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Will is  2?!  Already!?  Can that be?

At the Farm on his birthday.

I remember his birth day so clearly.  All the details are still fresh in my mind.   Will was born in the middle of quite possibly the most stressful medical adventure of our lives - the Hubby was so sick for so long and Will joined our family right as it was beginning.  He was the ray of sunshine in a rough time.  

Today, he is still that ray of sunshine.  

His smile lights up the room 

He loves his sister like she is the end all and be all in his world.  

His laugh is just simply adorable.  

He has a photo-head-tilt that just elevates every single photo into a must-keep.  

Happy birthday my little man.  I love you so so much.  

VERY serious about eating his Mickey cupcakes.

 

Lessons Learned in 10 Days

10 days.  That is how long I was in the house with sick children. 

10 days. 

Grace got the flu.  Not just any fever-with-cough-and-generally-feeling-crummy flu.  The insane wont eat or drink anything or move for days and days and days flu.  High fever - check.  Throwing up - check.  And then Will got it too. 

But looking back now, I learned some lessons ---

Lesson 1: My new home office set up is very productive.  I think there are a few tweaks to be made but overall, love it! 

Lesson 2:  As soon as the kid might possibly have the flu, go to the doctor.  TamiFlu only works in the first 48 hours of the illness.  After that, too bad - you just have to suffer through it.  Though in reality, TamiFlu only shortens the illness by a day or so anyway. 

Lesson 3:  Go ahead and assume the other kid will also get the flu, as soon as the first kid is feeling better.  Just plan for that. 

Lesson 4:  I love our nanny.  After several days without her (we didnt want her or her adorable baby girl around flu germs), I realized, again, how much I love her and depend on her every day. 

Lesson 5:  FORCE water or juice or popsicles or something into your child when they are sick.  We didnt.  And we got to spend our Froday night, not at the movies or even on the couch watching a movie, but at the ER so that Grace could get rehydrated with IV fluids.   Not fun.

Lesson 6:  Get the damn flu shot next year.  Even if its totally inconvienent in the schedule; just get the shot already!!!!  Cause you know what happened ---- today, on the 12th day, I got it too.  Although, I am not sure what I have is the full-fledged flu.  Maybe a little flu mixed in with complete exhaustion and pressure from those 10 days. 

Lesson 7:  I do still love that when my kids are sick, all they want to do is cuddle with their mama and daddy ---- maybe that's why I feel so crummy today but doesnt matter.  It was worth all the cuddles and "I love you Mommy"s this week. 

The Annual Trip to Hopkins

For two days, our world revolved around waiting rooms.  Waiting rooms to get to different waiting rooms and then waiting again for test results and doctors.

It was totally worth it.  Best doctor appointment results in a long time.

We were a little nervous meeting with the cardiac surgeon -- after the Summer of 2011 medical disaster, we had no idea what he would say or whether all those surgeries impacted the rest of the cardiac situation to a point that we needed more surgery.  There were a lot of unknowns.  In the end, Hubby is doing okay -- yes, there is an aneurysym but we knew that already.  We know it will have to be fixed,,,eventually.  For now, its stable and he can plan for a year without surgery on that!  We are cautiously optimistic that we will get through an odd numbered year without a visit to the OR.  See that's where the cautiousness and nervousness comes in --- since I have known Hubby, we have had some sort of major medical issue or surgey in each of the odd numbered years:  2003, 2005, even added one in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, and now 2013 is just around the corner.

Marf-Friends
(l-r 5 years old, 2 years old, 8 years old)

Grace got through the appointments with a A+.  NORMAL aorta measurements.  Perfect heart rate at rest and in exercise.  No scoliosis.  Seriously, the doctor called her perfect with completely normal measurements.  For a Marf-Mom, those words are amazing.

Really, the only new issue is the official diagnosis for Hubby --- dural estacia.  Basically, his back has been hurting and bothering him the last few months for a real reason -- not just being stressed or tired or sleeping funny.  So now we are on the path of finding ways to manage the discomfort and pain.  There is no real cure for this issue; just management.

For all the doctor-talk we did, we did have fun.  Even the hospital waiting rooms were fun......because SURPRISE, our Marf-Friends were there too.  We didnt plan it but we all managed to have appointments on the same day.  Even more miraculous when you realize that we live in 3 different states and have only been all together in person one time before.  But even so, it was like a Marf-Family reunion.  Kids playing together, parents chatting.  Even our doctor was enjoying the reunion since she has known all our families for years.

This year, I felt good about the appointments.  I was confident in the doctors' assessments and for once in a long time, I feel good about Hubby's health.  It's never a smooth and easy road but one that we have managed to navigate pretty well.  And in all seriousness, having our Marf-Friends out there, ready and willing to share tips and advice and resources, really helps -- just knowing that there is someone I can email or text any day to talk about these unique challenges and sometimes who can just say ""yeah it sucks" when things aren't perfect.  Love you for that Maya!

The trip wasn't all doctors.  We did find time for dinner at Hard Rock Cafe, an impromtu visit with Santa at the Inner Harbor, and had the most amazing breakfast that Hubby's cardiologist would NOT be porud of but tasted soooo good!

Another year and we will back to visit Hopkins and the docs again. For now, I am smiling at our good reports.

Magical Year

Will.

It amazes me that a year has passed since I first held you in my arms.  What a journey it has been and how lucky I feel that you chose me as your mama.


When you were born, we, as a family, were in the middle of the hardest time of our lives.  But the second you entered the world, you made it all okay. Sure, we were exhausted.  Yes, we were scared about how we would manage all your daddy's medical issues on top of a newborn baby.  But one look at you and I just knew that it would all be okay.

My favorite moment on that day as cuddling with you and your big sister in my hospital bed; just the way the two of you stared at each other with so much curiosity and love from the very start. Our family was complete.

Since that day, you have brought so many smiles, laughs, and fun to our lives.

The way you smile when you see your sister.
The way you point at the dog and say "gog" all day long.
The way you follow me around the house -- I did say I wanted a Mama's Boy.
The way you sleep all cuddled up in the corner of your crib.
The way you laugh and laugh and laugh when you are tickled.
The way you say Dada and Mama.

You are the most amazing little man.  I cannot wait to see what the next year brings.  Happy first birthday to my baby boy.

Introducing...............

William Ronald.........lovingly known as Baby Will.

Will joined our family without much drama (yeah for no more drama!!!) on April 20 at 1:06pm. He weighed 7 lbs 14 oz (just like his mama!) and was 21 inches long.  Long and skinny baby boy.

And labor was awesome.  Yes, I actually said that.

After all the events over the past month, my doctor and I agreed that inducing was best so that I could line up help at home while I was in the hospital and even the first few days home.  The date was picked and we started the get ready!

The night before induction, we went out to dinner as a family of three, one last time.  And Grace spent the night with her MoMo and Papa since we had to be at the hospital before day care opened on the 20th.

We arrived and I was hooked up to the Pitoc.in by 7am.  My doc poked his head in right after the IV started and increased the dose --- apparently he didnt feel like spending the entire day waiting for it to work.  I agreed---- let's get this show on the road!!  By 10am, he broke my water but still no more progression -- only 2 cm and that's where I was when I arrived at the hospital.  But the contractions were steady and only about 2-3 minutes apart.  The epidural worked like magic!

At 11:30 am, I had progressed to 5cm and the doc went into the OR with another patient; his last words to me were "I will be back at 1pm.  Don't have a baby until then, ok?"  Sure Doc, I will try my best to do that.  My nurse took the chance to go to lunch.  I tried to get some sleep/rest but it just didnt work.

As soon as they were all gone, my pain pump (they gave me the little pain button for extra booster meds every 20 minutes!!!) decided to break -- ended up being a low battery but when you are depending on it, those "the pump is broken" beeps are not a welcome sound!!!!   Then, all of the sudden, it all felt different.  I asked the coverage nurse for my "something extra" --- the extra boost to the epidural only gave me a boost for an hour so I was pretty determined to have the baby in that hour!  Only then did my labor nurse return and check me to find that I was ready to deliver.  And now we had to find the doctor. 

Once the doc came in --- after we paged him back to the room from the OR (don't worry - he was done with surgery but had to skip his lunch) -- we prepped and 3 contractions worth of pushing later, William was born.

Big sister Grace came about an hour later and met her baby brother. She was in love instantly and quite proud to be a big sister.

Polly (the dog) wasn't really sure that first night what to do with this little person who made new noises but has quickly adapted and has become the protective big puppy-sis. 

And now we are a family of four.  It feels so nice to know that our family is complete.

On The Road Again

With doctor's note in hand, I boarded a plane yesterday and woke up this morning in Jacksonville, Florida.  Traveling 32 1/2 weeks pregnant is a totally different experience than any other travel experience.

1.  People really are nice . It amazed me how thoughtful and nice other passengers and airline staff were to me during the trip.  Normally you are lucky to get a small smile when you say hello to the person sitting next to you on the short flight from ATL to JAX.  Not this time.  My plane neighbors were putting my bag in the overhead for me.  They were making sure I had bottled water all the time.  They chatted with me when I walked the aisles to try to avoid the leg cramps that come from sitting too long. 

2.  Cheese is everywhere.  With this whole gallbladder issue, eating meals takes more thought than I am used to.  And eating lunch en route is hard.  A fiesta salad from Moe's just isnt the same without the cheddar cheese.

3.  Baby in the Belly = Ask Mama Weird Questions.  As soon as people realize you are pregnant, the questions begin.  And even though everyone was really nice, they also asked questions that just seemed weird to ask a stranger.  Was this pregnancy planned or an accident?  Any complications?  Is the baby a boy or girl?  Oh, you dont know.  Have you thought about circumsion and vaccines yet for your new one? (seriously someone asked me this between DC and ATL!).  What is it about pregnancy that makes random people think these questions arent personal and maybe should not be asked of the 8 month pregnant stranger next to them on the plane!!! 

But I am here and the trip was fine.  Real work begins today for me......precon and then errands for conference and golf!!!

It's Different

8 weeks and 5 days until #2 arrives.  Well, at least according to my What To Expect When Expecting app (yes, there's an app for that).  We all know how babies always come on time so I am not holding onto much hope that Baby will show up on that specific day.  But regardless, #2 is coming and time is flying by.

When I was pregnant with Grace, the nursery was done by this time.  I had all my major gear items.  And her closet was full of outfits to be worn.

Right now -- the crib is still in pieces leaning up against the wall in the nursery.  There is a pile of miscellaenous boxes that need to be put in storage but right now, the middle of the nursery floor seems to be a good place for them.  And the gear we do have is limited to a new car seat and a new pack n play -- both in their boxes and in the garage.

Everyone told me that being pregnant again would be different.  And they were so right.  I dont find myself panicing over pregnancy symptoms that forced doctor calls last time around.  And I generally know what to expect next.  I can more realistically plan for the hospital and what I will want with me there.  Most helpful has been knowing what gear and brands I liked and didnt like last time - I feel much more in control of the baby shopping list this time around.

Last week's events have got me thinking though -- what if this baby decides to come early? I am so not ready! There isnt a bottle in my house.  Or a diaper either.  Wipes -- 1 pack that I found in the back of Grace's closet.  Guess its time to start stocking up!!!

All Is Well Now

At our 20 week sonogram, I was diagnosed with marginal placenta previa.  Everything else was perfect - baby measured exactly on time and all the measurements were great.  Heart was good.  Everything except that super important placenta deciding to attach too low. 

The only thing to do is wait.  But the waiting was worrisome.  Sure, 9 out of 10 times the position shifts and all is well when its time to deliver.  But someone has to be that 1 left out.  That one who has no option but a c-section and risk of early labor.  My mom had complete placenta previa with my sister and it was dramatic and I remember, at 3 years old, visiting my mom at the hospital where she was on bedrest for 3 months.  It sucked and I just didnt want that. 

I have been wearing my brave face since hearing that news 7 weeks ago.  In the big scheme of things, it could be worse.  It was marginal previa, not complete.  There were no other complications associtated with it so none of the docs were overly concerned. But still, it worried me.  It was constantly on my mind.

This morning was the follow up sonogram to confirm whether or not the previa had corrected itself or not.  We woke up hopeful.  My gut told me all was well. And it is!  NO MORE PREVIA!!!!

And even better, the baby is doing great.  Perfect in fact.  Even measuring a few days ahead so the due date got moved up 4 days.  

Which means now I have 4 less days to get everything ready. Guess its time to start shopping for a stroller, bouncy seat and all the other baby stuff I donated a year ago. :)

Letter to #2

Dear Daisy -

Yes that is your nickname, Baby #2.  Your daddy thought he was very clever when he came up with that one - Daisy as in Oopsy-Daisy.  A total surprise.  But what a wonderful surprise you already are. 

Your older sister-to-be, Grace, talks about you all the time.  The other day, she spent her own money on a stuffed giraffe for you - her first gift to her little baby sibling.  I think thats really the only time I have gotten teary.  In the middle of the mall.  It just made me so happy. 

Today marks 14 weeks for you and I.  Only 25 more weeks to go! 

14 weeks

It amazes me how fast you (and therefore, I) have grown.  The doc wasn't kidding when she said things just seem to pop earlier with #2!  All my "normal" clothes are put away and I am embracing maternity clothes.  I will say - WOW - they have gotten so much better in the last seven years!!!! :) 

We are already starting to get the house ready for you - when you come home there will be new kitchen floors and a new pool cover to keep all the kiddos safer outside.  And Mommy and Daddy are relocating their home office so your room will be all set for you.  And of course, Mommy is already scoping out all the baby gear ratings - no hand-me-downs for you cause this Mom gave it all away to charity about a year ago.  And so we start over! 

Hoping to feel you move around in there soon.  Come on Daisy - give Mommy one big kick soon, okay?!

Love you already. 
Mommy

Coming in Late April 2011

 

Surprised!?  Yeah, us too. But after the shock wore off, we have found ourselves so excited.  And Grace is simply beside herself and very anxious to be a big sister.  

For years, we had said "No more.  One and done.  Our family is fine the way it is."  And that was, and still is, very true.  In public, we rarely wavered from those statements.  A few of my very closest friends witnessed my baby-itis over the past few years but all in all, our family was complete with just the three of us.  Well, over the past year, Hubby and I have had a few chats about it - we weren't ready to declare that we wanted another baby but we also were not ready to say that we were definitely absolutely done adding to the family.  If we were blessed with another, fabulous.  And if not, that was great too.  

Now, here we are........seven years since I was pregnant with Grace, getting ready to do it all over again.  And I am so excited.  

 

9week sonogram