DH definitely did not get his license out of a Cracker Jack box!) That was a bit scary and we had to stop for a short break after all the adrenaline woke up BabyW and I had a mild bout of Braxton-Hicks.
I got to see all of my cousins on my mom’s side of the family, eat and hang out and party at my baby shower. (The 4th just isn’t so without jello shots!) It was also very exhausting, and we are done with road trips- I’m not supposed to travel very far from Sacramento after 32 weeks.




Last week was spent recuperating from the road trip, the ‘office’ baby shower, family time and trying to get my head around the impending arrival of BabyW. It’s approaching fast- September 6th seems like awhile away, but 6-8 weeks doesn’t! ( :

Your Patience Shall Be Rewarded!!

Forgive me as I am moving at the lightning speed of a turtle! Here are the long awaited 3D photos of BabyW! Although we received many pictures, these are the best:

And finally, our personal favorite:

PEACE OUT!

Please Think Postive Thoughts! !!!UPDATED 5/14/09!!!

*****Update 5/14/09: Shyner dog had a visit to the vet on the 12th (and got a bit spoiled with a picnic in the park with mom and dad!) and was given a clean bill of health- well as clean as our ol' little stinky pooch can get! She will remain on heart medicine for the rest of her little life (and of course it is an animal formulary, not human so we can't get it at WallyWorld!) so that her big heart doesn't have to work so hard. We are fortunate that a completely different illness prompted us to get her to the vet with the coughing and wheezing as the medicine will help her to stay healthy and comfy for whatever time she decides to honor us with her presence! Your positive thoughts worked! ( :





****** Update 5/06/09: Shyner is a priceless dog. Literally. Between two ear surgeries, a few emergency visits, etc., we are VIP's at the vetrinarian's office! Her ultrasound determined that she had an enlarged heart (we always knew she had a big heart!) that was most likely caused by the heart murmur that she has had for years and years. She also had a touch of pnemonia. She is now on three different medicines- an antibiotic, a diuretic and heart medicine and seems to be fine. We were able to get human-equivalents of most of the meds so we could fill them at Wal-Mart (!) and we shopped online to find the other for about $30 less than at the vet's office. She isn't coughing anymore, and seems to be pretty much her old self. So, with a littl luck, a whole lotta love and some divine intervention, hopefully she'll be around to welcome her little sister into the world and watch her grow a few years.





****** Update 4/28/09: Shyner has another 'doctors appointment' tomorrow morning to have an ultrasound done on her heart. At this point she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The medicine that they administered to her yesterday definately helped her breathing improve and she is no longer wheezing & coughing. She actually is acting like her old self, just a bit slower- and still the gas-makin' machine as she was before (we don't call her Stinky for nothin'!). The vet said that if heart medicine is a possibility, she would be with us for awhile still. As long as she isn't in any pain and her quality of life is still good, we're going to keep pulling for her. (Thank goodness for a good tax return!)


I've been absent from the blog world for awhile- it's been busy around our house. Mom is visiting, work is busy, trying to get organized and such. Things are good- in fact we've had another doctors appointment and an ultrasound on Thursday and it was good- those pictures will be updated soon as well. My hiatus will end shortly I promise, but in the meantime, I have a little request.

Please keep our little Shyner in your thoughts- she is very, very sick right now and she could either improve or not. What started out as coughing has progressed to a very sick puppy. The vet has released her into the care of Gramma H so that she can try to get better at home. Although Shyner has lived a nice long and spoiled life, I'm not quite ready to deal with the loss of yet another beloved part of the family. We appreciate it and I'll update you on Shynie and BabyW soon.