Week 4 Con't: Alan wins again!

It is so amazing to me that we are already finishing up week 4 of Nathan's life! Our first week with both kids and no help has gone surprisingly smooth. Mostly thanks to our wonderful Sunday school class who gave us a huge amount of food from Panera. We didn't have to worry about what we would eat all week!!! That was exactly what we needed to transition back to reality.

On Friday, I had my first ever parent/teacher conference with Helen's preschool teacher. On the drive to the school, I starting wondering how I would handle it if the teacher had something negative to say. Would I fight back, would I feel wounded, would I completely turn off? I am definitely not known to be a sensitive person. I have no problem handling any kind of criticism myself, but I guess my mothering instinct kicked into overdrive thanks to little sleep for the past 4 weeks. The funny thing is that the teacher had nothing but positive and glowing remarks (do preschool teachers really give anything else), and I was the one who brought up Helen's less than stellar side. Naturally, Helen reserves her difficult side just for Mommy and Daddy!

In Nathan news, it took exactly 3 weeks and 2 days for him to turn into the living image of Alan. Apparently, Alan's genes needed a few more weeks to cook before they took over! Everyone who has come over this week says almost immediately, "Wow, he looks just like Alan." Did we need more proof that Alan's genes are superior to mine?? I've developed the theory that the more quiet and unobtrusive you are the more potent are your genes.


I'm starting to see the development of Nathan's personality. Naturally, I can only compare to Helen (2nd kids really don't stand a chance do they?) Nathan is definitely not nearly as flexible as Helen is and needs a lot more holding and coddling, too. He's smart in that if he didn't demand attention he more than likely wouldn't get it, but the demanding is starting to get a little wearing. It takes about 5 hours to produce one blog entry as I only get about 5 minutes at a stretch to type as I have not yet mastered the art of typing with one hand. Last night, our wonderful neighbors hosted us for fondue. Helen has always been up for a party since birth, but Nathan had enough at 9pm and started letting loose from his lungs and his diaper (naturally, I had nothing to remedy the diaper situation, except to remind myself that the days of newborn diapers are OVER!) I finally had to leave with Nathan while Alan and Helen continued the celebration of Nathan's birth without the guest of honor. I think there was just too much stimulus for him. Once we got home in the quiet and the dark, he settled down and was quite happy. It will definitely be a change to have an inflexible child. Even though Helen can be the biggest boss in the universe, she is always willing to go at whatever time of the day...nap or no nap and the later she gets to stay up the happier she is.

I've also observed that since Nathan has made his entrance Alan and I are far more productive (case in point, I now update the blog.) We usually spend our weekends not doing much and then being frantic on Sunday afternoons to catch up. Now, since we have limited time to do things, we try to get everything done first before we relax. Alan raked the leaves and fixed our oven. I did laundry and made bread. Before long, our house will be spic and span all the time :)


We are looking forward to week 5 and celebrating Nathan's first month of life. I'm really excited to find out how much he weighs at his doctor's appt on Friday. He went from being super tiny to hurting my back when I carry him in the moby wrap. He has to be over 9 pounds now!

Week 4: The jig is up

So, in my massive blog update that brings us to week 4. Sweet Helen is now back, and we are getting into the swing of things...or rather things are swinging and we are trying to hold on for dear life!!!

Helen came back filled with mischief. Even after spending a week with John Dylan, she is still 100% princess, 100% of the time. "Star Wars is for boys." Apparently, JD had no success in getting her to like anything that he does! Unless he likes something pink.

We finally got the baby stroller down from storage, but Helen decided that she was a baby. It was fine until "the baby" climbed over the stroller and fell face first into the cement. She got a fat lip and little sympathy. It takes a lot more than blood to get our attention these days!

Currently, Helen is still going to daycare Tu/Th which is giving me much needed downtime to get through the days that she doesn't have daycare. Unfortunately, next week is her last week at daycare...then the jig will really be up!!

That brings us up to date! Let's see what the future holds!

Week 3: Why do first time parents complain?

For Week 3, we enjoyed being the parents of just 1. My parents graciously offered to keep Helen for almost the entire week. While she enjoyed romping around with cousin John Dylan, we breathed in the peace and silence. We watched a lot of tv...The Office & 30 Rock episodes mostly (I have no attention span for anything longer than 20 minutes.) It is funny to think that we thought we were so exhausted when we had just Helen as an infant. Except for the sleep, a newborn is very easy. I don't have to worry about corrupting his brain when I watch Maury Povich, and he has no opinion about what kind of spoon he wants (and yes, the Dora spoon is almost always in the dishwasher.) Nathan enjoyed not getting thrown about and kissed a million times, but overall, we missed Helen's spunky attitude (but not enough to want her to come home early.)

Alan took many pics of Nathan while they were hanging out. We are trying to increase his number of pictures as Helen had WAY more than him at the same point.

My sister-in-law generously sent us a few newborn outfits. We were surprised at how small Nathan was. We never thought a Johnson/Walker combination would produce a baby that was less than 8 pounds! We have plenty of 3 months clothes, but they were swallowing him whole. Monica's outfits arrived just in time. He only had 3 outfits that fit him and it was getting downright scandolous on how many days he was wearing them!!

This is how Alan looks after his Friday night duty.

On Saturday, we had a great time visiting with Uncle Mike and Killi. With just Nathan, we were able to go out to eat with them and sit and have a nice, long conversation! What a novelty! Saturday was also exciting as we decided at the last minute to take baby boy to the doctor due to a goopy eye and a bleeding belly button (probably 2 of the most common newborn issues.) We felt like first time parents as we were driving there as the eye had stopped being goopy and the belly button had just about healed. But, onward we drove. We were completely floored to learned that he was 8 lbs 6 oz. A whole pound of growth in just 1 week!! Eating every 2 hours definitely is causing the little guy to gain a lot of weight! It was funny to think that he was almost exactly the same size as Helen when she was born.

Week 2: Due Date & Life with 2

I felt really awful for Nathan that he had to be born early because he obviously didn't want to come out easily. So, it was very important to get past his Halloween due date. The week began with a short visit from Papa who was on his way to VA.

Below is how we have been spend most of our time. I finally gave in and started letting Nathan sleep in the bed with me in order to maximize sleep. He wants to be held almost non-stop, so if I want sleep he needs to be in the crook of my arm. I have nothing against attachment parenting, but it really isn't for me. I can't wait until I can put him in his own crib. But for now, sleep is priority #1!

We finally gave in and bathed Nathan at home a full week after his first bath in the hospital! Being a parent the 2nd time around is definitely all about trying to fit it all in. Now, we have to deal with 2 baths, 2 diaper changes, and 2 varying bedtime routines. I know that we will hit our stride at some point, but in the meantime it is somewhat fun working on figuring it out. Alan has been especially considerate of not working late (meaning he is home around 6:15.) During week 2, we had 2 days where Alan didn't work, and it was nice to be a family of 4.

Grandmama came up to visit and meet her 8th grandchild. It was a blessing that she was here as it just happened that the one night she stayed I ended up having to go to the hospital in the middle of the night for a postpartum issue. Fortunately, everything was fine, but I don't know what we would have done if she wasn't here!

Alan had his birthday this week as well. It made us realize that 2 birthdays + Halloween all within 12 days makes for WAY too much sugar!!

Helen has been a great big sister so far. She loves her new role...almost too much!! My first job is protecting Nathan from big sister's loving and violent touch. How many times can a soft spot be forcefully kissed??? She has had a few moments of jealousy, but for the most part, she is taking it all in. Honestly, she watches a lot more tv now!

We enjoyed many Halloween festivites. Helen as a fairy princess butterfly ballerina. Since we weren't expecting Nathan to arrive before his due date, he wore a pumpkin hat that we frantically purchased! I've been using my moby wrap a lot. I definitely look strange, but it is a great wrap as Nathan sleeps like an angel in it!


Finally, our little pumpkin made it to his due date! We had his 2 week check up on Friday, and he weight 7lbs, 60z. The doctor's goal is to be at his birth weight by 2 weeks, and he surpassed it by a half pound. You can tell how he accomplished this by looking at the huge bags under my eyes!! Thankfully, we have created a routine where Alan gives him bottles on Friday nights. I get a full 8-9 hours.

Week 1: An Homage to Nana

Nana saved us during the 1st week of Nathan's life. To say that she kept the Walker household going is an understatement! Not only did she keep Helen on schedule while we were in the hospital, but she made huge & delicious meals for us every night. She also went back and forth to the grocery store to fetch me very high calorie and high fat foods (think cream cheese cakes, cheese dip, and all things drenched in butter.) If you've just delivered a baby, you deserve to eat exactly what you want!! She cleaned the kitchen every night and even took a few night shifts with sweet Nathan when he decided that sleep can only happen while he is being held. Truly, I don't know what we would have done without her!

We came home on Wed, 10/21. Dora was extremely concerned about this new addition to our household. She saw the writing on the wall pretty fast that her days of getting any attention were long over!!

Nathan had his first doctor's appt on Friday, 10/23. He had gained almost back to his birth weight thanks to his demading to be nursed every 2 hours exactly. Helen also got checked while we were there thanks to a massive amount of snot that presented itself 1 day after Nathan was born. 2nd children never have a chance to stay germ free!!

Nana kept a big smile throughout her week of servitude! PaPaw came up for his share of baby holding, too!

Nathan's Birth Story

My last picture as a pregnant woman.

2nd child guilt has finally hit me! Thus far, baby Nathan has little record of his birth and first 3 weeks whereas Helen has an extensive catalog. I'm trying to make things right by blogging about his birth story and how we have been surviving these past 3 weeks. This is more like a journal entry, so that I don't forget what happened :)

My pregnancy with Nathan was very different from Helen's. To start, I was sicker in the beginning, more anxious in the middle, and downright terrified at the end. The anxiety all began when I was told I had a low-lying placenta that would possibly cause the OB to give me a c-section at 36 weeks. Fortunately, after many ultrasounds that was cleared up by 35 weeks. Then, the fun really began.

I went to my regular 37 week appt on Tuesday, Oct 13th. I was feeling very positive that day and was planning on grilling the doctor about how I wanted a natural birth with no iv, no pitocin after delivery, etc. etc. I had my demands about how I wanted this birth all charted out. The doctor walked in, immediately said that I had too much protein in my urine, gave me a gigantic orange jug to do a 24 hour protein test, and walked out. So much for me being in charge!! I dropped off my jug on Thursday (very glamorous) and mentioned that my blood pressure monitor at home was giving me high readings. Naturally, the monitor must be wrong as I bought the cheapest one available. The nurse decided to take my blood pressure...145/93 later and I was put in a room to see the doctor post haste. The doctor came in and told me I would probably be induced that day as they take no chances with preeclampsia. All I could stammer out was "I don't want to be induced." Dr. Cook replied, "I can see that." I imagine my expression was one of pure fear! Fortunately, my cervix did the talking for me as it was definitely not ready to go through an induction. Dr. Cook made sure to mention that I had I seen the 2 youngest doctors in the practice I would have already been rolling on the gurney on the way to the delivery room. He was willing to give me a little more time in order to get more test results back.

Thus began the weekend of the high blood pressure. Also, known as checking it every 10 minutes! On Friday, my urine test came back at 429. There was no denying that I was preeclamptic at that point. However, in the medical world nothing happens on the weekends. I was told to go the office first thing Monday morning and/or go the ER if my bottom number got over 105. I spent the weekend frantically googling preeclampsia, checking my blood pressure, and trying to get things ready for a baby to come home. Alan helped by keeping Helen very busy and telling me to stop taking my blood pressure. Our doula, Caryn Fontaine, checked in with us many times and advised me to take Evening Primrose Oil in order to dilate my cervix. We called in the troops, ie Alan's mother, as we were fully expecting induction on Monday.

So, on Monday morning 10/19 with bags packed full of comfort items and snacks, Alan and I went to the doctor's office. Not only was my blood pressure still high (mid 140s over mid 90s), but my protein had gone up. The doctor who saw us said I was an easy case that day as she sent me straight to labor and delivery.

We made it to L&D around 10 and the pitocin was started around 11. I was hooked up to what felt like a million things and was told I could only get up to go the bathroom. Our doula arrived to help us out and we began the long process called "waiting for pain." We waited and waited. We watched the Sex and the City movie, I listed to the i-pod, Alan surfed the internet, and Caryn sat patiently in a chair. Yes, that is how the majority of my labor went....nothing happened. I was finally told that I was at the max amount of pitocin and that if I didn't start having contractions I was going to be in trouble. Dr. Cook said he intended to wipe the smile off my face throughout the multiple times that he checked on me. I started praying for pain. All I wanted was to feel pain! Meanwhile, my pressure continued to stay high.

My water was broken around 3:30. Per Alan's careful documentation, my contractions finally started at 4:10. That's when the party really started. I had always heard about the pain of pitocin contractions. Now, I know exactly what everyone meant!! The pain was off the charts. The strange part is that my contractions were never longer than 30 seconds (same as my labor with Helen.) But, the hard part is that they came every 2 minutes like clockwork. I had always prided myself that "anyone can handle pain for 30 seconds." That was out the window after an hour. No one can handle that pain, whether it is for 5 seconds or 30! God bless those poor women who have 60-90 second long contractions!!

The screaming must have begun around 5:15 or so. By screaming, I mean screaming at the top of my lungs, every single contraction, every 2 minutes. Sweet Alan just said "shhhh." Caryn said, "let's use your energy in a more positive way." I said, "screaming is the only thing that helps. I'm screaming." Each time a contraction began, my vision of a natural labor went out the window. Epidural repeated in my brain over and over and over again. Finally, I said, "epidural and now. Not later...now. Nurse, I want an epidural now. Not later...now." The CRNA poked his head in and told me that not only was he at the end of the hall but behind a closed door, and he still heard my screaming. Then, he said that he would be right back. WHAT??!! I want an epidural and I want it now. I told the nurse to go get him back! The blessed anesthesiologist came in and the epidural was in by 6pm.

This is the ironic part...as soon as the epidural was in, I felt the overwhelming urge to push. The doctor had no intention of checking me, but since he was in the room and I was asking, he checked me. I was 10cm. Yes, that's right. 10cm. But, I can have no regrets about getting the epidural. Prior to getting it, my blood pressure was at least 159/106. Afterwards, it was 117/73. Not to mention that the pain relief was magnificent! All of my fear of having a needle in my spine is so 2007! I kept having the urge to push, but no one was paying much attention to me. The doctor was planning on going to eat dinner, but I kept saying "I really need to push. The baby is coming out right now." Dr. Cook sort of chuckled and said it was going to be a long time, but he would let me push and then check me. So, I pushed, he checked, and his dinner plans flew out the window. Once Nathan was ready to be born, he was ready...end of story. So, at 6:39, he was born.

Caryn encouraged us to do delayed cord cutting, so the little guy was thrown onto my chest (not as gross as I thought it would be.) We waited a little bit and then Alan cut the cord (very different from his look of bewilderment he had with Helen). I held Nathan for what felt like forever before they took him to be cleaned up. Then began the other reason I was happy to have the epidural. The placenta decided it did not want to come out, so it took a lot of trouble to finish up the labor process. Caryn made sure I got a good look at the thing that had caused so many problems. First being low-lying and then causing pre-eclampsia. Good bye and good riddance!

Unfortunately, because my pressure had gotten so high, Dr. Cook decided to run magnesium in my iv. So, I was attached to the iv until the next morning.

Bottom line is that precious Nathan is healthy and thriving. For all the medical intervention I had, I am happy of proud of his birth story!!

Awaiting

It just hit me. And I mean really hit me, twice I think.

The realization that we will be adding one more addition to our family, not sometime in life, not in the future, not in 8-9 months-- but today or tomorrow or in a few days. Very soon. That's the ton of bricks that's been hanging over my head, and I'm pretending I don't see the shadow. Whew.

It's not like we didn't know this day was coming, it's more like we want to believe that it won't really change our lives. Every day with Helen is such a blessing, as she grows and develops, she becomes more independent, more talkative, more sweet, more able to pick up after herself. That's nice. And now we're going to sort of start over, but with more challenges-- because now there are two. And just when we got to size 5 diapers, I've got to go back down to size N, not even a 1.

I think the first wake up call was on Thursday, when Kim called from the doctor's office saying something like, "they don't have the tests back, but they may want to induce, so get ready to come to the hospital if I call." I was just going to a lunch meeting-- that was my expected excitement for the day: free lunch. But we were given a pass. Same story for this Monday's doctor visit, tests are indicating mild preeclampsia, so inducing the birth is probably imminent. And there's no reason we can't go ahead since we are so close to the due date of Halloween. Now Kim's world revolves around the constant monitoring of her blood pressure (more out of intense curiosity than a need to check every half hour). And I'm called to duty to keep our lovable daughter from crawling all over her favorite jungle gym. And maybe I should go ahead and pull out the car seats out of the storage closet (arranged to be near the front, but still tucked away). I think I'll pack the bag for the hospital now; yeah, might be time for that. Because reluctance to change and denial is not stopping this kicking, baby boy from entering our lives. We will welcome him. Although if he could wait a little longer, that would be nice, too.-AW