Too Busy, Too Tired......

A Busy, Productive Day!

I had a great day today! I slept in...opps, but I needed it. Lily still made it to school in time so no harm done, lol. After dropping Lily off I headed to BSF. I was so excited to return to my bible study. They also had fellowship afterwards. We sat together and talked about what we have gained and how we have been blessed by BSF. I then went to the dreaded dentist. He changed out the medicated pad and I was off to the hospital.
My visit with Nathanael, was great, as usual! I said hello to the nurse, put my milk in the fridge and turned around to a great surprise :). Nathanael was in a little bassinet, like the kind they put full term babies in! I was so pleased. He looked so small, lol! I got a good report from the nurse about his eating. He is alternating bottles with tube feedings and tolerating it very well. While I was visiting, the lactation consultant stopped by to see how I am doing. I asked her about the "mother's milk tea". She said I could try it if I wanted to...no harm in it, for sure. Then the nurse practitioner came in and started talking about what sorts of things will occur when Nathanael goes home, such as he may go home on a monitor, that he will go home on heart medication, how to take his heart rate and how to distinguish between a normal heart rate and one that is above 200, etc. She wrote an order to start breastfeeding. At the 6pm feeding I was able to put Nathanael to breast and he caught right on, lol. It started to tire him out quickly so we switched to the bottle to ensure he got a good feeding. The plan is to feed him, one full feeding by breast tomorrow. I am excited to finally be able to feed my baby, the right way :).
I had to come home right after his feeding because Todd had to go up to his office. He took care of everything all day, so I really couldn't complain.
Now I am hanging out on the couch with the kids. Alex fell asleep at 6pm but is now up with another fever....or should I say still. Todd gave him motrin at 6pm, just before he fell asleep. I don't know if the fever ever broke. Hopefully the kids will go to bed soon. I am tired and really need to get to bed soon. I have two medications that I need to take every 8 hours. No matter how I work it out, I always have to stay up late, wake up early or set an alarm to make sure I take them on time.
So, a little Kai-lan (one of the kid's favs) then bed for all....

Kelly

Perfect For a Kite

Well, I am trying to get to bed but this is the perfect time to try and catch up with all the emails, etc. I need to start working on thank you cards but I haven't the faintest idea how to thank the people that made all of this possible. I couldn't have made it this far in this journey without all the prayers and support.
Poor Alex is so sick. He woke with a fever that never really broke. He started throwing up somewhere around lunch, I think? Thankfully he had a blanket on his lap, lol. I convinced Todd that he needs to rest all day tomorrow. I have been trying to return to BSF (bible study fellowship) for a couple of weeks now but that requires someone to pamper my baby while I am unavailable. Todd reassured me that he will take very good care of Alex :).
Nathanael had another good day. With Alex being so sick I didn't get a chance to go to the hospital. Todd had a meeting at 5pm and then the evening flew by. I talked to the nurse a couple times. He is doing well with his feedings and is now in a regular bassinet :). It's only a matter of time before he is home. I am trying not to get excited but he could be home in like 2-3 weeks!!! I guess I better dig out the pack n play, etc...
Lily flew her first kite tonight :). The wind was just perfect. Todd and Lily bought a kite after his meeting and then they spent an hour outside trying to catch the wind. Due to the great wind, once the kite was up, it was UP!! I heard a tap on the door and when I went out I saw Lily holding the kite string. She had a huge smile on her face. She was so proud of herself.
I have had some pain relief since my dentist appt. I am hoping for a good night sleep. And on that note....good night.
Oh....so many prayers needed but a couple that are close to my heart are: 1) Lisa Stough. She is 32 weeks and having complications. She has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and the baby (Josiah) is lying sideways. Please pray!!! 2) Michelle Desroches. A good college friend, trying to get pregnant for wayyyyy toooo looooong! Things are not going well for her right now and she is devastated! Rightfully so! Please pray!!!
Alright....off for another day.....

Kelly

A Fresh Start

I woke through the night with the most painful mouth ache ever. It hurt all the way up to my ear. It hurt so much I couldn't even cry because that made it hurt worse, lol.
This morning Alex woke with a fever and a cough. I wonder how long before one of my family member is not sick. It started with Alex, moved to Lily, to Todd and back to Alex. At least I haven't gotten it (yet).
I gave Alex some ibuprofen, headed to the dentist to have the medicated pad for the dry socket changed, ate a couple jellos and I am now ready for the day. I noticed the sky looked especially bright on the way to the dentist. There were dark clouds rolling in but they were large and fluffy. It rained for a few seconds on the way to the car but overall, the day is nice. It's windy and a little cool, but fresh feeling.
I am determined to have a good day, with a positive attitude. Lately I have been complaining about everything and I hate feeling like this so, today is going to be a fresh start, emotionally.
Ok, off to enjoy the day.......

Kelly

Alex Meets Nathanael

Yesterday was a blur. Today, the same.... busy busy busy... I can't keep up! I went to the dentist yesterday morning because my lower right tooth was throbbing. I have dry socket!!! Of course I do! Have you met me?? I really don't have the best luck. Anyway, the surgeon stuffed some medicated pad into the socket (ouch), and I have to have it changed every 2 days until it feels better. Like I have time for more errands:). Then I grabbed donuts for the rest of the family and headed home. I got everything ready to go to the hospital but decided to lie down for a min. Well, seven hours later I woke up, LOL! Guess I was a little tired, eh? But I was supposed to be at the hospital to feed Nathanael. And I had to get a shower gift. So, I got my butt up and headed out. I got a shower gift and made it to the hospital by 9pm. I was able to feed Nathanael his midnight bottle :). Worth the drive for sure :). I stay until 2am, then headed home.
I woke this morning with mouth pain. I know it will get better, but I need it to be sooner than later. I am really starting to feel sorry for myself and I don't like that feeling, at all. We went to SCBC for church today as Mary was giving a testimony about MOPS, for MOPS Sunday. She talked about the three things that she has learned/gained from MOPS. I was touched that she included my story in her testimony about the power of prayer. I cried through the entire speech. It was so great to see all the MOPS gang too. I found out that a friend of mine, that has been trying for a very long time, is pregnant!! Yippee!!!
After church Lily and I headed to Grace church for Melinda's wedding shower. Although there has been a bit of tension between us, it all meted away as soon as she saw me. She started crying because I came to the shower. She said with everything going on that she figured I wouldn't be able to come. I told her that I wouldn't miss it, and that was the truth. The shower was fun and Lily had a great time.
We came home, grabbed the guys and headed up to the hospital. Alex FINALLY got to meet his baby brother. I snapped more than a few photos. It was so darling to see Alex's face light up. He even got to hold him (with a little help). It was a great night for both brothers. It's so strange to say brothers, lol. Alex was so fascinated with everything in the room. He especially loved Nathanael's bed, lol. Oh, and Nathanael's bed heater was turned off today and so far he has been able to regulate his temp. One step closer to home!!!
I am waiting for my last round of pain meds to kick in so I can go to bed. My mouth hurts so much!!! I will head to the dentist again in the am to get the medicated pad changed. It really helped the first day so I am looking forward to it!
I am beat. Have to upload some new pics so I am out of here.........

Kelly

Busy, Busy!

The days seem to get busier and busier. I am way behind on phone calls and emails. I can't figure out how to do everything in a 24 hour period. I managed to split my time up between Lily and Alex and the hospital but the house chores, well....the house is a MESS! Oh well, not a huge priority right now.
Nathanael did well taking his bottle again today at noon. He spit up a small amt after the feeding but overall, digested most. He is such a cutie. He had on a little onsie that said Daddy's Champ. He looked so adorable today. He is now up to 4.12 lbs. He is still so tiny and cute...did I mention that already?? :).
I picked the kids up at Todd's office around 5ish. We grabbed movies and snacks, made a quick stop at Target and Walgreen's, then headed home. We attempted to watch Space Buddies. It was painful. Not a good movie, at all!
My mouth hurts, a lot. I woke through the night with a lot of pain. I spoke with the dentist office staff (they called to check in on me) and they said that it is normal to hurt more the second and third day. I hope this is that worst of it. It's quite painful. I am, once again, out of percocet. My doctor called me in a few vicodin. I just want something on hand, just incase.
I am so tired, I drifted off after that last sentence. I have no idea what else I need to write about but I am out of here.

Sweet dreams,
Kelly

A Big First!

Nathanael took his first bottle today!!! He is finally catching onto this eating thing:). I knew he would...he is related to me, lol! I was able to sit with him and feed him 42ccs :0. That is so huge, compared to what he has been taking. I just checked in with the nurse and she said he tolerated the bottle well. I was concerned that after I left that he would throw it all up. And they changed him back to bolus feeds and he is tolerating them as well :).
I asked the nurse practitioner about possible discharge dates. She said that most babies go home about 2 weeks from the due date, a few up to a month before their due date. I was hoping that she would say most babies go home earlier but I am trying not to set myself up for disappointment.
The next week is a very important time for Nathanael. How he tolerates the bottle will have a lot to do with his discharge. They are also going to try and get him out of his little temperature controlled isolette. I pray he does well with each. I don't want to rush him home but I am having a harder time not being able to hold me around the clock, etc.
Today the nurse told me that she would be right back....and well, he woke up and he was looking towards me. I know he knew I was there...my smell, my voice....whatever, but he knew I was there. He was crying and I just wanted to pick him up and cradle him in my arms. The nurse was gone, what seemed like forever. Some nurses will let me get him out by myself...she is not one of them. So, I have to stand there watching him cry, knowing that he knows I am right there and not helping him. It's not fair, to him, or me :(. But soon enough, he will be home and then I can hold him as much as I want :).
I am starting my second round of reglan for milk production. It's working, sort of. The lactation consultant thinks it's worth giving it another shot. Nathanael has caught up to my supply and more than likely will have to have formula through the night. Big bummer!
My MOPS group surprised me with two bags of baby gifts. There are several different gift cards, baby books, an album, diapers, a journal, lotion, cross earrings, a beautiful card, etc. What an amazing group of women. Some of these women I have only met once or twice...and maybe some, never? Some of these women have become close friends and I feel so blessed.
Tonight was Lily's first t-ball game. It was so cute. My favorite part was when I looked out field, where Lily was playing and there she was sitting in the grass, chewing on her glove, lol. No, just kidding...I loved watching her hit the ball and run to first base. All the kids looked so confused. It was like as soon as they hit the ball their turn was over, lol. Kids are great!! Then we went to Steak n Shake for the yummiest shake!
Lily and Alex are so precious these days. Amazing how in love I am with them. I missed them so much and will never again, take being home with them, for granted again.
I have been up late too many nights in a row. I need to get to the hospital in time to give Nathanael his bottle tomorrow, so I better sign off.
Oh, and my mouth hurts a bit more today but nothing I can't handle!

Kelly