Bed Rest: Week 1

Today marks the end of our first week in the hospital and my 27^th week of pregnancy. M, Sam and I are still here, and despite last week’s scare Sam is still snug in his little home. He is very active, I think he likes that I don’t move much – more swimming room for him.

As the days go on, every day gets a little better. Sam is doing just fine . . . so emotionally I am feeling better. Not to mention that I am not as heavily medicated anymore during the day, and getting a dose of Ambien each night doesn’t hurt. Nothing like sleep to make a person feel better.

Friday – Sunday – After 48 hours they took me off the magnesium sulfate (the drug that prevents contractions), and they changed my antibiotic from IV to oral.  No more IV! This meant that the IV machine wasn’t dinging every time I bent my arm (every 15 minutes) throughout the day and during the night. This also meant that the dreaded catheter came out, and then a day later – no more bed pan.

So the catheter ... pretty much feels like you have a bladder infection the entire time its in. If you don’t know that feeling, then good for you, I hope you never do.

Now about that bed pan. I have to say, if I had actually been in pain it would have probably been fine and preferable. However, the fact that I was perfectly coherent and in no pain made the experience borderline traumatizing. Not to mention, I am six, almost seven months pregnant, so balancing on a bed pan was not the easiest task: "Help me Jesus, help me Oprah, help me Tom Cruise." (Will Ferrell Reference) I say no more.

Onto happier topics.

Monday – like totally unbelievably amazing. The OBGYN came by to check in to see how I was doing. She was pleasantly surprised to hear that I have had no contractions, and inexplicably there had been no more leaking since I was admitted on Thursday. That is when she announced I could have one shower, and a bedside commode instead of the bed pan.

Tuesday – Came and went without event except the premier of "The New Girl" and "Mindy Project."

Wednesday – the OBGYN came back with the ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that baby was doing well and that the fluid was still in the normal range. That was the first mention of – I could be going home if things stayed the same. So now I had bathroom privileges, and was told to move from bed, to chair, to couch a couple times to see if the trend would stay the same. Sounds a little high school but what can I say five steps to the bathroom is welcome exercise, and so much more civilized.

Thursday – Started not so well . . . we had our first cranky nurse. She came in and woke me at 7:00 a.m., and then began to lecture us about how much personal stuff we had in our room, and if they had to deliver the baby, what a nuisance it would be. Notably, we were told to bring a lot of personal stuff and move right in by every other nurse and doctor that we had, had so far. Then she apparently didn’t like that after I went to the bathroom I put the baby monitor back on myself. It seemed like she felt like she was losing control, and how dare I put a strap around my stomach and find my baby’s heartbeat. Ugh. After she left my room that morning, I noticed I didn’t have a butter knife on my breakfast tray so I buzzed the nurses desk (which I rarely do) and I asked if they would bring a butter knife. Apparently this was all cranky nurse number 1 could handle.

At that point happy nurse from yesterday appeared with a butter knife and said she was taking over, and that some people were just really cranky today.

Later that morning, the OBGYN came and checked my condition around noon. Two thumbs up! She also mentioned that she wanted to send me home, but the parinatologist wouldn’t clear me to go home, and still insisted that I needed to stay until 34 weeks (7 weeks away). The Parinatologist is the high risk pregnancy specialist. Although she assured me she would get a second opinion, emotionally, I fell apart once again. The exit door seemed so close, just to slip through my fingers. I mentally imagined the trailer for that new Sandra Bullock movie "Gravity" where the spaceship is falling a part and Sandra is grasping with her fingertips to hold on, just to miss holding on to the ship by a centimeter. Let’s just say . . . no space travel is in my future.

Eventually, during the day a somewhat good attitude came back.

It’s a hard thing to realize that you are not in control of anything in your life, and as an adult, even harder to realize that you are never going to be. Throughout my life I have realized and taken note of that, but then of course, daily life and routine sets in again, and I am guessing for most of us we once again lose sight of this reality.

If this situation has taught me anything so far its how to be a blessing to people that are in the same situation. I think until you are here, its hard to understand how much little notes of encouragement, gifts, flowers and phone calls etc. are to someone that is in the hospital. Before, there was often times when I thought, oh if I visit I’ll just be a bother, or I don’t know them well enough for anything I would say to matter. Once you’re here, you realize that’s not true. And everything from the smallest gesture to the biggest gesture is much appreciated and helpful.

xoxo,

-A



　

　

　

　

　

　

　

We're In the Hospital Now

Well you know what  they say about well laid plans.  M and I are making ourselves at home here at the hospital.  We are hoping to me here (believe it or not) for the next two months.

We were admitted on Thursday night. When I came home from work on Thursday I had some unusual symptoms. I felt no pain though.  M convinced me I should call the doctor, and the doctor said I should go to nearest hospital.

We were admitted upon arrival at the hospital.  They did tests on me and the baby, and everything at first seemed fine. The last test they did showed that my water had broke or there was a tear. We were of course both shocked.  I said, but I am only 26 weeks.  The nurse assured us that they had just delivered a 23 weeker, and everyone would be in place if I started contractions.

From that point on they made it clear that we weren't leaving until the baby was born, no matter when that is going to be.

We were told that the first 24 hrs are the most critical. They started me on meds to prevent contractions, meds to prevent brain aneurism if baby was born that night, and gave me a heafty dose of steriods to jolt the babies lungs to grow faster. The second dose we were told was to occur 24 hrs later, and that would be the end of the first milestone.

At about 10:00 p.m. doctors and nurses from the micro premie nursery came in to tell us about the protocol and about what they could do if the baby was born now. "Team of 6 specialists with specials skills to incubate and put IVs in the smallest of veins, a special incubater etc." Was about all I could comprehend.

By midnight I had so many tubes in me it was hard to move.  The monitors were on most the night, dinging almost every hour.  I was told I couldn't move at all and needed to lay on my back.  Of course M and I hardly slept.

On Friday, we met with our new obgyn since my ob is through a different hospital and we will be with the new hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy.

8:00 a.m. the new OB performed an ultrasound. Relief all good news.  I had no contractions through the night and the fluid around the baby was still in the normal range. Apparently, the baby makes the fluid and can replenish what has been lost.  Baby's heartrate and vitals were also good. The doctor suggested there may be a small break in the amniotic sac, and best case scenario it could heal. However, even if it healed, I would still have to stay in hospital, but I would be given some more freedom. Meaning I could take a shower and get out of bed to use the bathroom. (Small pleasure for most... Huge pleasure for me)

Friday afternoon we spoke to the high risk pregnancy specialist from the USC Group. He performed another ultrasound. Said baby was on target for weight and size about 2lbs at this point.  He looked over my vitals and he said that the biggest thing they worry about is infection after barrier between mom and baby has been broken.  As of now, they said that there was no indication of  infection, but to prevent infection they would start me on a antibiotic cocktail for the next 48 hrs.

He gave us a printout of the ultrasound:

http://instagram.com/p/eSzw5ulEeE/

The specialist gave us a milestone timeline.  Although he reiterated that everyday from this point until 28 weeks was important. He gave us a breakdown of millstones to look forward to. 

First milestone was that night when I would get my last steroid shot for the baby.

Next milestone could be next week if all goes well, they could take me off of some of the IVs, I could take a shower etc.

Next milestone, September 26 (28 weeks) if baby born lungs would be more fully formed.

Next milestone, October 24 (32 weeks).

Next milestone, November 7 (34 wks) baby coming out, risk of coming out less than benefit being in.  Baby would only need short time in hospital.

So far no contractions still, so that is good.

Xoxo,

Ahttp://instagram.com/p/eSzw5ulEeE/

Glider

For a few months now I have been looking for rockers and gliders.  I wanted to get something that would last a long time, would look great in our living room, and would be used after we are no longer rocking the little one.  Whenever that will be.

Well, we actually bought one!  On Friday night M and I went out to dinner at the LA Farmer's Market for a delightful French dinner. Yummy.  It was actually very good even though I couldn't have any wine.

After dinner we headed over to Pottery Barn Kids.  My purpose was just to test out a few of their gliders that I had looked at on line.  But after testing four. M's mind was made up, he had found the perfect one for our living room. Which, I was very happy about because it was the best one I had seen and it will fit perfectly in our living room décor (navy and orange).

So here it is PB Kids Comfort Grand Swivel Glider  (we didn't get the ottoman, but the gray and white piping is what we got). 



The slipcover can be removed and dry cleaned. So that was a plus as I am sure we will need to do that, and eventually after our kids get older and if we want to keep it, we can order another slip cover. 

And can't you just see it with this pillow from Etsy.



Or this one (also on Etsy).



XOXO,
-A

Our Babymoon: Yosemite

This last week M and I went on our babymoon to Yosemite.  We both had a wonderful time and baby and I made it on a few trails :)

The highlight of the trip was watching the Perseid Meteor Shower from Glacier Point.  I have never seen anything like it.

Here are a few pictures from the trip.

Yosemite Valley

Tree Roots from a fallen Sequoia

Merced River

  

Mariposa Grove

Glacier Point

Coyote

Just driving through a tree in the Sequoia National Park

The General Sherman - Largest Tree in the World!



The General Sherman

 

Wild Life!

XOXO,
-A

Our Baby Nursery

So I have been working on getting together items for the baby's room.  My plan was to get items that could grow with the baby as he gets older.  I hate the idea of buying something that I will only use for a year or two.  So I found furniture that was versatile.  With regard to the bedroom linens, I chose to register for crib sheets and changing pad covers that were more babyish since I would only use them for the first two years anyway.  I chose curtains and lamps that were more adult so they could be used for years to come.  Here it goes.


Baby Dresser (and perfect size for a baby changer) - Amazon:



Changing Pad Cover (Land of Nod):


I love this idea, the peg board, for over the changing table (This picture is from Better Homes and Gardens):




Delta Four-in-One crib (toddler, day, and full) (Amazon):

Crib Sheet (Land of Nod):


Crib Skirt (the green stripe side) (Land of Nod):



Mobile for Over the Crib (Amazon):



Blanket for over the side of the crib (Target):



Curtains (Land of Nod):



Lamp (Land of Nod):



Banner (the picture is from Land of Nod, but I thought I would try to make this):



We have a futon now in the baby's room that we plan to keep, so I thought throwing a couple of these pillows on the futon would bring it in step with the rest of the room:

Childrens Pillow Cover Nursery Pillow Green Pillow Elephant Pillow 16x16 Cushion Cover



Green Pillow Covers Throw Pillows Lime Decorative 20x20 Set of 2 Cotton Home Decor



Can't wait to get everything and put it all together!

XOXO,
-A

I'm Back or Should I say We're Back!

So its been about a year now since I posted last... but I think I needed a break for awhile to get my life in order.  You know the basics -- eating right, exercising, spending time with friends and family. 

However, now that I'm back as some of you may already know, M and I are expecting our first child, a boy.  We both couldn't be more thrilled or excited.

So... today, I will leave you with some bump pics.

Three months:

Five months:

 

 

 

XOXO,

A

What did you do with your extra hour...

I feel very guilty to say that Los Angeles had absolutely wonderful weather this weekend.  It was like an Indian summer back where I grew up in Iowa -- very warm, but the smell of fall is in the air.

So with my extra hour this weekend, it only seemed right that I make a pie-- a fresh apple pie to be exact.

The pie turned out wonderful, and I really don't know why...but the recipe and what I did is below...

Crust Recipe -- This recipe makes enough dough for one 10 inch pie, and a top and bottom crust for a nine inch pie (my 10 inch pie was pumpkin, that also turned out well)

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 Cups  + 4 Tablespoons Vegetable Shortening (room temperature)
• 4 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8-10 Tablespoons of cold water
• 1 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 Teaspoon of sugar for sprinkling

Directions

• Cut Shortening into flour and salt mixture using a fork
• Sprinkle in water
• Form dough into one ball and put in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes
• Divide Ball into thirds and roll dough into crust
• Put pie filling in shell and then top with second crust

Pie Filling Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 8 medium Granny Smith Apples peeled, cored and sliced.

Directions

• Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl, and let sit for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.

Bake apple pie in an oven for 40-50 minutes on 425 degrees.  Pull out of the oven and spread 2 tablespoons of butter on the top of the crust and sprinkle teaspoon of sugar on top.  Serve with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.

It was so yummy that I had a really hard time saving a piece to take to a co-worker today.

What else?

Matt and I shared a bottle of Rose Sparkling Wine (Santa Julia) that we nursed all weekend listening to the new jazz radio station I found on iTunes.. and of course eating the pies I baked.  Simply, wonderful...

I hope you had a happy and most wonderful Monday . . . and that good weather is headed your way!

Ms. W.