I'm almost always tired. My four year old is probably feeling quite neglected. My two week old is taking up most of my time. But he's nursing well, and sleeping pretty well at night. As long as he eats full meals I usually get one five or six hour stint between feedings. That means about four hours of straight sleep because the feedings can take up to two hours because of burping, changing diapers (anywhere from once to five or six times per feeding), and keeping him upright for at least 20 minutes (per his pediatrician).
I haven't developed any kind of postpartum depression. I don't know if I even have baby blues. With Malachi I would sit in my glider while feeding him and I would bawl the whole time. I've cried a few times since I brought Simon home, but not much, not much at all.
We have a lot going on right now. For instance, we have to find a hotel in Dallas for April because we're going to be there for a few days! John is going to do his Dept. of Homeland Security consultations in Houston on the 21st. We'll fly into Houston on the 15th, then drive up to Dallas. We'll stay there until the 20th when we'll drive back to Houston, and then we'll fly down to San Jose early on the 22nd. CRAZY! I can't believe we have such concrete dates (although, anyone in the FS can attest to the fact, that I shouldn't get too attached to them). There's so much to do before then, the list is very, very long.
We got Simon's birth certificate in the mail this week. Now we just need to get Malachi's and the three of us can get our passports. We all need tourist and diplomatic passports. We also started buying things for post. We went to Sears yesterday and bought a microwave, toaster oven, and food processor. I won't even start listing things that we still need to do, it's such a long list, it's way too much information for one blog entry. I'll probably just update the blog when we accomplish things to give our non FS friends and family an idea of what it takes to go to post.
So in conclusion, I'm tired, but I'm very happy looking ahead at what's going on the next couple of months.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sick Boy
Yesterday Malachi announced that his throat hurt. He was also sounding congested in his sinuses and he was coughing. Today he is acting fine, but his throat still hurts and he's still congested. John went to work this morning and I was scared about doing both boys with Malachi being sick. However, Simon was fed before John left and Malachi is watching UP, so it's not proving to be too difficult. I have to feed Simon again in an hour, we'll see how that goes.
Please pray that Simon doesn't get sick. I don't know what I would do if that happened - might make me a bit crazy.
Please pray that Simon doesn't get sick. I don't know what I would do if that happened - might make me a bit crazy.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Year of The Hospital
In the last 10 months Malachi has made two trips to the ER and I have made three unplanned trips to the hospital, twice to the triage at the L&D unit and today to the ER for something I will not mention for the readers of this blog who've never had a baby and would be grossed out.
I was discharged about three hours after arriving, but one of the times that I was waiting in my room for something (test results, or a Dr to see me, or maybe a transport, who knows, it was mostly waiting) with John, I told him this has been the year of the hospital.
We discussed the timing of everything that has happened over the last 10 months and he helped me realize that the timing of it all has been perfect. It's much better now that John isn't working and in school too. The stress level was already high at times, to add a pregnancy while we lived in Dallas would've been too much.
Malachi's first hospitalization, after his first seizure, happened on May 23rd while we lived in Texas, but he was in MN at the time. They did some blood work and did a CT Scan and didn't find anything. We saw the Pediatrician twice after that seizure and another one, but the majority of the seizure drama happened after we moved to Virginia.
He was hospitalized on June 8th and stayed for one night. He had an over night EEG (and the application of the leeds was quite traumatic - for a while he wouldn't let anyone even touch his head), blood work (more traumatic with repercussions still happening), and an MRI (traumatic for me because he was put under for it - horrible to see your child like that). The whole process was quite an ordeal to find out that he has seizures. There was no conclusive evidence as to why he has seizures, all tests were negative or normal. He was put on medication and hasn't had any seizure activity since.
My first trip to the hospital was on July 16th. It turned out to be a non issue. My second trip is also unmemorable, I don't even know what the date was. Between that trip and my trip to the ER today we did have a planned trip to the hospital. I went in on Thursday the 11th of this month and came home on the 14th with a baby in hand - so this only counts as a great trip!
And that brings us back to today. While discussing things with John I wondered out loud about the reason for the timing of all of this. That's when he convinced me that the timing was best for all. Sure we could have done with out the seizures and all the drama that ensued with them, but better then, then when we lived in Dallas.
With everything good that happened in our lives in the last 10 months, I suppose there has to be a balance, right? What I'm very, very happy to report is that we never let it get to us. Sure there has been some fear during the events, and even after, with the seizures. But it hasn't changed our lives. We're still the same people, the same family (with one more of course), with the same faith (if not a little stronger). If anything the last 10 months has made us stronger. So, for that I'm thankful.
I have to admit though, I'd be happy to go without a trip to the hospital for a very long time.
I was discharged about three hours after arriving, but one of the times that I was waiting in my room for something (test results, or a Dr to see me, or maybe a transport, who knows, it was mostly waiting) with John, I told him this has been the year of the hospital.
We discussed the timing of everything that has happened over the last 10 months and he helped me realize that the timing of it all has been perfect. It's much better now that John isn't working and in school too. The stress level was already high at times, to add a pregnancy while we lived in Dallas would've been too much.
Malachi's first hospitalization, after his first seizure, happened on May 23rd while we lived in Texas, but he was in MN at the time. They did some blood work and did a CT Scan and didn't find anything. We saw the Pediatrician twice after that seizure and another one, but the majority of the seizure drama happened after we moved to Virginia.
He was hospitalized on June 8th and stayed for one night. He had an over night EEG (and the application of the leeds was quite traumatic - for a while he wouldn't let anyone even touch his head), blood work (more traumatic with repercussions still happening), and an MRI (traumatic for me because he was put under for it - horrible to see your child like that). The whole process was quite an ordeal to find out that he has seizures. There was no conclusive evidence as to why he has seizures, all tests were negative or normal. He was put on medication and hasn't had any seizure activity since.
My first trip to the hospital was on July 16th. It turned out to be a non issue. My second trip is also unmemorable, I don't even know what the date was. Between that trip and my trip to the ER today we did have a planned trip to the hospital. I went in on Thursday the 11th of this month and came home on the 14th with a baby in hand - so this only counts as a great trip!
And that brings us back to today. While discussing things with John I wondered out loud about the reason for the timing of all of this. That's when he convinced me that the timing was best for all. Sure we could have done with out the seizures and all the drama that ensued with them, but better then, then when we lived in Dallas.
With everything good that happened in our lives in the last 10 months, I suppose there has to be a balance, right? What I'm very, very happy to report is that we never let it get to us. Sure there has been some fear during the events, and even after, with the seizures. But it hasn't changed our lives. We're still the same people, the same family (with one more of course), with the same faith (if not a little stronger). If anything the last 10 months has made us stronger. So, for that I'm thankful.
I have to admit though, I'd be happy to go without a trip to the hospital for a very long time.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
First Outing
Yesterday we had our first outing as a family. We went to Simon's first Dr appointment. Simon checked out great! She was even impressed with him when he lifted his head and moved it from side to side. She didn't have his blood drawn to check his bilirubin number because he's been eating and waking more. She seemed pretty impressed with him.
He continues to eat about every three to four hours. He's pooping a ton! The Dr said if he doesn't start to have fewer poops in a few days we might need to worry about malnutrition. His pee diapers are usually huge! He tends to hold in his pee and let it all out at once. We've had a couple of leaky pee diapers, luckily no poop has escaped yet! He's having more and more time awake. It's unfortunate when it happens at night, but it's so much fun when it happens during the day!
We've had some visitors and some chill time. I love it when they ask me how I'm doing. After a baby comes it's usually all about them. That's fine of course, but it makes me feel important and loved when people ask how I'm doing and really want to know.
We had some friends come over who have a five or six month old. He looked so big to us! The last time we saw him was Christmas and I don't remember him being so big. But now that I have a newborn, he seems humongous!
Right now both boys are napping and there is so much peace in our home. I feel so happy and so blessed by what I've been given. I don't know how I got it all, I certainly don't feel like I deserve it.
I would be napping now too except I was showering and now I'm waiting to wake up the boy for a feeding. I have a Dr appointment this afternoon (having a bit of trouble with recovery), so John is coming home early to take me (still not driving). I'll make sure to nap after the Dr appointment.
I'm hungry...I think I'll eat.
He continues to eat about every three to four hours. He's pooping a ton! The Dr said if he doesn't start to have fewer poops in a few days we might need to worry about malnutrition. His pee diapers are usually huge! He tends to hold in his pee and let it all out at once. We've had a couple of leaky pee diapers, luckily no poop has escaped yet! He's having more and more time awake. It's unfortunate when it happens at night, but it's so much fun when it happens during the day!
We've had some visitors and some chill time. I love it when they ask me how I'm doing. After a baby comes it's usually all about them. That's fine of course, but it makes me feel important and loved when people ask how I'm doing and really want to know.
We had some friends come over who have a five or six month old. He looked so big to us! The last time we saw him was Christmas and I don't remember him being so big. But now that I have a newborn, he seems humongous!
Right now both boys are napping and there is so much peace in our home. I feel so happy and so blessed by what I've been given. I don't know how I got it all, I certainly don't feel like I deserve it.
I would be napping now too except I was showering and now I'm waiting to wake up the boy for a feeding. I have a Dr appointment this afternoon (having a bit of trouble with recovery), so John is coming home early to take me (still not driving). I'll make sure to nap after the Dr appointment.
I'm hungry...I think I'll eat.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Jaundiced, and Home
Friday night we discovered after some blood work was done that Simon had an elevated bilirubin number and needed phototherapy in the nursery. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of him in the tanning bed, we wanted to because he was so cute, but we forgot to bring the camera over.
His bili number continued to rise until last night, so until this morning he stayed in the nursery except for feeding times. Last night we found out that his number had taken a turn for the better when it started going down! Yay!! This morning the pediatrician released him from the phototherapy and the hospital! I prayed hard that Simon would be able to come home with us instead of staying and he did! God continues to answer my prayers and show himself faithful. The discharge process took a few hours (very, very long hours to John who was so ready to leave).
When we got home Malachi and our great friend who took care of him this weekend, surprised us (jumping out from behind the couch and everything) with a super clean apartment and some homemade cards and signs. John and I were both very curious about how Malachi would react to Simon. When we revealed the little, Malachi approached very carefully and aptly commented that he was sleeping. Malachi tried to kiss him awake and was sad it didn't work. Simon slept through his tour of the apartment, and being transferred between parents and friends. Finally when we checked his diaper and found it wet he started crying and waking up. Poor Malachi doesn't like it when Simon cries.
After the diaper change I fed him and he promptly went back to sleep. He still has an elevated level of bilirubin so he's still very lethargic. He took a very long nap this afternoon, so I woke him up to change his diaper and feed him. We had a great experience and he even stayed awake for a while before going back to sleep. Malachi was able to hold him for the first time tonight. They had an instant connection. When Malachi is around Simon, Simon's eyes follow his voice.
Here are some more pictures of the wonderful little boy in our lives. We have a ton more, we're going to have to put them online somewhere.
His bili number continued to rise until last night, so until this morning he stayed in the nursery except for feeding times. Last night we found out that his number had taken a turn for the better when it started going down! Yay!! This morning the pediatrician released him from the phototherapy and the hospital! I prayed hard that Simon would be able to come home with us instead of staying and he did! God continues to answer my prayers and show himself faithful. The discharge process took a few hours (very, very long hours to John who was so ready to leave).
When we got home Malachi and our great friend who took care of him this weekend, surprised us (jumping out from behind the couch and everything) with a super clean apartment and some homemade cards and signs. John and I were both very curious about how Malachi would react to Simon. When we revealed the little, Malachi approached very carefully and aptly commented that he was sleeping. Malachi tried to kiss him awake and was sad it didn't work. Simon slept through his tour of the apartment, and being transferred between parents and friends. Finally when we checked his diaper and found it wet he started crying and waking up. Poor Malachi doesn't like it when Simon cries.
After the diaper change I fed him and he promptly went back to sleep. He still has an elevated level of bilirubin so he's still very lethargic. He took a very long nap this afternoon, so I woke him up to change his diaper and feed him. We had a great experience and he even stayed awake for a while before going back to sleep. Malachi was able to hold him for the first time tonight. They had an instant connection. When Malachi is around Simon, Simon's eyes follow his voice.
Here are some more pictures of the wonderful little boy in our lives. We have a ton more, we're going to have to put them online somewhere.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Simon James
My newest little boy arrived today, and he's amazing. Simon James Roy was born at 1:54pm weighing 8 lbs 4 oz and is 21 inches long. I'm so in love with him, and I can't wait to see the person he turns out to be.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Snowmageddon
Looking out the window today from my seventh floor apartment it looks the worst out there that I've ever seen in my time in D.C.
The snow is deep, but the wind is very strong. At times the wind is blowing the snow completely horizontally. This is the first day in weeks that I've told the baby to stay in. It would be so much better if he waited until tomorrow night to come.
The snow is deep, but the wind is very strong. At times the wind is blowing the snow completely horizontally. This is the first day in weeks that I've told the baby to stay in. It would be so much better if he waited until tomorrow night to come.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
39 Weeks
Today I'm 39 weeks. I never thought I would get this far. On Thursday I'll be a month past the day I gave birth to Malachi. This last month has been very trying on me and my family. I'm very glad that I'll have my body back in a couple of days.
I also am so, so excited to meet my son. I can't wait to see what he looks like. I can't wait to name him and I can't wait to show him off to our families and friends.
I think Malachi will have a fun weekend. He really enjoys having babysitters. We promised him that he would be the first one to find out the baby's name. I also have an outfit picked for Malachi to wear the day we get home because he and the baby have the same pants thanks to a friend's shower gift! When we get home Malachi's going to give the baby a tour of the apartment.
Please pray that we can help Malachi to feel loved - to feel that our love for him hasn't decreased. This is our biggest concern for Malachi with the birth of the baby. We're all very excited and I'm practically counting down the hours. In fact 56 hours from this minute is when the pre-induction starts. Woohoo!!
As soon as I'm able I'll post an announcement and pictures on the blog.
I also am so, so excited to meet my son. I can't wait to see what he looks like. I can't wait to name him and I can't wait to show him off to our families and friends.
I think Malachi will have a fun weekend. He really enjoys having babysitters. We promised him that he would be the first one to find out the baby's name. I also have an outfit picked for Malachi to wear the day we get home because he and the baby have the same pants thanks to a friend's shower gift! When we get home Malachi's going to give the baby a tour of the apartment.
Please pray that we can help Malachi to feel loved - to feel that our love for him hasn't decreased. This is our biggest concern for Malachi with the birth of the baby. We're all very excited and I'm practically counting down the hours. In fact 56 hours from this minute is when the pre-induction starts. Woohoo!!
As soon as I'm able I'll post an announcement and pictures on the blog.
Monday, February 8, 2010
5 Days and Yes, I Am Counting
John has a three day weekend this weekend with President's Day on Monday the 15th. He can't take leave during the birth/homecoming of the baby because we'd lose per diem for the apartment and would have to pay for it ourselves the days we use leave. Since we're certainly not doing that, I decided that the three day weekend was too good to pass up.
So after discussing it with John, and then after we discussed it with the Dr at last week's appointment we decided to schedule an induction. I got a call from the Dr's office on Friday morning saying that I'm scheduled for the induction on Friday morning at 9am. I have to go in on Thursday night to spend the night to do some pre-induction stuff. We're to arrive there at 8:00pm Thursday night. There's a small chance that the medication they give me on Thursday night can actually send me into labor, but I'll probably take some Benadryl that night to make sure I sleep. Otherwise I don't imagine that sleep will come easily with all that excitement.
Malachi's very excited about spending the weekend with our friend. I don't know what they'll do all weekend, and I feel for my friend who doesn't have a car, but she's usually really good with Malachi so I bet she can think of something.
With the snowstorm this weekend, we've spent almost all weekend inside. The boys ventured outside on Saturday and then yesterday we went out with some friends to do some sledding. I was outside for maybe 45 minutes and from all the walking around and going through snow I was really sore. The government is closed today so John has the day off. So far it's been just like any other weekend day and it's been very confusing for me.
So after discussing it with John, and then after we discussed it with the Dr at last week's appointment we decided to schedule an induction. I got a call from the Dr's office on Friday morning saying that I'm scheduled for the induction on Friday morning at 9am. I have to go in on Thursday night to spend the night to do some pre-induction stuff. We're to arrive there at 8:00pm Thursday night. There's a small chance that the medication they give me on Thursday night can actually send me into labor, but I'll probably take some Benadryl that night to make sure I sleep. Otherwise I don't imagine that sleep will come easily with all that excitement.
Malachi's very excited about spending the weekend with our friend. I don't know what they'll do all weekend, and I feel for my friend who doesn't have a car, but she's usually really good with Malachi so I bet she can think of something.
With the snowstorm this weekend, we've spent almost all weekend inside. The boys ventured outside on Saturday and then yesterday we went out with some friends to do some sledding. I was outside for maybe 45 minutes and from all the walking around and going through snow I was really sore. The government is closed today so John has the day off. So far it's been just like any other weekend day and it's been very confusing for me.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Snow, snow, and, more snow
We have another big snow storm in the forecast for this weekend. It's supposed to start snowing today and not stop until late tomorrow. We're looking at over 10 inches and possibly up to 20 in isolated areas. Then we're supposed to have more snow next week and more again next weekend. It looks like we're likely to have a slow and snowy drive to the hospital when I finally go into labor.
I'm now 11 days away from my due date. I could really go into labor any day and would think it quite funny (although maybe not at the moment) if I went into labor during the snow storm this weekend.
John and I are now in touch with the FSO that John's replacing this summer, and I've been able to contact his wife. I hope that I'll be able to get lots of information from her. I'm getting so excited to go! John talking to his new boss down there, and we said we'd like to go there in the third week of April. So as long as the baby cooperates with his arrival time, we should be arriving in Costa Rica 10 weeks from now! That's so close, and I can't wait!
I'm now 11 days away from my due date. I could really go into labor any day and would think it quite funny (although maybe not at the moment) if I went into labor during the snow storm this weekend.
John and I are now in touch with the FSO that John's replacing this summer, and I've been able to contact his wife. I hope that I'll be able to get lots of information from her. I'm getting so excited to go! John talking to his new boss down there, and we said we'd like to go there in the third week of April. So as long as the baby cooperates with his arrival time, we should be arriving in Costa Rica 10 weeks from now! That's so close, and I can't wait!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Let the countdown begin!
I would've posted this yesterday except but I wanted John's happy birthday post to be the only one.
I'm now 13 days away from my due date. I'm seeing the Dr. today, next Wednesday the 10th, and Monday the 15th. I really hope I'm not still pregnant on the 15th, but we'll see. If nothing else, then I'll be induced no later than the 23rd. That means that I will have him in 20 days or less.
I have to admit though, I'm so ready for him to show his face. I feel like I've been pregnant for so long and waiting so long for him and now that it's so close it seems unreal.
The last couple of weeks I've started to get nervous about labor and delivery. Not about anything going wrong, more like, I won't know when I'm in labor because I didn't start naturally with Malachi, or I won't be able to keep track of my contractions. Really, I'd prefer it if my water would break to let me know.
Malachi hasn't been sleeping very well at night. John and I are starting to explore the idea that it's time to stop naps pretty soon. I think we're going to wait for a bit because it'll be nice to have a couple of hours during the day when I can still nap. I'm a firm believer in "quiet time" for kids once they're done napping. I think we'll have Malachi sit in his room and read books, or play quietly with his toys. That way mom and dad will have some time everyday to chill and make sure we're not going crazy. :)
I'm now 13 days away from my due date. I'm seeing the Dr. today, next Wednesday the 10th, and Monday the 15th. I really hope I'm not still pregnant on the 15th, but we'll see. If nothing else, then I'll be induced no later than the 23rd. That means that I will have him in 20 days or less.
I have to admit though, I'm so ready for him to show his face. I feel like I've been pregnant for so long and waiting so long for him and now that it's so close it seems unreal.
The last couple of weeks I've started to get nervous about labor and delivery. Not about anything going wrong, more like, I won't know when I'm in labor because I didn't start naturally with Malachi, or I won't be able to keep track of my contractions. Really, I'd prefer it if my water would break to let me know.
Malachi hasn't been sleeping very well at night. John and I are starting to explore the idea that it's time to stop naps pretty soon. I think we're going to wait for a bit because it'll be nice to have a couple of hours during the day when I can still nap. I'm a firm believer in "quiet time" for kids once they're done napping. I think we'll have Malachi sit in his room and read books, or play quietly with his toys. That way mom and dad will have some time everyday to chill and make sure we're not going crazy. :)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Happy Birthday John!!
Some years ago on Feb. 2nd, something wonderful happened in Heidelberg Germany. My husband was born into this world! I love you so much babe and I hope this year is great for you!
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