I must admit, I was shocked when I noticed that my last blog entry was in JANUARY! Where on earth does the time go? My baby boy is doing great, but he does need daily physical therapy from me and weekly pt at Easter Seals. He was diagnosed with Plagicephaly caused by Torticolis back in February. When you throw away the medical jargon that basically means that his head became flat on one side because he strongly favored holding his head looking to the right rather than looking forward. He has improved greatly, but it has been a struggle for me. My sweet older daughters will be finished with school for the summer in just a few short weeks. (Ok, long weeks for me because I can't wait to stop all of this running!!!) I hope to give a better update soon and return to a more regular type of blogging in June. Wish me luck. ;)
Have a great day!!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Marie Antoinette Award!
I am so very late on this one, but I would like to thank Elena over at My Domestic Church for this award. Thank you Elena!! You made my day!
The rules for this award are to display the icon and send it on to 7 other bloggers I feel are real in who they are.
This is a ladies only award - sorry fellas!
So here you go, I pick:
A Soldier's Wife
Anita at Ask A Lutheran
Tia
Ellen at MZEllen
Brandy at A work in Progress
I'll post links later but I have to go now to get my baby. He just woke up!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Complications
Sorry that I have been a bit absent lately. Yes, my sweet baby, beautiful girlies, and wonderful hubby have been keeping me busy, it's true. But I also haven't been feeling well for a long time. Like since I had Toren last October. My protein count is still in the 400's from my pre-eclampsia and it won't come down. My white blood cell count is through the roof and they just don't know why. My thyroid meds are off. I just feel like junk. I don't like to complain so please forgive for even mentioning this. The doctors are working to try to figure out what is going on so that I can start to get better. I am confident that this is just a bump in the road, but I just wanted to let everyone know why I haven't been around too much.
On a happier note, if anyone would help a poor technologically challenged, sleep deprived mom out and let me know how to post a picture from my camera phone I will gladly post a picture of my kiddos. You can't see me cuz I just look like heck right now. Maybe later. But my digital camera seems to be MIA right now so I have to use my cell phone. Thanks!! You can laugh at me now.
Have a great day!!!
On a happier note, if anyone would help a poor technologically challenged, sleep deprived mom out and let me know how to post a picture from my camera phone I will gladly post a picture of my kiddos. You can't see me cuz I just look like heck right now. Maybe later. But my digital camera seems to be MIA right now so I have to use my cell phone. Thanks!! You can laugh at me now.
Have a great day!!!
Friday, January 09, 2009
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
I hope that all of you had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We did, but it was one that we will certainly remember for reasons both good and bad. Now I am not complaining, because I have many blessings to count. But it was a very interesting two weeks......
It all started when I decided to actually clean out the refrigerator for our Christmas dinner preparations. I wanted a clean, sparkly white fridge for everyone to peek into since we were hosting our family dinner again this year. I noticed that the fridge wasn't as cool as it usually was, and I said something to my hubby who agreed with me. I kept on cleaning it out though, hoping that my fridge would appreciate my efforts and magically begin working properly again. Hey, I am a bit sleep deprived so I am allowed to be delusional. :) As I got to the freezer portion of my cleaning I discovered a large amount of frost on the inside of my frostless freezer. Uh oh! That's not a good thing. So we unplugged it and waited overnight to see how it would work the next day. I shoved all of my perishables into a plug in cooler that we have and put the not so perishables out in the garage. And I hoped and prayed. Hubby plugged the fridge in the next morning and we waited for it to cool. And we waited and waited and waited.......you get the picture.
I panicked. I couldn't cook Christmas Dinner without a fridge and dinner was the next day! Even if we decided to buy an new fridge there was no way that it could be delivered and hooked up in time. So we decided to move Christmas dinner to the following Sunday to allow us time to decide what to do. It sounded like a great idea! Except for the unrelenting rain that occurred on Saturday night.
I kept hearing the sump pump running all night long during that rain pouring down over the frozen ground. But the pump just didn't sound right. So I spent my time during Baby Boy's night feedings saying a little prayer. We have NEVER had a flooded basement, and we have lived here for almost 11 years. So I had a bit of hope. But I woke up on Sunday morning to the horrified meowing of our cats whom we lock in the basement at night to keep the from mischief. I opened the basement door and heard the sound of flowing water. The cats ran out of the basement as if they were fleeing for their very lives. Crap. The sump pump gave out and I had about an inch of water covering most of the basement floor on the day that we were supposed to have our make-up Christmas Dinner. Would we ever get to have our Christmas Dinner??? Would I ever not have a new mess to clean up? I woke my long suffering, appliance repairing hubby and told him of the delight that was waiting for him in the basement. He was thrilled. And we made plans to go OUT for Christmas Dinner that night because I gave up.
But I got a new refrigerator and sump pump out of the deal, so I should be set for another 11 years.......
Despite all of the commotion we still managed to share good times with our families. And we have some great stories to tell about Christmas 2008. I hope that you all had a great Holiday Season, minus the failing appliances!!
It all started when I decided to actually clean out the refrigerator for our Christmas dinner preparations. I wanted a clean, sparkly white fridge for everyone to peek into since we were hosting our family dinner again this year. I noticed that the fridge wasn't as cool as it usually was, and I said something to my hubby who agreed with me. I kept on cleaning it out though, hoping that my fridge would appreciate my efforts and magically begin working properly again. Hey, I am a bit sleep deprived so I am allowed to be delusional. :) As I got to the freezer portion of my cleaning I discovered a large amount of frost on the inside of my frostless freezer. Uh oh! That's not a good thing. So we unplugged it and waited overnight to see how it would work the next day. I shoved all of my perishables into a plug in cooler that we have and put the not so perishables out in the garage. And I hoped and prayed. Hubby plugged the fridge in the next morning and we waited for it to cool. And we waited and waited and waited.......you get the picture.
I panicked. I couldn't cook Christmas Dinner without a fridge and dinner was the next day! Even if we decided to buy an new fridge there was no way that it could be delivered and hooked up in time. So we decided to move Christmas dinner to the following Sunday to allow us time to decide what to do. It sounded like a great idea! Except for the unrelenting rain that occurred on Saturday night.
I kept hearing the sump pump running all night long during that rain pouring down over the frozen ground. But the pump just didn't sound right. So I spent my time during Baby Boy's night feedings saying a little prayer. We have NEVER had a flooded basement, and we have lived here for almost 11 years. So I had a bit of hope. But I woke up on Sunday morning to the horrified meowing of our cats whom we lock in the basement at night to keep the from mischief. I opened the basement door and heard the sound of flowing water. The cats ran out of the basement as if they were fleeing for their very lives. Crap. The sump pump gave out and I had about an inch of water covering most of the basement floor on the day that we were supposed to have our make-up Christmas Dinner. Would we ever get to have our Christmas Dinner??? Would I ever not have a new mess to clean up? I woke my long suffering, appliance repairing hubby and told him of the delight that was waiting for him in the basement. He was thrilled. And we made plans to go OUT for Christmas Dinner that night because I gave up.
But I got a new refrigerator and sump pump out of the deal, so I should be set for another 11 years.......
Despite all of the commotion we still managed to share good times with our families. And we have some great stories to tell about Christmas 2008. I hope that you all had a great Holiday Season, minus the failing appliances!!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Your typical update post
You know that it has been too long since your last blog entry when you have to pull out the trusty "Update Post". So, where do I begin? Well, Baby Boy is up to 9 lbs 8 oz and is off of his Enfacare formula and on regular Enfamil. Yes, I said formula. Sigh. My blood pressure was too high and I had to remain on medication (still am), so all that I could do was "pump and dump". It was just too much for me - it seemed like all that I was doing was pumping and feeding him. I needed to sleep and take care of the rest of my family and myself. I gave in and just went all formula. Am I disappointed? Yes. Do I regret it? No. Sometimes the choices that we have to make aren't always easy. Life goes on, and the boy is doing well in spite of my tough call. It's just better for us all this way.
It seems that our precious little baby boy has been blessed with three mothers. My girls just adore and love to help take care of him. Um, except during diaper changes. They just let mom handle those. I am so proud of them for how they have handled everything that has happened these last few months. I am truly blessed.
Baby boy is doing incredibly well despite being only 32 weeks at birth. He passed his developmental screenings with flying colors and we don't have to go back again until he is 6 months old. He has to have monthly Synagis shots to prevent complications from the RSV virus until March or April, and they are monitoring his right eye because he has a blood clot that may or may not dissolve on its own. But even the blood clot is a little thing compared to the complications that we could have faced. God is good.
I can't seem to start saying "No" to things at my kid's school. My secret hope is that they will stop asking me for help once I start horribly messing things up because I am too busy and sleep deprived to be able to do a good job. Hey, a girl can dream......
And just in case anyone thinks that I forgot - Now is the time to order your seeds!! Yes, I plan to continue to garden. I even have plans to expand the garden this spring. This is the year that my older girls will have to learn how to do more in the garden. They WANT to learn and they love to help. I'd be crazy to not take advantage of it. It will teach them a skill that they can have for life - just like my Dad did for me. They will feel like they are contributing to the family. And they will get to spend time with their Mom. What more could they ask for? If you would like to order seeds I highly recommend Vesey's. I'll have to give you more info about what I am ordering on a later post. It seems that naptime is over for Baby boy and feeding time has begun.
In case I don't get back here before Christmas, I hope that everyone reading this has a Merry and Blessed Christmas!!!!
It seems that our precious little baby boy has been blessed with three mothers. My girls just adore and love to help take care of him. Um, except during diaper changes. They just let mom handle those. I am so proud of them for how they have handled everything that has happened these last few months. I am truly blessed.
Baby boy is doing incredibly well despite being only 32 weeks at birth. He passed his developmental screenings with flying colors and we don't have to go back again until he is 6 months old. He has to have monthly Synagis shots to prevent complications from the RSV virus until March or April, and they are monitoring his right eye because he has a blood clot that may or may not dissolve on its own. But even the blood clot is a little thing compared to the complications that we could have faced. God is good.
I can't seem to start saying "No" to things at my kid's school. My secret hope is that they will stop asking me for help once I start horribly messing things up because I am too busy and sleep deprived to be able to do a good job. Hey, a girl can dream......
And just in case anyone thinks that I forgot - Now is the time to order your seeds!! Yes, I plan to continue to garden. I even have plans to expand the garden this spring. This is the year that my older girls will have to learn how to do more in the garden. They WANT to learn and they love to help. I'd be crazy to not take advantage of it. It will teach them a skill that they can have for life - just like my Dad did for me. They will feel like they are contributing to the family. And they will get to spend time with their Mom. What more could they ask for? If you would like to order seeds I highly recommend Vesey's. I'll have to give you more info about what I am ordering on a later post. It seems that naptime is over for Baby boy and feeding time has begun.
In case I don't get back here before Christmas, I hope that everyone reading this has a Merry and Blessed Christmas!!!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
I'm still here.....
Just busy. I was also locked out of blogger for a little while because it wouldn't accept my password. But I am back on now, so I have some catching up to do. Hopefully I'll have a post up later this week!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Not too shabby, I guess....
I'm really not trying to re-write my college thesis here on this blog, so at first I thought that this wasn't too shabby of a classification for an informal blog. Then I started thinking about all of the current high school students that I know and THEN I remembered how I was in high school. Suddenly, this rating didn't seem as stellar as it was before. Oh well, at least I'm having fun. :)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!!
This year, I am thankful that I am not cooking the Thanksgiving dinner for the first time in about 10 years. Ha Ha!! Just kidding. Well, I really am not cooking the dinner for the first time in 10 years, but that is not all that I am thankful for. I AM thankful for my wonderful DH and children, family and friends, my health even though it just isn't what it used to be, a nice roof over my head, nice cars to drive even though it has become painfully obvious to me that we now need a minivan (lol!), good food on my table, nice clothes to wear, my hubby's job that seems stable in this unstable time, and all of the other incredible blessings that I just don't have time to name and I surely don't deserve but have been given to me anyway solely by the grace of God.
I hope that you all have many things to be thankful for in this life. May you be richly blessed and have a wonderful holiday!
I hope that you all have many things to be thankful for in this life. May you be richly blessed and have a wonderful holiday!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Easy Recipe
I really haven't had much, um, spare time lately. I have been blessed with a sweet, good natured little boy. But he did start out VERY little and as a result he needs to eat very frequently. No biggie, but the rest of the family needs to eat too so I have had to give myself a little break from my made-from-scratch-as-much-as-possible recipes since i have to spend lots of time feeding the mini one. I console myself with the fact that infancy is a fleeting moment in time and by next year I will be marveling at how big he is. But until then, I have to rely on a little convenience food Monday - Friday so that I can keep everyone fed.
I tried this recipe last night, and I do admit that is was incredibly tasty even though it probably isn't the best for you. And my kids and hubby loved it. I'm going to keep it in my recipe file, but in the future I will probably substitute fresh apples for the pie filling and homemade stuffing for the boxed. But with only three ingredients, this is a great recipe on those nights when time is a bit tight.
Pork Chops with apples and stuffing
1 pkg Stove Top stuffing mix for chicken (I used pork because I had it on hand)
1 can apple pie filling
6 boneless pork loin chops (1 1/2 lb), 3/4 inch thick
Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare stuffing as directed on package.
Spread pie filling onto the bottom of 13 x 9 inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with chops and stuffing. Cover with foil
Bake 30 min. Uncover. Bake an additional 10 min or until chops are cooked through (160 degrees F).
Enjoy!
From the Kraft Food and Family Magazine, Fall 2008
I tried this recipe last night, and I do admit that is was incredibly tasty even though it probably isn't the best for you. And my kids and hubby loved it. I'm going to keep it in my recipe file, but in the future I will probably substitute fresh apples for the pie filling and homemade stuffing for the boxed. But with only three ingredients, this is a great recipe on those nights when time is a bit tight.
Pork Chops with apples and stuffing
1 pkg Stove Top stuffing mix for chicken (I used pork because I had it on hand)
1 can apple pie filling
6 boneless pork loin chops (1 1/2 lb), 3/4 inch thick
Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare stuffing as directed on package.
Spread pie filling onto the bottom of 13 x 9 inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with chops and stuffing. Cover with foil
Bake 30 min. Uncover. Bake an additional 10 min or until chops are cooked through (160 degrees F).
Enjoy!
From the Kraft Food and Family Magazine, Fall 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Happiness is.....
a sweet, snuggly baby sleeping on your chest.
And it also makes it easier to accept the fact that you are getting nothing done around the house.
And it also makes it easier to accept the fact that you are getting nothing done around the house.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
To our baby:
I love all types of music, but metal does pump throught my veins. I can't help it, it's just who I am. When I held my son in my arms for the first time, this was the song that I immediately thought of. I'm sure that I'll play it for him someday just so that I can embarass him. :)
My Little Man
[O.Osbourne - S.Vai]
Don't You Know I Love You More
Than Life Itself
Don't You Know That You're My Pride
And I Would Not Have You
Walking Through This World
Without Me By Your Side
Go To Sleep My Little Man
Don't You Weep My Little Man
I'd Like To Keep You With Me
All Your Life,
But I Know I Can't Do That
So I Must Try To Teach You
Wrong From Right,
To Keep The Vultures From
Your Back
Go To Sleep My Little Man
Don't You Weep My Little Man
And When You're Dreaming
You Can Talk To Angels
So Wipe The Tears From Your Eyes
And If There's Demons
That Try To Steal Your Breath Away
You Can't Believe That, Know,
My Spirit Will Be Standing By
Your Side
You Saved Me, You Gave Me
The Greatest Gift Of All
Believe Me, Believe
There Ain't No Mountain That's Too Tall
I Will Gladly Carry Your Cross
For You
To Take Your Pain Away
But What I Can't Carry Is My Love
For You,
Beyond My Dying Day
So Be Strong My Little Man
When I'm Gone My Little Man
You Got To Be My Little Man
So Don't You Weep My Little Man
Go To Sleep My Little Man
Don't You Weep My Little Man
You Got To Be My Little Man
So Don't You Weep My Little Man
Hear it Here
My Little Man
[O.Osbourne - S.Vai]
Don't You Know I Love You More
Than Life Itself
Don't You Know That You're My Pride
And I Would Not Have You
Walking Through This World
Without Me By Your Side
Go To Sleep My Little Man
Don't You Weep My Little Man
I'd Like To Keep You With Me
All Your Life,
But I Know I Can't Do That
So I Must Try To Teach You
Wrong From Right,
To Keep The Vultures From
Your Back
Go To Sleep My Little Man
Don't You Weep My Little Man
And When You're Dreaming
You Can Talk To Angels
So Wipe The Tears From Your Eyes
And If There's Demons
That Try To Steal Your Breath Away
You Can't Believe That, Know,
My Spirit Will Be Standing By
Your Side
You Saved Me, You Gave Me
The Greatest Gift Of All
Believe Me, Believe
There Ain't No Mountain That's Too Tall
I Will Gladly Carry Your Cross
For You
To Take Your Pain Away
But What I Can't Carry Is My Love
For You,
Beyond My Dying Day
So Be Strong My Little Man
When I'm Gone My Little Man
You Got To Be My Little Man
So Don't You Weep My Little Man
Go To Sleep My Little Man
Don't You Weep My Little Man
You Got To Be My Little Man
So Don't You Weep My Little Man
Hear it Here
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Go Vote!
Cuz I cant since I can't drive yet after my c-section. That's one of the only drawbacks for me with c-sections.
But I digress.... Hubby went back to work yesterday so it is just me and baby boy while the kids are in school. I'm kinda busy but I wanted to report that the boy is up to 5 lbs 4 ounces already! I am so happy! And now I must go feed him again so he will grow even more.
But I digress.... Hubby went back to work yesterday so it is just me and baby boy while the kids are in school. I'm kinda busy but I wanted to report that the boy is up to 5 lbs 4 ounces already! I am so happy! And now I must go feed him again so he will grow even more.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
First Doctor's Visit
Yesterday was Baby Boy's first Dr's appointment since he came home. The whole family went along - my hubby, me, the baby, and his two other mothers. Oops, I meant to say his two big sisters but they are acting like such little mothers that I got confused. They dote on his every whimper and are such good helpers. I am very proud of them! They really love their brother - for now, anyway. ;)
Baby Boy is doing quite well. He is up to 4 lbs 7.5 ounces, a gain of 6 ounces since he was discharged on Saturday. Last night he only woke up once at 2:45am, took a bottle, got the hiccups, and went back to sleep. I was very grateful for the sleep that I got too. He is such a sweet and mellow boy right now. He's just such a laid back dude in spite of everything that he went through that I am totally amazed and THANKFUL! It's a joy to take care of him. Boy, I hope it stays this way!! :)
DH goes back to work next week so I get my first real tests of motherhood with three kiddos. Wish me luck. I'm getting worried, but we'll muddle through.
Baby Boy is doing quite well. He is up to 4 lbs 7.5 ounces, a gain of 6 ounces since he was discharged on Saturday. Last night he only woke up once at 2:45am, took a bottle, got the hiccups, and went back to sleep. I was very grateful for the sleep that I got too. He is such a sweet and mellow boy right now. He's just such a laid back dude in spite of everything that he went through that I am totally amazed and THANKFUL! It's a joy to take care of him. Boy, I hope it stays this way!! :)
DH goes back to work next week so I get my first real tests of motherhood with three kiddos. Wish me luck. I'm getting worried, but we'll muddle through.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Let's hear it for the boy
Our baby isn't coming home until tomorrow, but he should hopefully put on a bit more weight. Every ounce makes me feel better. He has grown a whole inch in two weeks! He is now 18 inches long. The last three weeks or so have been a blur and I will be so glad to bring our baby home.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by and wished us well. Your thoughts and prayers mean so much to me. Sorry I haven't answered you all personally. It's been a bit crazy here. Please just know that I read all of your messages and am very thankful.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by and wished us well. Your thoughts and prayers mean so much to me. Sorry I haven't answered you all personally. It's been a bit crazy here. Please just know that I read all of your messages and am very thankful.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Yay!!
Quick Update: Baby Boy has made over the 4 lb. mark ~ 4 lbs 1 oz to be exact. We should be able to bring him home from the NICU in a few short days. I have to hurry and prepare because he kinda caught us off guard by coming almost 8 weeks early. I'm so excited!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Oh Boy!!!
Wow!! Where do I begin? Let's start back in the beginning of October. My ob was on vacation, but he knew that I was going in a bad direction in my pregnancy so he gave me an order to have a non-stress test at the hospital while he was gone. On October 8th, I dropped the kids off at school and decided on the spur of the moment to go over to the hospital and get my non-stress test out of the way. I didn't want to go. I really wanted to go home and start getting ready for the baby by cleaning out some drawers while lying on my right side. But SOMETHING made me go - a nagging voice that said "Just go and get it over with". So I did.
They got me into the NST room and took my blood pressure. Then they took it again. Then the told me to lie on my left side and do the NST and they would check it again after they talked to the Dr. that was filling in for my OB. So, I laid there trying to calm down and take the test. After the test they came in and took my BP again. Good news!! It came down a little during the test - to 180/100. I wasn't going home. They were admitting me into the hospital. Before I knew it, I was being rushed down the hallway into my hospital room. The put me in a gown, hooked me up to magnesium sulfate, catheterized me, gave me a steroid shot (for development of the bay's lungs) and brought up an ultra sound machine. Somewhere during this whole sideshow I was able to make a teary call to my husband, who I didn't even get the chance to tell that I was going in for a NST test because I really wasn't planning on doing that day. Boy, was he shocked!!! Especially when he got there during the ultrasound and we found out that we were probably having a BOY!!!!! So there I was, nearly hysterical already because I knew that they were probably going to have to deliver me very early, finding out that we were now going to have a boy instead of a girl. We won't discuss what my BP readings were while all of this commotion was going on. Let's just say that they kept asking me to lie VERY STILL.
They ran a 24 hour protein test. They kept me in bed, very still, while taking my bp every hour and a nurse in the room almost constantly. They consulted a perinatologist (SP?), kept the magnesium sulfate flowing, and limited my food. After 48 hours and two shots to help out the baby they KNEW that I had to deliver. My 24 hr protein test contained over 1 ltr of protein - 1,092 to be exact. I was the big excitement on the floor. The consider a protein reading of over 300 to be very severe pre-eclampsia. Here I had just calmly strolled into the hospital with a count of over 1,000 and I was talking and joking. But my kidneys were giving out even though I was trying to be a model patient. They had to deliver my baby at 32 weeks gestation for the good of both me and my unborn son. I was so scared, but I couldn't cry because I found out the hard way that magnesium sulfate gets in your tears and burns when you cry. So I prayed.
My incredible son was born at 3:10 pm on Friday, October 10, 2008 via emergency c-section. He was 3 lbs, 14 oz and 17 inches long!! And he is doing GREAT!! He is so amazing that I can't even begin to describe it. And he is probably coming home from the NICU this Friday! He has been totally beating the odds. The nurses just marvel at him and how well he is doing. God is so good.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I hope to have a better version of this story up soon, because this experience TOTALLY reminded me that God is GOOD and he is with you always. I am very lucky and very blessed.
Take care, and I hope to update soon.
They got me into the NST room and took my blood pressure. Then they took it again. Then the told me to lie on my left side and do the NST and they would check it again after they talked to the Dr. that was filling in for my OB. So, I laid there trying to calm down and take the test. After the test they came in and took my BP again. Good news!! It came down a little during the test - to 180/100. I wasn't going home. They were admitting me into the hospital. Before I knew it, I was being rushed down the hallway into my hospital room. The put me in a gown, hooked me up to magnesium sulfate, catheterized me, gave me a steroid shot (for development of the bay's lungs) and brought up an ultra sound machine. Somewhere during this whole sideshow I was able to make a teary call to my husband, who I didn't even get the chance to tell that I was going in for a NST test because I really wasn't planning on doing that day. Boy, was he shocked!!! Especially when he got there during the ultrasound and we found out that we were probably having a BOY!!!!! So there I was, nearly hysterical already because I knew that they were probably going to have to deliver me very early, finding out that we were now going to have a boy instead of a girl. We won't discuss what my BP readings were while all of this commotion was going on. Let's just say that they kept asking me to lie VERY STILL.
They ran a 24 hour protein test. They kept me in bed, very still, while taking my bp every hour and a nurse in the room almost constantly. They consulted a perinatologist (SP?), kept the magnesium sulfate flowing, and limited my food. After 48 hours and two shots to help out the baby they KNEW that I had to deliver. My 24 hr protein test contained over 1 ltr of protein - 1,092 to be exact. I was the big excitement on the floor. The consider a protein reading of over 300 to be very severe pre-eclampsia. Here I had just calmly strolled into the hospital with a count of over 1,000 and I was talking and joking. But my kidneys were giving out even though I was trying to be a model patient. They had to deliver my baby at 32 weeks gestation for the good of both me and my unborn son. I was so scared, but I couldn't cry because I found out the hard way that magnesium sulfate gets in your tears and burns when you cry. So I prayed.
My incredible son was born at 3:10 pm on Friday, October 10, 2008 via emergency c-section. He was 3 lbs, 14 oz and 17 inches long!! And he is doing GREAT!! He is so amazing that I can't even begin to describe it. And he is probably coming home from the NICU this Friday! He has been totally beating the odds. The nurses just marvel at him and how well he is doing. God is so good.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I hope to have a better version of this story up soon, because this experience TOTALLY reminded me that God is GOOD and he is with you always. I am very lucky and very blessed.
Take care, and I hope to update soon.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Uh oh......
I'm no stranger to pre-eclampsia. I had a moderate case of it with my first DD, but lucked out with my second DD due to a wonderful case of almost pneumonia that knocked my blood pressure right down and kept it there for the remainder of my pregnancy. I'm now 30 weeks along and I was doing great in the blood pressure department (I was running about 120/70 or so), but that suddenly and drastically changed about 2 weeks ago. I am now grounded to - stop me if you've heard this on e before - lying on my left side for most of the day. If I sit up for any length of time, my BP shoots up to about 180/95 give or take a few points and I have trace protein that my ob is worried will get worse quickly if I don't take it easy. Taking it easy is something that does not come naturally for me, so I have been a bit bored. My hubby has promised me that he is getting me a laptop so that I will have something to do while I lay around on my left side for the next hopefully 7 weeks (or, God willing, 8 or 9 weeks) until I can safely deliver. Don't worry - Mom and baby are going to be just fine. I've been down this road before. I just know from my past experience that it is a long and boring trip when you just lay on your left side all day. :)
Anyway, I just wanted to post a little update for everyone. My 15 minutes of non-left side time are up so I must go. My postings may be a bit sporadic until I get that laptop. After that, you'll probably "see" alot of me because I'll have lots of down time to blog!! ;)
Anyway, I just wanted to post a little update for everyone. My 15 minutes of non-left side time are up so I must go. My postings may be a bit sporadic until I get that laptop. After that, you'll probably "see" alot of me because I'll have lots of down time to blog!! ;)
Thursday, September 04, 2008
My 15 minutes
I have crazy luck. I can win silly things on the radio. I'm not sure if anyone out there listens to Relevant Radio, but if you were listening this morning to the last hour of their morning show "Morning Air" I was the lucky winner who played three questions. I think that my 15 minutes of fame are officially over now.
In case you are wondering, here is what I won:
Ships without a Shore by Anne R. Pierce
And if you really want to hear what I sound like when I am really tired and fighting off a cold, you can go to the Morning Air web page and listen to the show archives. I was on during the last hour at apx 8:40 AM or so. Boy, was I nervous and tired so I am sure that I sounded great. (Note heavy sarcasm!)
I really wanted to win today because I heard the author talking about this book on the air while I driving my girls to school. I never expected to, though, so I was rather shocked when the radio station answered the phone and told me that I was the right caller. And this was not the first time that I have won something on Relevant Radio. I have won a coffee mug and a copy of David Curry's book "Rapture: The End Times Error That Leaves the Bible Behind" That is a fantastic book! I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested. My 10 year old daughter has also won "Three Questions" and she received a wonderful package from Great Harvest Bread Company. I don't know why we keep winning. I'm starting to feel guilty but I really can't wait to receive this book!
Have a great day everyone!
In case you are wondering, here is what I won:
Ships without a Shore by Anne R. Pierce
And if you really want to hear what I sound like when I am really tired and fighting off a cold, you can go to the Morning Air web page and listen to the show archives. I was on during the last hour at apx 8:40 AM or so. Boy, was I nervous and tired so I am sure that I sounded great. (Note heavy sarcasm!)
I really wanted to win today because I heard the author talking about this book on the air while I driving my girls to school. I never expected to, though, so I was rather shocked when the radio station answered the phone and told me that I was the right caller. And this was not the first time that I have won something on Relevant Radio. I have won a coffee mug and a copy of David Curry's book "Rapture: The End Times Error That Leaves the Bible Behind" That is a fantastic book! I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested. My 10 year old daughter has also won "Three Questions" and she received a wonderful package from Great Harvest Bread Company. I don't know why we keep winning. I'm starting to feel guilty but I really can't wait to receive this book!
Have a great day everyone!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
I'm so behind!
Wow! What can I say. I am a bad,bad blogger. School has moved into high gear and our Hot Lunch program has started back up so it's back to work for the KitKat. Somewhere during the last week or so I think that I completely lost myself. Between school, work, a downstairs bathroom remodel, and our upcoming Family Fest fundraiser for the school (Of which I am the head of advertising. Silly me!) I have been a bit busy.
But the good news is that we now have 2 complete bathrooms, so my husband finally has his own shower after 10 years of waiting. And construction is over, so I finally have my house back after what seemed like endless weeks of having someone over working on the bathroom. Now I should be able to get us back to normal fairly quickly. All of the hassle was worth it, but it is just so nice not to have to worry about the ruckus anymore.
I am behind on some blog things. Some nice readers have left some nice thing for me over on their blogs, so I need to try to catch those up. Thanks so much for thinking of me. You guys always make me smile. :)
I'm off to start post construction clean up and go to a Family Fest committee meeting tonight. Yay! Our Family Fest is on September 13 & 14th, so this part is almost over and I won't have to worry about it anymore.
Have a great night!!!
But the good news is that we now have 2 complete bathrooms, so my husband finally has his own shower after 10 years of waiting. And construction is over, so I finally have my house back after what seemed like endless weeks of having someone over working on the bathroom. Now I should be able to get us back to normal fairly quickly. All of the hassle was worth it, but it is just so nice not to have to worry about the ruckus anymore.
I am behind on some blog things. Some nice readers have left some nice thing for me over on their blogs, so I need to try to catch those up. Thanks so much for thinking of me. You guys always make me smile. :)
I'm off to start post construction clean up and go to a Family Fest committee meeting tonight. Yay! Our Family Fest is on September 13 & 14th, so this part is almost over and I won't have to worry about it anymore.
Have a great night!!!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Zucchini Fritters
This recipe was left for me in my comment section a few posts below this one by a sweet reader named Angie. The recipe is SO GOOD that I just had to move it up here to its own post in order to do it justice. Even my hubby, who only eats zucchini bread, loved it. So I have to send a big "Thank you" out to Angie for expanding my zuchinni options and encourage the zucchini shy folks out there to try this recipe. It is very, very good.
(Angie, I hope that you don't mind me doing this. If so, please let me know and I will remove this post. This is a great recipe! My kids gobbled them up and asked for more.)
Zucchini Fritters
1/3 cup biscuit mix
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups shredded zucchini, unpeeled
butter or margarine
Stir together biscuit mix, Parmesan cheese and pepper. Stir in beaten eggs just until dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in zucchini.
Melt butter in a skillet, spoon zucchini mixture in like you are making pancakes. Cook until browned on both sides. You can serve these with a little bbq sauce, but my favorite condiment with them is ranch dressing.
(Angie, I hope that you don't mind me doing this. If so, please let me know and I will remove this post. This is a great recipe! My kids gobbled them up and asked for more.)
Zucchini Fritters
1/3 cup biscuit mix
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups shredded zucchini, unpeeled
butter or margarine
Stir together biscuit mix, Parmesan cheese and pepper. Stir in beaten eggs just until dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in zucchini.
Melt butter in a skillet, spoon zucchini mixture in like you are making pancakes. Cook until browned on both sides. You can serve these with a little bbq sauce, but my favorite condiment with them is ranch dressing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
