So today is Kriegh's official "one month" celebration! How'd we celebrate? With a doctor's appointment!
I was really dreading it - every time we've been to his doctor's office, they've not given us the information or encouragement we wanted. The first visit resulted in Kriegh being admitted to the hospital at 5 days old. The second visit lead to 5 additional days of a "bili blanket" and a not-so-great report as far as the jaundice went.
I was nervous for today. BUT - it went really well! He's a HEALTHY 8lbs 2oz and 21.5" long! He's only in the 10th percentile for weight, 50th for height, but they say that's all okay. Doc says his color is just fine, and his lungs are sounding great! He even pooped while the dr was doing his exam - guess that's what he thought of all that mess!
I'm still in awe of this little person. I'm reminded daily that he and his life are completely reliant on me. I love that! At 2 a.m., it's hard to remember to cherish the moment, but I still try. I may be sleep deprived, but I will always enjoy those sweet, quiet times!
In just one short month, I've come to this conclusion : I'm ok with this change. I've traded cute hair do's for a pony tale that may not have been brushed the entire day. I've given up my 6-8 hours of sleep for a lucky 4 or 5. I've been puked on, pooped on, peed on, and drooled on. I spend some days in their entirety in my pajamas. I'm lucky to have a shower that lasts more than 5 minutes. I may wash and dry the laundry, but rarely are the clothes folded and never put away. The dishes may be clean, but their new home is the dish washer. I don't have the cleanest house, the cutest clothes, or the best hairdo, but I do have something that's worth far more. My baby boy. I'd give all of this up for the rest of my life if it meant he'd be happy!
I'm pretty smitten by this little one, and I'm so thankful that God has once again heard and answered my prayers for a healthy report! So here's to one month and many, MANY more to come!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
4 Weeks Today!
Tonight will be a much shorter post than last night. Thankfully, right? :)
Kriegh is 4 weeks old today!! It's amazing how fast time really does fly... He's starting to make some wonderful faces and those sweet little sounds. I "kiss" him all the time and he LOVES it!
He's starting to really love playing with Daddy. They play spaceship and airplane and lots of other fun games that Mitch has named... I'm not sure how to play those games, but Daddy's great at it!
He met some more extended family this evening, after spending a big part of the day shopping with Mommy and his Mimi (my mom). He does great shopping. We used my new Ring Sling found here and Kriegh did awesome in it! He gets to lay on my chest while I'm upright, walking, and using my arms. Apparently, it's pretty comfy :)
I'm still learning to cherish each moment, especially since he's growing so fast and coming up on the "cute" stage. We've been showing him some of his Christmas toys, and he seems to enjoy those, too. He's smiling a little more and holding his head up a lot. All these things that I didn't think would come for a long time - they're here!
I began journaling for him today. My parents got me a journal for Christmas, and in it I've started writing Kriegh's birth story. I plan to write to him every day, and someday when he's old enough to appreciate all of it, I'll give it to him to read on his own. I hope it means as much to him as it does to me!
Anyway, just wanted to blog about how blessed we are - again. He's truly a miracle and teaches me something new every single day!
God is surely good.
Kriegh is 4 weeks old today!! It's amazing how fast time really does fly... He's starting to make some wonderful faces and those sweet little sounds. I "kiss" him all the time and he LOVES it!
He's starting to really love playing with Daddy. They play spaceship and airplane and lots of other fun games that Mitch has named... I'm not sure how to play those games, but Daddy's great at it!
He met some more extended family this evening, after spending a big part of the day shopping with Mommy and his Mimi (my mom). He does great shopping. We used my new Ring Sling found here and Kriegh did awesome in it! He gets to lay on my chest while I'm upright, walking, and using my arms. Apparently, it's pretty comfy :)
I'm still learning to cherish each moment, especially since he's growing so fast and coming up on the "cute" stage. We've been showing him some of his Christmas toys, and he seems to enjoy those, too. He's smiling a little more and holding his head up a lot. All these things that I didn't think would come for a long time - they're here!
I began journaling for him today. My parents got me a journal for Christmas, and in it I've started writing Kriegh's birth story. I plan to write to him every day, and someday when he's old enough to appreciate all of it, I'll give it to him to read on his own. I hope it means as much to him as it does to me!
Anyway, just wanted to blog about how blessed we are - again. He's truly a miracle and teaches me something new every single day!
God is surely good.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
My New & Improved Life
It's been a couple of months... Again.
This time, I really DO have an excuse. His name is Kriegh, and he was born November 28.
What about the rest of September, October, and November? It's called being pregnant. WHEW! That's not for wimps, I tell ya. After a few bouts of bed rest, lots of swelling, and an earlier than expected delivery, I've finally decided to get back to my blog.
I really have no point for this post, other than to say I'm back. I guess I could mention the "specs" on Kriegh...
Like I said, he was born November 28 at 5:08 a.m., after 17.5 hours of labor. He weighed 5lbs 15.5oz and measured 20.5 inches. We (my husband and I) weren't expecting baby Kriegh quite this early, so we were a bit unprepared... Unprepared meaning we hadn't yet completed ANY childbirth classes, the blinds weren't hung in the nursery, and I technically still had a week left of work. God had other plans, obviously :)
After Kriegh was born, the NICU nurses (NICU because he was 3 weeks early and it's typical protocol) began "beating" him on the back because he wasn't crying the way they wanted him to. Most babies wail - Kriegh was "singing." In other words, his lungs were working, but not like the doctor would have liked. SO - off to the Neonatal ICU he went :( Talk about being scared!! We obviously weren't prepared for this part at all, and it was tough to say the very least.
Born at 5:08 a.m., and I only got to touch my little boy for approximately 2 seconds and kiss him one time before he was whisked away. We were moved to our more permanent room to wait on a call from the NICU so we could finally meet our little man. Something around 5-7hours after he was born, Mitch and I FINALLY got to take a ride on the elevator to the next floor up and say hello to our little miracle. Seeing him hooked up to tubes and wires with a tiny little IV in his left arm was pretty overwhelming. There's no feeling that compares to being helpless in regards to your children. Let me also back up and say that we couldn't "touch" Kriegh, either. Since he was admitted to the NICU, he had to be tested for MRSA, so we had to wear gloves and gowns until the MRSA test came back negative - a little over 24 hours. THAT, my friends, was tough. That was my little boy laying there, and I couldn't stroke his cheek with my fingers, couldn't hold his little body next to mine. It brings tears to my eyes to even think about it. For me, the gloves only lasted a little while, because they graciously gave me the opportunity to nurse my little boy. Words cannot describe my feelings when the nurse called and asked if I could come and feed him!
Daddy got to hold Kriegh, gown, gloves and all, as soon as I did. We got to participate in our little guy's first diaper change (we - I changed, Mitch watched) and watch as Kriegh got his hair washed for the first time. He. Loved. It. Seriously, if he could've talked, I swear he'd have said "Ahhhh..."
Anyway, Kriegh was in the NICU from birth (Monday morning) until late Tuesday evening. We were FINALLY able to have him come to our room right before our "Congratulations" dinner, which seemed pretty appropriate :) Wednesday morning we had to release our sweet man to the nurses and doctors once again, this time for a more "normal" little boy procedure... Side note : When I asked the nurse how he did, her very uncomforting response was, "He did ok." :-/ Just ok?? :: Ok, back to story.
We were cleared to leave Dupont Hospital Wednesday afternoon, and we could not have been happier to be headed home! Of course we spent the night and the next day loving our new life and our new addition.
Unfortunately, we weren't home long. Friday was Kriegh's first check up - for jaundice and weight. After leaving the doctor, we headed to Logan's for what we thought would be our first family outing. Ha. My cell phone rang shortly after we ordered our drinks. It was our doctor's office saying Kriegh's bilirubin levels were extremely high and he would need to be admitted to the hospital. Really? Admitted? Ugh. So, back to the hospital we went. I, of course, was hysterical - hormones maybe? - and went through probably a half a box of tissues by the time he was admitted.
They put him in a clear little box with blue lights overhead and a blue "blanket" for him to lay on. The blue lights help to flush the bilirubin out of them faster. So, again, we couldn't hold our little guy except to nurse him, and even then we had to hold the "blanket" on him. That was awkward, but I was willing to do whatever it took to get him better and HOME again! Friday night, long story short, he was stuck (yep, with needles) at least 7 times. I lost count after that, most probably because I was so mad I could barely think anymore. 7 times. A baby. SEVEN TIMES!!! Obviously you are not doing something right if you have to stick my son SEVEN times!! So, that story will wait for another day. Just know there is no worse feeling than knowing your child, your own flesh and blood is in pain and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it...
Saturday night around 9 p.m. we were finally allowed to leave the hospital. Again. With a bili blanket - one that wrapped around him so that he would continue to flush the bili out faster. Five LLLOONNNGGGG days of a bili light and daily heel sticks later, he was allowed off of the light because his level had dropped to 12.1. To begin it was 23.9. Another side note : a level of 25 can cause brain damage...
So Saturday, December 3, our little guy was finished with his hospital visits! It's now Christmas day, and tomorrow, Monday, December 26, Kriegh will be 4 weeks old. Time has surely flown!
I've learned A LOT in 4 weeks. Some of them?? :
- Take nothing for granted.
- God hears our prayers, and He DOES answer them - in His own time and way.
- It really is possible to love someone enough to lay down your life for them.
- A person can, in fact, survive on 2 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period :)
- The sound of a my son sucking on his "binky" is music to my ears
- It takes 4 times as long to get ready to go somewhere
- One little, tiny person requires a lot of "stuff"
- It's okay to ask for help. It's also okay to LET people help.
- Cherish every single second. Take lots of pictures.
- Love unconditionally.
- BE THANKFUL!!
I've learned that I am blessed in every sense of the word. I have an incredible husband that I watched become Daddy in an instant, and he's the best at it! I have a beautiful little boy who, despite a few small issues, is healthy and HERE! I have wonderful parents and awesome in-laws that love me, Mitch, and Kriegh more than we ever knew. Most of all? I have a God who heard my prayers, held me close, and got me through some tough stuff. HE blessed me with all of this, and to Him ALL praise is due!
This time, I really DO have an excuse. His name is Kriegh, and he was born November 28.
What about the rest of September, October, and November? It's called being pregnant. WHEW! That's not for wimps, I tell ya. After a few bouts of bed rest, lots of swelling, and an earlier than expected delivery, I've finally decided to get back to my blog.
I really have no point for this post, other than to say I'm back. I guess I could mention the "specs" on Kriegh...
Like I said, he was born November 28 at 5:08 a.m., after 17.5 hours of labor. He weighed 5lbs 15.5oz and measured 20.5 inches. We (my husband and I) weren't expecting baby Kriegh quite this early, so we were a bit unprepared... Unprepared meaning we hadn't yet completed ANY childbirth classes, the blinds weren't hung in the nursery, and I technically still had a week left of work. God had other plans, obviously :)
After Kriegh was born, the NICU nurses (NICU because he was 3 weeks early and it's typical protocol) began "beating" him on the back because he wasn't crying the way they wanted him to. Most babies wail - Kriegh was "singing." In other words, his lungs were working, but not like the doctor would have liked. SO - off to the Neonatal ICU he went :( Talk about being scared!! We obviously weren't prepared for this part at all, and it was tough to say the very least.
Born at 5:08 a.m., and I only got to touch my little boy for approximately 2 seconds and kiss him one time before he was whisked away. We were moved to our more permanent room to wait on a call from the NICU so we could finally meet our little man. Something around 5-7hours after he was born, Mitch and I FINALLY got to take a ride on the elevator to the next floor up and say hello to our little miracle. Seeing him hooked up to tubes and wires with a tiny little IV in his left arm was pretty overwhelming. There's no feeling that compares to being helpless in regards to your children. Let me also back up and say that we couldn't "touch" Kriegh, either. Since he was admitted to the NICU, he had to be tested for MRSA, so we had to wear gloves and gowns until the MRSA test came back negative - a little over 24 hours. THAT, my friends, was tough. That was my little boy laying there, and I couldn't stroke his cheek with my fingers, couldn't hold his little body next to mine. It brings tears to my eyes to even think about it. For me, the gloves only lasted a little while, because they graciously gave me the opportunity to nurse my little boy. Words cannot describe my feelings when the nurse called and asked if I could come and feed him!
Daddy got to hold Kriegh, gown, gloves and all, as soon as I did. We got to participate in our little guy's first diaper change (we - I changed, Mitch watched) and watch as Kriegh got his hair washed for the first time. He. Loved. It. Seriously, if he could've talked, I swear he'd have said "Ahhhh..."
Anyway, Kriegh was in the NICU from birth (Monday morning) until late Tuesday evening. We were FINALLY able to have him come to our room right before our "Congratulations" dinner, which seemed pretty appropriate :) Wednesday morning we had to release our sweet man to the nurses and doctors once again, this time for a more "normal" little boy procedure... Side note : When I asked the nurse how he did, her very uncomforting response was, "He did ok." :-/ Just ok?? :: Ok, back to story.
We were cleared to leave Dupont Hospital Wednesday afternoon, and we could not have been happier to be headed home! Of course we spent the night and the next day loving our new life and our new addition.
Unfortunately, we weren't home long. Friday was Kriegh's first check up - for jaundice and weight. After leaving the doctor, we headed to Logan's for what we thought would be our first family outing. Ha. My cell phone rang shortly after we ordered our drinks. It was our doctor's office saying Kriegh's bilirubin levels were extremely high and he would need to be admitted to the hospital. Really? Admitted? Ugh. So, back to the hospital we went. I, of course, was hysterical - hormones maybe? - and went through probably a half a box of tissues by the time he was admitted.
They put him in a clear little box with blue lights overhead and a blue "blanket" for him to lay on. The blue lights help to flush the bilirubin out of them faster. So, again, we couldn't hold our little guy except to nurse him, and even then we had to hold the "blanket" on him. That was awkward, but I was willing to do whatever it took to get him better and HOME again! Friday night, long story short, he was stuck (yep, with needles) at least 7 times. I lost count after that, most probably because I was so mad I could barely think anymore. 7 times. A baby. SEVEN TIMES!!! Obviously you are not doing something right if you have to stick my son SEVEN times!! So, that story will wait for another day. Just know there is no worse feeling than knowing your child, your own flesh and blood is in pain and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it...
Saturday night around 9 p.m. we were finally allowed to leave the hospital. Again. With a bili blanket - one that wrapped around him so that he would continue to flush the bili out faster. Five LLLOONNNGGGG days of a bili light and daily heel sticks later, he was allowed off of the light because his level had dropped to 12.1. To begin it was 23.9. Another side note : a level of 25 can cause brain damage...
So Saturday, December 3, our little guy was finished with his hospital visits! It's now Christmas day, and tomorrow, Monday, December 26, Kriegh will be 4 weeks old. Time has surely flown!
I've learned A LOT in 4 weeks. Some of them?? :
- Take nothing for granted.
- God hears our prayers, and He DOES answer them - in His own time and way.
- It really is possible to love someone enough to lay down your life for them.
- A person can, in fact, survive on 2 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period :)
- The sound of a my son sucking on his "binky" is music to my ears
- It takes 4 times as long to get ready to go somewhere
- One little, tiny person requires a lot of "stuff"
- It's okay to ask for help. It's also okay to LET people help.
- Cherish every single second. Take lots of pictures.
- Love unconditionally.
- BE THANKFUL!!
I've learned that I am blessed in every sense of the word. I have an incredible husband that I watched become Daddy in an instant, and he's the best at it! I have a beautiful little boy who, despite a few small issues, is healthy and HERE! I have wonderful parents and awesome in-laws that love me, Mitch, and Kriegh more than we ever knew. Most of all? I have a God who heard my prayers, held me close, and got me through some tough stuff. HE blessed me with all of this, and to Him ALL praise is due!
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