Where to begin...

I'm not even sure!! Many things have happened since my last update! Forgive me if I ramble. I think the only way to completely update you is to have sort of a "stream of consciousness" frame of mind.

Sayla Grace's Dedication went off without a hitch. She cooperated, and even let Pastor Scott hold her. Though if we had waited one more week that would've been a different story! She's well into recognizing "strangers" (aka anyone other than Mommy and Daddy), and is not afraid to let you know it! It was a beautiful service, and as soon as I can, I'll try to upload the video from it...no seriously...I'll find time somewhere!!

We've been to lots and lots of doctor's appointments. For me and SG. I'll let you in on SG's first:

In February we had her 3/6 month check up and a bazillion shots. She's not a fan of shots. And neither am I. We both cry. Every time. She didn't get the H1N1 vaccine...which we may reconsider (more on that later). She was a trooper though.

Then we had our visit to the "Newborn Follow Up Clinic" at The Sparks Institute at UAB. This is a research clinic for babies born weighing under 1,000 grams. SG weighed 650g when she was born, so naturally, we were perfect candidates. We were under the impression that this clinic would (for research purposes) tell us where SG is developmentally, include things like chest xrays, head ultrasounds...the whole nine yards. Why we thought this, I have no idea.

Boy were we wrong!! First of all, the appointment took 3 and a half hours (which is normal). We saw 2 Pediatricians...that did nothing more than examine her, make her cry and leave. Then we saw a Physical Therapist...which ended up being a good thing. (Hold that thought). And finally a Nutritionist...who told us that our 13 pound baby is "overweight." Yes, seriously. I laughed at her. She is apparently in the 50th percentile for weight (for a 4 month old), and 3rd percentile for height. Short and Fat! But somehow when you combine those 2 statistics, she's in the 95th percentile. Who knows. I don't get all that mumbo jumbo and don't put much stock in it.

So we left there quite bummed, not knowing any more than we did before we went. Except that she needs a bit of Physical Therapy. Her back muscles are tight, because she never had the "crowded" time in the womb to be hunched over in the fetal position. Before she was born, she had all the room in the world in my uterus. Then she was born and splayed out on a bed for 89 days...so naturally, it's hard for her to do things like bring her arms together in front of her body, and reach them above her head. Because of this, she can't roll over yet, or do things like "clap", etc.

So we're going to see the physical therapist at St. Vincent's every Monday in March to get her kinks worked out. And we've got a few "at home" exercises to do daily. Once of which is EATING!!! Solid foods that is. Well, mushy solids!

So far it's just rice cereal, which she's not a fan of. But she's getting better at it. The Physical Therapist told us that babies have a window from 4 to 6 months to learn how to eat that provides them with the best chance to perfect their "oral motor skills" (aka learning to talk). Now I'm sure that if you don't start feeding them solids until after 6 months, your child will still be able to talk, she was just saying it improves their abilities.

I've ordered the Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker so that I can make her baby food. I was expecting it to arrive today, but UPS failed me, so hopefully it'll be here tomorrow. I had planned on making her food anyway, but the Nutritionist told us that babies who eat homemade baby food end up having a wider variety of foods they will eat when they start eating "real" food. Simply because that's all they've been introduced to...no preservatives, sugars, etc. Made sense to me. She also told us that "Organic" baby food is just a waste of money. There's no extra nutritional value in organic baby food. Take that for what it's worth to you. I'd probably buy organic if I wasn't making it.

Back to doctor visits...

Earlier this week we went to the Pediatric Ophthalmologist for our follow up from the NICU. If you have a baby, I recommend you take your baby (healthy or not) to the eye doctor. We learned very interesting things that we never would've known about her!! I don't think most parent's do this, because you don't think there's a need, but you'd be surprised at the number of things that can go wrong with their eyes that require glasses or even surgery to correct (if you don't know to look for it!).

Turns out SG is farsighted (as are all babies) at +5% in both eyes. This means that NEVER in her life will she be nearsighted! How cool is that! She totally avoided the nearsighted eyes both her father and I have. BUT...it comes with a price. The +5% means that muscle is short, and as it grows, could cause her to go cross eyed! There's a very small chance of this, but there's a chance. If it happens, it will happen between the ages of 15 and 24 months.

The second we notice it, we're supposed to go back to the eye doc to have her fitted with glasses. If we wait until we "see it all the time" she may need surgery. While we're praying the muscle grows the way it's supposed to, how cute are babies in glasses? I mean, really!?! The good thing is, the glasses would only be temporary, and she'd be out of them by Kindergarten. But...like I said, we're praying that doesn't happen.

SG doesn't go back to her Pedi until April, and other than PT on Monday's she should be doctor clear for a while!

Me, on the other hand, I have been going to the doctor like it's my job! We had our February OB appointment to check on the baby - all went well - but I was back 2 weeks later because I was feeling "Pelvic Pressure." Yikes! Turned out to be nothing, but I got to see the baby on ultrasound, and become a guinea pig at the same time!

I went on a Monday, and it turns out that the previous Thursday, my OB had been to a continuing education course about preterm labor. One of the docs that spoke, said that he was giving his previous preterm patients a certain medication that's usually reserved for later in the pregnancy, as soon as possible.

The medication is called "Procardia" and it's actually a blood pressure controlling medicine. But it also relaxes "smooth" muscles - aka the Uterus - and keeps it from contracting. I took it up until I gave birth to SG from 25 weeks to 27 weeks, and it's one of the only things that kept her inside for those 2 weeks (and of course prayer).

So the doc asked if I wanted to take it now (at then 13 weeks)...as a total guinea pig...I'm her first patient to try it. We went over the costs and benefits, and she wrote me a prescription. I took it home and prayed over it for almost a week. I was so torn on whether or not to take it.

I ultimately decided that God put this in front of me for a reason, and that we should give this baby every opportunity we're given to help him/her stay in my womb for 9 full months.

So far, after 2 weeks, I haven't had any side effects, other than occasionally being dizzy. I just can't stand up too fast, or my BP will drop and I'll likely hit the floor! But I can't stand up fast these days anyway, so it's not a problem!

Then I went to the doctor yesterday because I thought I had the swine flu. Owen was exposed to it on Tuesday, and we've been keeping ourselves "quarantined" from each other since then. But on Thursday morning I started feeling sick, and it only got worse as the day went on.

Since none of us got the H1N1 vaccine (which we are now reconsidering for SG), we were in panic mode. I mean, pregnant women who get H1N1 can die! Scary! So I went and got a flu test, and turns out it was negative (thank God!) and it's just a killer sinus infection! I'm pretty miserable, but it could be worse, so I'm not too upset!

We go back to the OB Monday for our March appointment, and hope to find out if Baby #2 is a boy or a girl! I'm leaning towards girl, but who knows!! Then we go back in 5 weeks for the "anatomy check" to make sure he/she is growing correctly. And at that point, I'll start weekly Progesterone shots.

Studies have shown that a certain type of Progesterone (not the kind used in early pregnancy to prevent miscarriage) helps prevent a recurrent preterm birth in women who have had a previous premature birth. Again, God put this option in front of us through a good friend who works in Neonatal Research at UAB, so we are going with it. Anything to help this baby have a chance!

Wow...are you tired of reading yet?!

SG and I go weekly to a Gymboree Play & Music class on 280. It is so much fun!! The class lasts about 45 minutes, in which we sing songs, play with bubbles, a giant parachute, hand puppets and have what I call "mommy chat" time. There are only 3 other moms/babies that come regularly, and we usually end up going out to lunch afterward.

I really enjoy the interaction with the other moms of babies the same age, and SG is loving the class and other babies! This week during class she sat up unassisted for the first time!!! Each week I can really see her growing and learning, and I'm so happy we found it! She's in the 0-6 month class, and once she can sit and scoot a bit, we'll try out the 6-10 month class. They really aren't strict on the age limit, and go more by the baby's progress. If you're home during the day with your baby, you should come check it out! Your first class is free!

Monkey is loving Sayla Grace! He licks her every opportunity he gets, and is very protective over her. Every morning he waits for her to make a peep, and as soon as she does, he's in her room, usually with his paws up on her crib, trying to lick her. She usually greets him with a smile in the mornings. She is her father's child!!! (I'm not a smiling person in the mornings!!)

Pictures...I know that's really all you want to see! But, unfortunately all of my recent pictures of her are on our other computer and haven't been uploaded to my online Picasa account. I'll do that tomorrow though and post all the recent ones. I promise!!

I'm sure there's a ton I'm missing, but I really am going to try to get better about keeping up with things. But right now I need to get some sleep! Baby#2 is kicking me like crazy, a sure sign we've got another fighter on our hands!!

0 comments  

I'm so excited that this coming Sunday we are having Sayla Grace's Baby Dedication at our church!! Our church, Liberty Park Baptist, means the world to us, and we are so excited to FINALLY get to introduce our little girl to our church family.

Owen and I began attending LP when we started dating, knowing that God was the most important part of our relationship.

A few years later we were Baptized there together, married (not there, but by our wonderful Pastor, Scott Guffin), and then introduced our sweet baby girl into the world with many thanks to our church family's prayers (among others too of course!).

So come Sunday, we will finally get to introduce our Bitty to everyone!

As far as updates, she is doing great. We had her 3/6 month check up this week, and she got a gold star from the doc!!! The smart little booger is doing some things on a 6 month level! She is trying to repeat words/syllables, smiling at familiar faces and recognizing mom and dad from strangers!! We were so proud to hear that!!

She's starting to try and roll over, being successful a few times (from tummy to back)! She's also getting better at sitting up. She can't do it on her own yet, but she can lift the top half of her body up to let you know she wants to sit up. Once she sits up, she leans ALL the way forward and tips over! Still a work in progress!!

She talks up a storm, and I'm afraid one day very soon we won't be able to keep her quiet!! It's going to be fun though!!

And the number one question we always get...she is sleeping through the night, and has been since about 8 weeks (adjusted age). She goes to bed around 9p and sleeps until about 8:30a. This week I've begun putting her in bed while she's still wide awake, and she falls asleep within about 10 minutes or so. It's been wonderful!!!

I'm feeling very different with Baby #2 than I did with SG. Which is prompting O to believe it's a boy. Though it's too soon to tell! I get very nauseated and cannot stand the thought or site of meat!!! Which is making it very difficult for me to eat. But really that's ok, because lately I'd just rather not eat!! But since I HAVE to, we've been keeping lots of fruits and veggies for me to munch on. And crackers and ginger ale. Because that's about all I can stomach!! We go to our next appointment in 2 weeks, which can't come soon enough!! I'm hoping once I get out of the first trimester this sick feeling will go away!!!

I'll post updated pictures of SG later...

1 comments  

Monday we went to the doctor, and after waiting for an hour and a half, we finally heard the little nugget's heartbeat!

A strong 146 beats per minute! We are 7 weeks along now, due August 30th! So this baby and Sayla Grace will be almost exactly 13 months apart if I miraculously deliver on August 30th!!

Of course we still aren't out of the woods of miscarrying yet, but since we heard the heartbeat the chances go way down.

We ask that you pray for a full term pregnancy! I'd like to see what the 3rd trimester is all about!

As far as bed rest, the doc said we'd play it by ear. I'll be watched more closely from about 20 weeks on, and we'll just determine based on what baby and my body are doing at the time. So time will tell.

I feel great right now. A little more nauseous than last time. And I'm already on the Gestational Diabetic diet. Since I had Gestational Diabetes last time, the doctor ordered that I just start the diet now to avoid it this time. It's really not that bad, and actually a great way to lose weight if you're not pregnant! It just limits your carbs - which are just sugars - and helps control blood sugar. It's definitely limited, but it's not that bad. The worst thing is that I can't have coffee (because I can't have caffeine). And if you know me, you know I need my coffee to function.

So praying for a full term pregnancy!!!!

Enjoy some Christmas pictures of Sayla Grace!

2 comments  

So on Wednesday I went to the doc for a second blood test. This was the same test that I did on Monday, except this one was to tell me exactly how far along I am, and determine when we would see the doctor for the first ultrasound.

The appointment took all of 5 minutes. I love doctor appointments like that!

Then we had to wait an excruciating 24 hours for the results.

Almost exactly 24 hours later, my phone rang, and it was the doctor's nurse. Although I don't think I've met her in person, I feel like I know her, because we've talked many times since I first became pregnant with Sayla Grace.

I could tell at the beginning of the call that the news wasn't good. She was trying to small talk me about the weather...not like her. Then she tells me that my hormone levels are "not rising the way they are supposed to. But don't be alarmed, it might be nothing. We'll have you come in for an ultrasound on Monday morning to see what's going on." And with that we set up the appointment and said goodbye.

Don't be alarmed! Yeah right! I know better than that. Not knowing while on the phone what questions to ask, I immediately began my "Google" research. Non-rising hormone levels could mean many things. The problem is, I didn't ask which of the 2 levels they monitor weren't rising...or if it was both.

So, according to "Google" this could mean I'm in the process of miscarrying. Or that I have an Ectopic Pregnancy. Or that I have a cyst that is causing my body to produce pregnancy hormones when in fact there is no baby there. If you'll remember, they found a cyst during my first pregnancy, but we never did anything about it, at the doctor's advice. Or it could mean nothing at all, and that the test was just wrong.

I'm not sure what's going on. I'm having typical early pregnancy symptoms...nauseous all the time, slight cramping in my tummy (same kind I had early on with SG...not the alarming kind.)

But now we have to wait 3 agonizing days to find out what's going on. Why didn't they see me Thursday or Friday you ask? I have no clue. Personally, I think it's because they think by Monday I will have miscarried, so they are letting nature take it's course. And if I am miscarrying, there's not much they can do between now and then anyway. I'm guessing they don't think that it's Ectopic based on the results, or else they would have seen me right away because of the danger factor.

So for now we are just praying constantly, for God's Will to be done. I'm able to keep my mind off of things and not stress because I have a beautiful 5 and a 1/2 month old to keep me super busy. The second I start thinking about it, I just pray. Out loud. And hug my Bitty. And all is well!!!

Whatever happens is God's Will. If it's not meant to be, yes, we will be very sad. Extremely. In the past 5 days we have gotten very used to the idea of having 2 kids in diapers crawling around. We are super duper excited. Probably more than we should be given the circumstances. I'm sure you could say we should be more realistic. But for us this is our new reality.

This is our family. If this doesn't work out, the absolute last thing I want to hear is..."well it's for the best...you don't need 2 kids that close in age so young." Or "it's for the best, you have a baby now and you don't need another one so soon." Pish Posh I say. Please don't say this or anything of the sort to us.

We were suddenly thrust into this new idea, and it has grown on us. If this doesn't work out, look for more baby news soon in the future. Say what you will, this has become us.

But for now we will continue to pray for God's Will. Because He is in control!

0 comments  

God has told us that alot in the past year..."Let Me handle this." A year ago this January, we found out we were expecting our sweet baby girl in October.

God handled it, and decided that she needed to join the world in July instead.

In December, he said "Let Me handle this" again, when I had to leave my job that I loved.

God handled it, and is providing for us in ways we never imagined.

On Sunday, we were able to attend church for the first time since we brought Sayla Grace home from the hospital. Unfortunately she wasn't able to go with us (it'll be about July when she's allowed to go), but we were really moved during the service. Of course we love our church family and were so excited to get to see everyone.

During one of the prayer times, I really heard God speak to me, and I asked Him to help me in this new year. I need to get back to Him. To give it all to Him...let Him handle it all. I prayed that He would help me, daily, to let Him handle everything, and put my own wants and needs aside.

Let's back up to Saturday night. Owen felt God was speaking to him in a dream. When he woke Sunday morning, we talked about his dream. After church, we made a pit stop at the store for some formula and a few other things, then home to see our baby girl.

Monday morning, I woke up on a mission...Let God handle it all. And on our way out the door to an ENT appointment for SG (standard...nothing's wrong), something happened that will forever change our lives.

God swooped in, and said..."Hey...I'll take it from here."

But right before He said that, this was staring us in the face....

Yes...you saw that right. No...that is not a picture from last January. That is a picture from Monday morning.

We are pregnant! AGAIN!!

We have always wanted a big family, but we didn't quite expect it would start growing so quickly!

We went to the doctor on Monday for blood work, and found out on Tuesday that we are indeed pregnant. I'm currently 5 to 8 weeks along. I go back Wednesday for more blood work just to be sure my pregnancy hormone levels are growing the way they are supposed to, and to confirm just how pregnant we are. Since we weren't planning this, we really have no clue! I know I can't be more than 8 weeks though.

We are shocked, but so excited. The next year will sure be interesting and difficult. I will have to be on bed rest, we just don't know the details yet. We will need help, we just don't know how yet. But we'll be sure to let you know!

We appreciate your prayers during this time. We know this is God's doing (that's the dream Owen had Saturday night...that I was with child!), and that He is in this 100%.

We just didn't expect two babies in diapers!!

0 comments