This house is strangely quiet.
The children are napping and Cory is at work. It's nice to have peace and quiet. My inlaws left today and tomorrow will mark the first day on my own. It's been a long month and a half of waiting for Vivian, my mother being in town and then the inlaws. It has been so wonderful to have help for so long. But just like anything, there comes a point where you're ready to get back to 'normal'.
Since my last post my incision has healed up nicely. It's almost completely healed, and while it won't look as beuatiful as was intended, things could have been so much worse. I am so thankful that it helaed on it's own.
Vivian has started the "Great Spitup Debacle of 2010". Which, most every baby does...but c'mon, ew....it's gross.
Carter is battling quite the upper respiratory virus and we're just hoping we can keep it from spreading throughout the household. (Especially Vivi)
Clay has started declaring, "No Diaper!" But he is nowhere near ready to potty train. I have a feeling this may turn into a battle very shortly.
And mine and Cory's days of sleeping in until 9am with the baby are no more....
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Punch Someone in the Face
Is what I'm going to do. (If my husband doesn't find the right person to blame first.)
Most of you know Carter's birth story. It was awful, horrendous and I firmly believe it's had lasting effects on our bonding and relationship to this day.
If you don't here's the quick run-down:
Carter was an emergency C-section because of decels during labor, 8 days after he was born I became violently ill with an infected c-section incision and was hospitalized, the doctor re-opened my incision and I was put on massive amounts of antibiotics. These massive amounts of antibiotics gave me a different kind of 'infection' called C.diff (clostridium difficile). This also made me very, very ill and I was hospitalized a second time. I was in the hospital, very sick and separated from my husband and newborn for over 2 weeks. However, it took over 3 months for my c-section wound to close back up. My husband (of only one year - we actually spent our one year anniversary in the hospital) packed and changed my wound dressing 3 times a day for 3 months.
This was mine and Cory's BIGGEST factor in deciding to have a VBAC with Clay. (Second biggest deciding factor - my c section made for a crappy start breastfeeding, and I failed miserably at it.) The risk of infection and accompanying side effects are SO much lower with a vaginal delivery. Clay's delivery went wonderfully (aside from some not so fun tearing) And after I was done recovering from the delivery, I was done. There was no excruciating second recovery like there was with Carter.
Fast forward to this pregnancy, when we found out we'd have to have a c-section here. More and more hospitals are not allowing VBACs because it's a liability. It's not always the doctor's decision, per se. In our case, the insurance company that covers the Women and Infants Pavilion doesn't allow the 'procedure' to be done. They don't want to be responsible when someone sues them for uterine rupture. (By the way the chance of uterine rupture during a VBAC is less than 1%.)
When I asked my OB about this at my first appointment at 12 weeks, he did say that I was a good candidate for a VBAC and that he would help me try and have one under the right circumstances. However, as the pregnancy progressed, his (and his partner's) attitude toward it changed. They very conveniently talked about how I would have to fight the nurses because I wasn't following the rules. Maybe it's like this in every job, but nurses can either be some of the most amazing, compassionate, wonderful people you've ever met and really be there for their patients. Or they can be some of the most stubborn, rude, and inconsiderate people on the planet. (Although it seems to follow a trend that more of the 'angry' nurses are older).
They mentioned that with the way I tore during my VBAC, and all the questions I was asking about episiotomies, it wouldn't be a far cry from having a section anyway. It's just a difference of where I want my stitches.
And in fact, when I went into Triage 2 different times at 34 weeks with preterm contractions, two of the nurses I had were very ugly about it. One of them couldn't tell me enough about how dangerous they are and that's why they can't do them here. The other, was just a mean old hag who was mad I was trying to go against policy.
We were not happy with our choices out here, but decided to make peace with it. Because what are the chances that ALL THAT would happen again, right?
Wednesday I went to the doctor, and my incision is in fact, infected...again. I am taking more antibiotics. I have another appointment this morning, complete with an ultrasound to check for an abscess.
At this point I can't control the way the rest of this goes, I HAVE to take super antibiotics and just HOPE I don't get sick this time. (By the way, if you'd had C.diff before, you're more likely to get it again). There's nothing I can do but HOPE they don't have to admit me and open me up again. Because I have a feeling if Cory has to pack a wound for the next 3 months, someone will be getting a punch in the face.
Most of you know Carter's birth story. It was awful, horrendous and I firmly believe it's had lasting effects on our bonding and relationship to this day.
If you don't here's the quick run-down:
Carter was an emergency C-section because of decels during labor, 8 days after he was born I became violently ill with an infected c-section incision and was hospitalized, the doctor re-opened my incision and I was put on massive amounts of antibiotics. These massive amounts of antibiotics gave me a different kind of 'infection' called C.diff (clostridium difficile). This also made me very, very ill and I was hospitalized a second time. I was in the hospital, very sick and separated from my husband and newborn for over 2 weeks. However, it took over 3 months for my c-section wound to close back up. My husband (of only one year - we actually spent our one year anniversary in the hospital) packed and changed my wound dressing 3 times a day for 3 months.
This was mine and Cory's BIGGEST factor in deciding to have a VBAC with Clay. (Second biggest deciding factor - my c section made for a crappy start breastfeeding, and I failed miserably at it.) The risk of infection and accompanying side effects are SO much lower with a vaginal delivery. Clay's delivery went wonderfully (aside from some not so fun tearing) And after I was done recovering from the delivery, I was done. There was no excruciating second recovery like there was with Carter.
Fast forward to this pregnancy, when we found out we'd have to have a c-section here. More and more hospitals are not allowing VBACs because it's a liability. It's not always the doctor's decision, per se. In our case, the insurance company that covers the Women and Infants Pavilion doesn't allow the 'procedure' to be done. They don't want to be responsible when someone sues them for uterine rupture. (By the way the chance of uterine rupture during a VBAC is less than 1%.)
When I asked my OB about this at my first appointment at 12 weeks, he did say that I was a good candidate for a VBAC and that he would help me try and have one under the right circumstances. However, as the pregnancy progressed, his (and his partner's) attitude toward it changed. They very conveniently talked about how I would have to fight the nurses because I wasn't following the rules. Maybe it's like this in every job, but nurses can either be some of the most amazing, compassionate, wonderful people you've ever met and really be there for their patients. Or they can be some of the most stubborn, rude, and inconsiderate people on the planet. (Although it seems to follow a trend that more of the 'angry' nurses are older).
They mentioned that with the way I tore during my VBAC, and all the questions I was asking about episiotomies, it wouldn't be a far cry from having a section anyway. It's just a difference of where I want my stitches.
And in fact, when I went into Triage 2 different times at 34 weeks with preterm contractions, two of the nurses I had were very ugly about it. One of them couldn't tell me enough about how dangerous they are and that's why they can't do them here. The other, was just a mean old hag who was mad I was trying to go against policy.
We were not happy with our choices out here, but decided to make peace with it. Because what are the chances that ALL THAT would happen again, right?
Wednesday I went to the doctor, and my incision is in fact, infected...again. I am taking more antibiotics. I have another appointment this morning, complete with an ultrasound to check for an abscess.
At this point I can't control the way the rest of this goes, I HAVE to take super antibiotics and just HOPE I don't get sick this time. (By the way, if you'd had C.diff before, you're more likely to get it again). There's nothing I can do but HOPE they don't have to admit me and open me up again. Because I have a feeling if Cory has to pack a wound for the next 3 months, someone will be getting a punch in the face.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Vivian's Newborn Pictures
A friend here at TPS took these pictures for me. Check out her website, she's an amazing photographer! Just look at these of Vivi for proof.
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Sunday, August 15, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Vivian Jane's Grand Entrance
I had a Dr's appointment on Saturday (yes, Saturday, I know, weird.) and told Cory that morning as we were getting ready, "You know, why don't you pack all your stuff...just in case." I had been taking my overnight bag into town with me every time, but Cory had just been keeping basically a change of underwear in there for himself. So this time he packed a bag, we brought all the paper work, and even the phone chargers!
At our appointment, Dr. Kurian checked me and was surprised when he discovered I was already dilated to a 4, and he was feeling contractions I was having. Of course, I wasn't feeling ANY of these things, but casually joked that if he wasn't doing anything later today and wanted to deliver a baby, that'd be fine with us. Ha!
He looked at me and responded, "You know, today's better for me too, and I actually think you're in early labor anyway! Why don't you go grab some lunch and meet me at the hospital in about 2 hours."
Sweet!
Of course when I got to L&D 2 hours later the nurse that I despise was there and all angry that I had eaten, didn't believe that the Dr had really sent me on a Saturday OR that he had told me to eat lunch. I heard her in the hall while I was changing saying, "It just doesn't make sense, or add up."
I wanted to pull the curtain back and yell, "I'M NOT MAKING THIS UP LADY!"
Luckily, when Dr. Kurian showed up, he set her straight. I have a feeling he doesn't like her either.
While I was being hooked up, they confirmed that yes, I was in fact in labor, and that she was having some decels. Great. Both of my boys had decels during labor too. In fact, it's why Carter was my first c-section.
When the first nurse checked me, she immediately and somehow calmly (somehow OB nurses have the ability to calmly freak out, it's a special skill) freaked out because the thought she felt a prolapsed cord. (That's a cord that's coming out before the baby - which is very dangerous) About 8 people rushed into the room and I had about 80 bajillion hands in my hoo-ha within 60 seconds. After much debating, it was decided it wasn't the cord, but that the baby must have just been laying on the cord in utero. During the decel, I was prepped very very quickly (all the while the whole everyone 's hands in my hoo-ha was going on) but little girl decided to behave the rest of the time. We were able to take our time getting to the actual OR, put in my spinal and get going at a much more relaxed pace.
After only about 15 minutes, Vivian Jane was born! She came out crying and pink and wonderfully healthy! What a blessing!
Cory got to 'trim' the cord after she was out of the sterile field of the section.
This is after the anesthesiologist had given me something 'extra' in my IV. I was having a hard time focusing.
She was so warm when I kissed her!
In the recovery room. I got to nurse her right away!
My OR nurses
Her little foot
Holding Daddy's finger
Her first bath
Her first hat. I bought it on Etsy, LOVE it!
With Grandma
Big brother Carter was very excited to see her!
She's doing wonderfully right now and is only 3 oz away from her birth weight! She's a little jaundiced but we were able to get a take home billi blanket for the weekend. We'll check her levels agin on Monday and hopefully she'll be as good as new!
At our appointment, Dr. Kurian checked me and was surprised when he discovered I was already dilated to a 4, and he was feeling contractions I was having. Of course, I wasn't feeling ANY of these things, but casually joked that if he wasn't doing anything later today and wanted to deliver a baby, that'd be fine with us. Ha!
He looked at me and responded, "You know, today's better for me too, and I actually think you're in early labor anyway! Why don't you go grab some lunch and meet me at the hospital in about 2 hours."
Sweet!
Of course when I got to L&D 2 hours later the nurse that I despise was there and all angry that I had eaten, didn't believe that the Dr had really sent me on a Saturday OR that he had told me to eat lunch. I heard her in the hall while I was changing saying, "It just doesn't make sense, or add up."
I wanted to pull the curtain back and yell, "I'M NOT MAKING THIS UP LADY!"
Luckily, when Dr. Kurian showed up, he set her straight. I have a feeling he doesn't like her either.
While I was being hooked up, they confirmed that yes, I was in fact in labor, and that she was having some decels. Great. Both of my boys had decels during labor too. In fact, it's why Carter was my first c-section.
When the first nurse checked me, she immediately and somehow calmly (somehow OB nurses have the ability to calmly freak out, it's a special skill) freaked out because the thought she felt a prolapsed cord. (That's a cord that's coming out before the baby - which is very dangerous) About 8 people rushed into the room and I had about 80 bajillion hands in my hoo-ha within 60 seconds. After much debating, it was decided it wasn't the cord, but that the baby must have just been laying on the cord in utero. During the decel, I was prepped very very quickly (all the while the whole everyone 's hands in my hoo-ha was going on) but little girl decided to behave the rest of the time. We were able to take our time getting to the actual OR, put in my spinal and get going at a much more relaxed pace.
After only about 15 minutes, Vivian Jane was born! She came out crying and pink and wonderfully healthy! What a blessing!
Cory got to 'trim' the cord after she was out of the sterile field of the section.
This is after the anesthesiologist had given me something 'extra' in my IV. I was having a hard time focusing.
She was so warm when I kissed her!
In the recovery room. I got to nurse her right away!
My OR nurses
Her little foot
Holding Daddy's finger
Her first bath
Her first hat. I bought it on Etsy, LOVE it!
With Grandma
Big brother Carter was very excited to see her!
She's doing wonderfully right now and is only 3 oz away from her birth weight! She's a little jaundiced but we were able to get a take home billi blanket for the weekend. We'll check her levels agin on Monday and hopefully she'll be as good as new!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Welcome
To the world my sweet baby girl!
Vivian Jane Naddy
August 7th, 2010
7lbs 3 oz
20 in.
3:12pm
We don't have wireless here at the hospital, but lots of wonderful pictures to upload and share when we get home on Wednesday.
Vivian Jane Naddy
August 7th, 2010
7lbs 3 oz
20 in.
3:12pm
We don't have wireless here at the hospital, but lots of wonderful pictures to upload and share when we get home on Wednesday.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Update on Snapping
So, as most of you can see....I was absolutely right in thinking my hubs is a total weirdo when it comes to snapping.
I mean, COME ON, who snaps with their pinky?
His argument is that his snaps are louder. Which, I can testify to. They are very loud. But, as I explained to him, the point of snapping is not to be the loudest. The point of snapping is to make 'that noise', not necessarily 'that noise' as loud as you can, right?
Lauren: When you are applauding someone, you don't try and clap as loud as you can. You just clap.
Cory: Well, I try to clap as loud as I can.
Lauren: Well then you're just that guy who everyone's thinking, "Omg, why is that A-hole clapping so loud!?"
Cory: No they're jealous that I'm a better clapper.
Lauren: This is why we don't have any friends.....
I mean, COME ON, who snaps with their pinky?
His argument is that his snaps are louder. Which, I can testify to. They are very loud. But, as I explained to him, the point of snapping is not to be the loudest. The point of snapping is to make 'that noise', not necessarily 'that noise' as loud as you can, right?
Lauren: When you are applauding someone, you don't try and clap as loud as you can. You just clap.
Cory: Well, I try to clap as loud as I can.
Lauren: Well then you're just that guy who everyone's thinking, "Omg, why is that A-hole clapping so loud!?"
Cory: No they're jealous that I'm a better clapper.
Lauren: This is why we don't have any friends.....
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Um, Freak Alert!
I need to take a poll,
What finger to you snap with? (other than your thumb of course) Vote on the right.
I need to know if my husband is the only crazy snap freak out there, or if I'm just totally out of the loop.
**Yes, the conversation literally happened at 11:30pm last night. Our dog was snoring loudly and when Cory snapped really loud to wake her up I casually asked what finger he was using, because his hand looked all...well, retarded when he did it. He thinks it's completely normal and everyone must snap the way he does...Iiiiiiim pretty sure he must have been lacking some sort of essential vitamin as a small child.
What finger to you snap with? (other than your thumb of course) Vote on the right.
I need to know if my husband is the only crazy snap freak out there, or if I'm just totally out of the loop.
**Yes, the conversation literally happened at 11:30pm last night. Our dog was snoring loudly and when Cory snapped really loud to wake her up I casually asked what finger he was using, because his hand looked all...well, retarded when he did it. He thinks it's completely normal and everyone must snap the way he does...Iiiiiiim pretty sure he must have been lacking some sort of essential vitamin as a small child.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Kidspace
We have had some pretty bad cabin fever lately. My mom has been here since mid July waiting on baby girl to make her arrival. We were all sure that she would come at 36 weeks just as her brothers did. My mom showed up at 35 weeks and 3 days, and we waited....and waited...and waited.
We're still waiting.
There's a problem with just waiting around for nothing to happen here in the Mojave. There's not much to do.
When you mix two feisty little boys, 110+ degree heat, no indoor play areas, indoor pools or shaded playgrounds in the whole Antelope Valley (the AV is the surrounding 65 miles) It makes for one big ball of boredom and tantrums.
You would think someone would be smart enough to put some of those things here in the Mojave Desert....but I think the idea is everyone escapes into the Valley (Los Angeles). We had been kind of wary to travel that far in case I went into labor...but then we decided...well, screw it. We CAN'T TAKE THIS ANY LONGER!
We packed up the car, drove to Pasadena and went to a kids museum called Kidspace yesterday. It was great physical and mental stimulation for the kiddos, not to mention the adults!
They have an outdoor and indoor section. We went pretty late in the day and it had cooled off a little by the time we reached the outdoor part. We learned that we should have really brought swimwear for the outdoor activities (there's a lot of water play), a change of clothes just didn't quite cut it.
Here's Carter playing the drums with water guns. What could be cooler to a three year old?
Climbing a web
Clay and his favorite slide
Carter discovered 'big kid' puzzles for the first time. We have plenty of the 'fit-the-right-animal-or-shape-into-the-correctly-shaped-hole' type, but none of the real type of puzzles. He LOVED them and had the attention span to do 2 of them, which was over half an hour! Cory helped along with some strategy, but Carter really put the whole thing together by himself! We bought one at the gift shop on the way out and he's already put it together once this morning.
This was a little archaeological dig space with little dinosaur bones to uncover. Instead of dirt or sand, they had ground up rubber. Clay LOVED the texture and just laid in here making 'rubber angels' and rubbing the little pieces all over his body....He is definitely my child (I guess this will be another post for another time - remind me to talk about a vat of zipper pulls, of coffee beans)
Clay picked up the dinosaur to immediately "ROAR!!" It at us.
Clay climbing the ant hill exhibit
Carter coming out the ant hole
We're still waiting.
There's a problem with just waiting around for nothing to happen here in the Mojave. There's not much to do.
When you mix two feisty little boys, 110+ degree heat, no indoor play areas, indoor pools or shaded playgrounds in the whole Antelope Valley (the AV is the surrounding 65 miles) It makes for one big ball of boredom and tantrums.
You would think someone would be smart enough to put some of those things here in the Mojave Desert....but I think the idea is everyone escapes into the Valley (Los Angeles). We had been kind of wary to travel that far in case I went into labor...but then we decided...well, screw it. We CAN'T TAKE THIS ANY LONGER!
We packed up the car, drove to Pasadena and went to a kids museum called Kidspace yesterday. It was great physical and mental stimulation for the kiddos, not to mention the adults!
They have an outdoor and indoor section. We went pretty late in the day and it had cooled off a little by the time we reached the outdoor part. We learned that we should have really brought swimwear for the outdoor activities (there's a lot of water play), a change of clothes just didn't quite cut it.
Here's Carter playing the drums with water guns. What could be cooler to a three year old?
Climbing a web
Clay and his favorite slide
Carter discovered 'big kid' puzzles for the first time. We have plenty of the 'fit-the-right-animal-or-shape-into-the-correctly-shaped-hole' type, but none of the real type of puzzles. He LOVED them and had the attention span to do 2 of them, which was over half an hour! Cory helped along with some strategy, but Carter really put the whole thing together by himself! We bought one at the gift shop on the way out and he's already put it together once this morning.
This was a little archaeological dig space with little dinosaur bones to uncover. Instead of dirt or sand, they had ground up rubber. Clay LOVED the texture and just laid in here making 'rubber angels' and rubbing the little pieces all over his body....He is definitely my child (I guess this will be another post for another time - remind me to talk about a vat of zipper pulls, of coffee beans)
Clay picked up the dinosaur to immediately "ROAR!!" It at us.
Clay climbing the ant hill exhibit
Carter coming out the ant hole
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