Three generations!
First family photo (outside the hospital, that is).
Monday, September 26, 2011
2 Week Appointment
We took Holly in for her 2 week check-up and are quite happy to announce that she has surpassed her birth weight and length! She is now 9 pounds 12 ounces and 21 inches long. She is in the 90th percentile for weight and 75th for length. As her pediatrician said, she is a well proportioned baby. Go Holly!
Her next appointment will be her 2 month check-up in November. I am still waiting to get a call about scheduling an ultrasound for her hips. Her pediatrician wants to make sure that there is no problem with her alignment since she was a breech birth, thus the ultrasound of her hips. That will take place around 6 weeks of age and, unfortunately, the hospital here in town does not perform ultrasounds (don't know why) so I'll need to take her to Children's Hospital out where my parents are. Upside to that is we get in a visit with Grammy and Pah AND with her aunt, uncle and cousins (who are just itching to get a chance to meet her) and I'll have Grammy come with us to the ultrasound appointment. Can't beat that!
The downside to today's appointment - Holly's weight. Of course, we all knew she would steadily gain weight, but once she's over 10 pounds Pat won't be able to pick her up anymore. Back in August he decided he was going to train for the Turkey Trot (a 5k race) held on Thanksgiving and during training he developed a hernia. His weight restriction is to lift things less than 10 pounds. He's devastated that he won't be able to help care for Holly as she gets bigger, but he'll do what he can considering his restrictions. His surgery is scheduled for November 1st (just ten days before Holly's next appointment) and we're all praying that he will be able to endure during the next few weeks and his pain does not get any worse.
Her next appointment will be her 2 month check-up in November. I am still waiting to get a call about scheduling an ultrasound for her hips. Her pediatrician wants to make sure that there is no problem with her alignment since she was a breech birth, thus the ultrasound of her hips. That will take place around 6 weeks of age and, unfortunately, the hospital here in town does not perform ultrasounds (don't know why) so I'll need to take her to Children's Hospital out where my parents are. Upside to that is we get in a visit with Grammy and Pah AND with her aunt, uncle and cousins (who are just itching to get a chance to meet her) and I'll have Grammy come with us to the ultrasound appointment. Can't beat that!
The downside to today's appointment - Holly's weight. Of course, we all knew she would steadily gain weight, but once she's over 10 pounds Pat won't be able to pick her up anymore. Back in August he decided he was going to train for the Turkey Trot (a 5k race) held on Thanksgiving and during training he developed a hernia. His weight restriction is to lift things less than 10 pounds. He's devastated that he won't be able to help care for Holly as she gets bigger, but he'll do what he can considering his restrictions. His surgery is scheduled for November 1st (just ten days before Holly's next appointment) and we're all praying that he will be able to endure during the next few weeks and his pain does not get any worse.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Nighttime is Playtime!
These past few nights I have come to the conclusion that Holly thinks that the hours between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM are playtime. She doesn't seem to understand yet that this is when Mommy and Daddy would much prefer to be sleeping after she's done feeding! Go figure, right?
Last night was an adventure! Holly fed for five minutes at 11:30 PM and then slept straight through until 3:00 when she decided she was finally and truly hungry. She ate for about 20 minutes and then after was all wide-eyed and bushy-tailed! She topped off her tank about 4:20 AM and then was content to fill her pants and then while I was changing her she would pee. On the bed, on her clothes, in the fresh diaper. We went through two sleepers, perhaps five to six diapers and our bed sheet and mattress protector all within that two-hour time frame. (It's definitely laundry day today!) Then at 5:00 AM she decided, "Okay, I'm done playing. Goodnight!" and promptly fell asleep, much to my utter relief.
I realize that at only two weeks old she is not going to sleep through the night and I'm not complaining. That does not, however, stop me from reminiscing about the nights prior to her birth and my pregnancy when I was capable of sleeping entirely through the night. I'll be enjoying those reminisces for some time!
For now, Holly is enjoying a morning snooze on Grammy's chest. Best. Place. To. Sleep. EVER!
Last night was an adventure! Holly fed for five minutes at 11:30 PM and then slept straight through until 3:00 when she decided she was finally and truly hungry. She ate for about 20 minutes and then after was all wide-eyed and bushy-tailed! She topped off her tank about 4:20 AM and then was content to fill her pants and then while I was changing her she would pee. On the bed, on her clothes, in the fresh diaper. We went through two sleepers, perhaps five to six diapers and our bed sheet and mattress protector all within that two-hour time frame. (It's definitely laundry day today!) Then at 5:00 AM she decided, "Okay, I'm done playing. Goodnight!" and promptly fell asleep, much to my utter relief.
I realize that at only two weeks old she is not going to sleep through the night and I'm not complaining. That does not, however, stop me from reminiscing about the nights prior to her birth and my pregnancy when I was capable of sleeping entirely through the night. I'll be enjoying those reminisces for some time!
For now, Holly is enjoying a morning snooze on Grammy's chest. Best. Place. To. Sleep. EVER!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Healing
I had my results back from the culture the doctor took at my last visit and there is no infection remaining in my incision. Yay! The antibiotics that were prescribed did their job and the hole is almost completely closed. Now it's time for continued healing and rebuilding my strength. After all, I did have major abdominal surgery! Never in my wildest dreams did I guess that I would have a C-section, but stranger things can happen.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Coming Home
Holly's due date was set for September 12th, but what the doctors were really saying was that she would be coming home on that day! I'd like to say that there was a lot of fan fare and balloons and cheers, but in all reality, it was just a very slow walk from the car to the door - and I couldn't even carry my little angel.
I know that C-sections are a lot more common these days for one reason or another, but coming from a family that has had nothing but vaginal deliveries, I was disappointed that I had to be "set apart." Aside from that, I look positively at the situation and who I got from it. I could not be any happier to be a mother and have my little girl in my arms every day. Other than my husband, she is the center of my universe!
I am eternally grateful to all my family who have helped Pat and I at home with Holly during the ensuing days at home. Although I was discharged from the hospital on time after my C-section, it hasn't been without its own pitfalls. I was advised that the steri-strips that were put on my incision line after the staples were removed were to be there for two weeks, but they were removed a week later when I had to return to the doctor because I had an opening in my incision. Turns out the small opening that was visible from beneath the steri-strips was a bit larger than the small hole we thought was there - about an inch and a half in length. So now it seems to be a greater adventure in healing! I'll be going back to the doctor to have the incision checked again and hopefully see some positive progress.
I know that C-sections are a lot more common these days for one reason or another, but coming from a family that has had nothing but vaginal deliveries, I was disappointed that I had to be "set apart." Aside from that, I look positively at the situation and who I got from it. I could not be any happier to be a mother and have my little girl in my arms every day. Other than my husband, she is the center of my universe!
I am eternally grateful to all my family who have helped Pat and I at home with Holly during the ensuing days at home. Although I was discharged from the hospital on time after my C-section, it hasn't been without its own pitfalls. I was advised that the steri-strips that were put on my incision line after the staples were removed were to be there for two weeks, but they were removed a week later when I had to return to the doctor because I had an opening in my incision. Turns out the small opening that was visible from beneath the steri-strips was a bit larger than the small hole we thought was there - about an inch and a half in length. So now it seems to be a greater adventure in healing! I'll be going back to the doctor to have the incision checked again and hopefully see some positive progress.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Holly's Birthday!
On Thursday, September 8, 2011 I had a 3:00 PM (39 week) OB/GYN visit. While there, the doctor informed me that I was one centimeter dilated and approximately 50% effaced. She gave me the option of inducing labor or waiting out the weekend and seeing if I went into labor naturally. If Pat and I chose to induce, we could go into the hospital either that night or Sunday night. I made the decision to go ahead and get the ball rolling because at that point I was done being pregnant!
I went home and Pat returned to work to finish out his day. I began to get the house in order and ready for my parents' arrival later that evening. Pat and I were due at the hospital at 7:00 PM for check-in and induction was scheduled to begin around 8:00 PM. It seemed like it was a whirlwind of activity as I vacuumed, washed and put away dishes, straightened up the house, double-checked the contents of my hospital bag and the diaper bag.
Pat arrived home around 5:00 PM and ate a quick dinner, then cleaned the bathrooms, took out all the trash, and packed the car. Finally, it was 6:45 PM and we were ready to leave! We were both feeling pretty excited and nervous - after nine months of waiting, we were finally at the finish line!
Once we were checked in and situated, Pat left to hit up the ATM and the nurse was checking my progress. While checking my progress, my water broke at 8:15 PM! (I blame the vacuuming from earlier in the evening that caused that breakage.) Poor Pat missed most of the excitement and returned as the nurse was cleaning up the remaining mess. Pitocin was started and labor began at 9:00 PM. Things were progressing nicely and I got my epidural when I hit four centimeters. By 3:00 AM I was five centimeters dilated and 75% effaced - and something was determined to be "not quite right." The nurse fetched the ultrasound machine and checked the position of the baby - and discovered that she was breech! Surprise! As a result, an emergency C-section was scheduled for 7:30 AM on Friday morning.
My parents and Pat's parents were both present the following morning around 6:30 AM for support and well wishes as Pat and I prepared for surgery. I admit to being disappointed that it was necessary for a C-section, but I understood the necessity for it. By 7:30 AM they were wheeling me back into the OR and at 7:49 AM on Friday, September 9, 2011 Holly Ann was born! She weighed in at 9 pounds, 2 ounces and 19.5 inches long!
I went home and Pat returned to work to finish out his day. I began to get the house in order and ready for my parents' arrival later that evening. Pat and I were due at the hospital at 7:00 PM for check-in and induction was scheduled to begin around 8:00 PM. It seemed like it was a whirlwind of activity as I vacuumed, washed and put away dishes, straightened up the house, double-checked the contents of my hospital bag and the diaper bag.
Pat arrived home around 5:00 PM and ate a quick dinner, then cleaned the bathrooms, took out all the trash, and packed the car. Finally, it was 6:45 PM and we were ready to leave! We were both feeling pretty excited and nervous - after nine months of waiting, we were finally at the finish line!
Once we were checked in and situated, Pat left to hit up the ATM and the nurse was checking my progress. While checking my progress, my water broke at 8:15 PM! (I blame the vacuuming from earlier in the evening that caused that breakage.) Poor Pat missed most of the excitement and returned as the nurse was cleaning up the remaining mess. Pitocin was started and labor began at 9:00 PM. Things were progressing nicely and I got my epidural when I hit four centimeters. By 3:00 AM I was five centimeters dilated and 75% effaced - and something was determined to be "not quite right." The nurse fetched the ultrasound machine and checked the position of the baby - and discovered that she was breech! Surprise! As a result, an emergency C-section was scheduled for 7:30 AM on Friday morning.
My parents and Pat's parents were both present the following morning around 6:30 AM for support and well wishes as Pat and I prepared for surgery. I admit to being disappointed that it was necessary for a C-section, but I understood the necessity for it. By 7:30 AM they were wheeling me back into the OR and at 7:49 AM on Friday, September 9, 2011 Holly Ann was born! She weighed in at 9 pounds, 2 ounces and 19.5 inches long!
Thursday, September 08, 2011
A Big Welcome!
Pat and I are expecting our first child - a daughter - on September 12, 2011 and we have only four days left! Until the due date, that is. Seeing as I am a first-time mother, I expect I will surpass my due date and our little girl will be born later.
I feel that I should explain the title of the blog "Biscuit's in the Cabbage Patch" for our readers. I work as an early childhood educator and the children in my class never fail to entertain me on a daily basis. Early on in my pregnancy, one of my kids was snuggled up against my side and patting my belly.
I asked him, "What's in my belly?"
He responded, "A bay-be." (He put quite a bit of emphasis on "bay.")
I asked him, "Is it a boy or a girl?"
He grinned around his thumb and said, "A girl!"
I asked, "What's her name?"
And he responded with ... "Biscuit!"
I have no idea where he came up with that, because we had discussed baby names previously, but C insisted that her name was going to be Biscuit. Ultimately, the nickname has stuck and most of the pregnancy jokes of "a bun in the oven" have been converted to "a biscuit in the oven." :)
My goal for this blog is to capture all aspects of my daughter's growth. I know that as I grew, my mother collected a number of rather amusing memories of me, but were never cataloged (as far as I know). My daughter may not thank me later ... or if she's like me she'll pretend to be incredibly embarrassed, but secretly loves to hear about her childhood antics!
So without further ado, welcome to the blog and enjoy the photos and stories that will soon shared!
I feel that I should explain the title of the blog "Biscuit's in the Cabbage Patch" for our readers. I work as an early childhood educator and the children in my class never fail to entertain me on a daily basis. Early on in my pregnancy, one of my kids was snuggled up against my side and patting my belly.
I asked him, "What's in my belly?"
He responded, "A bay-be." (He put quite a bit of emphasis on "bay.")
I asked him, "Is it a boy or a girl?"
He grinned around his thumb and said, "A girl!"
I asked, "What's her name?"
And he responded with ... "Biscuit!"
I have no idea where he came up with that, because we had discussed baby names previously, but C insisted that her name was going to be Biscuit. Ultimately, the nickname has stuck and most of the pregnancy jokes of "a bun in the oven" have been converted to "a biscuit in the oven." :)
My goal for this blog is to capture all aspects of my daughter's growth. I know that as I grew, my mother collected a number of rather amusing memories of me, but were never cataloged (as far as I know). My daughter may not thank me later ... or if she's like me she'll pretend to be incredibly embarrassed, but secretly loves to hear about her childhood antics!
So without further ado, welcome to the blog and enjoy the photos and stories that will soon shared!
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